D&D 5E RAW: XP until death

[WilliamCQ]

For a reason I'd rather keep separate from this thread, I need to have as much XP as possible for a dead PC that cannot be brought back to life. I'd like to know the following for Rules As Written:

1. For the encounter in which the PC died, does he get
   • a) XP up to the point he died (XP being split each time a foe die),
   • b) all the XP of the encounter,
   • c) none of the XP of the encounter?
2. For the encounter before the PC died, does he get XP for them?

Thank you kindly

 

[Lanefan]

For a reason I'd rather keep separate from this thread, I need to have as much XP as possible for a dead PC that cannot be brought back to life. I'd like to know the following for Rules As Written:

1. For the encounter in which the PC died, does he get
   • a) XP up to the point he died (XP being split each time a foe die),
   • b) all the XP of the encounter,
   • c) none of the XP of the encounter?
2. For the encounter before the PC died, does he get XP for them?

Do the RAW even go into this much detail?

If it helps, and if no official answer arises, what I've done since forever is a character gets full xp for any encounters it was in before it died and half xp for the encounter in which it died.

Lanefan

 

[CapnZapp]

How about "it gets full xp up until it dies, then none"?

 

[clearstream]

For a reason I'd rather keep separate from this thread, I need to have as much XP as possible for a dead PC that cannot be brought back to life. I'd like to know the following for Rules As Written:

1. For the encounter in which the PC died, does he get
   • a) XP up to the point he died (XP being split each time a foe die),
   • b) all the XP of the encounter,
   • c) none of the XP of the encounter?
2. For the encounter before the PC died, does he get XP for them?

Thank you kindly

I give PCs full XP for every encounter they actively participate in, even if they die in that encounter. Typically, a dead character can't actively participate in further encounters.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

RAW doesn't say much about it other than:

Typically, XP is awarded for defeating the monster, although the DM may also award XP for neutralizing the threat posed by the monster in some other manner.

How to reward XP is usually handled by the adventure paths themselves. Some are very clear on how much XP to reward for what.

So let's take a look at the (more strict) adventure league rules:

Experience Points (XP). Award XP as noted at the conclusion of the adventure. If you’re running one of the adventures published by Wizards of the Coast, it is up to you to calculate XP for your players. Otherwise, you’ll be provided with a guide on how to do that in a standalone D&D Adventurers League adventure.

As you can see, it pretty much refers to the adventures themselves too rather than giving a general guideline. Or says it is up to the DM how to calculate it if not defined by the adventure.

Interesting is the part about PC death:
- If the character can be revived by paying the cost: Get all XP from session
- If the character uses faction charity to be revived: "Forfeits all XP and rewards for that session (even those earned prior to death during that session)"
- If the character cannot be revived at all: Restart from level 1

------------------------------

So much for RAW.

I personally equally share XP between all characters that participated in combat. If someone exits combat mid-way (run away, die), then he doesn't get the XP from then on anymore, but still gets the XP from what happened before. If he however can't be revived at all, then the player will have to create a new PC that typically starts at 900 XP in my games. In that case, the surviving PCs actually get his share of XP for the battle instead.

 

[Fanaelialae]

For a reason I'd rather keep separate from this thread, I need to have as much XP as possible for a dead PC that cannot be brought back to life. I'd like to know the following for Rules As Written:

1. For the encounter in which the PC died, does he get
   • a) XP up to the point he died (XP being split each time a foe die),
   • b) all the XP of the encounter,
   • c) none of the XP of the encounter?
2. For the encounter before the PC died, does he get XP for them?

Thank you kindly

I'm sure it isn't the answer you're looking for, but it's ultimately up to your DM.

That said, I reward full XP for an encounter, regardless of whether the PC lives or dies. After all, they participated in the encounter so why shouldn't they get XP?

I've had DMs who refused to reward XP to dead characters. Not only did it seem like adding insult to injury, but it didn't make much sense. The guy who dies learns nothing from his death, but somehow his companions learn more? Even the one useless guy standing in the distance uselessly throwing rocks learns more? That never jived with me, which is why I rule as I do.

In fairness, I reward PCs for overcoming encounters rather than defeating them. I give just as much XP for sneaking past an encounter or talking past an encounter as for fighting it out. I feel that it encourages a more old school mindset where combat isn't automatically the go-to move.

 

[JPicasso]

Knowing the reasons you're keeping separate from this thread are probably key into answering this question.

But here's my take, many DMs, like myself don't even award XP, we just tell the PCs when to level. So, RAW, it's an invalid question.
The point is, this kind of thing is entirely up to your DM. And many DMs will balk at being surprised after making a ruling, the original question smells of a setup.

Please share the reasons.
Thanks

 

[jasper]

What JPicasso is saying leveling by milestones. This is a session 0 question within the group. Session 0 is the get together of the group to see if y'all on the same train.
In AL modules If you don't use faction charity it xp till you die. But not over the max allowed by the adventure.

 

[aco175]

I always awarded for participation in the encounter even if they died. There are also characters who sneak away from the party to steal the treasure while the rest are battling monsters, or one that spends the whole encounter running away from monsters or just healing the fighter. They all were there and get XP. Other players may get mad with the thief who did not backstab and take it out on him or not raise him if he dies.

The next encounter after someone dies gets harder for the remaining PCs so they get more XP be only splitting it with 3 instead of 4 characters. I also seen where NPC get more action as the player hanging out is playing one like a PC. I awarded his character 1/2xp for doing a good job with the NPC.

 

[Krachek]

For a reason I'd rather keep separate from this thread, I need to have as much XP as possible for a dead PC that cannot be brought back to life. I'd like to know the following for Rules As Written:

1. For the encounter in which the PC died, does he get
   • a) XP up to the point he died (XP being split each time a foe die),
   • b) all the XP of the encounter,
   • c) none of the XP of the encounter?
2. For the encounter before the PC died, does he get XP for them?

Thank you kindly

You can ask him to also pay for the pizza.