To give it all up

[Odhanan]

Well, I will try and picth the ECL idea to my DM. I think the main thing is he just does not like to have people new to the game start off at high levels.

This really sucks. I cannot think of any good justification for this.

Rule #1 - everyone around the table has fun.

Which would explain why you'd like everyone to grow with their character at the same pace. You'd then justify that it isn't fair for the players who played from level 1 to 14 to see a guy come at the table and play a 14th level character instantly. But if you stop the campaign where it is, it is punishing the very same players - it is telling them that it isn't worth it to keep a character for that long because sooner or later you'll have to give it up. That is counter-productive in terms of fun.

 

[hexgrid]

it sucks because I am the only one who doesnt like the idea.

Well, if the entire rest of the group is exited by the idea of starting a new campaign, the point is moot, isn't it? Sounds like they're all ready to move on to something new, and the new player just happened to be what spurred the idea.

 

[Darkness]

if the new players starts with a PC at level 1 ... he will gain so much xps that he gains in his low level a new or two new levels after that encounter.

Assuming you're using certain house rules for when XP are gained and how many levels you can gain at once, anyway. (By the RAW, he could gain only one level per session - plus enough XP to be 1 shy of the next one.)

 

[JoeGKushner]

This really sucks. I cannot think of any good justification for this.

Rule #1 - everyone around the table has fun.

Which would explain why you'd like everyone to grow with their character at the same pace. You'd then justify that it isn't fair for the players who played from level 1 to 14 to see a guy come at the table and play a 14th level character instantly. But if you stop the campaign where it is, it is punishing the very same players - it is telling them that it isn't worth it to keep a character for that long because sooner or later you'll have to give it up. That is counter-productive in terms of fun.

If Rule #1 is always true, then what happens if the GM isn't having fun because having a new character at high levels violates his Rule #1?

 

[Arnwyn]

it sucks because I am the only one who doesnt like the idea.

This pretty much sends alarm bells ringing for me. Maybe the campaign isn't "going as great" as you think it is?

If Rule #1 is always true, then what happens if the GM isn't having fun because having a new character at high levels violates his Rule #1?

Bang-on, Joe. You're on a roll today.

 

[Storm Raven]

The DM doesn't want to start him at 14th level? Maybe start him at 13th or even 12th, then.

I start new characters (either new players, or replacement characters for existing players) one level lower than the current lowest level living PC in the group.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

This pretty much sends alarm bells ringing for me. Maybe the campaign isn't "going as great" as you think it is?

Bang-on, Joe. You're on a roll today.

I think it is more so that the rest of the players do not mind as much. I have all asked them if they like the game so far, and they have all said yes. I am not sure how much they all like the new guy, but the three other players are all good friends with him.

I will also pitch the running an alternate game and bot giving up the current one entirely. Once I can get ahold of him that is.

 

[sniffles]

I'm still curious as to why your GM doesn't want to start the new PC at the same level as the other characters.

I understand the situation somewhat, though. I've been involved in a long-term campaign that has been on hiatus for several months. Now we're getting back to it, and most of the players are really just not that interested any longer. It's not that we hate the game; we just don't enjoy it as much as we enjoy some other things. But my fiancee really enjoys playing his PC and really wants to get back to the campaign.

It may just be a case of the other guys wanting to start something new more than they want to keep playing the old PCs, while you are more invested in the game than they are.

 

[haiiro]

the new guy is new to D&D?
if the DM just wants to ease him into D&D, suggest shelving the current campaign, then run low level campaign until he gets the hang of the game. Then you can bring out your old characters again.

Or run a side-game for a few sessions, with everyone playing NPCs or background characters -- perhaps even years ago, before their existing mighty heroes actually were mighty heroes. There are lots of ways around this situation apart from ending the campaign!

 

[Coredump]

Not starting the new guy at the same level as the rest of the party is the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard. I really have nothing more to say on the subject.

Well I do,

I am in a Star Wars D20 game, and my character died at 9th level, and he was the lowest level in the party.

My new character was 2nd level, and everyone else was 9-11. It was a blast. I go to roleplay being over my head. (Pippen in LOTR) I got to be heroic, and have everyone try and protect me. And I *rocketed* up levels. I think I went up a level per session for the first 3-4 sessions, and then about every 2-3 for the next several. Now I am about 8th, and they are 12-14, and things are much more balanced.


Have the new guy come up with a cool storyline. He could be a snotty prince you are escorting somewhere, and he 'matures' while with you.
He could be a young member of the church that the paladin/cleric need to mentor. Or a family member that must be protected, or better, your brother died, and you are escorting your nephew to other family. By the time you get there he is 8th level, and decides to stay with you.

Or he has come to be the mage's apprentice, or is a new member of the thieves guild, trying to prove himself. Or he is a teifling, needing guidance.

Or even better.... He somehow has gotten ahold of a bunch of magic. (master dies, finds a treasure, whatever...) and so he is pretending to be a high level character. He is portraying the part of a 12th level fighter (or whatever) He has the correct amount of 'magical aura', or maybe the magic helps him pull off the charade (pretend to be a rogue, lots of skill boosting items, etc.)
That way you accept him as an equal part of the party, and have to wonder why he doesn't act 'quite right'. (This also helps him be as 'powerful' as the rest of the party.


OTOH, I would suggest starting at 2-3 level, instead of first. But even first could be lots of fun.