GM/DMs: Leveling Your Heroes

[FCWesel]

You know, as I was typing that Subject I realized that that might sound like a GM/DM killing off a party of characters...just kinda' funny...

Anyhoo.

What I wanted to ask is what GM/DMs out here do as for leveling their Player's Characters?

Do your heroes just attain level immediately upon getting the XP needed to level?

Do they have to "train" and pay gp to level? Do you require a wisdom or intelligence check to level or else they have to take more time and possible gp to go up?

 

[mikebr99]

You might want to look at some of the previous pages... I'm sure there is one of these threads on every one of them.


But... My current campaign involves some pretty constant travel. So I am leveling them as soon as they get the experience, without the need to train.

It really depends on the style of the campaign.

 

[Eccles]

I'm insisting on the party training, although they can do the requisite period a little while before they level, so basically the group can all train at once.

However sooner or later they will be going into the Underdark and won't be able to find a properly equipped gym to work through their 'Rocky' montage, so I might have to abandon it then.

 

[Crothian]

A do a little of both. The PCs can choose to not train and just level up, or they can devote some time and money to training and come out with a little something extra.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Normally, I wait for some down time, but since the party is DEEP into Rappan Athuk, I have been letting them level up on the fly, usually between gaming sessions, but if someone is really close, I have them bring an updated character sheet and just switch over as soon as they get that last bit of EXP to push them over the top.

 

[The_Gneech]

I award exp. at the end of each session, and characters level up between sessions. I don't bother with training -- what better training could people have than putting their necks on the line in mortal combat, as it were?

The only exception is if there's going to be radical multiclassing -- say a ranger multiclassing to wizard. In that case, the player needs to announce their intention ahead of time so the requisite training can be worked into the story beforehand.

-The Gneech

 

[Uller]

I don't require training at all..."table time" is limitted for my group and that sort of thing is just unnecessary minutae. So we focus on adventuring. Basically, the PCs level up whenever they are in civilization for at least a few days (whenever there is a "break" in the campaign really).

IMC, the PCs do not adventure 100% of their time. They are assumed to be somewhat "normal" people and lead other lives between adventures. The game world just does not always present opportunities to find adventure all the time, so it is assumed that there is substantial down time between unrelated adventures during which the PCs are honing martial prowess, studying magic, seeking wisdom, perfecting skills, etc.

 

[Shallown]

I allow my players to level up on the fly as well unless...

They are gaining a prestige class/new class that they don't have easy access to. A fighter going to ranger when the characters have been cross country traveling is okay since he has had exposure needed but Fighter to wizard. Not so easy.

I require everyone to give me a 1 level warning to prestige classes and new classes so I can set things up so they can train reasonably. so to go wind rider (Prc) at 8th I have to be told while your 6th level. Gives me a level to work it into the campaign world and such. Sometimes this doesn't always work out exactly but I allow the players to gain the abilities and sort of retroactively train or get formal training. I had a player take bladesinger without training but he didn't take the spells and such since he had not formally trained, this was the players choice since he had planned since level one to take bladesinger and had time to get exposure since then.

Also new feats require training as do some skills. Going from cleave to great cleave wouldn't becuasse to me its like going from +5- +6 BAB. your just getting better but the basis is thier.

I have a very mobile group and don't want to tie my hands up to much, as is they are low on magic for their level and just now are catching up. This was semi intentional but I have fixed that, At least I hope.

 

[dcollins]

Consider this recent thread on the subject: http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20790

 

[0-hr]

I allow leveling on the fly, but only after a night's rest. When the wizards and priests do their morning mediations, the new level comes into effect. Otherwise I bet players would want to level up between rooms in the dungeon (or even mid-fight )!