Determining Level Advancement [Archive] - Wizards Community

Determining Level Advancement [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AT-AT Assault
02-04-06, 01:28 PM I want to know the formula(if there is one) for Level Advancement. If you could help, thanks, but keep in mind I want generic examples, as saying Level 9 Spell X means entirely nothing to me, as I deal with Sci-Fi Fantasy settings, not DnD fantasy Settings. Again, thanks in advance.
Ulorian
02-05-06, 08:36 AM What do you mean by level advancement?
RaspK FOG
02-05-06, 09:15 AM I think it refers to the amount of experience points (XP) one must have to gain his next level; that would his current level × 1.000 XP.

For example, a 1st-level character must get 1.000 XP to reach level 2, while a 4th-level character must acquire another 4.000 XP apart from his total, which translates as 1.000 XP + 2.000 XP + 3.000 XP + 4.000 XP = 10.000 XP, to reach level 5.

If you meant any other abilities, that would be 1 feat at level 1, +1 feat for every 3 levels, and +1 on any one ability score every 4 levels.

Maybe you should check http://www.d20srd.org/
Breck
02-05-06, 03:11 PM You can use that Gauss' formula for the sum: 1+2+3+...+n=1/2n(n+1)

You'll get that the XP you need for level L is 500 X L(L-1).
It's really easy and I use it all the time. Just take the lvl you want to know the required XP for, multiply it by one lvl lower, divide by 2 and multiply by 1000.

Example, for level 13, you need (13)(12)(1000)(1/2)=(6)(13)(1000)=(60+18)(1000)=78.000 XP

You never need to look it up in the book again.
RaspK FOG
02-05-06, 06:14 PM True, but the formula would be more like level × (level + 1) / 2, times 1.000 XP/level to get the amount of XP needed to reach that level (simply another way to put down the same thing on writing, really). In any case, remembering how the math works can be pretty easy, it's just that most people don't realise it.
AT-AT Assault
02-06-06, 12:30 AM Um, that's not what I meant. How about LA and ECL's(such as templating). Yeah I already know the formula for XP per Level(500X2-500X , where X equals the level you want to achieve; I have this handy equation constantly stored in my graphing calculator).
RaspK FOG
02-06-06, 09:52 AM Do you mean to ask for a formula in regard to Level Adjustment? If that's it, there's none, really; however, the book Savage Species had some guidelines as to figuring out a quick LA before the real judgement call: acid testing (figurative way to say "'trial and error' correction method").

As for ECL, only the DMG has it, so it would be illegal to disclose it; you could always check it out on the book, however. ;)
lostone
02-06-06, 11:27 AM A Simple Google Search Reveals (http://tinyurl.com/9z7kh)

ECL = LA + HD, where HD is including racial and class hit dice.
RaspK FOG
02-06-06, 03:57 PM Duh, I somehow mixed Effective Character Level and Encounter Level... My bad.
AT-AT Assault
02-06-06, 05:17 PM How generic is Savage Species regarding its LA formulas? I might go pick it up and look at it, but if its DnD specific it will probably be mostly worthless to me.
lostone
02-07-06, 08:23 AM How generic is Savage Species regarding its LA formulas? I might go pick it up and look at it, but if its DnD specific it will probably be mostly worthless to me.Naturally it is mostly D&D specific, being a D&D supplement. I don't recall the specifics of the acid test (I'm at work so can't look) but I think it is things like "creature has regeneration, +1 LA, creature has increased attributes +1 LA", etc.
RaspK FOG
02-07-06, 08:56 AM Naturally it is mostly D&D specific, being a D&D supplement. I don't recall the specifics of the acid test (I'm at work so can't look) but I think it is things like "creature has regeneration, +1 LA, creature has increased attributes +1 LA", etc.
Well, it's more of a d20 generic approach, but does have some instructions on the more fudgy, D&D specifics (like Spell Resistance, among other things); issues dealt with include multiple limbs, natural attacks, lack of opposable thumbs, and lots of other things.

But these are just the guidelines; acid testing is more along the line of: "Let's see, this critter deals with a standard 3rd-level party like hot knife through butter, so I guess that CR 3 goes out the window..." and so on.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AT-AT Assault 02-04-06, 01:28 PM	I want to know the formula(if there is one) for Level Advancement. If you could help, thanks, but keep in mind I want generic examples, as saying Level 9 Spell X means entirely nothing to me, as I deal with Sci-Fi Fantasy settings, not DnD fantasy Settings. Again, thanks in advance.
Ulorian 02-05-06, 08:36 AM	What do you mean by level advancement?
RaspK FOG 02-05-06, 09:15 AM	I think it refers to the amount of experience points (XP) one must have to gain his next level; that would his current level × 1.000 XP. For example, a 1st-level character must get 1.000 XP to reach level 2, while a 4th-level character must acquire another 4.000 XP apart from his total, which translates as 1.000 XP + 2.000 XP + 3.000 XP + 4.000 XP = 10.000 XP, to reach level 5. If you meant any other abilities, that would be 1 feat at level 1, +1 feat for every 3 levels, and +1 on any one ability score every 4 levels. Maybe you should check http://www.d20srd.org/
Breck 02-05-06, 03:11 PM	You can use that Gauss' formula for the sum: 1+2+3+...+n=1/2n(n+1) You'll get that the XP you need for level L is 500 X L(L-1). It's really easy and I use it all the time. Just take the lvl you want to know the required XP for, multiply it by one lvl lower, divide by 2 and multiply by 1000. Example, for level 13, you need (13)(12)(1000)(1/2)=(6)(13)(1000)=(60+18)(1000)=78.000 XP You never need to look it up in the book again.
RaspK FOG 02-05-06, 06:14 PM	True, but the formula would be more like level × (level + 1) / 2, times 1.000 XP/level to get the amount of XP needed to reach that level (simply another way to put down the same thing on writing, really). In any case, remembering how the math works can be pretty easy, it's just that most people don't realise it.
AT-AT Assault 02-06-06, 12:30 AM	Um, that's not what I meant. How about LA and ECL's(such as templating). Yeah I already know the formula for XP per Level(500X2-500X , where X equals the level you want to achieve; I have this handy equation constantly stored in my graphing calculator).
RaspK FOG 02-06-06, 09:52 AM	Do you mean to ask for a formula in regard to Level Adjustment? If that's it, there's none, really; however, the book Savage Species had some guidelines as to figuring out a quick LA before the real judgement call: acid testing (figurative way to say "'trial and error' correction method"). As for ECL, only the DMG has it, so it would be illegal to disclose it; you could always check it out on the book, however. ;)
lostone 02-06-06, 11:27 AM	A Simple Google Search Reveals (http://tinyurl.com/9z7kh) ECL = LA + HD, where HD is including racial and class hit dice.
RaspK FOG 02-06-06, 03:57 PM	Duh, I somehow mixed Effective Character Level and Encounter Level... My bad.
AT-AT Assault 02-06-06, 05:17 PM	How generic is Savage Species regarding its LA formulas? I might go pick it up and look at it, but if its DnD specific it will probably be mostly worthless to me.
lostone 02-07-06, 08:23 AM	How generic is Savage Species regarding its LA formulas? I might go pick it up and look at it, but if its DnD specific it will probably be mostly worthless to me.Naturally it is mostly D&D specific, being a D&D supplement. I don't recall the specifics of the acid test (I'm at work so can't look) but I think it is things like "creature has regeneration, +1 LA, creature has increased attributes +1 LA", etc.
RaspK FOG 02-07-06, 08:56 AM	Naturally it is mostly D&D specific, being a D&D supplement. I don't recall the specifics of the acid test (I'm at work so can't look) but I think it is things like "creature has regeneration, +1 LA, creature has increased attributes +1 LA", etc. Well, it's more of a d20 generic approach, but does have some instructions on the more fudgy, D&D specifics (like Spell Resistance, among other things); issues dealt with include multiple limbs, natural attacks, lack of opposable thumbs, and lots of other things. But these are just the guidelines; acid testing is more along the line of: "Let's see, this critter deals with a standard 3rd-level party like hot knife through butter, so I guess that CR 3 goes out the window..." and so on.