2 simple questions

[Disciple of Darwin]

Currently, I'm DMing a group of friends through WotC's Adventure Path series. We haven't RP'd in a number of years, so it seemed like a good way to get back into the swing of things and learn 3E's rules.

During our session last night a question/comment arose about the fact that through the years I've been DM, I have the PC's start off at 1st level typically. My player's think this is not the norm for most D&D players. Now, I'm not disagreeing with them, but I wanted to know: what do you all do? Start at first level or higher?

On a related note, my players also think its odd that when they gain levels, they get the number of HP on the die they roll (even if the roll is low). Now keep in mind, when I roll up monsters, they also get whatever I roll (even if its low). Again, is this odd for you guys? Do you let your players reroll low numbers?

PS note: Since this is a Hack n' Slash campaign, I do my rolls in the open and let 'em lie where they are. In a more story based campaign I'm apt to do an occasional DM fudge

[Moe Ronalds]

My campaigns start at firstlevel, campaigns I have been in always start at first level. If you want them to start at first level, start there. If not, start whereever. Make the players happy, but make yourself happy too.
for the second one, I wouldn't let them reroll bad scores. They die lie where the die lie.

[Kamard]

I make them start at first level, unless I've had a brainstorm for a one shot that means they ought to be higher level for it.

As for dice, they lie where they lie, unless they are pretty bad or extremely good. I try to make the players scores relatively even, as far as their score totals go.

[Isida KepTukari]

I've occasionally had a DM start us out at a higher level so that he could jump into a story line that required higher PC levels.

This has also been done when we were in a time crunch (I'm in college) and had to fit a game into a semester.

As for hit points, a few DMs I've had let us re-roll ones, or just take our average hit dice. But they would also do the same for the monsters, so it was all fair.

[Carnifex]

I've occasionally allowed players to start off at slghtly higher levels, say level 3, but usually I keep to having them begin at 1st level.

Hit dice wise, they get what they roll, period.

[~Joseph~]

I alway start at first level, the only time I don't is for a one shot dungeon crall, and those very rarely.

for hp I have 2 polocies, you can either take 1/2 +1 OR roll, but if you roll you have to keep what you get, wether it be a 10 or a 1. I fidn this helps like wizards and socerers because they always get 3 hp, and it helps to keep barbs and fighters from getting TOO powerful beause they try for those 4 or 5 extra hp, but don't always make it

[Darkness]

I almost always start at first level.

And I don't have PCs roll hps, but rather use the LGG method - i.e., maximum hp at first level, and then 1 + (maximum/2) hp per level.

[Aaron L]

My group and everyone I've ever played with start at 1st level (with a few exceptions for special games), and always keep the Hit Points we roll. Your players are trying to get some perks from you by saying everyone else is doing it, I'd say.

[Disciple of Darwin]

I'm really enjoying these responses. I appreciate it and keep 'em coming!

BTW, just to clarify, my players didn't make an issue of it at all, but an . . . observation. I agree Aaron, they were probably trying to get those perks. Although could they really be classified as players if they didn't try to bend the rules to fit their every advantage?

[Romotre]

Unlike many of the others here, I usually start between 2nd-5th levels. Most of the time, this is for the story. No way a bunch of 1st level guys is guna be able to do anything exciting or dramatic to kick off a good story (i don't like it when people start off stories with something bad happening to the crappy PC's) The extra levels are always explained and accounted for. I feel I have to fudge too much when the PC's each have like 5 HP. And as for rolling HP goes, I always make em roll, but I let them re-roll based on Con. If you have 14 Con(+2), you can re-roll 1's and 2's.