I see the Xp # in the upper right hand corner of the box of info on the monster, but dose every character involved in the fight get that much, or is it divided up between the characters? I don't think it would be divided because playing that way takes so long to level up, but my friend who DM's for us is dividing it so after we fight like 6 guys we only get the total of all the xp numbers added together and then divided by the number of players. I don't believe it works this way, but I can't change the way he plays unless I have proof.
How is experience divided up in D&D 4th?
- Thread starter Lia_1984
- Start date
Jack Colby
First Post
It is divided, and has always been divided through every edition of D&D. You won't be finding proof, your DM is doing it correctly.
DracoSuave
First Post
You don't understand encounter design or why the numbers are the way they are then.
Let's explain.
Take your level, and see the amount of XP you need for your next level? Subtract from that the XP for the last level.
Don't argue, just do it.
Now let's say you are level 6. To reach level 7, you need 10,000 XP. To reach level 6, you need 7,500 XP. That means in order to go from 6 to 7, you'll need a total of 2,500 XP.
Looking at a typical level 6 monster, let's say a Tiefling Heretic, we see that it gives you 250 XP.
Wait.. Level 6 monster, 250 XP... need 2,500 XP to gain level 7.... but if that XP is divided, that means we have to kill 60 monsters! UNFAIR! UNFAIR!
Now hold on there bucko. Before you start saying how it takes 'forever' don't forget, you're not fighting these monsters one at a time.
An equivalent level encounter is considered one monster of your level for each member of the party. So if you have six players, that's six monsters at 250 XP each. That comes out to 1,500 XP for that encounter.
However, not all equal level encounters are exactly six monsters. So long as the XP totals of all the monsters equal 1,500, the XP budget will make sure it's an equal level encounter.
And not all encounters are equal level, some of them are challenging and have higher XP budgets.
Regardless, if n is the number of players, then a standard encounter gives xp = Number of players X (XP needed for level) / 10 total. Then, you divide that by number of players... and you get exactly one tenth of the XP you need to level.
In other words, the XP system is designed so that after 10 regular encounters, you gain a level.
'But that's a long time!'
Suck it up princess, that's a less than 3E's 13.33
And don't even get me started on previous editions and their money-based XP system.
Let's explain.
Take your level, and see the amount of XP you need for your next level? Subtract from that the XP for the last level.
Don't argue, just do it.
Now let's say you are level 6. To reach level 7, you need 10,000 XP. To reach level 6, you need 7,500 XP. That means in order to go from 6 to 7, you'll need a total of 2,500 XP.
Looking at a typical level 6 monster, let's say a Tiefling Heretic, we see that it gives you 250 XP.
Wait.. Level 6 monster, 250 XP... need 2,500 XP to gain level 7.... but if that XP is divided, that means we have to kill 60 monsters! UNFAIR! UNFAIR!
Now hold on there bucko. Before you start saying how it takes 'forever' don't forget, you're not fighting these monsters one at a time.
An equivalent level encounter is considered one monster of your level for each member of the party. So if you have six players, that's six monsters at 250 XP each. That comes out to 1,500 XP for that encounter.
However, not all equal level encounters are exactly six monsters. So long as the XP totals of all the monsters equal 1,500, the XP budget will make sure it's an equal level encounter.
And not all encounters are equal level, some of them are challenging and have higher XP budgets.
Regardless, if n is the number of players, then a standard encounter gives xp = Number of players X (XP needed for level) / 10 total. Then, you divide that by number of players... and you get exactly one tenth of the XP you need to level.
In other words, the XP system is designed so that after 10 regular encounters, you gain a level.
'But that's a long time!'
Suck it up princess, that's a less than 3E's 13.33
And don't even get me started on previous editions and their money-based XP system.
Well, first you get a hedgehog. Then you count all its spines. When you've finished, you bake it with a pineapple. I'm pretty sure this is illegal, so make sure to do it in a secret laboratory!
Once you're pineapple is cooked, throw it against the wall, and measure the diameter of the splatter. Then multiply this number by the amount of spines on the hedgehog.
The next part gets a bit complex and involves rodents, gaffer tape and PVC tubing.
Once you're pineapple is cooked, throw it against the wall, and measure the diameter of the splatter. Then multiply this number by the amount of spines on the hedgehog.
The next part gets a bit complex and involves rodents, gaffer tape and PVC tubing.
If you and the other players (and the DM) agree that leveling up is taking too long for whatever reason, the DM can increase XP awarded.
He can arbitrarily award for various story reasons, or multiply all experience by a certain amount, or just flat out state when you gain levels -- all sorts of ways.
Default way though is to add up all elements of the encounter which grant XP (the monsters, traps, other things) and then divide that amount by the number of PCs in the group.
Should take somewhere around 10 fights usually, less if you have big fights frequently because you have higher level combats worth more XP. Quest rewards and Skill Challenges also can contribute XP.
Of course, your game can vary in all sorts of ways, such as having little to no combat during a session and just being roleplaying (which may not grant significant XP rewards) which would make levels stretch on much longer.
He can arbitrarily award for various story reasons, or multiply all experience by a certain amount, or just flat out state when you gain levels -- all sorts of ways.
Default way though is to add up all elements of the encounter which grant XP (the monsters, traps, other things) and then divide that amount by the number of PCs in the group.
Should take somewhere around 10 fights usually, less if you have big fights frequently because you have higher level combats worth more XP. Quest rewards and Skill Challenges also can contribute XP.
Of course, your game can vary in all sorts of ways, such as having little to no combat during a session and just being roleplaying (which may not grant significant XP rewards) which would make levels stretch on much longer.
DracoSuave
First Post
I forgot about Quest Xp too. You get Quest XP.
Mad Hamish
First Post
It's all sent to me.
DracoSuave
First Post
No wonder I can't ding 2.
firesnakearies
Explorer
D&D4E is grindtastic!
DracoSuave
First Post
No time to talk, have to kill kobolds for xp. Stand back. Don't want the DM to think you're in my party, leachin' my xp
