Alternative to CR? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternative to CR? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
thalious
11-15-03, 07:25 PM I am aware of Ad Hoc rules, but I am interested if anyone has a Non-CR based XP system worked out that functions like the old 2E one did. For example a kobold was worth 7 XP each or so in 2E.
Fixxxer
11-16-03, 01:19 AM Well, the easiest way to determine something like this would be to figure out how much XP a single monster is worth at 1st level using the CR rules. Divide that by four (the average and usual number of PCs in most games) and award that amount to each PC for each of the monsters they kill.

For example, a kobold is a CR 1/6. CR 1 is 300XP. Divide that by 6 and you get 50. Divide that by 4 and you get 12.5 (which I'd round down to 12) XP for each PC for each kobold killed.

A slightly easier example: An ettin is a CR 6. CR 6 is 2,700 XP. Divide that by 4 and you get 675 XP for each PC for each ettin they kill.

The problem with this is that you have to do it for each and every monster in each book of monsters that you use AND it varies depending on whether or not a monster has levels in a PC class. As a result, it's about as difficult and time-consuming as using the standard CR system.
danman
11-16-03, 01:06 PM At first it seems to be cumbersome, but I think it has some advantages. First of all, you only have to calculate xp for monsters in your adventure/campaing. It's really not that much work. I also think that it would then be easier to reward xp depending on a player's involvement. Rather than recalculating xp if one player did nothing or wasn't there, you just give xp to everyone who fought it. It would make it easier when you split up your pcs or the like. However, it does have the drawback of giving relatively more xp to a larger party and less to a smaller one.
thalious
11-16-03, 04:59 PM Thank you Fixxer! This makes my DMing life a lil easier.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
thalious 11-15-03, 07:25 PM	I am aware of Ad Hoc rules, but I am interested if anyone has a Non-CR based XP system worked out that functions like the old 2E one did. For example a kobold was worth 7 XP each or so in 2E.
Fixxxer 11-16-03, 01:19 AM	Well, the easiest way to determine something like this would be to figure out how much XP a single monster is worth at 1st level using the CR rules. Divide that by four (the average and usual number of PCs in most games) and award that amount to each PC for each of the monsters they kill. For example, a kobold is a CR 1/6. CR 1 is 300XP. Divide that by 6 and you get 50. Divide that by 4 and you get 12.5 (which I'd round down to 12) XP for each PC for each kobold killed. A slightly easier example: An ettin is a CR 6. CR 6 is 2,700 XP. Divide that by 4 and you get 675 XP for each PC for each ettin they kill. The problem with this is that you have to do it for each and every monster in each book of monsters that you use AND it varies depending on whether or not a monster has levels in a PC class. As a result, it's about as difficult and time-consuming as using the standard CR system.
danman 11-16-03, 01:06 PM	At first it seems to be cumbersome, but I think it has some advantages. First of all, you only have to calculate xp for monsters in your adventure/campaing. It's really not that much work. I also think that it would then be easier to reward xp depending on a player's involvement. Rather than recalculating xp if one player did nothing or wasn't there, you just give xp to everyone who fought it. It would make it easier when you split up your pcs or the like. However, it does have the drawback of giving relatively more xp to a larger party and less to a smaller one.
thalious 11-16-03, 04:59 PM	Thank you Fixxer! This makes my DMing life a lil easier.