D&D 5E Starting level

[Sunseeker]

My preference is for 3, because the XP starts to slow down. You go through the first two levels so exceedingly fast it's like they don't exist anyway. It's a difficult argument to keep people at level 1 or 2 for more than a couple sessions even without XP.

 

[was]

First.

 

[MerricB]

The actual answer is 1st.

But I really wanted to say "20th... and then we run a Memento-style campaign where the players explore what led up to the final encounter."

Cheers!

 

[CanadienneBacon]

I like starting at 3rd level because characters are a little more durable.

 

[Ath-kethin]

1st, always. The relative fragility of the characters helps in their development in ways that atsrtig at a higher level never possibly could. They learn their strengths and weaknesses and how to effwvtovelt function as a team.

Good roleplayets can fake it starting at higher levels, but there is nothing like the bond formed by starting from.the very bottom.

 

[Maxperson]

I start the PCs at 3rd level. My players put a lot of time and effort into their character concepts and I don't want to see that snuffed out due to 1st or 2nd level fragility. It also help them set up their characters just the way they like to start their concepts off.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Quick question.

What level do you typically start a campaign, on average?

Imo 3rd level is 1st lvl and 1st level is 0lvl.

 

[S'mon]

I'm playing 2 5e games and GMing 2 5e games, all four campaigns started at 1st, as will a new campaign about to start. So did the other short-term 5e games I've played (Lost Mines of Phandelver - GM'd and played a few sessions).

I think 1st level in 5e is a lot of fun and I wouldn't want to miss out on it.

 

[ccs]

Almost always 1st.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

I voted for 1st as the closest match, but since I like a bit of heterogeneity I often have players start at level 1d3 instead. But when I forget, then it's just 1st.