XP for PC characters

[Merry Prankster]

Hi yas. My appologies if this has been covered elsewhere, but I'd like to know how to determine XP to be given for defeating player classes.

I've got an NPC in the party that will soon be coming 'under fire' and would like to know the general rule of thumb for granting XP in these circumstances.

If the party can manage to survive of course...

Tnx!

 

[Mentat55]

I believe an NPC is worth the same XP as a standard monster of his/her/its level.

 

[Regicide]

It's up to the DM. Generally I'd ignore the presence of NPCs unless they make up a significant portion of the party.

 

[Emil]

NPCs with character classes are considered Elite creatures for the purposes of awarding XP (and balancing encounters). You may use the chart on page 120 of the DMG to determine XP rewards for your Elite NPC of a given level.

 

[Merry Prankster]

Elite. Gotcha.

Tnx guys!

 

[Kordeth]

Elite. Gotcha.

Tnx guys!

Generally speaking, you shouldn't be building NPCs with full PC class levels--use the class templates in the DMG to construct a classed NPC.

 

[Victim]

NPCs with character classes are considered Elite creatures for the purposes of awarding XP (and balancing encounters). You may use the chart on page 120 of the DMG to determine XP rewards for your Elite NPC of a given level.

No. Preexisting monsters with a class template applied are elite. An NPC with just a class is a normal monster of her level. For example, a tiefling sorcerer 9 is a normal level 9 monster. A succubus (level 9) with the sorcerer template has both sorcerer and succubus powers, thus making her elite.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Generally speaking, you shouldn't be building NPCs with full PC class levels--use the class templates in the DMG to construct a classed NPC.

I've actually moved to providing a classed NPC with all the powers that they should have as a PC for their level, and frankly it is a lot more fun as an opponent than the standard "here are three powers" thing - both for me as a DM and for the players fighting an opponent!

The simplistic approach of 4e is a boon for quickly doing many monsters, but I've decided to make key foes more, uh, "full fat" to improve everyones enjoyment.

Cheers

 

[Victim]

I've actually moved to providing a classed NPC with all the powers that they should have as a PC for their level, and frankly it is a lot more fun as an opponent than the standard "here are three powers" thing - both for me as a DM and for the players fighting an opponent!

The simplistic approach of 4e is a boon for quickly doing many monsters, but I've decided to make key foes more, uh, "full fat" to improve everyones enjoyment.

Cheers

I think that designers tend to agree with you. The NPC writeups in several adventures I've seen seem considerably more 'full.' Not necessarily in terms of powers, but also in feat based abilities not available to by the book NPCs.

 

[Lauberfen]

You need to be wary of NPCs though- they are quite a lot more powerful than regular monsters of the same level, in my experience.

In particular, if you give them much access to healing, you take away any advantage the party has.