D&D 5.5e's Ravenloft update shows why challenge ratings still don't work

Polygon says Ravenloft: The Horrors Within pits a level 6 party against a loup garou and three werewolves, despite the monster’s older CR 13 version being far more dangerous.

The article argues the 5.5e loup garou has better raw numbers but loses key traits such as ambush options, regeneration, and tactical flexibility.

That makes the encounter a case study in why D&D 5.5e challenge ratings can be harder to trust: stronger stats do not always mean a harder fight.

For Dungeon Masters, the takeaway is that monster balance now depends even more on special abilities and encounter design, not just CR.