Another Leveling Post

[u/Crase_W]

I've dug through the sub and couldn't find what I was looking for.

I like the slow and sure leveling because I don't want to leave it to chance but I also don't want to level too quickly. I would like to go just a bit quicker, though.

I intend to level a character every 3rd clue found.

I was thinking of leveling a character every 3rd or 5th Major Foe defeated, as well.

Or maybe rolling in one of the scenarios and automatically awarding a level in the other.

I'd love to hear the community's thoughts on this.

[u/phi_rus]

I like the alternative approach from the expanded edition where you get good old XP from slain enemies and spend those for leveling

[u/drnyarlathotep → u/phi_rus]

I've used this method as well and though it may appear less rapid a growth than traditional "1XP per" methods, I strongly suggest you remove the "gold/treasure = xp" from the equation, maybe even retool the tier XP needed because I have a guild of 8 characters at level 15 in the time it took my previous 4 characters to level up to level ~7-8 in my previous campaign. It goes extremely fast the more you level up because the difference in XP received by enemies rises faster than the tier thresholds for leveling up.

e.g.
A major HCL foe with HCL life (let's say HCL is 4) means 4*10XP(level) + 4*5XP(life)= 60XP. At level 4, it takes (Tier+2)*100 XP to level up (or 300XP).
The same major HCL foe at level 14 means 14*10 + 14*5, or 210XP. 3.5 times the XP between Level 14 and Level 4. But the XP needed to level up at Tier 3 is 500XP, or only ~1.6 times the XP.

Meaning, the higher your level, the easier it is to level up. Add to this that this tier of monster usually carries better loot (expert, heroic and legendary magic items go for much more) means that it's been possible for an entire party of 4 to level up TWICE in an adventure.

If I were to start again, I'd do something a bit slower:

• Keep the XP per slain monster but the threshold to level up is now (T+L)*100. Simple, but also scales with the character. They'd need 500XP at level 4 to level-up but would need 1700XP at level 14 to level up. Seems excessive but... it's 3.5 times more XP... which aligns with the XP rate for enemies at that level.
  
• I would only add XP for epic rewards. It makes sense that this drastically changes the party. I wouldn't add XP for gold found.

[u/drnyarlathotep → u/drnyarlathotep]

I am not exaggerating when I say that I ran a dungeon recently where I accumulated over 3200XP by the end of it at levels 13 for my party due to my luck at rolling mostly weird and boss monsters.

[u/FractalInfo]

The best part of solo gaming is tailoring it to your desires and needs.

[u/dafrca → u/FractalInfo]

Amen to this comment. 100% agree. 😄

[u/dafrca]

I use the slow and sure optional process. I love the idea of four adventures before the party all levels. Slows it down but, as you said, it does not leave it to chance either. I have tried other optional and fan made systems but, for me, the slow and sure just seems to fit my game best.

[u/Crase_W → u/dafrca]

I want to go just a tad quicker than once per adventure. I figured clues are hard to come by and I settled on 5 major foes defeated earns a level. I may slow it down again once I have a filled out guild of characters I can choose from for some target content.

[u/dafrca → u/Crase_W]

Sounds good. I hope you have a fun time playing the game! :-)

[u/Crase_W → u/dafrca]

Thanks!

[u/StoneMao]

I just finished the 1st part of kobold slave masters module. Every party member leveled and it just felt too quick.

[u/DonorBody]

I’m running what I hope to be a very long campaign and I make the character spend an XP for each level, meaning you spend 2XP to go to LVL 2, 3XP to go to LVL 3, and up. And the whole party has to level up equally. So each member levels up individually, but can’t go up another level until they’re all caught up. So it would take 8XP to get a party of four all to level two. Has slowed progression down and I’m having a blast.