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XP for Missing Players
- Thread starter Wraithdrit
- Start date
bekkilyn_rpg
First Post
On an additional note, just because you make a rule such as "not there, no exp" doesn't mean you have to be absolutely and strong-fistedly lawful that you can't bend or break it under very special circumstances.
I think "not there, no exp" tends to be the most fair to all players involved under most circumstances, but at the same time if someone who usually regularly attends has to miss because of something they just couldn't really help, then there's nothing wrong in doing whatever possible to help them catch up or keep up even if it does come down to just handing them some experience. In such circumstances, other players are unlikely to begrudge them that aid and would probably do whatever they could do to help out too for that matter.
However, I don't personally like the "If someone misses, then they always still get a certain percentage of experience no matter what" because it has a tendency to promote more apathy in certain types of players and they are less likely to show up regularly even if they generally like playing (or like the idea of playing.) Some people just aren't really good with planning or being somewhere on time or even being somewhere at all unless they subconsciously feel they "have" to in some way or another, so....
Of course, if a group has been using a certain system for a while and it's been working just fine, then there's no point in changing it just to change it.
I think "not there, no exp" tends to be the most fair to all players involved under most circumstances, but at the same time if someone who usually regularly attends has to miss because of something they just couldn't really help, then there's nothing wrong in doing whatever possible to help them catch up or keep up even if it does come down to just handing them some experience. In such circumstances, other players are unlikely to begrudge them that aid and would probably do whatever they could do to help out too for that matter.
However, I don't personally like the "If someone misses, then they always still get a certain percentage of experience no matter what" because it has a tendency to promote more apathy in certain types of players and they are less likely to show up regularly even if they generally like playing (or like the idea of playing.) Some people just aren't really good with planning or being somewhere on time or even being somewhere at all unless they subconsciously feel they "have" to in some way or another, so....
Of course, if a group has been using a certain system for a while and it's been working just fine, then there's no point in changing it just to change it.
Teflon Billy uses a good system for dealing with absent players: their characters are "off frame" -- like characters in comic books. It's not exactly as though they're not there, they just aren't mentioned in that chapter. And because the character does nothing when s/he's off-frame, there is no reason for him/her to get any experience whatsoever.
ichabod
Legned
I give players full xp when they don't show up. I mean, this is a game, not high school algebra. When life intrudes, life takes precedence. I don't see the point in penalizing players because they have a life. OTOH, my players know that if they don't have the time to show up consistently, they're not welcome in the game. And if they're not going to come, they have to call ahead of time.
Here here! Hehe, the wrench in this is when you have a regular who starts missing and what do you do with them? What's the difference from giving them an NPC or letting them keep their character at about (just behind) the other characters in XPs? What's the real folly is that if we are all adults with little need for the satisfaction of being rewarded for showing up. In my opinion, being able to actively shape the campaign is more than enough of a reason to show up all time. My regulars literally make the campaign by their decisions. Those that frequent the game otherwise have less say usually and often sit back and wait more.
d4
First Post
this is how i do it as well. full XP for everyone because i like keeping the party all at the same level. however, if someone is consistently missing sessions, they're out of the game.ichabod said:
luckily, i've never encountered the type of player who would intentionally miss sessions just because "hey, i'm still earning XPs." how high-level their characters are isn't nearly as important as actually having fun playing the game. if all someone is worried about is leveling as opposed to role-playing, they might as well stop with D&D and play ProgressQuest.
my players also tend to be a bit older and more responsible, and most often when there's a no-show it's due to family or work. both of those take precedence over games IMO.
RuminDange
First Post
Missing Players and XP
IMC when a player is missing that is not out doing something like research or item creation, the following applies to the XP gained during the session:
1: Either one player is picked to run the character as an extra, usually this is decide ahead of time by each player as to who they would like to run their character in case of being absent.
2: If the player has no preference or one player doesn't want run 2 characters for some reason or is also absent, and then the whole group decides actions for the character with me overriding them if the character wouldn't do something they decided.
When it comes time for XP I still give the character XP but it is reduced by 50%. The remaining 50% is either added to the group (if they mutually ran the character) or one character for running two characters (this way is rare as no one likes running two at once, takes away from their RP time).
This keeps the absent player close to the other members but doesn't let the other players out distance them too much.
As far as treasure splits that is handled by the group as they see fit with me just advising when someone gets upset or they start trying to cheat the Full NPC Allies that went along to help them. (I've got a few that would make VERY good dragons due to their hording nature.)
RD
IMC when a player is missing that is not out doing something like research or item creation, the following applies to the XP gained during the session:
1: Either one player is picked to run the character as an extra, usually this is decide ahead of time by each player as to who they would like to run their character in case of being absent.
2: If the player has no preference or one player doesn't want run 2 characters for some reason or is also absent, and then the whole group decides actions for the character with me overriding them if the character wouldn't do something they decided.
When it comes time for XP I still give the character XP but it is reduced by 50%. The remaining 50% is either added to the group (if they mutually ran the character) or one character for running two characters (this way is rare as no one likes running two at once, takes away from their RP time).
This keeps the absent player close to the other members but doesn't let the other players out distance them too much.
As far as treasure splits that is handled by the group as they see fit with me just advising when someone gets upset or they start trying to cheat the Full NPC Allies that went along to help them. (I've got a few that would make VERY good dragons due to their hording nature.)
RD
Wraithdrit
First Post
I guess this shows that each of have to go with what works for them. Some things I heard but wonder about:
Many have responded they give full XP because they want players to be equal. What about character death? Everyone get a true res or no coming back?
For my game, we only play 4 hours every other week, so if you miss a session, you might miss out on 3k xp tops. And thats at 10th and 11th level.
- Wraith
Many have responded they give full XP because they want players to be equal. What about character death? Everyone get a true res or no coming back?
For my game, we only play 4 hours every other week, so if you miss a session, you might miss out on 3k xp tops. And thats at 10th and 11th level.
- Wraith
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