Creation of the XP Chart

[robertsconley]

Was it ever stated somewhere where Arneson came up with the idea of an experience point chart for leveling characters?

I am trying to answer this question on the RPG Stack Exchange site
rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/7473/who-created-the-idea-of-experience-points

[tombowings]

My understand, at least in the earlier days of Blackmore, is that Dave would just inform his players when they had leveled up rather than using any sort of mathematic approach.

He may have changed his approach later on and may indeed have been the originator of XP charts, I just don't know.

[Finarvyn]

Apr 25, 2011 11:07:50 GMT -6 tombowings said:

My understand, at least in the earlier days of Blackmore, is that Dave would just inform his players when they had leveled up rather than using any sort of mathematic approach.

He may have changed his approach later on and may indeed have been the originator of XP charts, I just don't know.

This is my understanding, as well. Dave had a general structure in mind -- flunky to hero to super hero -- but no definite XP chart. Folks would earn and spend XP and somewhere along the line Dave would decide that they had earned the next level.

At least, if Dave had an official chart I can't recall seeing one offhand. I would guess that it would be in the FFC if there was one.

[aldarron]

Apr 25, 2011 11:07:50 GMT -6 tombowings said:

My understand, at least in the earlier days of Blackmore, is that Dave would just inform his players when they had leveled up rather than using any sort of mathematic approach.

He may have changed his approach later on and may indeed have been the originator of XP charts, I just don't know.

I don't agree. Dave loved his formulas and calculations too much to not have had something. Of course, he never shared that with the players - he rarely shared any rules with them becuase he hated the rules arguments.

I do not know for certain, but I suspect the system I give in Dragons at Dawn from the "How to become a Bad Guy" section in the FFC to have been his orginal system from '71. Its built off the basic elements he introduced - Armor Class and Hit Dice - and is tied to gold and magic use for xp.

What I would really like to know is when and how three levels became 20.

Anyway, as to the XP tables - that's more of a question because he basically gives a formula for computing the number of xp needed in both FFC and AiF.