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At 1st level, how powerful would you say PCs are in any edition of D&D?
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<blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 5489668" data-attributes="member: 4937"><p>I've played 1e and 3e, both with minor and extensive house rules.</p><p></p><p>The idea that I've always tried to capture with a 1st level character is a character who has ordinary ability but extraordinary potential.</p><p></p><p>So, for example, if the character is a 1st level fighter he is probably nearly the best swordsman in his village. But while he is perhaps not quite as skilled a fighter as the best warrior in the village, he's a better warrior than that person was at the same age. He lacks experience and training, but the raw talent he possesses is considered extraordinary to any with the knowledge to evaluate it. Sure, the 1st level wizard isn't nearly as capable of a wizard as the best wizard in his home town (likely his mentor), but the best wizard in town is also aged 60 and has a STR, DEX and CON each at 6 or less. Meanwhile, the young hale and agile wizard is mastering powerful 1st level spells years before anyone expected him too. </p><p></p><p>The 1st level character is the sort of character to whom the master says (or thinks), "One day you will far surpass me."</p><p></p><p>Under my current rules and demographics, the average character in the world is probably something like a 3rd level commoner or expert. Typically they will be built with 15 point buy, and have feats and skills appropriate for holding a mundane profession. It's not unusual in my campaign for me to have a non-combat 5th level character with a CR of 1/2 or some such (and therefore minimal time worrying about stats). </p><p></p><p>The 1st level PC on the other hand is built with 32 point buy, and begins as an 'advantaged character' (free advantage, similar to a feat), and begins with 'Destiny Points' (essentially hard to earn rerolls). Therefore, even though the 1st level PC is of lower level than most characters in the environment, in terms of ability he will typically match or exceed everyone around in everything but abilities related to practicing mundane professions. Most 'higher level' characters will tend to be aged and far past their prime, thus thrusting the younger generation into the spotlight.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Celebrim, post: 5489668, member: 4937"] I've played 1e and 3e, both with minor and extensive house rules. The idea that I've always tried to capture with a 1st level character is a character who has ordinary ability but extraordinary potential. So, for example, if the character is a 1st level fighter he is probably nearly the best swordsman in his village. But while he is perhaps not quite as skilled a fighter as the best warrior in the village, he's a better warrior than that person was at the same age. He lacks experience and training, but the raw talent he possesses is considered extraordinary to any with the knowledge to evaluate it. Sure, the 1st level wizard isn't nearly as capable of a wizard as the best wizard in his home town (likely his mentor), but the best wizard in town is also aged 60 and has a STR, DEX and CON each at 6 or less. Meanwhile, the young hale and agile wizard is mastering powerful 1st level spells years before anyone expected him too. The 1st level character is the sort of character to whom the master says (or thinks), "One day you will far surpass me." Under my current rules and demographics, the average character in the world is probably something like a 3rd level commoner or expert. Typically they will be built with 15 point buy, and have feats and skills appropriate for holding a mundane profession. It's not unusual in my campaign for me to have a non-combat 5th level character with a CR of 1/2 or some such (and therefore minimal time worrying about stats). The 1st level PC on the other hand is built with 32 point buy, and begins as an 'advantaged character' (free advantage, similar to a feat), and begins with 'Destiny Points' (essentially hard to earn rerolls). Therefore, even though the 1st level PC is of lower level than most characters in the environment, in terms of ability he will typically match or exceed everyone around in everything but abilities related to practicing mundane professions. Most 'higher level' characters will tend to be aged and far past their prime, thus thrusting the younger generation into the spotlight. [/QUOTE]
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At 1st level, how powerful would you say PCs are in any edition of D&D?
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