PCs of different levels

[Inconsequenti-AL]

The FRCs campaign version is good. Competes with Haste for my favorite revision in 3.5.

Basically, you calculate XP separately for the different level characters. For example, in a party of 3 X 14th level guys and 1 X 12th level defeats a CR 15 encounter.

The 14th levelers each get 25% the xp award for a 14th level party defeating a CR 15 encounter. The 12th leveler gets 25% the xp of a 12th level party defeating CR 15. So the 12th level player gets quite a lot more.

The lower level guys can catch up reasonably fast using this method.

We use it and it's made a massive difference to my enjoyment of the game. Still spend a number of sessions behind, but you can eventually get pretty close to catching up.

 

[Raven Crowking]

I'd think 2nd vs 4th would be a huge difference; 12th vs. 14th... not so much.

I am running a game where the differences are as much as 1st to 5th (right now). And there are people lined up to play new 1st level characters if an opening appears. It can be done.

The nature of the XP system means that, in this situation, the less powerful characters begin to progress faster than the more powerful, eventually evening them out. Also, I have long been a proponent of the "it isn't who your character is as much as how you play him" school of D&D philosophy. Example: Our group's paladin started at 1st level when other characters were up to 3rd. Now he's at 3rd and pushing 4th. He started out as a weaker PC, and is now one of two bulwarks when the fight hits the fan.

Of course, if your group isn't good-aligned, then the lower level characters might have some pretty serious problems.

RC

 

[Darth K'Trava]

in what way are the 3.5 xp rules different? I'm currently 2-3 levels behind my current party....and not showing any sign of catching up, wondering if 3.5 addresses this?

Lower level characters get more XP than higher level characters do for any challenge rating. Thus it balances out those level gaps. Inconsequenti-AL has gotten it down pat.

 

[knitnerd]

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Of course, if your group isn't good-aligned, then the lower level characters might have some pretty serious problems.

RC[/QUOTE]

My 12th level ranger just rode off into the sunset to hunt demons with an NPC Warband because it seemed safer than staying in town with all the evil characters. My new 6th level gnome wizard wants to drive the rest of the party out of his territory and almost killed the 9th level gnome wizard in their first encounter. Level doesn't seem to matter as much as luck with the dice.