Is it just me or are the LA buyoff rules somewhat confusing.
I have a character with an LA of +3. I join a game where the other players are 4th level so I come in as a first level Barbarian who happens to be say, a half dragon. I begin play with 6,000 xp.
Fast forward, the rest of the party has reached 12th level, as have I but with only 9 class levels. I pay the 11,000 xp and have to "replay" level 11, still with 9 class levels, but now an LA of +2.
Fast forward to the characters hitting 17th level. Party Wizards and Clerics blow their loads at being able to cast Wish and Miracle. I pay 16,000 xp and get to "replay" level 16 and repeat my 15 class levelness again.
Paty hits 19, I repeat the 18th level. My party hits 20th level while I am still at 19th.
First question: Is this correct? Because by the time I get to Class level 20, I will have paid about 45,000 more than my comrades, and be 45,000 xp behind them. How does that work out?
Second question. I am playing a game where I will play one chaacter with an LA of 0 through he first 13 levels. In other words when the party hits 14 I bring in a new character with an LA of +3. That places me at 11 class levels + the 3 LA. Since I would have presumably paid off 11,000 xp in order to advance, would Ithen start play with 12 class levels and +2 LA?
What if I wanted to bring in my character when everyone hits 17? That would 15 class levels making me elligible again...Do I start at 16? Or less?
Trying to figurethis out is hurting my brain.
Please help!