@ChrisPerkinsDnD I cannot figure out from the DMG how to make a basic Wizard (PHB class) villain of a wanted CR X. What LEVEL should it be?
— Li Shenron (@Li_Shenron) November 7, 2015
AC, hp, and dmg determine CR, not level. A Wizard 5 w/ fireball is deadlier than a Wizard 10 w/ no offensive spells. https://t.co/LXZxn8TpID
— Christopher Perkins (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) November 8, 2015
So then the question changes to “is there a mathematical formula to help DMs determine the CR of a creature accurately?”