Fistfight with higher-level NPCs

[markrivett]

I'm having trouble evaluating the XP reward for an encounter where 4 PCs have a fistfight with 3 Thugs of PC level +1, and 1 elite Thug of PC level +1.

Think about a band of hard-drinking toughs who are the "big kids on the block". They want to test the PC's mettle in a brawl, but not inflict any serious damage.

First, what is, and how do I handle non-lethal damage of a punch or kick?
(For Non-monk characters)

Second, what should be the XP reward for the PCs "taking their lumps" (One PC reduced to 50% HP)? Should there be a different XP reward for the PCs potentially defeating the thugs by reducing any one of their number to 50% hp before the thugs retreat, and buy the PCs a round in thanks for a good brawl?

There is no REAL danger to the PCs.

To be clear, a fistfight is not the only way the PCs can navigate this encounter. It's just the most likely since, well, brawlers like to brawl.

Thank you in advance.

[Mellored]

Fist are 1d4, finess, agile, and nonlethal.

"Attacks with this weapon are nonlethal, and are used to knock creatures unconscious instead of kill them. You can use a nonlethal weapon to make a lethal attack with a –2 circumstance penalty."

And every class, including wizards have proficiency in them. And they should have some Dex as well to use with finess, meaning they can actually land a punch. Not many, and not with much force, but still land them.

So no change is needed. Though, I would give the Thugs d6 unarmed damage since they do this thing fairly often.

[markrivett]

Thank you.

what would be a good way to calculate XP? My understanding that with 4 "monsters" each at +1 level AND an elite, this is actually beyond an "extreme" level encounter.

But there is no real risk, and the players CAN win by focusing their efforts on one non-elite thug or socializing their way out of the situation.

[Garretmander]

markrivett wrote:

Thank you.

what would be a good way to calculate XP? My understanding that with 4 "monsters" each at +1 level AND an elite, this is actually beyond an "extreme" level encounter.

But there is no real risk, and the players CAN win by focusing their efforts on one non-elite thug or socializing their way out of the situation.

Go with a gut feeling, and write down two or three rewards. One for the improbably beat them all (lots of xp), one for the win condition (a mini boss xp probably), and one for losing (a more average encounter for their level).