plisnithus8
Adventurer
I really enjoy zero-level adventuring because of the vulnerability of the PCs.
It’s different than a low-magic campaign because there is magic, sometimes high-level magic, but it’s not something players have access to.
They hardly have any resources and are constantly out-gunned.
This forces them to make decisions besides “Let’s attack!” including fleeing, using ingenuity, and other role-playing resources.
Resources such as NPC contacts, equipment, strategy and group tactics, and money become interesting, not overshadowed by weapons, spells, and other powerful features.
For an example: There’s a tollbooth in the road ahead. Fibinazi decides the party needs its gold to purchase horses in the next town so sneaks around to the back of the booth where a guard rests in a a hammock.
Unfortunately, Fib sucks at stealth and his dagger and lack of armor are no match for the two guards. He is sentenced to working in the nearby mine.
I usually start 0-level characters with only a race and a background. They get no class. They have no proficiency bonus or equipment (including weapons and gold) beyond those given in race or background.
Hit points are 1d4 + con mod.
I like to keep characters in this state for a while and then use miles-stone leveling at some point, probably when they find mentors to teach them a class.
1. How do you start a zero-level campaign?
2. How does your no-level campaign run?
3. How do characters get to 1st level?
4. What are the pros, cons, and/or caveats?
It’s different than a low-magic campaign because there is magic, sometimes high-level magic, but it’s not something players have access to.
They hardly have any resources and are constantly out-gunned.
This forces them to make decisions besides “Let’s attack!” including fleeing, using ingenuity, and other role-playing resources.
Resources such as NPC contacts, equipment, strategy and group tactics, and money become interesting, not overshadowed by weapons, spells, and other powerful features.
For an example: There’s a tollbooth in the road ahead. Fibinazi decides the party needs its gold to purchase horses in the next town so sneaks around to the back of the booth where a guard rests in a a hammock.
Unfortunately, Fib sucks at stealth and his dagger and lack of armor are no match for the two guards. He is sentenced to working in the nearby mine.
I usually start 0-level characters with only a race and a background. They get no class. They have no proficiency bonus or equipment (including weapons and gold) beyond those given in race or background.
Hit points are 1d4 + con mod.
I like to keep characters in this state for a while and then use miles-stone leveling at some point, probably when they find mentors to teach them a class.
1. How do you start a zero-level campaign?
2. How does your no-level campaign run?
3. How do characters get to 1st level?
4. What are the pros, cons, and/or caveats?