A New Encounter Level System (D&D)

I've seen this issue written about before. At this point there is no question that the Encounter Level system in 3rd edition Dungeons and Dragons doesn't work at higher levels. One thing that is clearly out of balance with both Team Evil and Team Heroes is that both have gold totals that are grossly out of whack with their level. So we decided to use the gold levels of your Items as part of the determining factor for a PC's Effective Level. Here's how it works, DMG pg 135 has a list of typical gold levels for PC's. We basically use this as a level determination tool, add up the gold value of all your magic items you don't include your keeps, non-magical jewelry, and all non-combat relevant stuff (including piles of coin,) let's say you have the gold of an 18th level character in items but you have the XP of a 12th level character. Take the Average of these two and you have the PC's Effective Level in this case it would be 15th level. So when determining XP treat the PC as 15th Level.

Or DM seemed a little squeamish about using this system. He says he fears player resentment which I can understand, but I think he doesn't need to worry about that. I can certainly see why it's a concern and I sure would like to see this system work and balance the game out. I think it will... Kinda sorta not really work. But it'll make everyone feel better about it. At least everyone involved is making an honest effort trying to make a system that wonn't work, work.

I think the real bottom line is that Dungeons and Dragons has gone from a poorly balanced role-playing game since 3.5 was released. To a grossly unbalanced role-playing game now that all the splat books are out. You've got the the two worst offenders Magic Item Compendium and the book of nine swords along with sprinklings throughout the splat books (like the Goliath and Hell Reaver) that definitely add excellent flavor but drastically lack game balance.