Party Level vs. Character Level Awards

[Metus]

As per my topic, I don't see why the rules don't award XP according to character level instead of party level. On one hand when I think about it, a level 2 character could participate in a battle with level 20 characters and get a copacious amount of experience. On the other hand, when mages use up experience or when party members die, awarding individual character levels allows them to catch up to the rest.

It's been something that's boggled me ever since the rulebooks first came out and I've never successfully understood why it's one way and not the other. To me, individual awards seems to be the better way to go. Can someone explain why it's not?

 

[Merlion]

My guess...cause they thought it would be too time consuming for parties with characters of several different levels.

But really dont even get me started on XP and levels and challenge ratings..

 

[the Jester]

That's the FRCS system in a nutshell. And it works great. (Though I don't play in the Realms...)

 

[Metus]

Hm. Well I certainly have the time, and I'm close to distributing the XP awards from my last game. Thus, before I did, I was just checking why I shouldn't.

 

[Merlion]

Cant think of any reasons offhand.

 

[Metus]

Heh, okay. Then that is what I shall do. Thanks!

 

[kreynolds]

Cant think of any reasons offhand.

Neither can I. The DMG method doesn't make any logical sense. While more time consuming, the FRCS method is actually a sensible option.

 

[the Jester]

While more time consuming, the FRCS method is actually a sensible option.

It's far superior, imho. The catch-up factor for lower level pcs helps a lot.

 

[Murrdox]

I agree, the FRCS is the better way to do it.

In your example, first of all a 2nd level player should NEVER be in a party with a bunch of level 20's. In that scenario, I just wouldn't give the 2nd level player any experience whatsoever... or I'd just give him a random amount appropriate to the degree he contributed to combat.

Most times, the party level should be fairly even, depending on how much you level drain, and if you have a lot of traps (rogues tend to level quicker by disarming lots of traps). Normally, I'd say a difference of 4 levels between the highest character and the lowest is the most difference you'd ever want to have in a group.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Neither can I. The DMG method doesn't make any logical sense. While more time consuming, the FRCS method is actually a sensible option.

I went back over the DMG and I have to concur.

The DMG talks about EL, but doesn't actually use them in any meaningful way except to decide whether the combat is appropriate to the party at all.

Common sense says that fighting 3 ogres in a single fair fight should be worth more than encountering 3 ogres, one at a time. The DMG system does not take that into account.