Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="D+1" data-source="post: 1719538" data-attributes="member: 13654">DMG p38, footnote to table 2-6: "The table doesn't support awards for encounters 8 or more CR's higher than the characters level.  If the party is taking on challenges that far above their level something strange is going on. and the DM needs to think carefully about the awards rather than just taking them off a table."The situation you describe defintely qualifies.  Those 3rd level characters may be getting SOMEthing from a CR18 encounter, but mostly it's just so insanely over their heads they couldn't hope to meaningfully contribute to what's happening.  The table maxes out for 3rd level characters at CR10 (10,000xp) but it seems pretty clear that since they are not in a party of OTHER 3rd level characters that the table simply CANNOT apply to their xp award.  If they at least attempt to do what they can in such an encounter then give them a little something in the way of xp.  Since this is at least an EL +2 then I'd give them an xp award of their level=CR(+2CR), or 1800 xp simply for being there and trying to help.  Maybe level=CR(+3), or 2700 if their mere attempt at participation is especially dangerous.  Beyond that they DO NOT BELONG THERE.  They should be by-standing spectators to the PC's exploits - NOT considered as full-fledged members of the party.As Hypersmurf said, the treasure distribution is strictly an in-game thing but the NPC's should not be expecting much (if anything) for their troubles.  The fact is that 3rd level NPC's are being BABYSAT by the 18th level PC's no matter how you slice it (unless the PC's are VERY cold-hearted).  The babysitter may give a kid a treat for helping clean up the dinner table by putting a plate in the sink - but they don't then get to stay up and watch R-rated T&A flicks on cable until midnight. It's strictly up to the PC's what arrangements they want to make on that score, but it would be unreasonable of low level NPC's to expect to be treated as equals with party members.</blockquote>

Verification