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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Robtheman" data-source="post: 5459341" data-attributes="member: 89625">benefits of bestowing levels over tracking xpBenefits of bestowing levels- Leveling up becomes story driven- Leveling up doesn't occur at awkward times (half way through a dungeon, for instance)- Leveling up feels less like a mechanical process and more of a sign of character achievement- Leveling occurs when I expect it to, which allows planning of encounters for a specific party level. No going back to re-budget an encounter because the players gained a level earlier than I anticipatedIn my current campaign the party leveled in the following ways- Defeated their first major villain (level 2) - reward- Reached a new city and succeeded at a major skill challenge that drove the plot forward and gained them a critical ally (level 3) - reward- Escaped a zombie infested city, defeated a crippled but still formidable Fomorian smuggler, his beholder gauth lacky and a few spriggans. This required the help of said ally (level 4) - reward- Infiltrated an Orc encampment, destroyed most of the forces with sabotage and poison, killed the chieftain and shaman and then were left to face a red dragon. They had no resources left so they got to talk to a dead dragon spirit that wanted said red dragon out of what used to be its lair. It granted some of its power to them and (level 5) - reward and DM caveateIn every case the level felt like a sign of achievement and significant improvement to the PCs. They had time to reflect on their achievements, take powers and feats that worked for their character concept, not an upcoming encounter or creature type. In the last case it was a story driven choice that allowed them to face a foe they could not have downed on their own. They had reached the end of the adventuring day already, had few healing surges and no daily powers. I could have tossed the dragon encounter but everyone wanted to take it down.</blockquote>

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