D&D 5E Character Level Progression Time Frame

[georbit]

I've been running a 5E game most weeks since the beginning of January. We also played 4 times prior to this as well. It's been roughly 18 sessions, with each session averaging 3.5 hours (we have limited time). My question is for the DM's out there who run longer games, or short games, what general progression of level do your characters get to over time? Right now my group is mid way between level 5 and 6. So for 18 sessions, 3.5 hours per session, I am averaging 150 xp per hour.

So if we played 6 hour sessions, and they were still 18 sessions, the PC's would only be level 7.

I'm curious what xp per hour other DM's are averaging, or, alternatively, if people are doing the so many sessions = a level. Basically every 2.75 sessions my group levels. Just curious.

 

[jgsugden]

It depends on the mix of combat (or other XP gaining activity) to role playing. I've had sessions where no XP was earned and sessions where they took on large armies and nearly leveled over 3 hours....

In general, however, if you follow the guidelines for xp and encounter design you'll notice that level 1 breezes by, level 2 is still fairly quick, then levels 3 and 4 are a bit slower - and then you gain levels at a slower rate through level 11 or so, at which point the level acquisition picks back up (at about double the rate you earned levels in the 'sweet spot' of levels 5 to 11). This looks like an attempt to keep people interested in the higher levels.

 

[georbit]

So there's a slowing down from 5-11... hmm... Did not know that.