How do you award xp ?

[Chacal]

A thread in the D&D rule forum has made me wonder how/ when and with which detail everyone handles xp awards.


I use the CR/EL as a guideline, but I also use
lots of story rewards.I usually give XP every two or three sessions, usually at the moment they have some downtime, or reached an important point in the adventure.


How about you ?



Chacal

 

[the Jester]

I give half the standard awards for monsters and traps. I also give xp for roleplaying in four categories- race, class, alignment, and personal. Finally, I give xp for props and for "lubricating the game" (being the guy who takes all the notes for me, etc.)

 

[Fenes 2]

We just level up from time to time, every couple of months or so.

 

[Chacal]

We just level up from time to time, every couple of months or so.

Are you the one who checked "we only use levels" ? I'm interested on how you count xp used for creating magic or by spells.


Chacal

 

[Zappo]

I figure an amount based on the length of the session. This is the same for everyone. I multiply it by a factor, assigned individually between 1.00 and 2.00 which depends on good ideas, effective tactics, dramatic actions, and good roleplaying.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I give experience through great inspirational play, combat and clever ideas. I do not use the CR, as I feel the CR is not flexible enough (I do use it for a guide). I usually decide how difficult a situation was in its actual execution, as we have all experienced, there have been low CR combats that have nearly whiped out players and high level CR combat that didn't leave a scratch. I use the results of the encounters as my guide. I also keep a general number of play sessions between each level to guage amounts.

 

[Arnwyn]

Like Jester, I give half the standard awards for monsters. However, I don't give XP for traps. I do give XP on an ad hoc basis for roleplaying, and I also give out story rewards. Finally, I sometimes give out XP to those who "facilitate" the game (being unusually cooperative, helpful, etc).

I'm the one (currently) who gives out XP at the end of every encounter.

 

[diaglo]

i don't give any xps.

the pcs earn every single one.

 

[Fenes 2]

Are you the one who checked "we only use levels" ? I'm interested on how you count xp used for creating magic or by spells.


Chacal

So far it has not come up, since we have few spellcasters in our group. As far as spellcasting is concerned, most of the spells that use XP I consider not appropriate for my campaign (banned) or spells that will have to be specifically allowed each time they are cast (Miracle, f.e., although we have no cleric in either campaign), and therefore will not require any exp.

Magic items, again, will probably not cost exp but rather exotic components, and in any case, as a DM I take a look at the individual characters including their gear when balancing, not just at the amount of treasure they once got. That means that if a spellcaster builds himself a magic item I either expect him to build some for his comrades as well, or just give out some balancing items to the rest of the party.

 

[Voadam]

I give out flat amounts based on success, failure or in process after each night of gaming (I try to give it out). The xp doesn't increase for higher level characters so there is a different advancement rate in my campaign (faster for low levels, slower for high levels).