Help with OSRIC

[bytor4232]

Can someone on here explain how the XP system works? Like for instance, a giant spider is Level/XP 4/325+5/hp

If two first level characters took it down, how much would the XP reward be? How bout two fourth level characters?

I'm just trying to get a grip on this scaling XP thing.

 

[Lhorgrim]

I may be way off base on this, but I don't think OSRIC has a scaling XP system per se.

The level of the giant spider is 4. This is a way to determine if the PCs should get XP for defeating the creature. If the PCs are significantly higher level than the spider (DMs discretion) then they wouldn't get any XP for defeating it.

The example in the OSRIC rules is on page 118 of my PDF and describes a 10th level fighter slaying an orc in single combat and not getting XP for it.

In your example I would award full XP to the 1st or the 4th lvl PCs. 325xp + 5xp per hit point divided equally between the two PCs.

 

[Chainsaw]

You might also consider posting your question at www.knights-n-knaves.com/phpbb -

 

[Vigilance]

XP in OSRIC doesn't scale.

If two characters killed the spider, they'd each get half of its XP value. Four characters would divide it by four.

The XP award is a total amount, shared by all characters.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

The OSRIC rules say:

Note that if the player character level vastly exceeds the monster level, a proportional reduction should be made. Hence, for example, a tenth level fighter slaying an orc in single combat should expect no more than a single experience point for so doing.

So OSRIC expects the DM to reduce the XP according to the relative levels of the PCs vs. the challenge, but only when the fight is significantly lopsided in the PCs' favor. OSRIC does present the concept of scaling the XP to the challenge, but leaves it up to the DM to determine when and how this is applied. The OSRIC approach is a much simplified version of what the 1e rules instruct.

Here's what the 1e DMG has to say:

The judgment factor is inescapable with respect to weighting experience for the points gained from slaying monsters and/or gaining treasure. You must weigh the level of challenge — be it thinking or fighting — versus the level of experience of the player character(s) who gained it. With respect to monsters, each hit die balances 1 experience level, counting each special ability and each exceptional ability as an additional hit die, and also counting any hit point plus as an additional hit die. Dividing the total adjusted hit dice equivalent of the monsters slain by the total of all levels of experience of all characters who had a part (even if only 1 missile, blow, spell, etc.) in the slaying yields a fraction which is the measure of challenge. If the numerator is greater than the denominator, then full experience should be awarded. If the denominator is greater, use the fraction to adjust the amount of experience by simple multiplication. (Note: It may be necessary to adjust character level in the same manner as is done with monster hit dice in order to gain a true evaluation; as, for example, 12 orcs are not equal to a wizard!) Therefore, the following rule applies:

If the average hit dice or level is 10 times greater than the average level or hit dice, there must be an adjustment of at least halving or doubling the experience point (x.p.) award as the circumstances dictate, except if the lesser group is approximately 20 times more numerous than the greater value group.

(20 orcs might prove troublesome to a wizard, but even that is subject to the circumstances of the encounter.)

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

So, assuming you want to scale the XP, here's one way (the "advanced" way) to approach it.

OSRIC Giant Spider (4+4HD) with 22 hp = 435 XP

Monster level is 4, but I'd adjust it for poison and for the +4 hit point add, for an adjusted level of 6. (Webs might also be considered a special ability for adjustment purposes.)

Defeated by two first level PCs:
Monsters/PCs = 6/2 = 3/1; numerator is greater, so full XP.
Each PC would get (435 / 2) XP.

Defeated by two fourth level PCs:
Monsters/PCs = 6/8 = 3/4 (0.75); denomiator is greater, so scaled XP.
Each PC would get ((435 x 0.75) / 2) XP.

Notice that you never scale XP "up;" it only scales "down." If the monsters equal or outclass the PCs, the PCs get full XP. If the PCs outclass the monsters, they get reduced XP.