XP: DMG VS FRCS Method, plus Cohorts XP

gariig

First Post
I was wondering what method people used and why? The DMG method, giving everyone the same amount of XP based on Average Party Level(total character levels/total players) seems to be only fair when everyone is about the same. The FRCS basically gives you XP based upon your Character Level Versuses the CR of the creature. Just wondering what people prefer.

Also, do you give cohorts full XP or half as stated in the DMG?
 

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gariig said:
I was wondering what method people used and why? The DMG method, giving everyone the same amount of XP based on Average Party Level(total character levels/total players) seems to be only fair when everyone is about the same. The FRCS basically gives you XP based upon your Character Level Versuses the CR of the creature. Just wondering what people prefer.

I don't use CRs to determine XP, but I do use a system that grants more XP to lower level characters and less XP to higher level characters as FR does.

Also, do you give cohorts full XP or half as stated in the DMG?

Never once had a cohort in the party, but if I did, it would be the half XP rule.
 


I use the DMG method of handing out XP, except where cohorts are concerned. I give full XP to cohorts, as giving just half doesn't make real life sense...
 

Well, I give out half normal xp for monsters using the FRCS system. (Just switched over about a month and a half ago; so far I like it, though it does just about double the time I spend figuring xp.) I also give roleplaying awards using a fairly simple system- there are four categories: race, class, alignment and personal. At the end of each session each player makes an argument for how they role-played each concern. For each category I award them 25xp/level. You can't call using your abilities "role-playing," either; it has to be... well... playing the role.

For example, let's say the character is Dworkin Darkhammer, a CE dwarf ranger/rogue working towards the tempest prestige class. This game he had a hand cut off by a terrible critical hit! So he calls the following for xp (real character, hypothetical game):

for race- Dworkin met another dwarf. Also, he drank a lot, which is a typically dwarven thing to do with your time.
for class- well, he did some tracking and wilderness lore stuff... but this isn't worth anything, cuz it's just using his class abilities. However, he roleplayed taking to the tops of the dunes, sticking to shadows, seeking water, etc. and basically used these skills to lead the party through a trackless desert and to safety, so he can get an award for the role-playing aspect of it (just as a fighter could get one for taunting and defeating an old enemy fighter in a duel, even though it was "just fighting").
for alignment- well, in one of the game's fights a companion fell near Dworkin and was bleeding out, but he chose to ignore her plight (he has potions of cure serious) and flee himself instead (and he wasn't in any real danger).
for personal- Dworkin reclaimed a magic sword stolen from him long ago.

Tada! 100 xp/level. This leads to slightly less xp than the standard system, which I think is good. I also give a potential fifth award for props and/or for an especially good idea (this award is very rare- likely once every 5-8 sessions one player gets one), and give a pittance based on the average party level for attending (so as long as you show up you get a few xps).

Whew... a little more than you asked for.



:D
 

quick related question:
If 3 PC's are in a battle, and a Warrior 1 NPC joins in for a round and gets killed, does the Warrior 1 suck 1/4 of the XP of the encounter away from the PC's?

TIA.
 

Cohorts get full XP in my game, usually...that might change i'm not sure. But I use the FRCS method--if there are weaker party members then they get more XP, while the more powerful ones get less. It's a perfect system if you ask me.
 

I use the FR system. I usually reward good roleplaying by assigning CR to roleplaying and other non-combat encounters inside every adventure I run. (of course many of these can be helped by clever use of skills)

-Zarrock
 

I use the DMG system, but with mods where necessary. Eg if there are 2 4th level characters & 3 8th in a party, I'll count it as an 8th level party and the 4th levellers each get 1/2 an 8th-level share. Avoids the "1st level Commoner to bring the party level down" syndrome.
 

I decided this past week (see my other thread: "Newbie here who needs help" or whatever the hell I called it) to ditch the challenge rating system all together. I'm dead set against it. Role-Players should be awarded experience for role-playing, not roll playing.
 

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