How does EXP work in dungeons?

Shlankwald

So I am not understanding EXP gains in dungeons. On my new character, I went into Banished Cells, and was getting 7 exp a mob! I thought it was because I had a lvl 19 in the group. Well right after that we did Fungal Grotto, and I was getting 113 exp per mob for what was essentially the same level dungeon with the same group.
I also notice in public dungeons I get very little exp on mob kills as well, to the point its laughable to even do it outside of the skyshard.

So what determines my exp gain in groups? Theirs a dramatic difference here, and if possible I'd like to avoid getting 7 exp a mob.

Nestor

If you are over leveled, you get little to no Exp from a mob. So, the exp goes down to the point that more than 5 levels, no exp. It's about the same for VR Ranks.

However, that being said, there are mobs it seems that give little to no exp, and other mobs that give the exp one would expect.

Shlankwald

Yes, but this was across the board. We had 3 lvl 14s and a lvl 19 and did BC, ALL the mobs in there gave little exp (I myself was lvl 14)

Then I go to FG, we still had 3 lvl 14s and a lvl 19 (the only difference was we switched out one lvl 14 for another lvl 14, other than that same party) and throughout the whole instance I was getting much more exp.

I just didn't know if there was some factor I didnt consider that could be causing the reduced EXP.

Kragorn

Shlankwald wrote: »

I also notice in public dungeons I get very little exp on mob kills as well, to the point its laughable to even do it outside of the skyshard.

Delve XP was nerfed to Oblivion by ZOS early on to combat botters .. not the first nor the last time legit players were collateral damage in ZOS war against botters/RMT

Cazic

I've also found XP gains in dungeons to be pretty confusing and inconsistent. I've usually found when I'm in a group doing an instanced dungeon I'm basically gaining no XP at all (compared to mobs outside). This is while being within 5 levels of everyone in the group

vovus69

Delves are worst case if you want to grind. If you are in the group - this is complete waste of time. Find nice spot with animals or rogues/bandits and grind them alone. Usually you can get plenty of exp in this case. The same with world bosses. I am getting same 420 exp for WB as for any hoarver (at VR levels). And WB drop is a ***. So I am rarely doing it. Only when I want to test better tactics. Do delve only if you need to finish the quest. Do not pay attention to bosses in Delves or clean it all. It makes no sense. It has even less sense to group for that.

Cazic

I don't really get why certain areas are nerfed for XP versus others. If I get 400 XP for a mob outside, why not get the same for a mob inside a nearby delve? Grinding aside.. where's the consistency?

If Delves were nerfed because of bots, couldn't the bots just be setup outside to grind there instead anyway?

dharbert

Mobs inside of delves give about 30% less XP than comparable mobs outside of the delve in the same zone. I tested this out with a VR14 toon in every zone and several delves. For example, in DC Stonefalls (VR6 Zone), an overland VR6 scamp gives 124 XP (496 XP Enlightened) while that exact same VR6 Scamp inside of the Emberflint Mine delve gives only 86 XP (344 XP Enlightened). That's a 30% reduction in XP for the exact same mob. The only difference is one mob was outside and the other was inside a delve.

A level 50 Clannfear in Coldharbour gives 22% more XP than a VR11 Welwa in Craglorn. A level 50 Clannfear in Coldharbour gives almost 10% more XP than the boss of a delve in any Cadwell's veteran zone. Now that is messed up.

Cazic

dharbert wrote: »

A level 50 Clannfear in Coldharbour gives 22% more XP than a VR11 Welwa in Craglorn. A level 50 Clannfear in Coldharbour gives almost 10% more XP than the boss of a delve in any Cadwell's veteran zone. Now that is messed up.

Yeah seriously.. what's the deal with that? When a mob that's substantially more difficult gives less XP than a weaker one, it just makes killing that mob feel pointless. IMO if nerfing something goes against common sense and consistency then it probably shouldn't be nerfed. Or, we at least need some kind of explanation of which mobs decidedly give less XP and why.

What if I feel like making an effort to kill a certain boss mob in a delve the interest of getting more XP... well there's no point because I'll get more XP from just mindlessly killing the outside mobs which are way easier.

Govalon

Whole Craglorn was nerfed hard. V10 monsters give a lot more xp than anything in craglorn.
Seems like ZoS does not wan't me to do content at my own level but force me to go to easier zones.

Ffastyl

You had a level 19 in your part of otherwise level 14s. While that is on the fence for XP reduction, it is still a higher level than the rest of your party. When a higher level groups with lower levels, the lower levels have to deal considerable damage to the mob to gain XP/drops. This is to prevent power levelling, and may be why the XP you received is so scattered.

Nestor

Shlankwald wrote: »

Yes, but this was across the board. We had 3 lvl 14s and a lvl 19 and did BC, ALL the mobs in there gave little exp (I myself was lvl 14)

Then I go to FG, we still had 3 lvl 14s and a lvl 19 (the only difference was we switched out one lvl 14 for another lvl 14, other than that same party) and throughout the whole instance I was getting much more exp.

I just didn't know if there was some factor I didnt consider that could be causing the reduced EXP.

There is something else at play too. As someone else pointed out, if your the lowest level in a group by 5 levels or more, you have to do more damage to gain exp. Also, Experience gained is highest for one or two players. When you add in the 3 and 4th and more, then the exp drops off too.

In other words, if your goal is to grind out exp points, do so by your self, or with one other, who is near your level, and against mobs within two levels of you.