[UA] Alternative XP progression - Yay or Nay?

[Mystery Man]

Gave in, got the book. I'm weak, weak I tell you.

So this alternate method of XP...I think I like it but it seems that if you start it there's no going back. So if I commit myself I'm stuck with it forever. So for those of you that have it (UA) what do you think?

 

[Frostmarrow]

I don't have the UA but from what I've seen I'd definately go for the variant system. It makes planning challenges a breeze.

And you can go back to the old system fairly easily should you wish to. You just need to do some basic math but other than that - nothing. I.e. If you are half way into the next level in the new system you're half way into the next level by the old too!

 

[Cevalic]

I'm just starting a new campaign, and after getting this book, I'm glad I delayed the game. I'll definately be using this variant. My biggest problem with XP though is that characters will still level up faster than I would like them to. I think that I'll probably cut the monster awards in half. Yeah, I'm not a very nice DM, but I can't stand the video game feel that 3E brought with it.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

It's like back in AD&D. I like the current one better.

 

[NeuroZombie]

The new system kinda-sorta reminds me of the old system from what little I have read about it. I never realy liked original 3e CR/EL/etc.. system, so it will definitely be one portion of UA that I look at very cloesely when I finally get the book.

 

[Mystery Man]

It looks like you can still use the EL calculation from the DMG. Would it be pointless to use the XP award adjustment for easier or harder encounters though? I use p.39 (3.5 DMG) a lot.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

I'll be playtesting it tonight in my game (along with a bunch of other UA stuff), but I suspect it's gonna be all good.

 

[Gothmog]

I like the new system MUCH better. The CR/EL system was always very wonky, and I never liked it since it was so subjective. Although I have to agree with Cevalic, I think advancement in 3E/3.5 is way too fast- I'll be reducing the XP awards by 1/2 to 2/3. This is one thing AD&D did right 3E shouldn't have mucked with, and I'm glad its back.

 

[Trainz]

If you like it, you should definitely download the extended version of that XP chart I made in this thread. It goes up to level/CR 60.

Personally I really like that XP progression. It just gets weird after 30th level, but there's a way to make even that work very quickly (as explained in some of my posts in the thread I told you about). It gives a 1st ED feel that I haven't felt in a long while.

 

[Cevalic]

I like the new system MUCH better. The CR/EL system was always very wonky, and I never liked it since it was so subjective. Although I have to agree with Cevalic, I think advancement in 3E/3.5 is way too fast- I'll be reducing the XP awards by 1/2 to 2/3. This is one thing AD&D did right 3E shouldn't have mucked with, and I'm glad its back.

Do you think that cutting the awards in half would be too little? I'm trying to figure out if I want to half them or just use a quarter. I really, and I mean REALLY despise the rate PC's level up, but I'm not sure if a quarter is going to be too much.