Training prior to gaining a level - what do you think

[Plane Sailing]

I've never used any of the options which required characters who got the requisite number of xps to train for a certain number of weeks before getting the new level - it never sat well with me.

But it has just occurred to me that I could fit it in quite neatly by requiring the appropriate amount of time spent training *during* your current level. Thus a 5th level party would need to spend a total of 6 weeks in training during their adventures (or between their adventures) before they could reach 6th level... but if they were able to do that training en-bloc over the winter months, then when their next adventure takes them to 6th level xps, they immediately get the benefits of the next level (when they need them too!)

After all, the Wizard is supposed to add two new spells to his spell book each level from "general research". This is the kind of thing that he would be doing. It would also help me to ensure that characters that are thinking of multiclassing one way or another will have to put in some appropriate training time beforehand, rather than just making a decision on the spur of the moment (from the characters point of view).

I think this would work well - in fact I think it would work better for my purposes than any of the existing training methods.

What do you think?

Cheers

 

[Crothian]

It de[ends on the campaign. Many people, I've been finding out, never have time between adventures. They are always adventurering. I find that very wierd. We always try to takea few weeks in game if the time is there between adventurers.

I like the idea of training. I've never had a problem with training, and while many people hate the training rules I think it can add another level of role playing and fun.

 

[Tonguez]

Train Skills not XP

That is whenever PCs 'train' imc they are effectively earn skillpoints which can be used to increase skill ranks beyond the 'level limit' (so you could have a 3rd level PC with 10 ranks in a skill) PCs who take the time to find a teacher can even learn new skills through this training (although that takes twice as long as improving existing skills)

XP only increases when they are overcoming challenges (whatever they might be)

 

[Dispater]

It de[ends on the campaign. Many people, I've been finding out, never have time between adventures. They are always adventurering. I find that very wierd. We always try to takea few weeks in game if the time is there between adventurers.

Ask my group. They've never had a single break in a long, long time.

We usually play with the rule that you improve your skills under stress - also adventuring. The skills you've used during a session would hence be those most natural to improvement.

 

[Crothian]

Ask my group. They've never had a single break in a long, long time.

That's in full control of the DM though. IF you have training rules, you don't need to have the players constatly running around.

Also, one ofthe things I like is when the players feel that have to do something now, but have enough XP to train for that new level. It's up to them to act now, or wait to train.

 

[Romotre]

Sometimes thought, for the sake of gameplay, the training rules really are out of place. suppose ou go on a long couple of week adventure, crawling through dungeons and tracking down a NPC only to meet him, confront him, have him escape but you learn his plans. knowing that you'll need all the strength to stop him, nobody would train and let him put his plans into motion. but i think that they deserve the levels, and its not fair if the PC's have to react quickly all the time (a good element for exciting games) but not let them levels up (something every player loves).

 

[Crothian]

Sometimes thought, for the sake of gameplay, the training rules really are out of place. suppose ou go on a long couple of week adventure, crawling through dungeons and tracking down a NPC only to meet him, confront him, have him escape but you learn his plans. knowing that you'll need all the strength to stop him, nobody would train and let him put his plans into motion. but i think that they deserve the levels, and its not fair if the PC's have to react quickly all the time (a good element for exciting games) but not let them levels up (something every player loves).

THere should be times when the PCs need to act now. THat is part of any good story. Just as there should be times the characters can take a few weeks off. Variety is the spice of life.

So, in your situation there are a few ways to do it. THe party goes in without gaining the level. Sure, it'll be tough and grueling but tthat's life. Have them gain HP and spell slots when they gain the XP for the level, but they need to train for feats, skill points, new spells, and special class abilities.

 

[Romotre]

While that may be the most realistic (hardly even, they always earn their levels in my games), i'd give em full levels with a few days to rest. if you give em some of the things, stuff gets unfair toward some classes. i'm inclined, in situations like this, to give the entire level. but then it comes up that in other, more relaxed situations that it takes all this effort to gain a level, compared to when you are rushed its easier. that's why i don't play with strict training rules. give the PC's slightly less gold, and make them take a few days off works fine to balances things out. leveless system would make this easier, but that's a topic for another thread.

 

[bloodymage]

Training Required

I figure a good trainer or school IMC will train my PC's through the next level. So I require them to make sure they have arranged training resources every other level. If the resources are in place, no sweat. There's always down time between adventures to take care of life. And my PC's have to train for everything. We don't RP the training but we do RP the search for a new master if needed. This means they can still level during an adventure, usually gives them plenty of time to get back for training if on an extended adventure, provides a drain on their finances and gives us occasional RP opportunities.

 

[gyn ruhmie]

i hate to reiterate but i agree experience points are awarded for the PC's experiences .. which helps them grow and gain more knowledge i.e. fighting skills, spell use, body recovering from many blows tend to make us stronger, etc...

so training to level up is really a moot point...

however, skills should be trained (if not trained in that particular skill yet) and most definitely feats should be as well