"4th Edition will assume roughly 10 encounters per level"

Scholar & Brutalman · Sep 26, 2007

While searching for posts by Chris Perkins, I found this quote on the Wizards boards:

The rate at which characters advance is completely in the hands of the DM. This is a D&D truism. The default 4th Edition setting will assume roughly 10 encounters per level, but the DMG will point out that the rate of level advancement is under the DM's control, and that a DM can forestall level advancement by reducing XP awards by half, a third, or whatever.

While there have already been comments on faster leveling or two to three sessions per level, this is the first time I can recall anyone from Wizards mentioning the assumed number of encounters.

Rechan · Sep 26, 2007

Given that in 3e, it's assumed 13 encounters per level... that's not that much of a change, really. Three less isn't necessarily "fast".

w_earle_wheeler · Sep 26, 2007

So, in 3.5 it would take 260 encounters to get to the top (level 20).

In 4e, it will take 300 encounters to get to the top (level 30).

Sounds good to me, especially since the top levels in 4e are probably more like epic levels than the 3.5 20th level.

Nifft · Sep 26, 2007

Ten big encounters instead of 13 cakewalk-on-average encounters? I can dig that.

Cheers, -- N

frankthedm · Sep 26, 2007

Nifft said:
Ten big encounters instead of 13 cakewalk-on-average encounters? I can dig that.

Those encounters might less 'big' and more like how four 3e kobolds are a CR of one combined. In 4E those kobolds could each be a level one challenge. Less change than percieved, but notably more foes faced over 30 levels

Instead of snuffing out 256 lives to claim level 20 in 3E, the party of four PCs must take the lives of 1160 to see level 30 in 4E

Rechan · Sep 26, 2007

frankthedm said:
Those encounters might less 'big' and more like how four 3e kobolds are a CR of one combined. In 4E those kobolds could each be a level one challenge. Less change than percieved, but notably more foes faced over 30 levels

Given how one designer said you could be fighting 20 goblins in one fight at 1st level, I don't see four kobolds being presented as a single encounter.

Pygon · Sep 26, 2007

With more PC power at 1st level, it's likely there will be a lot more hp chewing in 4e encounters. So 10 encounters per level is fine by me, after 8th level in 3e you have to work to get those 13 encounters over with anyway.

Grog · Sep 26, 2007

The advancement rate is probably the easiest thing for a DM to change to suit his or her campaign, so assumably everyone will find the rate of advancement that best fits their game, just like in every previous edition.

whydirt · Sep 26, 2007

Plus it looks like using alternate rates of advancement will be explicitly discussed in the DMG. I think it's easier for veterans to slow things down than new gamers to speed things up, so I'm not concerned with this change.

Mustrum_Ridcully · Sep 26, 2007

whydirt said:
Plus it looks like using alternate rates of advancement will be explicitly discussed in the DMG. I think it's easier for veterans to slow things down than new gamers to speed things up, so I'm not concerned with this change.

It might also imply (although not guarantee) that the game is still balanced correctly if you change the amount of XP you give out.

In 3.x, you would quickly have a great disparity between "expected wealth" and actual wealth by level, and this would eventually mean the encounter and CR rules broke down, since the characters more powerful then expected - at least in some cases (which is the hardest part - it doesn't affect every encounter equally)

"4th Edition will assume roughly 10 encounters per level"

Scholar & Brutalman

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Rechan

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w_earle_wheeler

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Nifft

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frankthedm

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Rechan

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Pygon

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whydirt

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Mustrum_Ridcully

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