D&D 5E (2024) 5e GMs: Do/Have/Would You Start Above 1st Level? (Note: Cannot change your vote.)

[EzekielRaiden]

Exactly what it says on the tin. 5e has various reasons--formally-recognized or not--for starting at levels other than 1st.

Do you? Have you? Would you?

As noted, you cannot change your vote, so only vote for something you're sure of. I have tried to be completely impartial and cover as many answers as I can conceive of for the question, so I hope this is sufficiently comprehensive.

This is not specific to ONLY 5.5e, I just have to choose one or the other, I can't pick "5e in general but not specifically 5.0 or 5.5e". As "2024" is the current version, that's what I went with.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

My default is starting at Level 2. I've seen other DMs generally start higher like 3 or 4. I've literally never played a 5e game at Level 1, never seen a single DM do it

 

[Autumnal]

I feel like I’ve learned what there is for me to learn about starting at 1st level. The last times I ran, I started at (depending on the canpaign) somewhere from 3rd to 7th, and would do it that way again.the stuff that interests me is at higher level and I became a devout worshipper st the altar of Why Wait, Fun Now.

 

[SableWyvern]

I won't vote, since I don't and likely never will run 5e, but I am, in general, perfectly happy and willing to start a level-based game at higher than first level if there is a reason to do so, and see no reason why that would change in the hypothetical, parallel universe where I did run 5e.

 

[Maxperson]

Exactly what it says on the tin. 5e has various reasons--formally-recognized or not--for starting at levels other than 1st.

Do you? Have you? Would you?

As noted, you cannot change your vote, so only vote for something you're sure of. I have tried to be completely impartial and cover as many answers as I can conceive of for the question, so I hope this is sufficiently comprehensive.

This is not specific to ONLY 5.5e, I just have to choose one or the other, I can't pick "5e in general but not specifically 5.0 or 5.5e". As "2024" is the current version, that's what I went with.

I've been starting my players PCs off at 3rd level since 3e and will continue to do so. The only exceptions are rare, and those involve starting off higher than 3rd level.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I choose starting level for the specific campaign or theme adventure experience I'm going for. It could be anywhere from 1 to 20 with epic boons.

 

[Maxperson]

My default is starting at Level 2. I've seen other DMs generally start higher like 3 or 4. I've literally never played a 5e game at Level 1, never seen a single DM do it

I've seen it, but only when there's a special purpose for it like the group will be some sort of military unit and starting in boot camp. We start at level 1 and reach level 2 or 3 by the time we graduate and really get going.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

i've never started a 5e (or 5e adjacent) campaign at level 1 and i never will.

 

[Zardnaar]

We generally start at 3. This one we did 1 and we stress tested at 12 in 5.5.

Voted yes. Start levels somewhat negotiable.

Start at 19 if you want. Don't expect to hit 20. Slight exaggeration.

 

[Shiroiken]

I tend to start campaigns at level 1, but see the advantage of starting at level 3. I've also run Vecna: Eve of Ruin, which starts at level 10.