D&D 5E Ahhh: Level Two

[Rhenny]

I nearly killed a PC in my 17th level game the other night. The session before, my buddy nearly TPK'ed us.

PC deaths can happen at any level.

Hallalluah!

 

[TarionzCousin]

As a player, this thread is not encouraging me.

As a DM, this thread is encouraging me.

 

[Gadget]

I believe levels 1-2 are supposed to be 'apprentice' levels, and recall (though not exactly replicate) the fragile zero to hero experience from the editions of yesteryear. There was talk at one time of recommending players start out at 3rd level to have a more 'the characters are competent and respected members of their class' type of experience at one time. Did they ever issue that recommendation?

 

[jodyjohnson]

We start at 3rd with 0 XP (2700xp earned for level 4). They still dropped to 0 more than I liked but no deaths.

 

[aramis erak]

As a player, this thread is not encouraging me.

As a DM, this thread is encouraging me.

Seriously, as a player, play with the same caution as 1st level, and you'll survive second no problem.

The increased down and dead rates I saw at 2nd were because players got less cautious. And while I'm not a terribly "lethal GM"... I don't hesitate to whump on those who are incautious, and I use tactics mercilessly with Int 8+ NPCs.

My NPCs make use of cover, fire from hard positions, sneak up on PC's, use clerical magic to great effect... "Oh Mighty Takhisis, restore his strength" is something my players heard from behind a door they closed after killing a kobold Saturday night.