The only character I've ever played for an extended time started out at 1st level with the rest of the group at about 7th level. It was a 3E campaign, and they were playing through a 3E conversion of ToEE. I was playing a TWF Ranger and got involved in the fights from the get-go. I chose my fights and helped out where I could. Although I certainly had to be cautious for a bit, after three sessions I was 3rd level, and I never looked back. By the end of the campaign I think I was 10th or 11th level and the rest of the group was just one or two levels ahead. I felt a much stronger connection to the character having started from 1st than I would have if I had jumped in at 7th, so it worked for me.
For my own campaigns, I haven't really used the ES@1 policy, but I'm considering for my next!
For my own campaigns, I haven't really used the ES@1 policy, but I'm considering for my next!