Calculating average level in different sized groups

[Trellian]

How do you calculate the average level in, say a group of 3 PCs? x + x + x = y / 4 ?
Like, in my group there are a 14th level, one 11 and one 12.. do you add them together (37) and divide by 4 ? So that the average level is 9 ? Won't it be too easy on them to run an adventure for 9th level characters? Even though they are one short? The 14th level guy also has a cohort at level 11.. but you don't add him in, right?

 

[Ravellion]

For every 2 PCs more than 4, add 1 to the average party level. For every PC less than 4, subtract 1 from the party level. (this works for groups 2 to 8, more or less).

Rav

edit: I think with groups this small, you can add the cohort in, because it likely fulfills an otherwise unfulfilled party niche. This is not The Rules As Written. This is a rough guideline, that generally tends to work.

 

[kenobi65]

And, I'd include the cohort in your calculation. Class features (like animal companions, paladin mounts, etc.) shouldn't be included in the calculations, but a cohort is a separate character that just happens to be run by the same player.

I'd also concur with Ravellion's suggestions on adjusting the party level for party size. In any case, divide the total levels by the actual number of characters in the party (not the "ideal party size" of 4) before making those adjustments.

So, in your case, 14 + 11 + 12 + 11 (cohort) = 48, divided by 4 = 12. No adjustment for party size, because you're at 4 characters.

 

[Trellian]

So you do add the cohort? OK, I wasn't sure about that. The group just lost it's second fighter, so it's now a tank (14th lvl rgr/brb) with a evoker cohort, a utility wizard and a charismatic rogue..

 

[Jdvn1]

The RPGA, I think, uses the rules Ravellion is referring to. I'm not sure if that's actually spelled out in the DMG, though. It's (sum of levels)/(number of players). And then +1 to the total for a party of six, +1 more for a party of eight.

The cohort figues into the average party level (I think) but doesn't get experience, though.

 

[kenobi65]

The RPGA, I think, uses the rules Ravellion is referring to. I'm not sure if that's actually spelled out in the DMG, though. It's (sum of levels)/(number of players). And then +1 to the total for a party of six, +1 more for a party of eight.

Pretty close, at least for Living Greyhawk (every RPGA campaign does things a little differently).

In LG, it's levels / characters, and any cohorts count as characters for this calculation. Also, any non-class-ability companions (i.e., riding dogs, warhorses, etc.) that a PC brings along lead to an adjustment of the PC's effective level. And, as you point out, if there's 6 characters, +1 is added to the average party level. (LG doesn't worry about the effects of more than 6 characters, since 6 is the maximum allowed party size.)

 

[RigaMortus]

But (N)PC Cohorts do not get the same amount of exp as a player would, right? I think it is like 1/2 the exp everyone else gets, then you divide the remaining half of the exp with the actual players. Or something like that. At least, 3.0 worked like that IIRC.

 

[Thanee]

For 3 PCs I would add them together, divide by 3, and then deduct 1 from the result.

So, 11+12+14 = 37 / 3 = 12.3 - 1 = 11~12

Another possibility is to calculate the EL of a group of monsters with the CRs of the characters levels (i.e. CR 11, 12 and 14 here) and then deduct 4 from the result. Should also come out as 11~12.

Bye
Thanee