Animated dead (etc.) and xp

[Pickaxe]

I understand that animal companions and familiars do not provide xp when defeated, because they are considered part of the challenge rating of their masters. The same applies to summoned creatures, but what about undead produced by animate dead?

For example, our party has made several forays into an abandoned monastery, fighting and killing some of the bad guys, but ultimately having to retreat to return later. In the meantime, the bad guys have animated some of the corpses to guard the entrance. If we fight the undead (with or without their creators present), do we get any xp for those we kill, or are they part of the challenge ratings of their creators?

Speaking of xp, we, like many others, I'm sure, often rule that a monster that is driven off rather than killed results in xp, because the challenge has been defeated. Generally, this applies to random encounters, where the retreating creature is perhaps never to be met again. On the other hand, if, say, an NPC retreats but is likely to be encountered again, no xp is awarded. Are there any formal rules regarding this, or good rules of thumb that people use in these situations?

This has come up in part because, in this campaign, the NPCs are largely run by off-site third parties. These folks deal with everything outside of running the NPCs in combat, determining strategy, buying/making stuff, and providing the DM with a general tactical plan for any encounters. The DM then runs the NPCs during combat, sticking as close to the wishes of the off-site "players" as possible. One thing that is of interest to the off-site folks is the possibility of gaining xp and raising levels, so the question of whether they get xp from driving off the PCs (or from killing their animal companions/familiars) is important to them.

--Axe

 

[Shin Okada]

The written rule is not that much clear. But in my understanding, basically, a creature which are conjured or created during an encounterdoes not grant XP. But something conjured or created before an encounter grants XP, unless that is companion, familiar, special mount or otherwise some "pet" granted by a class ability.

Animated skeletons and zombies are no different from golems created by villains. So grants XP.

If a villain takes a turn and animate undead during an encounter, I do not give XP for defeating it.

 

[Philip]

Just go with what feels right. Have they 'overcome a challenge', after defeating the undead? If yes, award XP.

If you continue this line of reasoning next time you know you don't get XP for defeating some villain because he is actually the BBEG's son. Or even better, the creator of some undead has passed away from old age, so nobody can ever get XP from said undead anymore....

 

[Staffan]

The way I rule it is that things that are permanently or at least semi-permanently recruited before the action starts are considered separate entities for the purpose of XP. This includes planar allies, created undead, constructs built, and so on. If it's something created on the spot, or part of an opponent's class abilities, it's considered part of the opponent. This includes summoned monsters, animal companions, a shadowdancer's shadows, and so on.

I guess a rule of thumb is: did the NPC expend daily resources in order to acquire the ally? If so, it should be considered part of his abilities. I guess that means that if an evil priest animates a bunch of skeletons the same day you fight him, those should be considered part of him for XP purposes.

As for fleeing opponents, it would depend on why they break off the encounter. If it's part of a plan to weaken the opponents by doing hit-and-run attacks, I wouldn't consider it defeating the opponent. If the opponent runs away because he got his ass kicked, have some XP. Fighting him again later the same day probably shouldn't count for as much, though, unless he's had some way of recouping his strength.