How easy do you find it to adjust the advancement rate in D&D?

[MerricB]

We have all seen each other have different levels of comfort with how fast advancement is. So, I'm wondering how easy to find it to adjust this rate with the guidelines given in the DMG (and elsewhere).

I've put this on a 5 point scale with 1 being easy and 5 being hard; my personal feeling is that it's a "2"; the guidelines are excellent, and the only trouble is caused by reducing NPC equipment, as this causes problems with the CR of such NPCs.

What do you think?

Cheers!

 

[el-remmen]

Easy as pie.

Even easier. Pie takes work to make.

Same goes for wealth level.

 

[Crothian]

Ya, XP and Wealth are easy for the DM to mess with.

 

[Jaws]

I voted 5 (hard) not from the work it takes to adjust (I would say a 2 in that regard), but from what you might encounter by having players whining that it is taking so long to level.

The first thing to do is to talk to all of your players and then compromise on what will work best for the group, not just yourself (the DM).


Peace and smiles

j.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

I find it to be pretty easy, as well. Although I sort of cheat, and integrate some magic item abilities into NPC without actually giving them the item. That is, I give them the item, I just don't give it to the PCs when they murder him for it.

On the other hand, I have allowed the PCs to gain the same benefit in some circumstances, getting boons bestowed or being the subject of a ritual that grants them a magical item ability without having the trouble of toting the magic item around (or having it sundered, stolen, or otherwise removed from their person). So... Yeah, pretty easy.

Later
silver

 

[Odhanan]

Extremely easy.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Easy as pie. Just reduce/increase treasure/xp by set %.

 

[Hairfoot]

Mechanically easy, hard as hell to get players to accept it.

 

[Psion]

Easy.

For me, players accepting it is not an issue. I have never met a player in meatspace who would object to the GM controlling the rate of advancement.

 

[shilsen]

Easier than pie. I can't even make pie.