XP calculation

[Sektat]

We have some problems with XP calculations:

If a party of 4 level 10 characters beats a group of 8 ghouls (1 ghoul = CR1), do the PC get 0 XP (since 8 * 0 ==> 0) or do the PC get XP for beating a CR7 encounter (according to the encounter level; DM's guide about fighting many opponents)

 

[Nifft]

0 XP each.
It's a funny quirk in the XP system.

Cheers, -- N

 

[shilsen]

0 XP each.

What he said.

It's a funny quirk in the XP system.

Actually in this case it makes sense. Four 10th lvl PCs aren't going to even break a sweat to take out eight ghouls and really shouldn't be picking up XP for such a fight.

 

[irdeggman]

We have some problems with XP calculations:

If a party of 4 level 10 characters beats a group of 8 ghouls (1 ghoul = CR1), do the PC get 0 XP (since 8 * 0 ==> 0) or do the PC get XP for beating a CR7 encounter (according to the encounter level; DM's guide about fighting many opponents)

Assuming you are using 3.5 and not 3.0 (the rules are different between the two):

First off it is an EL 7 encounter and not a CR 7 encounter.

The two (EL and CR) do not necessarily correspond.

EL does not determine xp awards.

Page 37 of the DMG clearly lays out the process in a step by step method.

Step 2 "for each monster"

 

[billd91]

Actually in this case it makes sense. Four 10th lvl PCs aren't going to even break a sweat to take out eight ghouls and really shouldn't be picking up XP for such a fight.

This may be the case, but you can also end up with encounters where the PCs most certainly will work up a sweat and still won't net any XPs. High level PCs can still have their hands full with a large group of trolls, for example. Each individual monster is so well outclassed that nothing is learned, and yet the DM still has a reasonably high EL to whittle away some of the PCs' resources or keep them harried and on their toes.

 

[mvincent]

Actually in this case it makes sense. Four 10th lvl PCs aren't going to even break a sweat to take out eight ghouls

As a DM, I either:
1) Don't set up such encounters, or
2) Handle any such encounters as fluff text (i.e. just assume that the PC's win and not spend valuable game time dealing with it).

 

[shilsen]

This may be the case, but you can also end up with encounters where the PCs most certainly will work up a sweat and still won't net any XPs. High level PCs can still have their hands full with a large group of trolls, for example. Each individual monster is so well outclassed that nothing is learned, and yet the DM still has a reasonably high EL to whittle away some of the PCs' resources or keep them harried and on their toes.

True. That's one more of the myriad reasons why I don't award XP based on combat or any in-game events. I seriously doubt I'll ever award XP any other way however long I DM.

 

[Infiniti2000]

True. That's one more of the myriad reasons why I don't award XP based on combat or any in-game events. I seriously doubt I'll ever award XP any other way however long I DM.

QFT. My days of XP-calculating-minutiae are g-o-n-e, gone.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

EL does not determine xp awards.

This.