Do Haunts Give Too Much XP?

[Palanan]

I’m trying to work out whether I want to use some haunts in my game, and I’m starting to wonder if they give out too much XP just for “surviving” the haunt.

For instance, the Rapping Spirit (Occult Adventures p. 230) creates a Cause Fear effect with a DC 11 will save. Are the PCs supposed to get 400 XP just for this experience? Or is the XP limited to successful destruction of the haunt?

.

[Psyren]

400 is standard for a CR 1 encounter. See also Lemures, Darkmantles, Small Elementals etc.

As for when they earn it, XP is awarded for "overcoming" challenges (CRB 9, 399). That can be destroying the haunt, driving it out, fulfilling its purpose, or simply bypassing it safely. What I would do personally is have both an award for the challenge itself (based on its CR) and a story award if the task is neutralizing it permanently. If they only defeat it temporarily, they would get the former and not the latter.