Would 1st-level Discourage You From Playing?

[airwalkrr]

Would making a 1st-level character discourage you from playing in a new campaign? And how likely would it be to discourage you?

The scenario: You are joining a new group for the first time. Maybe the game is ongoing, maybe it isn't. If it's a new campaign the GM is starting everyone at 1st-level. If it is an ongoing campaign, existing players will be playing alternate characters (also at 1st-level) until you and any other new players have attained enough power, points, or levels to work with existing characters. Would the fact that you have to start at 1st-level play a part in your decision to continue playing with that group?

 

[OnlineDM]

I personally prefer starting a campaign at first level as both a player and as a DM. So no, it wouldn't dissuade me.

 

[anest1s]

I like low levels...
Ecxept if everyone was level 8 and I was level 1....I wouldn't like that

 

[Barastrondo]

First question I'd ask is "Does the DM like running for 1st-level characters, or does he see it as a necessary evil?" I enjoy 1st level, but would pass on a campaign where the DM would really rather be running for 5th and up, or the like.

 

[The Shaman]

No problem - and I'll even roll 3d6 in order.

 

[Crothian]

You ask the question as if starting at first level is not the usual thing that people do. It is hard for me to think of an instance that we didn't start at first level.

 

[Ahnehnois]

If it was a new campaign, I'd expect to start at 1st level. If it wasn't, I'd expect to start at whatever level everyone else is. If the DM wanted to run some sideshow to level new characters up to the existing party, I'd think it was a little strange, but a perfectly okay choice.

 

[Lanefan]

As long as 1st level is within reach of the party (say, no more than a level or two below the party average) I'm cool with it.

And I too cannot imagine starting a full campaign anywhere other than 1st level. One-offs etc. are of course different.

Lanefan

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Would making a 1st-level character discourage you from playing in a new campaign? And how likely would it be to discourage you?

As long as this ...

existing players will be playing alternate characters (also at 1st-level) until you and any other new players have attained enough power, points, or levels to work with existing characters.

... doesn't result in all kinds of complaints from the other players, and that the DM is doing this because he's got a good "1st-level apprentices do some cool stuff while the other characters do their thing" stories to set up, then why would it ever be an issue?

I mean, I've never really felt the need to start at 1st-level, but I've never felt like it was to be avoided, either.

 

[SoulsFury]

It think it would be weird to not start at 1st level if you are starting a new campaign. Now if all the players were level 4+ and the DM wanted you to start at level 1, I would politely take my leave.