Handing out XP: CR vs EL

[Lasher Dragon]

I am kicking off the WLD this Saturday, and it recommends using EL instead of CR to hand out XP. I don't understand how this works... seems like most of the encounters I read had the same EL as CR - so what's the difference? I don't want the WLD to end up being a cakewalk, but I also do not like the idea of just giving level-ups out. Too much like a videogame and doesn't really give a sense of accomplishment IMHO.

 

[Arnwyn]

I don't have the DMG in front of me, so you'll have to do the actual XP calculation on your own, but here goes:

Hill Giant = CR 7.
2 Hill Giants = CR 7 each, but it's EL 9.

So, it's either CR 7 XP (x2), or EL 9 (thus CR 9 in the DMG table) XP (x1?). I'm not sure what WLD is trying to tell us, here. Of these two, which gives out the highest XP for the group?

(Needless to say, it's a suggestion that I quickly skimmed by and ignored when I looked through my copy of the WLD.)

 

[Darkness]

I wouldn't do it myself, but the result should generally be pretty close to doing it by CR.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

How would you suggest doing XP for the WLD? From what my players say, they plan on thoroughly exploring everything in the dungeon LOL I can't wait... some of those traps are naaaaaaaaasty.

 

[Jdvn1]

I think WLD is trying to slow the level-gaining rate. Feel free to do whatever you want.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Yeah, that is what it's trying to do... but if I make 'em (the PCs) too weak they are doomed for sure, and if I make them too powerful then I will have to go through and boost everything, which just seems like too much paperwork

Anyone run through the WLD with a viable method of leveling PCs? I suppose I could just hand out levels as the WLD suggests... I can hear the players griping already hehe

 

[Jdvn1]

You don't have to boost everything if the monsters are too powerful. At most, you could raise some hp's, but the players don't mind being able to beat everything down.

 

[Darkness]

And if the PCs are too powerful, it's easy to increase monster hp or add more monsters. Doesn't help always, but quite often.

 

[Philip]

At low levels using EL instead of CR decreases the actual XP gained by the party slightly. At higher levels the amount of XP gained by the party is actually increased slightly.

Besides that, using EL to award XP (if its precalculated) is a lot quicker than using individual CR's.

 

[dcollins]

So, it's either CR 7 XP (x2), or EL 9 (thus CR 9 in the DMG table) XP (x1?). I'm not sure what WLD is trying to tell us, here. Of these two, which gives out the highest XP for the group?

It should be the same (or approximately the same, subject to rounding in the XP table). I do this myself simply as a method to not be multiplying CR by number of creatures by modifiers; just take the EL and the results is fundamentally equivalent.