Two quick XP questions

[Zen]

I think I'm getting these right, but thought I'd take to the boards to be certain.

1. My 6th-level team battled six ghouls last night. The ghouls are challenge rating 1, so each ghoul is worth 300 xp, which means that the team shares 1,800 experience points, correct?

2. One of my players has a half-orc. He is currently Barbarian 2, Fighter 1, Ranger 1, Monk 2. No class level is more than 1 level away from any other, so he hasn't taken an XP penalty yet. However, if he takes another level of Monk, he will take a 20% penalty to all experience points until he raises his other levels by one, correct?

 

[werk]

I'll let someone else chime in on the first one, since I don't have my DMG at hand, but on the second question...how can he do barbar and monk? And yes.

 

[Zen]

He has changed his alignment over time and abides by the rules of playing a former Barbarian. It was a fun little bit in the character's history, this savage half-orc accepting the discipline of a lawful class.

 

[Infiniti2000]

1. Not having the DMG either, assuming you read the table right for the 300XP, yes, they "split the pot" so to speak. They don't really split it (as when you calculate cohort XP), but the survivors get equal shares.

2. Yes. But, keep in mind that the character loses the Rage ability and cannot gain additional levels in Barbarian. Moreover, if he starts taking levels in fighter or ranger to offset the 20% penalty, he cannot again advance as monk. So, at some point he will have to take the 20% penalty or switch alignments back to chaotic so he can advance as a barbarian again (which itself has problems).

 

[melkorspawn]

Moreover, if he starts taking levels in fighter or ranger to offset the 20% penalty, he cannot again advance as monk. So, at some point he will have to take the 20% penalty or switch alignments back to chaotic so he can advance as a barbarian again (which itself has problems).

I'd say equalize them as best you can and then start thinking about a PrC... or even better, decide on a PrC now, and then fulfill the prereqs as you equalize them.

Alternatively, start thinking about the Ascetic feats from Complete Adventurer... bit of a pickle though.

 

[melkorspawn]

Oh wait... he's a half-orc... the barbarian levels don't count anyway.

 

[rtricher]

Wouldn't that character incur 2 20% penalties for each of the classes at level 1???

Anyway I aslo have a question, as PrCs are mentioned do they or do they not count towards Xp penalties??

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Just ignore XP penalties. Doesn't sound like he's trying to powergame, probably just wanted some features from each class. And if he is trying to powergame he really is crappy at it.

 

[Herobizkit]

I think I'm getting these right, but thought I'd take to the boards to be certain.

1. My 6th-level team battled six ghouls last night. The ghouls are challenge rating 1, so each ghoul is worth 300 xp, which means that the team shares 1,800 experience points, correct?

I'm no expert, but from what I understand about CR, you have to determine the total challenge rating of the encounter before you dole out XP. There's a chart somewhere in the DMG that shows you how to do this... but anyhow. Because the ghouls were in a group, I believe the encounter would be a CR 6. Look at the chart under CR 6 and compare with your party level, which has an average of 6. I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out to be the same, but it might not either. *G*

As for #2, I pass.

 

[StormCrow42]

I'm no expert, but from what I understand about CR, you have to determine the total challenge rating of the encounter before you dole out XP. There's a chart somewhere in the DMG that shows you how to do this... but anyhow. Because the ghouls were in a group, I believe the encounter would be a CR 6. Look at the chart under CR 6 and compare with your party level, which has an average of 6. I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out to be the same, but it might not either. *G*

You have made a common mistake. Experience is based on the CR of each individual monster, not the EL of the entire encounter.