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

[RoughCoronet0]

Outside of one shots, most of the campaigns I have ran/been in have either started at level 1 or level 3.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I have generally started at level1 but I also generally use published material.
I am ameniable to to starting at higher levels
Especially if asked. I tend to level up rapidly at the beginning anyway.

 

[Seramus]

I tend to put the narrative first, so I pretty much start at whatever level fits the narrative best. 1 and 3 are the most common, but I've started at 1, 3, 5, 11, 15, 17, and 20 - and that's just the ones I can remember.

 

[Emerikol]

In my gamist way of thinking, I always thought characters started at a high level were not earned. Yes I know for some that sounds weird but that is what it is. I would though allow high levels for a one shot or some non-campaign sort of thing.

 

[Burnside]

I generally start at 1 but get to 2 fairly quickly (after ~4 hours of play).

I’ve run Dungeon of the Mad Mage (never completed the dungeon despite multiple attempts) and started those at level 5.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

In my gamist way of thinking, I always thought characters started at a high level were not earned. Yes I know for some that sounds weird but that is what it is. I would though allow high levels for a one shot or some non-campaign sort of thing.

I included the "...and would never do so" option for a reason. Your opinion, while not one I share, is a valid answer to the question.

 

[Remathilis]

I start at level 1, but level 1 and 2 don't last more than a session each.

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

My previous campaigns have all started at level 3. I think next time I run one I'll definitely start at 1.

 

[AlViking]

I have never started a game at higher than 1st and don't think I ever will, but never say never. I almost picked the "I wish I could start lower than 1st" option because there's no "I wish I could" because I have. Not sure if I will do that again or potentially start at higher levels.

The reason I start at lower levels is because I want to give people a chance to really know their characters as people instead of heroes. Those first levels tend to focus on a lot of RP, getting to know their relationship with one another, the current area they're starting in and figuring out some basic campaign themes and directions. It also emphasizes the zero to hero levels to me.

People can always swap out for new characters at any time so if they get bored with a character, or if the character simply isn't working out like they had hoped they can just bring in a different character at the same level as everyone else. But for most of us? For most of us those first levels tend to be some of the highest levels of RP and getting to know who are characters are, not just what they are.

 

[sevenbastard]

I think D&D, regardless of edition, is most fun from about 3rd to 7th level so starting at level 1 makes sense. You work up to the sweet spot. Sure maybe a PC dies but that's part of the fun.