Simple XP award question

[carborundum]

It's been 10+ years since I DM'd and since I'm back in the hobby and I've been playing 3e for a while now, I decided to get back into DM-ing. No-one had the Savage Tide so that's my new baby.
The thing is, I'm a bit surprised how much XP I seem to need to award! The first fight on the Blue Nixie is against 7 1/2 level thugs, one CR2 thug and a CR2 beastie. The party creamed them with amazing tactics, and even captured the beastie!
Anyway - by my calculations that's (7 x 150xp) + (2 x 600xp) split five ways, or 460 each. I know it's a tough fight and all, but isn't half a level in one fight (even 1st level) a bit steep?
I don't mind that much and I know it'll slow down, I just want to know if my calculation is right - maybe I'm confusing CR with ER or something. I also don't want to make mistakes and start too generously!

 

[shilsen]

Your calculation is very slightly off. It's 450 each.

And I personally always recommend awarding XP not based on CR or any other formula but simply do so at a rate that keeps PCs advancing at the speed you want. I think that's especially important in adventure paths, since they are built with expectations about PC level at any given point.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Just keep in mind that the PCs should be level 3 by the adventure in the next magazine and plan accordingly.

 

[carborundum]

Doh. 460 typo - that's what I get at 1am. Sorry.

Thanks for the quick answers. I guess they deserve it, considering they did so well - I'll just go light on the side quests and keep an eye on the xp from here on out. You're right - I can basically play think of a number as long as everyone feels they're earning and progressing. It was just that 450 was - a lot for 1st level, y'know.

Cheers!

 

[glass]

Doh. 460 typo - that's what I get at 1am. Sorry.

Thanks for the quick answers. I guess they deserve it, considering they did so well - I'll just go light on the side quests and keep an eye on the xp from here on out. You're right - I can basically play think of a number as long as everyone feels they're earning and progressing. It was just that 450 was - a lot for 1st level, y'know.

Bear in mind that levels 1-3 use the same line on the advancement chart. So a third-level character would get the same XP as your first-level characters for the same encounter despite needing three times as much XP to level.

IOW, first level is effectively tripple speed, and second level double speed, before things settle down from third level onwards.


glass.

 

[carborundum]

That's a nice way to look at it - thanks, Glass!