Calculating CRs, ELs, and giving XP [Archive] - Wizards Community

Calculating CRs, ELs, and giving XP [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ecienavxela
01-10-06, 08:15 AM I own a copy of the d20 Modern book, and though I haven't used it in a while, IIRC, CRs, ELs and giving XP in d20 Modern is different from DnD. Am I mistaken here?

In particular, when giving out XP, I seem to recall the DMG required comparing the CR/EL to each player's level (assuming the party isn't all the same level), and giving out a set value, rather than calculating CR, then comparing to party level, getting total XP, then dividing that total among the party members. Did I understand/read/recall things wrong? Or is the DnD system different?

Also, I prefer to give out XP after an adventure (when the PCs go to town, rather than in the middle of the dungeon) and the PCs have to "train"... do I have to give XP depending on CRs or can I total the CRs, then average it, then determine XP?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Illion the Red
01-10-06, 09:08 AM In D&D, XP is calculated by figuring out the party level (average) and comparing it to the CR for each challenge overcome. The XP results are then divided up amongst the Characters in the party.

As for when Xp is distributed...that is entirely up to the DM. I prefer to dole out XP at "breaking points" which usually coincide with the end of a session.
Pinwarp
01-10-06, 09:15 AM This is off the top of my head, but I'll try and answer how I do it.

First, this assumes a party of 4 PC's all first level (for simplicity).

Say, over the course of the adventure, the party fights 2 Gnolls (CR 1 each), a bugbear (CR 2), and somehow defeat a minotaur (CR 4).

What the DMG says to do is to reference the XP table on pg 38.

Steps:
1. For one character, look up the XP reward for each critter. so, the gnolls are worth 300 each, the bugbear is worth 600, and the minotaur is worth a whopping 1350, for a grand total of 2550.
2. Next, divide this amount by the number of characters in the party(4, in this case) This is the amount the one character gets.
3. Repeat this process for each character.

Hope this helps.
StormCrow42
01-10-06, 11:46 AM In D&D, XP is calculated by figuring out the party level (average) and comparing it to the CR for each challenge overcome. The XP results are then divided up amongst the Characters in the party.
This is no longer correct. In 3.0, XP was determined by average party level. In 3.5, XP is determined seperately for each individual party member based on their specific level. This means that lower level characters gain more experience than higher level characters, reducing the overall experience gap of the party.
ecienavxela
01-10-06, 10:48 PM This is no longer correct. In 3.0, XP was determined by average party level. In 3.5, XP is determined seperately for each individual party member based on their specific level. This means that lower level characters gain more experience than higher level characters, reducing the overall experience gap of the party.

So I see... thanks for confirming that XP distribution is now more complicated, albeit a bit more fair. I gotta remember to keep a calculator on hand when gaming... or figure out XP rewards beforehand...

Thanks again!
Roxlimn
01-10-06, 11:28 PM Actually, you can simply figure out how much XP everyone needs to level up, decide on how fast you want them to level up, and base XP dividends based on that. In particular, I like to give out XP whenever the player group does something that I like to encourage. Makes them want to do it more, you know?

You could do it on a per table basis as well, if you prefer, but I find that that makes PCs level up faster than I prefer.
ecienavxela
01-22-06, 07:09 AM yah, I figure four adventures should = a level up, so I gotta determine the XP i need to pace it to this.

I want a reasonably fast game, but not too fast. I guess I'll figure out the xp rewards of one encounter and adjust the encounter and xp rewards a bit to arrive at my "not slow but not too fast" goal.
Roxlimn
01-22-06, 07:25 AM Estimate the number of encoutners you think your group will face in the course of an adventure, and divide the required XP to level by 4 times that many to arrive at a rough per encounter XP rate you're happy with. Divide this by two and award this much XP per challenge. You'll need the margin to give out as situational XP awards (about 50 XP per character level) for awarding player initiative and action you deem desireable, and for encounters and challenges you hadn't counted on.

If your PCs are about to finish a cycle of 4 adventures to a level, simply finish on a climactic encounter of some sort and give them the remainder as "story award" XP for finishing a party goal.
ecienavxela
01-22-06, 08:04 PM I just came across the part in the DMG that gives a 13.33 encounters per level up figure... I'm worried about leveling my PCs too fast and they end up under-rewarded (low on cash and magic items).

I guess the solution here is to determine how much a PC must have at the next level, divide that by # of encounters to get to the next level, and so that's the reward per encounter, eh?

Also, since I read that 13.33 encounter per level up, I'm thinking 4 encounters is too fast (that's the average given on the d20 Modern book), probably adjust it to 6-8 encounters for a level up.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ecienavxela 01-10-06, 08:15 AM	I own a copy of the d20 Modern book, and though I haven't used it in a while, IIRC, CRs, ELs and giving XP in d20 Modern is different from DnD. Am I mistaken here? In particular, when giving out XP, I seem to recall the DMG required comparing the CR/EL to each player's level (assuming the party isn't all the same level), and giving out a set value, rather than calculating CR, then comparing to party level, getting total XP, then dividing that total among the party members. Did I understand/read/recall things wrong? Or is the DnD system different? Also, I prefer to give out XP after an adventure (when the PCs go to town, rather than in the middle of the dungeon) and the PCs have to "train"... do I have to give XP depending on CRs or can I total the CRs, then average it, then determine XP? Thanks in advance for the help!
Illion the Red 01-10-06, 09:08 AM	In D&D, XP is calculated by figuring out the party level (average) and comparing it to the CR for each challenge overcome. The XP results are then divided up amongst the Characters in the party. As for when Xp is distributed...that is entirely up to the DM. I prefer to dole out XP at "breaking points" which usually coincide with the end of a session.
Pinwarp 01-10-06, 09:15 AM	This is off the top of my head, but I'll try and answer how I do it. First, this assumes a party of 4 PC's all first level (for simplicity). Say, over the course of the adventure, the party fights 2 Gnolls (CR 1 each), a bugbear (CR 2), and somehow defeat a minotaur (CR 4). What the DMG says to do is to reference the XP table on pg 38. Steps: 1. For one character, look up the XP reward for each critter. so, the gnolls are worth 300 each, the bugbear is worth 600, and the minotaur is worth a whopping 1350, for a grand total of 2550. 2. Next, divide this amount by the number of characters in the party(4, in this case) This is the amount the one character gets. 3. Repeat this process for each character. Hope this helps.
StormCrow42 01-10-06, 11:46 AM	In D&D, XP is calculated by figuring out the party level (average) and comparing it to the CR for each challenge overcome. The XP results are then divided up amongst the Characters in the party. This is no longer correct. In 3.0, XP was determined by average party level. In 3.5, XP is determined seperately for each individual party member based on their specific level. This means that lower level characters gain more experience than higher level characters, reducing the overall experience gap of the party.
ecienavxela 01-10-06, 10:48 PM	This is no longer correct. In 3.0, XP was determined by average party level. In 3.5, XP is determined seperately for each individual party member based on their specific level. This means that lower level characters gain more experience than higher level characters, reducing the overall experience gap of the party. So I see... thanks for confirming that XP distribution is now more complicated, albeit a bit more fair. I gotta remember to keep a calculator on hand when gaming... or figure out XP rewards beforehand... Thanks again!
Roxlimn 01-10-06, 11:28 PM	Actually, you can simply figure out how much XP everyone needs to level up, decide on how fast you want them to level up, and base XP dividends based on that. In particular, I like to give out XP whenever the player group does something that I like to encourage. Makes them want to do it more, you know? You could do it on a per table basis as well, if you prefer, but I find that that makes PCs level up faster than I prefer.
ecienavxela 01-22-06, 07:09 AM	yah, I figure four adventures should = a level up, so I gotta determine the XP i need to pace it to this. I want a reasonably fast game, but not too fast. I guess I'll figure out the xp rewards of one encounter and adjust the encounter and xp rewards a bit to arrive at my "not slow but not too fast" goal.
Roxlimn 01-22-06, 07:25 AM	Estimate the number of encoutners you think your group will face in the course of an adventure, and divide the required XP to level by 4 times that many to arrive at a rough per encounter XP rate you're happy with. Divide this by two and award this much XP per challenge. You'll need the margin to give out as situational XP awards (about 50 XP per character level) for awarding player initiative and action you deem desireable, and for encounters and challenges you hadn't counted on. If your PCs are about to finish a cycle of 4 adventures to a level, simply finish on a climactic encounter of some sort and give them the remainder as "story award" XP for finishing a party goal.
ecienavxela 01-22-06, 08:04 PM	I just came across the part in the DMG that gives a 13.33 encounters per level up figure... I'm worried about leveling my PCs too fast and they end up under-rewarded (low on cash and magic items). I guess the solution here is to determine how much a PC must have at the next level, divide that by # of encounters to get to the next level, and so that's the reward per encounter, eh? Also, since I read that 13.33 encounter per level up, I'm thinking 4 encounters is too fast (that's the average given on the d20 Modern book), probably adjust it to 6-8 encounters for a level up.