| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I was inspired to write this by some of the replies to Ashiel's Full Body Search thread, and by a scene in the Hero film. This is not entirely serious, and I don't have anything against gamers who like giving or getting XP.
A DM's Three Stages of Enlightenment
In the first stage, a DM becomes one with challenge ratings and experience points. Here, the DM can instantly discern the CR of a monster from its combat stats, and can calculate its XP value without a calculator.
In the second stage, challenge ratings and experience points reside not in the mind but in the heart. Here, the DM understands that challenge ratings are relative and can fine tune XP rewards based on gear, rules mastery, terrain advantages, and other miscellaneous factors.
But the ultimate ideal is when experience points disappear altogether. The DM embraces the characters, and the desire to reward specific actions with XP no longer exists. Only peace remains.
*laughs* Seems I am at the second stage with my group then. (At least I hope I am)
However, giving out XP hat one advantage:
If players receive XP, and receive them quickly after overcoming a challenge, their eyes light up like those of children who have just received a candy for being good. Ah, the sweetness of instant rewards...
As Rich Burlew once said, my pc's advance at the speed of plot.
Brilliant!
If players receive XP, and receive them quickly after overcoming a challenge, their eyes light up like those of children who have just received a candy for being good. Ah, the sweetness of instant rewards...
That is true of a lot of players. The next time I DM, I'm going to offer a simplified XP progression in addition to my usual "You'll level up when appropriate."