Menace Under Otari: This seems like too much XP

[SuperParkourio]

Beginner Box: Menace Under Otari:

Area 11 is intended for a party of 4 level 1 characters, and it contains 2 kobold warriors (each level -1), 1 kobold trapmaster (level 2), and 1 simple hazard (level 1). Each warrior is worth 20 XP, the trapmaster is worth 60 XP, and the hazard is worth 8 XP. This all adds up to 108 XP, but the room overall is worth 136 XP, which seems like a mistake.

I think 20 of the extra XP may be attributed to an imaginary 3rd kobold warrior whose existence is implied by the parenthetical "3" in the kobold warriors' stat block. This is likely a typo, as the rest of the text and the map show only two kobold warriors in this room.

I think the other 8 XP might be coming from the "second trap." The description talks about "a pair of deadly traps," but there's only one hazard in this room. The "second trap" is really just the spike traps that the trapmaster puts down as part of her moveset.

I'm considering lowering the XP reward from 136 XP to 108 XP. Looking at the rest of the encounters, the PCs should still have enough experience to reach level 2 in time for the fight with Zolgran. What do you think?

[nicholas storm]

I prefer milestone leveling. I would get rid of xp.

[Errenor]

SuperParkourio wrote:

I'm considering lowering the XP reward from 136 XP to 108 XP. Looking at the rest of the encounters, the PCs should still have enough experience to reach level 2 in time for the fight with Zolgran. What do you think?

I think you can alter anything in this or other adventures (unless you gm PFS) according to guidance from the rules and your common sense and experience. And shouldn't really ask about any particular tiny little thing you can find in adventures on forums.

If you think you are more comfortable with something and also the rules agree with that - do it. And do it differently next time if this didn't work last time.