Action Points and Slow Leveling [Archive] - Wizards Community

Action Points and Slow Leveling [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fedifensor
12-14-04, 01:23 AM I'm currently planning an Eberron game that is going to have an alternate system of leveling. Instead of awarding XP by the CR of the foes fought, it's going to be a flat rate of 1000 XP per 4 hour gaming session, with one session run roughly every two weeks.

The first few levels should go quickly...but starting around level 4, the progression should slow considerably. Since action points are tied to level, I foresee PC's running out well before they reach their next level.

One solution I thought of was lowering the action points given at each level by 2, but handing out 1 bonus AP at the end of each session. Unfortunately, those who take Heroic Spirit are penalized, because those 3 extra AP aren't going to go very far at 10th level when it takes 10 full sessions (4-5 months of real time) to get AP's renewed.

Any ideas on how to adjust AP rewards to fit this type of campaign?
Sucros
12-14-04, 01:43 AM since your xp is on a per-session basis, maybe try having your action points be on a per-session basis too.
Fedifensor
12-14-04, 02:31 AM since your xp is on a per-session basis, maybe try having your action points be on a per-session basis too.
Are you suggesting that each session give the full level-based AP's? It'd be interesting to try, but I think I'd have to beef up the challenge if every character has 5+ AP for a single four-hour session.
Arcane Guyver
12-14-04, 02:44 AM Until I read Unearthed Arcana (and later, ECS), most games that have 'action points' or whatever they call them have them regenerate per adventure/game session.

I'd suggest maybe dividing the character's max AP in half, rounding up, to determine the number of AP they get per session.

BTW, love the idea of slow leveling, though your players (especially artificers!) might not.
Save-vs-DM
12-14-04, 03:37 AM Well, in the RPGA, they do the following.

Your AP refresh each new round (after each adventure).

You get 3 AP at first level.
4 AP from 2-5
5 from 6-9
6 from 10-13
7 from 14-17
8 from 18+

Heroic Spirit only gives you 2 more AP per session, instead of 3.

I think this might be the best method for you.

Cheers,
SvD
Fedifensor
12-14-04, 09:53 AM Well, in the RPGA, they do the following.

Your AP refresh each new round (after each adventure).

You get 3 AP at first level.
4 AP from 2-5
5 from 6-9
6 from 10-13
7 from 14-17
8 from 18+

Heroic Spirit only gives you 2 more AP per session, instead of 3.

That sounds like a good alternative. How do they handle other AP bonuses (Dragonmark Heir, Extreme Explorer, Heir of Siberys)? My guess is that they give 1 more AP instead of 2.

I'm trying to decide whether to use the chart above, or just simply half the maximum AP gained at each level. The latter method may be easier to use, even if it does give less total AP until 4th level.
mafiel
12-14-04, 01:51 PM You just might want to consider giving AP for reward,.

When i run my game, whne a players does exeptional rp i give him a ap ( he cant go above his max), also when the pcs reach ceartain objective , i give them some also (1 each, and they still cant go over their max)

I find it helps pc to concentrate when they play, and to be more attentive to whats going.
Ramses III
12-14-04, 04:18 PM You just might want to consider giving AP for reward,.

When i run my game, whne a players does exeptional rp i give him a ap ( he cant go above his max), also when the pcs reach ceartain objective , i give them some also (1 each, and they still cant go over their max)

I find it helps pc to concentrate when they play, and to be more attentive to whats going.
In this way AP can be a better roleplaying reward than XP, simply because it's more immediate -- the PC can use gained AP almost immediately. Good idea!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fedifensor 12-14-04, 01:23 AM	I'm currently planning an Eberron game that is going to have an alternate system of leveling. Instead of awarding XP by the CR of the foes fought, it's going to be a flat rate of 1000 XP per 4 hour gaming session, with one session run roughly every two weeks. The first few levels should go quickly...but starting around level 4, the progression should slow considerably. Since action points are tied to level, I foresee PC's running out well before they reach their next level. One solution I thought of was lowering the action points given at each level by 2, but handing out 1 bonus AP at the end of each session. Unfortunately, those who take Heroic Spirit are penalized, because those 3 extra AP aren't going to go very far at 10th level when it takes 10 full sessions (4-5 months of real time) to get AP's renewed. Any ideas on how to adjust AP rewards to fit this type of campaign?
Sucros 12-14-04, 01:43 AM	since your xp is on a per-session basis, maybe try having your action points be on a per-session basis too.
Fedifensor 12-14-04, 02:31 AM	since your xp is on a per-session basis, maybe try having your action points be on a per-session basis too. Are you suggesting that each session give the full level-based AP's? It'd be interesting to try, but I think I'd have to beef up the challenge if every character has 5+ AP for a single four-hour session.
Arcane Guyver 12-14-04, 02:44 AM	Until I read Unearthed Arcana (and later, ECS), most games that have 'action points' or whatever they call them have them regenerate per adventure/game session. I'd suggest maybe dividing the character's max AP in half, rounding up, to determine the number of AP they get per session. BTW, love the idea of slow leveling, though your players (especially artificers!) might not.
Save-vs-DM 12-14-04, 03:37 AM	Well, in the RPGA, they do the following. Your AP refresh each new round (after each adventure). You get 3 AP at first level. 4 AP from 2-5 5 from 6-9 6 from 10-13 7 from 14-17 8 from 18+ Heroic Spirit only gives you 2 more AP per session, instead of 3. I think this might be the best method for you. Cheers, SvD
Fedifensor 12-14-04, 09:53 AM	Well, in the RPGA, they do the following. Your AP refresh each new round (after each adventure). You get 3 AP at first level. 4 AP from 2-5 5 from 6-9 6 from 10-13 7 from 14-17 8 from 18+ Heroic Spirit only gives you 2 more AP per session, instead of 3. That sounds like a good alternative. How do they handle other AP bonuses (Dragonmark Heir, Extreme Explorer, Heir of Siberys)? My guess is that they give 1 more AP instead of 2. I'm trying to decide whether to use the chart above, or just simply half the maximum AP gained at each level. The latter method may be easier to use, even if it does give less total AP until 4th level.
mafiel 12-14-04, 01:51 PM	You just might want to consider giving AP for reward,. When i run my game, whne a players does exeptional rp i give him a ap ( he cant go above his max), also when the pcs reach ceartain objective , i give them some also (1 each, and they still cant go over their max) I find it helps pc to concentrate when they play, and to be more attentive to whats going.
Ramses III 12-14-04, 04:18 PM	You just might want to consider giving AP for reward,. When i run my game, whne a players does exeptional rp i give him a ap ( he cant go above his max), also when the pcs reach ceartain objective , i give them some also (1 each, and they still cant go over their max) I find it helps pc to concentrate when they play, and to be more attentive to whats going. In this way AP can be a better roleplaying reward than XP, simply because it's more immediate -- the PC can use gained AP almost immediately. Good idea!