Town Defenders don't gain xp?

[Trifler]

I have a number of my town Followers set to fight off raiders, but after fighting off countless raids over many hours, not one of them has gained a level. I don't think this is right!

All this is doing is forcing me to fire my Followers and hiring a higher level replacement, which destroys my sense of attachment to my people.

[GregB]

It seems like town defenders DO gain experience, but they won't get the benefit until you stick them in your party.

I don't know how many levelups (as in, per-stat levelups) they can store till then, though.

[Trifler]

Hmm interesting... I haven't seen that but I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks. :)

[fleshtonegolem]

GregB is your assertion is correct that is a poor system of leveling set up by the game designers.

I have grumbled about this several times and never gotten some conclusive answers.

It seems to me they should gain xp per day based on the job they do, or the items they produce.

Just gaining xp for killing creatures when you are a fortune teller or a merchant doesn't make much sense.

[Damaggott]

Becoming better at combat for sitting on your buttocks making potions doesn't make sense either, though. What does make sense is what happens; they get better at making potions. (Assuming you've told them to research.)

I personally don't want any mechanics that are pure waiting time. If town camping gives characters XP, it's all that a lot of players will do, and while that doesn't make me do it, it will inevitably change the game balance so it's harder for me not to do it.