Should NPC get Experiance Points


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


Just wondering as the part I am in is doing the Rise of the Runlords Adventure path. We are taking back Fort Rannick and have no choice but to have the 5 NPC in our party, there are 4 of us plus them. They are doing a bit only because we tell them too but they are getting a share of the exp. Also as our last combat was in a room 20ft x 25ft and we were battling an Ogre who took up for spaces and there are bed and tables also in room only certain amout of us were able to fight in the room. Eben thought when there were already 4 of our group in room when I asked if my char would be able to fight in room our DM said yes but would be a hard as I would have to climb under the table to do so. I said OK well I will stay outside as I as my char thought that would be silly to do what DM said. When it cam e to giving out fro this encounter as I had not attacked the monster the DM said I was getting no exp.


First, as to your real question, I think your issue is that an NPC got XP when your own PC did not. There are those who feel that if a character is in any way involved in a fight, they should get XP. (For instance, a cleric who does nothing but heal you is still involved, so should still get a share). On the other hand you decided what was going on was silly. So you opted out. So I can't say I blame your GM for his decision.

As to the question in general...

Five NPCs is a lot of NPCs, especially when it comes to doling out XP.

Generally, for your question, I would say that in my games, I do reward XP to NPCs who have become very close to the party, and upon whom they rely heavily (such as a healbot when the party is sans cleric), and who the players like a lot. However, as I keep those NPCs on a leash so as not to steal thunder from the PCs, then tend to get less XP just as a matter of course.

Alternatively, I sometimes just level the NPCs up appropriately without splitting any XP with them, for instance when they have not adventured with that NPC for awhile, but now they need him and it would be good if he did not die right away.

Your situation is different, I feel. In my games, it would never fly to split XP across so many NPCs. My players would not be particularly happy. Which is why I usually limit NPCs in our parties in the first place. However, there is an exception...

In our current campaign, the PCs have a goodly number of what might be considered "Red Shirts," coming along with them, who tend to die before they can get any XP anyway. Because there are so many of them (these PCs are part of an army, and they have soldiers under their command), I do not intend to split XP with them, but instead, will level up any survivors as is appropriate as the party advances.


I have DM in the past and would have awarded out exp to everyone as to do what did happens mean you are encouraging the old D&D mentality of its a monster kill it. Which was boring, was in a group of player years ago with this attitude and they attacked a large beetle only because they would get exp for it.

Sovereign Court

dreamspeaker wrote:

I have DM in the past and would have awarded out exp to everyone as to do what did happens mean you are encouraging the old D&D mentality of its a monster kill it. Which was boring, was in a group of player years ago with this attitude and they attacked a large beetle only because they would get exp for it.

Yeap, XP makes people do all kinds of stupid things when used poorly. I prefer to not use XP at all or keep it strictly under the hood. For me the game runs so much better. I'd let your GM know you are frustrated. You may have incompatible play styles or maybe you can work it out.

Oh and I wouldn't award XP to NPCs unless they were DMPCs but I try to avoid those like the plague. Not sure what RAW says about that.


I would say no; NPCs are whatever level the story needs them to be. There's no reason to give them XP.

Of course, I'm generally against tracking XP in general, and levelling up the party on the basis of story as well.


Well, this is something the DM should certainly be involved with.

In our group, we handle it a couple different ways, not always fairly I will say, at least from the NPC's point of view at least.

When we started our campaign, we didn't have a cleric, so we asked an NPC cleric to come with us. The NPC got XP.

When our party wizard player couldn't make the game, we had an NPC wizard come along, who we jokingly said was the alternate ego version of the missing player's character. He got XP. But we did NOT share treasure with him.

Same thing later, wizard player can't make the game, but his time a different NPC wizard comes along. He got XP and treasure - by this time some of the party had reputation problems in town so giving out a share of treasure was seen as a wise idea.

Most recent session, we had an NPC goblin come along with us. He was useless in battle, (because we are 8th and 9th level and he was 3rd level with no gear). Before the issue came up the DM told us the number of experience points and how to divide it - which didn't include the goblin. (As it turns out, my PC rewarded the goblin, not for risking his life, but for a service he performed before battle, handling a herd of wild animals).

So, sometimes different solutions can be applied. In your case, I can see why your DM said you didn't get XP, but if the situation happened to me, I'd still have wanted XP. Just because you didn't roll to hit doesn't mean you didn't assist in battle.


My main point is if in the game I am doing we only seem to get exp from combat then more combat I will do.
My other problem is due to me being main fighter and a few months back when we got in a fight the Mage and cleric ran off to do another fight and then dropped a big bell on my char who by this time needed healing I died so I am about 5 weeks worth of exp behind them. Due to missing out on a lot of exp till they raised me at local town. Now after this I am 2-3 week behind the other player in group.
Our DM says when we get higher we wont notice but that is a way off for me.

Liberty's Edge

Ask for solo quests so that you can close the gap faster.

Explain to your GM that the circumstances/constraints he is putting on you (ie, what you said in your first post) makes the game very much not fun for you.

Silver Crusade

Speaking from personal experience, I don't split xp earned amongst NPCs who are on-site during combat or an adventure.

That being said, as the presence of NPCs obviously affects the situation (beenficially or otherwise) I apply ad-hoc effects to the encounter level and the xp able to be earned.

Fighting a red dragon with 3 frost ballista crews backing you up is not the same as fighting a dragon while covered in kerosene for example.

I have found that some DMs fall into what I call XP-Loan Sharking though. Thats an altogether seperate problem.

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