Ok thanks for the information.There are no public plans for a new edition, and it's my understanding that they've stated they don't want to do one for a pretty long while.
Based on http://paizo.com/products/btpy88yj?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Core-Rulebook, I believe they're on the fifth printing of the Core Rulebook.
Regarding trained-only skills, no, you can't use a trained-only skill you haven't put points into. That's the definition of trained-only. Any skill checks you make automatically fail.
I was a bit confused with the 'Trained Only' skill, because it was a Class Skill for my character.
Using the same formula, table 12.3 tells me that 6CR creatures should have a value equal to CR+5. But as mentioned, when I use this formula (multiplying 6 CR creatures at 19,200 xp) I get 115,200 xp and not 102,400 as shown on the table.
I've been told it's just a guideline, but that's a massive difference in xp I'm handing out there; almost 13,000. That's not something I can just sweep under the carpet so to speak.
Good points.You notice that the table works perfectly around powers of 2. Double the creatures, add 2 to the CR of the encounter. What you also have to notice is that the math simply can't be quite as tidy for increases that aren't based on a power of 2. The approximation really is fine. The difference in XPs you're giving out isn't that massive given the numbers that PCs need to advance.
If you want to be more strict about the XP budget, use the table to generate how many XPs the encounter will be worth and then use some mixed CR creatures to get it. And if you have a remainder in your budget after picking your main monsters, don't sweat it and drop it. It'll be close enough.
I've been told it's just a guideline, but that's a massive difference in xp I'm handing out there; almost 13,000. That's not something I can just sweep under the carpet so to speak.
I apologise because I think I have been a bit stupid here.Don't mean to be a pain here, but the xp award on PAGE 398 is still bothering me. To recap...
Using the chart, 4 CR8 creatures (worth 4,800 XP each) are equivalent to a CR 12 creature (worth 19,200 XP).
Nice and simple, the math works perfectly: 4,800 x 4 = 19,200.
Using the same formula, table 12.3 tells me that 6CR creatures should have a value equal to CR+5. But as mentioned, when I use this formula (multiplying 6 CR creatures at 19,200 xp) I get 115,200 xp and not 102,400 as shown on the table.