how would you award XP to this party?

[evilbob]

I'm running a game with four 8th level PCs who just picked up a 4th level NPC that's pretty important to the story (3 guesses as to the campaign). I've noticed that one quirk in the way 3.5 XP is awarded, it really doesn't matter what level your party members are; the XP you are awarded is more dependent on the number of party members. In other words, if I'm an 8th level fighter, my XP from each encounter doesn't change whether my party members are level 10 or level 6; it only changes if there are more or fewer of them.

So, the quandary is: since this 4th level NPC is going to be contributing almost nothing to an 8th level party (in fact, the NPC will likely be more of a hindrance than anything), how would you award XP from encounters that include this NPC to the party?

My thoughts on solutions are:
1. award XP as normal (which seems to penalize the party for having a low-level tagalog that can hardly contribute but will eventually, over a very long period of time, cause the NPC to catch up)
2. award XP as if there were only 4 party members instead of 5 (this seems more fair, but what happens if the lowly 4th level NPC actually contributes in some way - then the party is basically getting free help)
3. level the NPC up a couple times to match the party (may be the best XP solution, but sucks because then you have what amounts to a DM-NPC and the party members are the ones who should shine)
4. intentionally keep the NPC out of battle as much as possible (easier said than done, and also means I have one more thing to keep up with instead of letting the players just run the NPC during battles)

I'm sure there are other solutions as well - can anyone think of some? How would others solve this problem?

 

[Jdvn1]

Award XP as if there were 4.5 party members.

 

[irdeggman]

I think that you have missed on how xp is calculated here if you think that an 8th level fighter gets the same xp each encounter.

xp is determined based on the CR of each opponent (or trap) and the CL of the PC divided by the number of characters in the part.

So we need more details if you wish an actual "how would xp be awarded" answer.

Note that if the party level is 4 8th level PC and 1 4th level NPC (and not a cohort or hireling) the NPC is going to get more xp in each encounter (assuming he survives) than the 8th level PCs will.

Look at the tables on pg 38 of the DMG if you don't believe me.

 

[billd91]

I think that you have missed on how xp is calculated here if you think that an 8th level fighter gets the same xp each encounter.

I don't get the impression that's what he's saying. He could very well be saying that the XP you get is based on your own character level and will be the same no matter what levels your companions are at. So in a 4 PC party, the 8th level character always gets a quarter of the XP due an 8th level character, even if other party members are all 10th level.
It's not clear that he means the XP in every encounter is exactly the same.

 

[Quartz]

Is part of the challenge of the encounter keeping the NPC alive? Then award extra XP for so doing.

 

[shilsen]

Ignore levels and what the PCs do in-game and just award them the appropriate amount of XP per session to keep them advancing at a speed you are comfortable with.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

Ignore levels and what the PCs do in-game and just award them the appropriate amount of XP per session to keep them advancing at a speed you are comfortable with.

This. Or... I wouldn't award them xp at all, and just say, "You gain a level." after a couple of sessions.

Later
silver

 

[mvincent]

2. award XP as if there were only 4 party members instead of 5

I'd use this method, since as you say, the players would likely be just as happy without his help. I never give the PC's XP to NPC's (lest I want the players to start resenting the presence of NPC's)

what happens if the lowly 4th level NPC actually contributes in some way - then the party is basically getting free help)

There are easier ways to get free help (hirelings, warhorses, attack dogs, charming, etc.). If he proves particularly useful, you could possibly reduce the challenge rating of an encounter or have him ask for some of the loot.

Better yet, treat NPC's as scenery... don't even roll their attacks (since the players might get annoyed at the DM getting even more spotlight time due to NPC's)... just occasionally remove a mook and don't count it towards XP.

 

[darthkilmor]

Better yet, treat NPC's as scenery... don't even roll their attacks (since the players might get annoyed at the DM getting even more spotlight time due to NPC's)... just occasionally remove a mook and don't count it towards XP.

I have one of my players handle all the rolls for their one NPC barbarian in battle, its easier all around, the player isnt doing anything since it isnt his turn anyway.

 

[evilbob]

There are easier ways to get free help (hirelings, warhorses, attack dogs, charming, etc.). If he proves particularly useful, you could possibly reduce the challenge rating of an encounter or have him ask for some of the loot.

This seems like the best thought process so far to justify the answer that I was already sort of favoring. I'll just have the NPC take more of the loot and treat her like a hireling. Thanks!


irdeggman: It's hard to explain, but what I am saying is: your individual XP per encounter is dependent on 2 things: your level, and the number of people in the party. What it does not depend on is the level of your other party members. Therefore, it's to your advantage, XP-wise, to have other party members who are higher level than you (since they will presumably help more and them simply being a higher level doesn't lower your total XP), and to your disadvantage to have other party members who are lower level (for the opposite reason - they're basically leeching without helping). (Of course, this is all rather meta and has nothing to do with why you might be partying with someone of a very different level.)