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<blockquote data-quote="3catcircus" data-source="post: 1777583" data-attributes="member: 16077">Just scale the XP awardsI simply scale the xp awards - typically 1/2 to 2/3 of the &quot;by-the-book&quot; xp awards.&nbsp; I do this based upon the results of the encounters.For example, I had an encounter where I had the party facing diseased, raging orc barbarians that explode when killed, spraying infected goo in a 10 foot radius.&nbsp; Since this was an outdoor encounter, the party elected to simply remain mounted and attack from a distance, using missile weapons.&nbsp; Because of this, the &quot;actual&quot; CR became much less than the &quot;book&quot; CR. Sure, you may argue that I am penalizing players for using sound tactics, but I see it differently.&nbsp; I see it as the party had already learned how to deal with diseased, exploding orcs previously, so this encounter was not a learning experience - hence less of a challenge.&nbsp; As an analogy, think about a computer game or a Rubik's Cube, or anything else - once you've figured out/overcome the thing, it is no longer as challenging, right?As to my own Sunday afternoon games, I've been DMing it for about 6-8 months, nearly every weekend, and the party *just* made 5th level.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="3catcircus, post: 1777583, member: 16077"] [b]Just scale the XP awards[/b] I simply scale the xp awards - typically 1/2 to 2/3 of the "by-the-book" xp awards. I do this based upon the results of the encounters. For example, I had an encounter where I had the party facing diseased, raging orc barbarians that explode when killed, spraying infected goo in a 10 foot radius. Since this was an outdoor encounter, the party elected to simply remain mounted and attack from a distance, using missile weapons. Because of this, the "actual" CR became much less than the "book" CR. Sure, you may argue that I am penalizing players for using sound tactics, but I see it differently. I see it as the party had already learned how to deal with diseased, exploding orcs previously, so this encounter was not a learning experience - hence less of a challenge. As an analogy, think about a computer game or a Rubik's Cube, or anything else - once you've figured out/overcome the thing, it is no longer as challenging, right? As to my own Sunday afternoon games, I've been DMing it for about 6-8 months, nearly every weekend, and the party *just* made 5th level. [/QUOTE]

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