I just want to point out this nice post from BX BLACKRAZOR about the calculation of experience based on prime requisite scores. Which is based on another post on GROGNARDIA.
Even in the Moldvey/Cook BX, they interpreted it as having to lower other ability scores to increase the prime requisite score.
Certainly one way of doing it, but a possible incorrect interpretation. Here is how a commenter put it for OD&D:
Under Strength:
"For each 3 full points of strength above 9, clerics may consider their prime requisite (Wisdom) 1 higher for the purpose of gaining experience."
Under Intelligence:
"For each 2 full points of intelligence above 9, fighters, clerics, and thieves may consider their prime requisite (strength, wisdom, and dexterity, respectively) 1 higher for the purpose of gaining experience."
Under Wisdom:
"For each 3 full points of wisdom above 9 for fighters, 2 full points for magic-users, or 1 point for thieves, they may consider their respective prime requisites 1 higher for the purpose of gaining experience."In short, In OD&D, high scores in OTHER ability scores could be used to "increase" your prime requisite when determining XP bonus. But because it is written in come convoluted Gygax it is hard to understand.
I've seen a variation of this in the '74 OD&D clone DELVING DEEPER which I also think makes a nice addition to how one can interpret WISDOM in BX:
Wisdom is intuition, common sense, and maturity. Each 2 points of wisdom beyond 10 will add 1 point to the character’s prime requisite for the purpose of calculating experience points earned. Wisdom is the prime requisite for clerics and functions as does intelligence in determining what course of action a non-player character should take.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Well lets say you roll a STR 15, WIS 12, INT 14. Because your STR is the highest score a fighter would be a logical course. But since your WIS 3 point over 9, you get a +1 to prime requisite for the determination of the XP bonus. And because your INT is 5 over 9, you get a +2 to prime requisite for the determination of the XP bonus.
In total this fighter's prime requisite is 15 +1 +2 or 18! Earning I believe a 20% XP bonus.
This is an interesting bit of new to me rule minutia, though I can't help but see it as an example of that weird element Gygaxian which does a lot of adding and multiplying to end up with very tiny changes. Presumably what this means is a lot more PC with good but not exception stats get an XP bonus.
ReplyDeleteIt all makes logical sense, people who are exceptional overall do well. Of course at some point it might make more sense in a game just to reduce the XP needed by 10% and stop worrying about a little math test after each treasure find. Spotting these bits of Gygax's weird fiddly tendencies is always amusing.
I do agree its seems like a lot of work for a 10% bonus when you have a good array but nothing exceptional. Which is why I dig the DELVING DEEPER rule were is ever 2 above 10; clean, simple, and give WIS some oomph.
DeleteI do often just award the XP bonus at the beginning of the new level to clean-up the math.
But then again maybe we see some under appreciated brilliance of Moldvey. Instead the XP maths, he just said why not let PCs improve their ability scores at the risk of others. BUT, you can't totally sink your own character.
Most likely bumping your STR from a +0 to +1 will matter more in the long run than the XP bonus.