Veteran

Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment

Armor Class: 17 (splint)
Hit Points: 58 (9d8+18)
Speed: 30 ft.

STR: 16 (+3)
DEX: 13 (+1)
CON: 14 (+2)
INT: 10 (+0)
WIS: 11 (+0)
CHA: 10 (+0)

Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +2
Senses: passive Perception 12
Languages: any one language (usually Common)
Challenge: 3 (700 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +2

Actions

Multiattack. The veteran makes two longsword attacks. If it has a shortsword drawn, it can also make a shortsword attack.

Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands.

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.

Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage.

About the veteran

Veterans are professional fighters that take up arms for pay or to protect something they believe in or value. Their ranks include soldiers retired from long service and warriors who never served anyone but themselves.

How many for your party

Copies of the veteran (700 XP each) against a party of four characters of the same level. Build mixed fights in the encounter builder.

Number of Veteran for each difficulty, party of four
Party level	Easy	Medium	Hard	Deadly
Level 2	—	—	1	2–20
Level 3	—	1	—	2–20
Level 5	—	2	3	4–20
Level 6	2	—	3	4–20
Level 7	2	3	4	5–20
Level 8	2	3	4–5	6–20

In these lists

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Questions

What CR is the Veteran?

The Veteran is challenge 3, worth 700 XP, with a proficiency bonus of +2.

How many hit points does the Veteran have?

58 hit points (9d8+18), with AC 17 from splint.

How many should I use against four 2nd-level characters?

Against four level 2 characters, 1 is hard by the encounter XP budget.