Szatany
First Post
Thats for sure. Are you liking this idea as an ARM?
This entire thread's premise falls under advanced rules.
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D&D 5E Experience points are too fiddly for me.
- Thread starter Lackhand
- Start date
This entire thread's premise falls under advanced rules.
Blackwarder
Adventurer
Maybe, depends on the group and playstyle, I can see it used but it will require a distinc kind of game.
Warder
the Jester
Legend
That is an interesting approach to leveling, but note that (as presented) it actually makes the process of leveling harder for rogues, since they will have more skills. I think a "do all these things" approach is a very cool idea, but it would need a lot of close monitoring to ensure that it doesn't disadvantage a particular class.
Not the entire thread! Remember, 5e is using experience points on monsters for two purposes: how much incrementally they're worth towards leveling, and separately, how difficult they are to overcome as a rule of thumb for the DM's encounter budget.
I should probably have titled the thread "Experience points are too fiddly as a rule-of-thumb-for-encounter-building for me", since I was focused on that second use.
I haven't used experience points as how-far-are-you-from-leveling in so long, I forgot that was a way to even interpret my thread!
Rogues can be helped out by not needing to use all their skills, but "at least 3" or something (imagine the pain an elven rogue jack of all trades would go through, otherwise!).
completely separately, I'd been throwing this idea around for a while myself -- something in the water!
Ratskinner
Adventurer
I think Bounded Accuracy gives 5e a very good chance of managing without the whole 4e spread. That is...saying a Level-5 monster is a "minion" and a Level+5 monster is an "elite" (numbers pure guesswork). That's kinda the point of Bounded Accuracy. Which, as far as that goes, is about as much "elite"-ness as I'd attribute to older editions. Saying that D&D has always had elites and minions is a bit of a stretch, IMO.
However, I would say that D&D has always had solos. Back in the day, we called them "Dragons". Dragons had lots of special rules for making multiple crazy attacks in the same round, etc. Critters in that category of trouble-maker will need special rules to allow them to handle a whole party at once and be interesting, rather than just take 50 rounds. Call it "solo", "boss-monster", "climactic battle critter", whatever.
Of course, maybe all this will be handled in the MM by re-introducing the old "No. appearing" and "Organization" lines, along with a paragraph describing how to build a proper goblin (or whatever) warren.
I would, however, like to sound a vote for giving monsters "levels" or at least keeping their HD relevant for determining when they are an appropriate challenge.
Warbringer
Explorer
Thanks for the great idea ... I've been thinking how to include 4e monster build structure with something more organic based on monster type ... And you just gave it to me
Dragons are always solo
Demons always elite soldiers and skirmishes, always solo Brutes
Greater undead are always solo controllers and artillery, always elite skirmishers ...
Etc...
Thanks for the inspiration
Warbringer
Explorer
On the existing topic...
I've been using plot points for the last few years .... 1-2 plot points per session, 10 plot points to achieve a level. Also, got rid of treasure as a separate currency ... For every plot point you have you have an equipment point, points used for gear ... You suddenly have 13 equipment points unspent, yes, you find that +2 scimitar you were hoping for (basically, players spend plot points as they feel fit) ... Closed economy
Seems to work
I've been using plot points for the last few years .... 1-2 plot points per session, 10 plot points to achieve a level. Also, got rid of treasure as a separate currency ... For every plot point you have you have an equipment point, points used for gear ... You suddenly have 13 equipment points unspent, yes, you find that +2 scimitar you were hoping for (basically, players spend plot points as they feel fit) ... Closed economy
Seems to work
Libramarian
Adventurer
Ugh this thread is reminding me how much I despise XP budgeting.
What would you like instead?
What information would you need per monster to help eyeball difficulties?
Because I'm with you: XP budgets! Blech!
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