Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Proteus414 01-06-07, 11:20 AM	Probably in the wrong place . . . but: When calculating XP: A single creature: I use the creature's CR as the base Multiple creatures: Should I use the collective CRs to determine EL or use each individual CR as with a single creature? (Basically, is the XP based on the challenge rating of each creature or the collective challenge ratings of the entire encounter?) HELP!!!!
Witch 01-06-07, 11:24 AM	Each individual CR, iirc.
High Octane 01-06-07, 11:28 AM	Probably in the wrong place . . . but: When calculating XP: A single creature: I use the creature's CR as the base Multiple creatures: Should I use the collective CRs to determine EL or use each individual CR as with a single creature? (Basically, is the XP based on the challenge rating of each creature or the collective challenge ratings of the entire encounter?) HELP!!!!I believe the system is set up so that they would equate to the same, but I could be wrong.
Jagyr Ebonwood 01-06-07, 04:47 PM	There are two tables in the DMG. One tells you how much XP to award for EL X The other tells you what EL a CR Y + a CR Z is. Consult the latter before the former. For example, fighting 2 CR2s doesn't give you the XP for EL2 times 2, it gives you the XP for EL3. So, in short: the collective challenge ratings of the entire encounter
Merestil Haye 01-06-07, 05:40 PM	Conflicting advice. Witch is correct and Jagyr Ebonwood is wrong. Encounter Level (EL) is just a way for the DM to estimate the total threat a mixed-creature encounter poses. XP is calculated by cross-referencing effective character level with the CR of each monster individually and dividing the award by the number of participating characters. From the FAQ :Encounter Level (EL): Encounter Level is strictly a tool for the DM to use when deciding if a particular encounter is too easy, about right, or too hard for a particular group of characters. It has no real effect on play. Some people think that Encounter Level determines how much experience characters gain from an encounter, but that’s not so (read on). Challenge Rating (CR): Challenge Rating reflects a game designer’s best judgment about how tough a monster will prove in a fight. The CRs of all the creatures in an encounter help to determine the encounter’s EL. When characters defeat a creature, its CR determines the basic experience award, which in turn is adjusted according to the party’s character levels or ECLs.So, do not use EL to calculate xp.
Proteus414 01-07-07, 10:28 AM	Thanks! I did it both ways, just to check . . . then realized there was a huge difference. I tend to stick to the ECL=CR for a given encounter, so it is not that difficult to marry up XP to be equivalent to the task. They haven't complained in four levels, so I am assuming all is well. One thing I did do this last time, though, was to have a rather powerful "main" monster (this time an incarnate construct on top of a shield guardian (CR5)) with several "lesser" monsters (all of CR2 or CR1) to keep the party busy. Ended up with no nearly as much XP as I would have thought . . . . Allis good!! Thanks for the clarification!