| cibet44 |
For my next campaign (Carrion Crown) I want to maximize the amount of time the players spend at each level without slowing down level progression so much that it becomes a grind. The last few APs I have felt the level progression happened a bit too quickly and the players would, at times, barely get the feel for their current level when the next one showed up.
I'm thinking using the slow XP progression might do the trick but I wanted some player input to confirm.
So, for the experienced players out there:
1. What do you feel is a good amount of time to spend on each PC level that allows you to fully enjoy the level without feeling a grind for the next? This amount of time can be expressed in play sessions, encounters, real time, whatever works for you.
2. Does using the PF slow XP progression allow you to fully experience a level without feeling overlong and grinding?
| Major_Tom |
The problem with using slow progression during an AP is that by the third or fourth mod, your PCs will be a couple of levels low for the challenge they are facing. The APs are written with fast progression in mind.
Simplest method for APs - in most, they are to move up twice during a single module. Just award them levels at appropriate times - after a big battle, after the mod ends. As far as how long that takes, that's up to you, based on role-playing, extra (wandering) encounters, side quests, etc. For us, it worked out to every couple of weeks(sessions), and the players were fine with that. Sometimes longer, a couple of times a level a week.
As far as enjoying the level, it really depends on what level it is. For wizards, the best level is 5th, when you get accesss to all the kick-butt 3rd level spells (Haste, Fly, Fireball, Slow). Whatever style you play, 3rd level spells rock. For sorcerers, that doesn't happen until 6th. As I usually play a wizard, if I could go from 1st to 4th in four weeks, and then had to spend two months at 5th, I'd be a happy PC. If it was four weeks for each, I'd be bored to tears the first two or three months. All depends on where you are and what you're playing.