Table 4-1 (Encounter Numbers)

[DSC-EricPrice]

In chapter 4 of the DMG is something that as a DM I use every week in the creation of balanced encounters for my games. This table is conspicuously absent from the SRD though. How do game manufacturers legally figure and assign ELs to combat encounters in their dungeons without this table?

 

[d20Dwarf]

You just figure it out and put it down. There isn't anything prohibiting you from assigning ELs, even if they do correspond to the chart. Just don't print the chart!

 

[DSC-EricPrice]

But, um, isnt you assigning an EL a derivative of their chart (since you couldnt do it without their chart and have it be meaningful)? And isnt that chart WotC's closed content?

 

[jmucchiello]

But, um, isnt you assigning an EL a derivative of their chart (since you couldnt do it without their chart and have it be meaningful)? And isnt that chart WotC's closed content?

They are going to sue you for saying:

EL 4

?

Copyrights don't let you prevent that level of granularity.

 

[d20Dwarf]

How about this:

Almost 3 years we've been putting Encounter Levels in modules, and it's never been even hinted at as being an issue.

I think you are way overanalyzing this.

 

[DSC-EricPrice]

Upping the Ante

I think you are way overanalyzing this.

Probably. Im bad about that. My actual direction with this whole thing was something else entirely Im afraid. What if I wanted to make my own EL table (for example if I wanted to release an EL table for a group of 6 people). Derivative? Allowable? What if I wanted to make a matrix that changed based on the number of characters in the party? Lets really muddy it up and say I want to make xp tables too.

 

[thg jim]

The xp chart is an easy one. From the d20 system guide...

"No Covered Product may contain rules or instructions of any kind that:

• Describe a process for Creating a Character
• Describe a process for Applying the Effects of Experience to a Character

Specifically, Applying the effects of Experience to a Character means incrementing the character level of a character by incrementing a class level by one rank, or by adding a new class at first level, and describing how to allocate new skill points, select new feats, select new talents, or gain new class-level linked abilities.

Applying the effects of Experience to a Character does not include creating or modifying an experience point chart, defining a new class (including describing what benefits that class provides at each level)."

So, yes, you can modify an experience point chart.

 

[MEG Hal]

So, yes, you can modify an experience point chart.

Under the d20 license you can not modify the XP charts. The chart represents incremental increases in your character level so it can't be done. So you can create classes all day just do not give them an XP chart.

You could make it an OGL product and produce your own XP tables.

 

[tensen]

So, yes, you can modify an experience point chart.

Naughty Naughty. Time to spank Jim.

 

[Mystic Eye]

Under the d20 license you can not modify the XP charts. The chart represents incremental increases in your character level so it can be done. So you can create classes all day just do not give them an XP chart.

You could make it an OGL product and produce your own XP tables.

Hal meant to say it "CAN"T " be done! just to clarify. The holiday must be getting to our brains!