Am I calculating XP wrongly? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Am I calculating XP wrongly? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
gr33noni
12-28-06, 10:10 PM As I was running my Nethra campaign, the PCs had to investigate a small camp north of the base in the hills. there, they were attacked by 4 zombies (each CR 1/2). they smote the zombies quite easily. I handed out their 600 XP, then divided by 4. as the adventure went on, I noticed something strange. for all these encounters with a CR that matched that of the opponent, they were going through with very little damage. so this brings up my question.

Alright, say you have 3 lvl 1 skeleton warriors (CR 1/3 each) and 2 lvl 1 commoner zombies (CR 1/2 each). Now, if you have the PCs face both the 3 skellies and the 2 zombies, does the encounter equal CR 2? If you have 3 skellies, do they equal CR 1? Please explain.:rolleyes:
Neratos
12-28-06, 10:15 PM The encounter is not rated by CR it is EL. EL is different from CR. To award xp, take each monster in the encounter and compare it to the level of each player. For example Level 1 party of 4 (all being the same level) would each get 1/4 of xp for 3 X CR1 Vs a Level 1 character X 1/3 (since there is no xp rated for CRs <1, so you use the fraction of the normal xp of a CR1) + 1/4 X 2 X CR1 Vs Level 1 Character X 1/2. So lets for instance (i don't have myDMG handy) a CR 1 awards 400 xp. Each player would get 200xp for that encounter you suggested.
gr33noni
12-28-06, 10:29 PM I'm sorry, could you re-word that?
Neratos
12-28-06, 10:41 PM lol np. using your example lets figure it out. For purposes of this example lets say that the entire party is level 1. Xp will be as follows
Skeleton CR 1/3: Xp is 100xp per skeleton to the group. This is derirved from the chart in the DMG which states that a level 1 character vs CR 1 gets 300 xp, 1/3 of that is 100. Now there where 3 skeletons so 300xp for all 3 is awarded to the party. Now divide this up umong the party
Zombies CR 1/4: Xp is 75xp: There where 2 of them so 150xp total to the party. Now divide this up among the group.
So in total a group of 4 level 1 adventurers gets 112xp to each character
To make this easier, reading the chapter on XP will make this easier.
gr33noni
12-28-06, 11:37 PM for determining EL using the d20 modern book, would 2 CR 1/2 monsters count as one CR 1 monster/obstacle?

example
a party of four lvl 2 characters is attacked by two lvl 1 human commoner zombies (CR 1/2). these two zombies count then as one CR 1 monster. they are also attacked by three lvl 1 human warrior skeletons (CR 1/3). they count as one CR 1 monster. next I determine the average CR of the monsters, which is CR 1. having do that, I then increase the CR of the encounter by +2, since the number of obstacles/monsters is two. there are no other modifiers. the encounter with the 2 zombies and three skeletons is EL 3. looking at the table in the book, i determine the XP for the encounter is 900 XP. divided by four, each PC gets 225 XP

would this system work as well as the CR system in DMG? i was thinking of using the d20 modern system because for designing adventures, the the party would need 13 encounters equal to the party level to go up one level.
gr33noni
12-29-06, 12:31 AM Help?
gr33noni
12-29-06, 01:36 AM Heeeeeeeeeeelp!!!!
Darcon_Firedrake
12-29-06, 01:50 AM The DMG has it so that an EL X Vs a party of 4 Level X characters need to do this ten times before leveling. Also the 2 Zombies at a CR 1/2 would equal a EL 1 and the 3 Skelies at CR 1/3 are a EL 1 and two EL 1's would become an EL 2 worth 600 EXP Divided buy 4 would be 150 Each.
Darcon_Firedrake
12-29-06, 01:51 AM This will be your best friend for EL and CR conflicts.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20010320b
Darcon_Firedrake
12-29-06, 02:08 AM Hello?
gr33noni
12-29-06, 02:11 AM thank you soo much!
gr33noni
12-29-06, 02:14 AM one last question: If I want to combine, say, a EL 5 encounter and EL 7 encounter, do I just add them together, making it EL 12?
Darcon_Firedrake
12-29-06, 02:16 AM No the one together would be a EL 8, But apart it would grant the exp for a EL 12 i think
Rafno
12-29-06, 02:16 AM http://www.d20srd.org/encounterCalculator.htm

Also good...
Chippy_the_Devourer
12-29-06, 04:34 AM Well, your questions have been answered. So...

...Shouldn't the thread title be 'Am I calculating XP incorrectly?'
Morwen
12-29-06, 08:37 AM No the one together would be a EL 8, But apart it would grant the exp for a EL 12 i think

They will grant the XP for a CR 5 + a CR 7. You don't combine monsters when calculating XP.
mlund
12-29-06, 11:56 AM They will grant the XP for a CR 5 + a CR 7. You don't combine monsters when calculating XP.

That's not exactly true. You don't use the Sum of the CRs, but you don't use the two CRs separately either. Mixed CR encounters have EL calculations.

Facing a CR5 and a CR7 at the same time is a much larger challenge that facing a CR5 and a CR7 in sequence.

- Marty Lund
Neratos
12-29-06, 02:02 PM You do not use EL of the encounter to determine XP. If this was the fact, a level 20 character could get xp for EL 20 encounter composed entirely of CR1s. Also, the reason you do individual XP calculations for CRs is that 2 creatures with CRs that are above the party will end up give more xp than a group of Low CRs that add up to the same EL.
EL is to determine how much of a chance the party has, also conditions of the fight modify the EL. For instance 2 CR 4s that ambush the party would be an EL 7 or 8., but the party should get xp for 2 X CR4 xp
pedro2112
12-29-06, 10:33 PM You don't use the Sum of the CRs, but you don't use the two CRs separately either.

Yes you do. EL has nothing to do with XP awards.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
gr33noni 12-28-06, 10:10 PM	As I was running my Nethra campaign, the PCs had to investigate a small camp north of the base in the hills. there, they were attacked by 4 zombies (each CR 1/2). they smote the zombies quite easily. I handed out their 600 XP, then divided by 4. as the adventure went on, I noticed something strange. for all these encounters with a CR that matched that of the opponent, they were going through with very little damage. so this brings up my question. Alright, say you have 3 lvl 1 skeleton warriors (CR 1/3 each) and 2 lvl 1 commoner zombies (CR 1/2 each). Now, if you have the PCs face both the 3 skellies and the 2 zombies, does the encounter equal CR 2? If you have 3 skellies, do they equal CR 1? Please explain.:rolleyes:
Neratos 12-28-06, 10:15 PM	The encounter is not rated by CR it is EL. EL is different from CR. To award xp, take each monster in the encounter and compare it to the level of each player. For example Level 1 party of 4 (all being the same level) would each get 1/4 of xp for 3 X CR1 Vs a Level 1 character X 1/3 (since there is no xp rated for CRs <1, so you use the fraction of the normal xp of a CR1) + 1/4 X 2 X CR1 Vs Level 1 Character X 1/2. So lets for instance (i don't have myDMG handy) a CR 1 awards 400 xp. Each player would get 200xp for that encounter you suggested.
gr33noni 12-28-06, 10:29 PM	I'm sorry, could you re-word that?
Neratos 12-28-06, 10:41 PM	lol np. using your example lets figure it out. For purposes of this example lets say that the entire party is level 1. Xp will be as follows Skeleton CR 1/3: Xp is 100xp per skeleton to the group. This is derirved from the chart in the DMG which states that a level 1 character vs CR 1 gets 300 xp, 1/3 of that is 100. Now there where 3 skeletons so 300xp for all 3 is awarded to the party. Now divide this up umong the party Zombies CR 1/4: Xp is 75xp: There where 2 of them so 150xp total to the party. Now divide this up among the group. So in total a group of 4 level 1 adventurers gets 112xp to each character To make this easier, reading the chapter on XP will make this easier.
gr33noni 12-28-06, 11:37 PM	for determining EL using the d20 modern book, would 2 CR 1/2 monsters count as one CR 1 monster/obstacle? example a party of four lvl 2 characters is attacked by two lvl 1 human commoner zombies (CR 1/2). these two zombies count then as one CR 1 monster. they are also attacked by three lvl 1 human warrior skeletons (CR 1/3). they count as one CR 1 monster. next I determine the average CR of the monsters, which is CR 1. having do that, I then increase the CR of the encounter by +2, since the number of obstacles/monsters is two. there are no other modifiers. the encounter with the 2 zombies and three skeletons is EL 3. looking at the table in the book, i determine the XP for the encounter is 900 XP. divided by four, each PC gets 225 XP would this system work as well as the CR system in DMG? i was thinking of using the d20 modern system because for designing adventures, the the party would need 13 encounters equal to the party level to go up one level.
gr33noni 12-29-06, 12:31 AM	Help?
gr33noni 12-29-06, 01:36 AM	Heeeeeeeeeeelp!!!!
Darcon_Firedrake 12-29-06, 01:50 AM	The DMG has it so that an EL X Vs a party of 4 Level X characters need to do this ten times before leveling. Also the 2 Zombies at a CR 1/2 would equal a EL 1 and the 3 Skelies at CR 1/3 are a EL 1 and two EL 1's would become an EL 2 worth 600 EXP Divided buy 4 would be 150 Each.
Darcon_Firedrake 12-29-06, 01:51 AM	This will be your best friend for EL and CR conflicts. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20010320b
Darcon_Firedrake 12-29-06, 02:08 AM	Hello?
gr33noni 12-29-06, 02:11 AM	thank you soo much!
gr33noni 12-29-06, 02:14 AM	one last question: If I want to combine, say, a EL 5 encounter and EL 7 encounter, do I just add them together, making it EL 12?
Darcon_Firedrake 12-29-06, 02:16 AM	No the one together would be a EL 8, But apart it would grant the exp for a EL 12 i think
Rafno 12-29-06, 02:16 AM	http://www.d20srd.org/encounterCalculator.htm Also good...
Chippy_the_Devourer 12-29-06, 04:34 AM	Well, your questions have been answered. So... ...Shouldn't the thread title be 'Am I calculating XP incorrectly?'
Morwen 12-29-06, 08:37 AM	No the one together would be a EL 8, But apart it would grant the exp for a EL 12 i think They will grant the XP for a CR 5 + a CR 7. You don't combine monsters when calculating XP.
mlund 12-29-06, 11:56 AM	They will grant the XP for a CR 5 + a CR 7. You don't combine monsters when calculating XP. That's not exactly true. You don't use the Sum of the CRs, but you don't use the two CRs separately either. Mixed CR encounters have EL calculations. Facing a CR5 and a CR7 at the same time is a much larger challenge that facing a CR5 and a CR7 in sequence. - Marty Lund
Neratos 12-29-06, 02:02 PM	You do not use EL of the encounter to determine XP. If this was the fact, a level 20 character could get xp for EL 20 encounter composed entirely of CR1s. Also, the reason you do individual XP calculations for CRs is that 2 creatures with CRs that are above the party will end up give more xp than a group of Low CRs that add up to the same EL. EL is to determine how much of a chance the party has, also conditions of the fight modify the EL. For instance 2 CR 4s that ambush the party would be an EL 7 or 8., but the party should get xp for 2 X CR4 xp
pedro2112 12-29-06, 10:33 PM	You don't use the Sum of the CRs, but you don't use the two CRs separately either. Yes you do. EL has nothing to do with XP awards.