This campaign is using the Proficiency Without Level (PWL) variant rule covered in the Game Mastery Guide on page 198. This is the Pathfinder 2E version of "bounded accuracy" described in the D&D 5th edition version.
The primary reason for using the PWL rule variant is to allow a broader range of challenges at any given level. Low level characters can face higher level challenges, and lower level creatures can still challenge higher level characters.
This is a very significant change to the fundamental mechanics. Making PWL scale well from 1st to 20th level depends on the GM applying Difficulty Class (DC) adjustments. However, this does mean the DCs tend to be more subjective.
Reference
The fundamental math I'm using is based on the rules variant, but tweaked as outlined from the community using this Google Sheets doc: PWL Resources.
Proficiency Bonus
Proficiency Rank
DC
Untrained
-2
Trained
0
Expert
4
Master
6
Legendary
8
Skill DCs
Proficiency Rank
DC
Untrained
10 (12)
Trained
15 (15)
Expert
18 (20)
Master
21 (30)
Legendary
25 (40)
Default level DCs.
Adjusting Difficulty
Difficulty
Adjustment
Rarity
Incredibly easy
-10
-
Very easy
-5
-
Easy
-2
-
Hard
+2
Uncommon
Very hard
+5
Rare
Incredibly hard
+10
Unique
DCs by Level
Level
DC
Spell Rank
DC
0
12 (14)
1st
15 (15)
1st
15 (15)
2nd
17 (18)
2nd
16 (16)
3rd
18 (20)
3rd
17 (18)
4th
19 (23)
4th
17 (19)
5th
20 (26)
5th
18 (20)
6th
21 (28)
6th
18 (22)
7th
22 (31)
7th
19 (23)
8th
23 (34)
8th
19 (24)
9th
24 (36)
9th
20 (26)
10th
25 (39)
10th
20 (27)
11th
21 (28)
12th
21 (30)
13th
22 (31)
14th
22 (32)
15th
23 (34)
16th
23 (35)
17th
24 (36)
18th
24 (38)
19th
25 (39)
20th
25 (40)
21st
26 (42)
22nd
27 (44)
23rd
28 (46)
24th
29 (48)
25th
30 (50)
Default level DCs. Useful if you need to convert on the fly a feat DC or something else.
Adjusting Encounters
Creature's Level
XP
Party level - 7
9
Party level - 6
12
Party level - 5
14
Party level - 4
18
Party level - 3
21
Party level - 2
26
Party level - 1
32
Party level
40
Party level + 1
48
Party level + 2
60
Party level + 3
72
Party level + 4
90
Party level + 5
108
Party level + 6
135
Party level + 7
160
Encounter Budget
Threat
XP Budget
Character Adjustment
Trivial
40 or less
10 or less
Low
60
15
Moderate
80
20
Severe
120
30
Extreme
160
40
Non-Standard Party Sizes
The encounter budget is based on a group of four characters. For every character above or below four you add or subtract the amount listed above for character adjustment (there is a minor change in this table from the core rules for low threats).
In the core rules an encounter is created using the XP budget adjusted by the number of characters above or below four, but the actual XP award given to the players are the same as the XP budget for a group of four characters (i.e. a Moderate encounter with an XP budget of 160 for eight characters still results in 80 XP for each character).
This can be difficult to work out for encounters with a large number of enemies and allies. To simplify the calculation after an encounter the following formula will be used:
XP Award = (Sum of XP for all monsters) x 4 / Number of characters
Treat Wounds
Proficiency
DC
Success Healing
Critical Healing
Trained
15
2d8
4d8
Expert
18
2d8+10
4d8+10
Master
21
2d8+30
4d8+30
Legendary
25
2d8+50
4d8+50
Rolling against a higher DC is optional.
Learn a Spell
Spell Level
Price
Typical DC
1st or Cantrip
2 gp
15
2nd
6 gp
17
3rd
16 gp
18
4th
36 gp
19
5th
70 gp
20
6th
140 gp
21
7th
300 gp
22
8th
650 gp
23
9th
1500 gp
24
10th
7000 gp
26
Demolishing Barriers
Doors
Climb DC
Hardness, HP (BT)
Wood
18
10, 40 (20)
Stone
21
14, 56 (28)
Reinforced Wood
15
15, 60 (30)
Iron
21
18, 72 (36)
Walls
Climb DC
Hardness, HP (BT)
Crumbling masonry
15
10, 40 (20)
Wooden slats
15
10, 40 (20)
Masonry
18
14, 56 (28)
Hewn stone
21
14, 56 (28)
Iron
25
18, 72 (36)
Porticullis
Climb DC
Hardness, HP (BT)
Wood
12
10, 40 (20)
Iron
12
18, 72 (36)
Rule Adjustments
Aid
The base DC is 18.
Assurance
Even in the worse circumstances, you can perform basic tasks. Choose a skill you're trained in. You can forego rolling a skill check for that skill to instead receive a result of 10 + your proficiency bonus + Ability Modifier.
Animal Form (spell 2)
When calculating the stat for your animal follow these rules: AC: Don't add your level Attack Modifier and Athletics: Remove from the listed bonus the spell level times 2.
Example: Heightened (4th) (value to remove is 4 times 2 = 8) Your battle form is Large and your attacks have 10-foot reach. You must have enough spece to expand into or the spell is lost. You instead gain 15 temporary HP, AC = 18, attack modifier +8, damage bonus +9, and Athletics +8.
Long Jump
The DC is 18.
High Jump
The DC is 21.
Untrained Improvisation (General Feat)
Youβve learned how to handle situations when you are out of your depth. Your proficiency penalty to untrained skill checks is equal to -0 instead of -2. This doesnβt allow you to use the skillβs trained actions.