Do you use Xp Penalty and when ?

[der_kluge]

XP doesn't even exist in my games.

All the spells that require it, I have house ruled to not require it.

I use the Artificer's Handbook for magic item creation, and there are rules in there to create items without requiring XP.

When the party is ready to level up, I say, "you all level up."

Done.

 

[ARandomGod]

Hello,

I wonder if many DM inflict Xp Penalty to their players ? If yes can you tell what is the reason you do it ?

I personnaly think that Xp Penalty discourage the players and they have maybe other way to punish my players.

What do you think ?

Thanks you !

I never use XP penalties... although I've been tempted to. On the other hand, I do in geneal grant less XP to the characters than they would "normally" recieve... and I augment that XP with roleplaying bonuses. And if someone were to not roleplay well then I wouldn't have a problem not giving them much or perhaps any bonus. But everyone in the party gets the same base (adjusted for their level, of course).

When a multiclass character's classes get too far apart and neither is a favored class?

I don't even do it then. That's one of the stupidest rules in a book full of some pretty stupid rules. It's a rule designed specifically to *prevent* creativity and role play, and to encourage stereotypic and 'roll play'.

 

[TheEvil]

I don't even do it then. That's one of the stupidest rules in a book full of some pretty stupid rules. It's a rule designed specifically to *prevent* creativity and role play, and to encourage stereotypic and 'roll play'.

I thought it was to discourage excessive 'dipping', at least for those who aren't human or half-elf.

 

[TheEvil]

TheEvil: I dont' think he's talking about reducing XP rewards, but taking XP away. There's an important distinction there.QUOTE]

Mayhaps. In that case let me rephrase:
If for some reason I didn't kick out a cheater, I would reduce their XP.
If it is a roleplaying intensive game, I would reduce the XP of someone who said their character was one way, but consistantly acted another. I would probably not award penalties for someone who didn't stay in character.
In any case I am not a big believer in XP penalities.

 

[MoonZar]

TheEvil: I dont' think he's talking about reducing XP rewards, but taking XP away. There's an important distinction there.

Well, i wanted to know about any form of Xp reduction, penalty or taking away Xp

MoonZar: If you told us the problem, maybe we could give more specific ideas.

Actually i don't have any problem, i'm just very curious about how other DM handle bad roleplay, alignment trangression, penalty or punishment.

Jim Pinto in another topic agreed that some xp penalty can be handy sometime to send a message, so i was wondering if many people do it.

 

[MoonZar]

Oh, yeah. I like to have the players choose the best roleplayer at the end of the session. Person with most votes gets an xp bonus.

Promote good roleplaying, don't penalize bad roleplaying.

Wow this very good idea, i think i'll try to do this kind of promotion also...

 

[Psion]

I have a "the glass is half full" attitude. I begin with no XP bonuses, and award as you contribute to the progress and enjoyment of the game. No contribution, no bonus.

If I ever feel your presence is so much of a detriment that simply not granting a bonus is not sufficient, I would probably (and have) ask the player not to return to the game next week.

 

[TerraDave]

In my game there are three classes of offense punishable by TXL (Total XP Loss):

• backtalk
• refusal to buy alcohol for the group
• refusal to pay for the GM's share of the pizza

In addition, complaining that the GM is constantly throwing excess d20s at you is punishable by PXL (Partial XP Loss, ranges from 15% to 99% of total possible reward) and no alcohol.

Showing up to the game with no food for the GM, and no alcohol, is punishable by death.

If I were to use XP penalties, this would be the model!

BUT, I found that just giving one PC more and one less for putting in the same time in the same session can lead to resentment without a lot of positive change in behaviour. Instead, I try to use in play events and out of play talk instead.

And I have come to the conclusion that good roleplaying can and should be its own reward.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Quite so. In a campaign I ran where everybody really got into character except one fellow who would barely speak, everybody but him got an XP bonus for roleplaying. After a while, he asked why everybody got 50 - 200 XP more than him.

I've never taken away Xp earned at the end of a gaming session. Although, years ago when I was a more vicious DM, I would use level-draining monsters sort of like a DM-sent goon squad. Not the best way to have handled misbehaving PCs.

a bonus is just a penalty to every one else.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I will use XP penalties for deity-dependent characters as an intermediate step to stripping their powers. This is after several other, non-mechanical warnings.

Otherwise, never. I usually award the same XP to every character, though I give an XP bonus to characters progressing in their Favored Gestalt. I might give XP bonuses for outstanding roleplaying, but I'm hesitant to break the mold of giving out equal awards. I'm considering having everyone vote anonymously for one character per session to receive extra XP, either for roleplaying or for extraordinary service to the rest of the party.