Brogue The Rogue |
So this is my first time DMing using Pathfinder's experience system. Overall, it's significantly... less complicated than the old WOTC one, but there are a few things I'm fuzzy on.
I just gave my PCs a CR 3 encounter of three small fire elementals. The problem is, if I consider this a CR 3 (from three CR 1s), according to the table, they get 800 experience. If I use this XP budget stuff the PRD is talking about, they get 1200 (each CR 1 is worth 400 XP). FURTHERMORE, according to ANOTHER table, I should be treating the encounter as a CR 4 (3 creatures is equal to CR +3), giving them either 1600 xp or 1200 XP. Good gosh.
Which the heck method is the right one for this? I must have an inherent misunderstanding of this ruleset.
Dominigo |
The encounter should be worth 1200 XP divided evenly among the players. Each elemental should be worth 400 XP which when added together makes it equivalent to a CR 4 creature worth 1200 XP. When designing an encounter, you do not add the CR of every creature together to get the final CR of the encounter.
Weables |
As others stated you add the xp of each monster to a total of 1200, then divide by number of characters to award the same to each.
That being said, theres a handy crib sheet at http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering#TOC-Awarding-Experience that shows you that 3 of the same monster is equal to CR+3 so in your example 3 CR1s is a CR4 encounter (CR1+3=4), and thus 1200 xp
So either by adding xp for all the creatures, or using that crib sheet, it works out correctly at 1200 xp
Brogue The Rogue |
Unless you're adjusting the CR for other purposes (e.g. to account for a terrain advantage, say), I'd just add up the individual creatures. That's the easiest way.
So this DOES seem easiest, but it creates some pretty severe differences at higher levels. And moderate differences even right now. I just want to make sure I'm not gypping the players.
The encounter should be worth 1200 XP divided evenly among the players. Each elemental should be worth 400 XP which when added together makes it equivalent to a CR 4 creature worth 1200 XP. When designing an encounter, you do not add the CR of every creature together to get the final CR of the encounter.
As others stated you add the xp of each monster to a total of 1200, then divide by number of characters to award the same to each.
Ah, I see. So I add their *XP Values* together to determine how much XP the party is getting, then cross reference that value against the CR chart to see see what CR that actually is? Or, if starting from scratch, find the CR I want to use, then use that as my budget? Interesting. That makes sense, I suppose, but it's fairly different from 3.5's method. Bleh.
So either by adding xp for all the creatures, or using that crib sheet, it works out correctly at 1200 xp
I do see that now. Thanks oodles, everyone. :)