The class based xp system rewards classes for class based action-mages get xp for casting spell to overcome problems, rogues get xp for using skills to overcome problems, and fighters get xp for defeating creatures. The awards are variable from day to day, but the average out over time. When you guys play in other groups are you vocally critical of the way GMs hand out xp. I thought that was really a GMs territory, but have you guys actually heard about class based xp in DnD systems.

D&D 3rd Ed. doesn’t have to be “The adventure is over, how many levels did I go up”. In fact, I’ve always been more a fan of stretching it out, rather than having everyone shoot up to epic level in a matter of a few adventures. Unfortunately, people these days are less patient than those back in the pre-3E days. And that’s a problem that goes beyond just D&D. Also, it may be a problem with DMs who never played D&D before 3E, and thus have no clue what an appropriate amount of XP to hand out. I’ve encountered that on more than one occasion.

I’ve had players (my girlfriend being one of them) complaining to me about not giving out enough XP, and not letting them have a chance to level up their characters. When I took a break from DMing my main campaign (we run a few different ones), the one who took up the reins gave out much more XP than I did. In fact, I do recall him admitting to me that he gave out more XP than what would be considered normal. Basically, all my players shot up from low-level (I think around 5 before I took my break) to 11.

There’s also the issue of group permanency as well. I’ve already had one player approach me and say to me that we won’t be playing those particular characters forever. And there are those who don’t think they’ll be playing D&D forever. I’ve gone through a few players who had come into the campaign, and then leave after some time.

Anyhow, I guess it’s a balancing act, trying to figure out an appropriate amount of XP to award players after an adventure. I guess it all comes down to the circumstances.

Remember, back in the OAD&D days, going up levels took many adventures. D&D 3E has the players asking,”The adventure is over, how many levels did I go up?”

In OAD&D the player’s said, “The adventure is over, how many more adventures until I go up a level?”

Though, it’s not much of a problem anyway, as everyone usually participates in combat, at the very least. However, I don’t think it’s too fair to deny one character xp for a given encounter just because she tried to hide away. Besides, that character was very much afraid of undead (which the group was fighting), and for very good reason too.

I was a DM for many years, and although to start with I dividied xp evenly I soon changed to a method based on what the character accomplished. After all, xp is supposed to simulate ‘learning’ and characters who do nothing, or try to stay in the background of every combat, aren’ t learning much. In practical terms I usually accomplished this by giving every player an equal amount of xp, and then giving out bonuses for accomplishments (which could double or treble their original xp award).