4E Mastery in a New Campaign

[DevP]

In my monthly online D&D game, we've had two sessions and players are in different places in terms of system mastery, specifically about their player roles, synergy, etc. In some cases, stuff regarding their key class features and role. (I think this is because my encounter-designing hand is a little light; they've been able to just blast stuff until it stopped moving, generally. It seems that the importance of group synergy comes out when an encounter is challenging.)

I was planning on faster leveling (every 1 to 2 sessions), but should I refrain from leveling them to 2 until they get another chance to get used to their powers? (In terms of strict XP, they have a little bit more to go until they level.) It seems that level 2 doesn't add too many options, though level 3 adds more powers which could be confusing.

 

[weem]

Going to 2 should be pretty straight forward. Three adds some options, but I think it's still pretty simple - I would imagine they would tell you they were ready to level, hehe.

But really, you could probably judge it better than we can here based on what you have seen

 

[Ravellion]

In my monthly online D&D game, we've had two sessions and players are in different places in terms of system mastery, specifically about their player roles, synergy, etc. In some cases, stuff regarding their key class features and role. (I think this is because my encounter-designing hand is a little light; they've been able to just blast stuff until it stopped moving, generally. It seems that the importance of group synergy comes out when an encounter is challenging.)

I was planning on faster leveling (every 1 to 2 sessions), but should I refrain from leveling them to 2 until they get another chance to get used to their powers? (In terms of strict XP, they have a little bit more to go until they level.) It seems that level 2 doesn't add too many options, though level 3 adds more powers which could be confusing.

I don't know. Are they struggling to select powers. Are they trying to be tactical? I would need more information before I could make that call.

 

[Hejdun]

I'd level them to level 2 as fast as possible. Level 1 is dead boring. You have one option in combat other than at-wills or dailies.

 

[Jhaelen]

I'd level them to level 2 as fast as possible. Level 1 is dead boring. You have one option in combat other than at-wills or dailies.

I beg to differ. My players were close to level 2 before they started to have a good grasp on what they could do and how to use their powers effectively.

Adding more powers to the mix is neither required nor advisable, imho, if you're new to the game.

 

[delericho]

I was planning on faster leveling (every 1 to 2 sessions), but should I refrain from leveling them to 2 until they get another chance to get used to their powers? (In terms of strict XP, they have a little bit more to go until they level.)

Since you're not sure, and since "by the book" they've got a little to go, I would recommend waiting. You can always accelerate the rate later, once they have a better grasp of things.