Monster Oops

[Lord Pendragon]

Of course, it's hardly sensible to suggest that a Bodak would forget about it's main attack - maybe one round, but over the entire course of a combat? Hardly likely.

Absolutely, but I read the original poster as using the Bodak as an extreme example. In actual practice, such a signature power isn't the one you're going to forget about. And if you do, I'd probably still give full xp in the case of myself. Because forgetting something so central to the monster is just bad DMing.

 

[Terraism]

Absolutely, but I read the original poster as using the Bodak as an extreme example. In actual practice, such a signature power isn't the one you're going to forget about. And if you do, I'd probably still give full xp in the case of myself. Because forgetting something so central to the monster is just bad DMing.

It might be bad DMing, but it was hardly a challenge to the players (characters) - which is what XP represents. By that logic, it's fair to suggest that every time the DM makes a bad judgement call (bad DMing) the players should get XP... or maybe that's just an extreme example.

You're probably right on that, though. I was replying in this case to the specific case mentioned by the poster - in the case of less-significant abilities, I'll concede that you've probably got the right of it.

 

[Pants]

I once 'forgot' about the Bebilith's armor tearing abilities and DR. That's when I first learned how nasty those buggers are. I've gotten a wee bit better at DMing since then

 

[FireLance]

I'd give them full XP.

Then, I'd set up another encounter that specifically targets their weaknesses as a party and only give them normal XP for that, too.

It all evens out in the end.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I once 'forgot' about the Bebilith's armor tearing abilities and DR. That's when I first learned how nasty those buggers are. I've gotten a wee bit better at DMing since then

Funny thing is, most DMs I know use a Bebilith specifically for those abilities you'd forgotten! Best munchkin armor-scrapper in the game.

Originally posted by Terraism
It might be bad DMing, but it was hardly a challenge to the players (characters) - which is what XP represents. By that logic, it's fair to suggest that every time the DM makes a bad judgement call (bad DMing) the players should get XP... or maybe that's just an extreme example.

Well, you're right about what xp represents, and if the party didn't have to deal with Monster X's main power, then they certainly didn't learn as much from it. Still, I'd give 'em full xp. I suppose I don't want to punish the players for my mistakes.