When to award XP?

[twwombat]

None of the above.

I tend to place more importance on the story than the advancement - keeping count of XP is the realm of my accountant and just ain't terribly fun for anyone involved. I don't deal with XP totals at all any more - every 5 or so sessions I declare a level-up for everyone, usually when the characters are in a moderately safe place to train and whatnot.

'Course the characters get themselves into trouble at the drop of a hat - the Sorcerer, Druid, Rogue, and Bard get bored easily when waiting for the Wizard, Cleric, and Egoist/Monk to do their things. So the Wizard gets screwed - for 4 game sessions he only had one 4th level spell available: Dimensional Anchor.

But then again, he started as a fighter, so he's got The Axe to fall back on...

Heh.
-w

 

[frankthedm]

Normally after the end of a Magor Goal when they kick back and relax, no more than once per in-game week.

 

[KB9JMQ]

Well I keep track of the XP but not an exact count. I really just eyeball it.
Every so often (around a dozen encounters) I tell the party to level up at the end of the session. This has worked fine for 2 years and no one has complained.

I like the players to level up their characters while still at the session because it is fun to see how everyone chooses what to do and what to pick.

 

[Shemeska]

I don't.

I keep a rough tally behind the screen, but I don't share it with the players. I'd only give a number if anyone took item creation feats. Most spells that use XP componants, with the sole exception of wish etc, use up such a trifling amount that I typically don't bother with deducting anything unless they go crazy with them.

When it's appropriate, given what they've encountered, how much time has passed, and if they're at a place conducive to resting for a decent amount of time, I simply tell them to go up a level. That's worked for over three years without complain.

When I first started playing DnD I gave XP at the end of every session. But the longer I've played and the less strictly adherent to the RAW that I get, I'm more and more loose with the numbers.

 

[was]

End of the session. Thus, time taken to level up characters is not done during game time.

 

[DonTadow]

I voted end of session but by "end of session" I mean well after end of session. I usually post the XP of the party on the website on Tuesday or Wednsday after figuring out how the session went, which can be difficult. I award points for being smart enough to run from a difficult monster just as I would defeating challenging one. I analyze the tactics used, decisions of the party no matter whatever paths they choose and the role playing.

I like posting it midweek because it keeps the campaign fresh and ongoing throughout the week .

 

[smootrk]

I give XP after the session by sending my players a Group Email with the group's earned XP. I also send individual emails out to players who may have earned special rewards for roleplay or whatever...

Lets me keep the rewards a private thing to keep any envy down to a minimum.

Edit for additional thoughts: Although I give XP per session, level-up still needs to happen out-of-dungeon in a place where additional resources, training, etc. may be acquired. We don't role-play it all, but it just makes more sense.

 

[Talmun]

End of the session. Thus, time taken to level up characters is not done during game time.

We had this problem until I insisted that the players bring an already leveled version of their character to any game where they might level. That way they just switch sheets when they ding.

 

[Patman21967]

I like to wait for a logical point...I have started Age of Worms, and so far I have stuck to "when they return to town" but we'll have to see how that goes in future installments. I mean, Wizards have to learn 2 new spells and such, so doing it right after an encounter, in a dungeon or the wild, doesn't make sense to me...I may try the "end of session" deal.

 

[el-remmen]

I have awarded XP 12 times in over 4 1/2 years. . .


Only at the end of "adventures/story arcs"

I have never played in a game where it was given out every session and don't think I would want to.