Ok, So im running an adventure for 4 players. almost immediately they split the party. only half of them engaged in combat, do they all get experience or only the ones that participated.
This is a tough one, and really some more details might be helpful. If you want to punish them for splitting up, then that might be a good way to start, though you should probably talk about it first before resulting to in game punishments.
If one group just wanted to talk while the others wanted to beat the answers out of them, then maybe the best answer is to award NO xp. Your players don't have to completely agree on all questions, but they should be able to agree on a course of action that all find acceptable.
If both groups contributed in some way to overcoming challenges, then award both XP.
I think this is a bigger issue than XP; it is a group issue. I would consider trying to get the group on the same page first, in some way.
If two players don't want to engage with the adventure, it might be a time to talk to those players about why they want to be part of the game and whether the adventure would be a good fit for them. "This adventure requires a bit of buy-in; if you don't want to bite, then we can either play another adventure/style of game or you can find another group to play with."
If two players don't think their characters would want to engage with the adventure, it might be time to talk to the players about why they brought characters that don't fit the game and whether they should modify or re-roll those characters."You brought a character incapable of teamwork into this group? No. You want to play this adventure, but you don't think that character does? Ok. He's still in the tavern stealing from the barman to buy drinks and flirt with the barmaid. What is your new character doing to help these two who are trying to save the world?"
In either course, I would take care of the group issue before I worry about XP or leveling speed at all.
Ok, So im running an adventure for 4 players. almost immediately they split the party. only half of them engaged in combat, do they all get experience or only the ones that participated.
This is a tough one, and really some more details might be helpful. If you want to punish them for splitting up, then that might be a good way to start, though you should probably talk about it first before resulting to in game punishments.
If one group just wanted to talk while the others wanted to beat the answers out of them, then maybe the best answer is to award NO xp. Your players don't have to completely agree on all questions, but they should be able to agree on a course of action that all find acceptable.
If both groups contributed in some way to overcoming challenges, then award both XP.
I wouldn't. It is actually more common to use milestone leveling and level up the whole party according to story.
Ok, thanks, and for clarification 2 are at the combat area while the other 2 are drunk and robbing the tavern.
I think this is a bigger issue than XP; it is a group issue. I would consider trying to get the group on the same page first, in some way.
In either course, I would take care of the group issue before I worry about XP or leveling speed at all.
Thank You