Alternate XP system [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate XP system [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Steevo
11-25-07, 12:05 AM Okay, so after much experimentation I've decided to use an alternative XP system in my D&D games, at least for the immediately future. Namely, none at all. The players simply gain levels at the end of sessions as I see fit (in the game I'm currently running, I've been levelling them roughly once every two weeks.)

Now, I know I'm not the first person to think of this, mainly because I got the idea from a game of Star Wars d20 I played a while back where the GM did just this. The problem I'm running into is what to do for item creation and spells that cost XP to cast? Right now I'm thinking of converting the XP cost into GP cost by some formula, but I'm wondering if you forum dwellers might have any other ideas, or suggestions for what ratio to use for conversion? What say? Any takers?
gambit99
11-25-07, 12:40 AM I like the idea of not having an XP system. XP is more valuable than gold so I would make it a 2:1 ratio at least.
Narf_the_Mouse
11-25-07, 01:34 AM I'd hate a system like that. They're MY XP. I earned them. I slaughtered the monsters. I want the reward, not some bland 'Ok, now you level' system. :P

(That is, of course, my own opinion)
KillerGM
11-25-07, 01:53 AM Okay, so after much experimentation I've decided to use an alternative XP system in my D&D games, at least for the immediately future. Namely, none at all. The players simply gain levels at the end of sessions as I see fit (in the game I'm currently running, I've been levelling them roughly once every two weeks.)

Now, I know I'm not the first person to think of this, mainly because I got the idea from a game of Star Wars d20 I played a while back where the GM did just this. The problem I'm running into is what to do for item creation and spells that cost XP to cast? Right now I'm thinking of converting the XP cost into GP cost by some formula, but I'm wondering if you forum dwellers might have any other ideas, or suggestions for what ratio to use for conversion? What say? Any takers?

I used to run Star Wars d20 like this - in the OCR, it actually had progression set out like this:

4 short games,
2 medium games,
or
1 long game

= 1 level.

No XP at all.

I kind of keep this same philosophy, but I still use XP, mostly because I haven't found a satisfactory way of dealing with crafting.

What I do is give out X amount of XP per session, regardless of encounters, accomplishments, failing, whatever. You show up, you get X XP. Now, this makes leveling easy - I just give the amount it takes to level divided by the number of games I want it to take to level.

I usually end up giving a little (like 5-10%) over, for the crafters in the party.

Hope it helps! :D
Alex_P
11-25-07, 03:13 AM I think the semi-official crafting variant is that crafting costs 75% gold and no XP instead of 50% gold and some XP.

-- Alex
knightwriter
11-25-07, 11:22 AM If you're not going with an xp system, then I would definitely double up on the gold.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Steevo 11-25-07, 12:05 AM	Okay, so after much experimentation I've decided to use an alternative XP system in my D&D games, at least for the immediately future. Namely, none at all. The players simply gain levels at the end of sessions as I see fit (in the game I'm currently running, I've been levelling them roughly once every two weeks.) Now, I know I'm not the first person to think of this, mainly because I got the idea from a game of Star Wars d20 I played a while back where the GM did just this. The problem I'm running into is what to do for item creation and spells that cost XP to cast? Right now I'm thinking of converting the XP cost into GP cost by some formula, but I'm wondering if you forum dwellers might have any other ideas, or suggestions for what ratio to use for conversion? What say? Any takers?
gambit99 11-25-07, 12:40 AM	I like the idea of not having an XP system. XP is more valuable than gold so I would make it a 2:1 ratio at least.
Narf_the_Mouse 11-25-07, 01:34 AM	I'd hate a system like that. They're MY XP. I earned them. I slaughtered the monsters. I want the reward, not some bland 'Ok, now you level' system. :P (That is, of course, my own opinion)
KillerGM 11-25-07, 01:53 AM	Okay, so after much experimentation I've decided to use an alternative XP system in my D&D games, at least for the immediately future. Namely, none at all. The players simply gain levels at the end of sessions as I see fit (in the game I'm currently running, I've been levelling them roughly once every two weeks.) Now, I know I'm not the first person to think of this, mainly because I got the idea from a game of Star Wars d20 I played a while back where the GM did just this. The problem I'm running into is what to do for item creation and spells that cost XP to cast? Right now I'm thinking of converting the XP cost into GP cost by some formula, but I'm wondering if you forum dwellers might have any other ideas, or suggestions for what ratio to use for conversion? What say? Any takers? I used to run Star Wars d20 like this - in the OCR, it actually had progression set out like this: 4 short games, 2 medium games, or 1 long game = 1 level. No XP at all. I kind of keep this same philosophy, but I still use XP, mostly because I haven't found a satisfactory way of dealing with crafting. What I do is give out X amount of XP per session, regardless of encounters, accomplishments, failing, whatever. You show up, you get X XP. Now, this makes leveling easy - I just give the amount it takes to level divided by the number of games I want it to take to level. I usually end up giving a little (like 5-10%) over, for the crafters in the party. Hope it helps! :D
Alex_P 11-25-07, 03:13 AM	I think the semi-official crafting variant is that crafting costs 75% gold and no XP instead of 50% gold and some XP. -- Alex
knightwriter 11-25-07, 11:22 AM	If you're not going with an xp system, then I would definitely double up on the gold.