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<blockquote data-quote="rushlight" data-source="post: 171285" data-attributes="member: 3801">I've been running a game for a long time, and we converted to 3e just after it came out.&nbsp; My party is usually 5 or 6 people, but we have had times with as many as 8 or 9 players.&nbsp; Now, I run a slightly higher powered campaign, so I'm a bit more generous with XP, but there are some things your DM could do to fix the situation.First, he is in fact correct that you average the PC levels to find the Party level according to the book.&nbsp; I've found that this isn't adequate for game balance.&nbsp; Since (for example) 4 level 5 people are a Party Level 5, the average battle will take place with a CR 5 creature.&nbsp; Now, if you take 8 level 5 people to fight the same CR 5 creature, then the XP will be the same as before, but divided by 8.&nbsp; The reasoning is since there are more people (than average) the encounter is easier, thus less XP per person.&nbsp; The solution is to increase the Party Level when the number of players goes above 4.&nbsp; I usually split the number of players into blocks of 4, average those Party Levels out, and then sum them to find a rough Large Party Level.&nbsp; Looking at the Encouter Level chart in the DMG (not the XP chart) will also provide simple guidelines.&nbsp; Not only will it increase the amount of XP per person, it will increase the challenge of the encounters, and thus the fun!One thing to remember, though, is that this is not an exact science.&nbsp; The DM must be careful not to over-estimate the party's combat ability.&nbsp; That can lead to quite deadly situations.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="rushlight, post: 171285, member: 3801"] I've been running a game for a long time, and we converted to 3e just after it came out. My party is usually 5 or 6 people, but we have had times with as many as 8 or 9 players. Now, I run a slightly higher powered campaign, so I'm a bit more generous with XP, but there are some things your DM could do to fix the situation. First, he is in fact correct that you average the PC levels to find the Party level according to the book. I've found that this isn't adequate for game balance. Since (for example) 4 level 5 people are a Party Level 5, the average battle will take place with a CR 5 creature. Now, if you take 8 level 5 people to fight the same CR 5 creature, then the XP will be the same as before, but divided by 8. The reasoning is since there are more people (than average) the encounter is easier, thus less XP per person. The solution is to increase the Party Level when the number of players goes above 4. I usually split the number of players into blocks of 4, average those Party Levels out, and then sum them to find a rough Large Party Level. Looking at the Encouter Level chart in the DMG (not the XP chart) will also provide simple guidelines. Not only will it increase the amount of XP per person, it will increase the challenge of the encounters, and thus the fun! One thing to remember, though, is that this is not an exact science. The DM must be careful not to over-estimate the party's combat ability. That can lead to quite deadly situations. [/QUOTE]

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