cptg1481
First Post
Similar Situation
I have been in your shoes dude and while I simpathize with you I think that you need to think hard before you make choice number two as someone suggested.
I recently joined a group in which the DM also has this rule. It was a group with two 5th level characters, two 3rd level characters and a 2nd level character. Considering that I was going through game withdrawl I argued the decision only half heartedly out of desperate need of a group.
Anyway, to make a long story short it wasn't all that bad. I had to fumble around for about three sessions before I sort of caught up with the lower rung of the party and in about 10 more sessions I was even with all but the highest two characters. It did suck from a role playing stand point since I had to deviate from my character ideal and background to fit the party but I think that was more because of me being the last guy in than the 1st level only rule. I tried to hang and with a good cleric you'll survive too, just know your limits.
I really liked the group and have made a great group of friends too. We had a great time togethre at GenCON.
Bottom line is that if you likie the group and feel you have articulated your point to the DM well and he/she will still not budge just accept it and move on with the game. I think that its more than fair of the guy/gal to give you an ECL option so don't take an adversarial twist on a good thing - play what you like. If you are adventuring with a higer level party you'll gain a level every gam for the fisrt three sessions if the DM goes by the DMG in meting out encounters and rewards by average party level.
While it specifically says in the DMG that you should consider letting new players start at a level equal to the party average its not a rule per se. I think it creates enmity and strife in the party because some charcaters are more effective than others but hey some people don't want characters that aren't specifically "advanced and developed" by them (the DM) in thier own world.
Some DMs are flexible others are not. I know it sucks to be stuck with a GM who's campaign is soley driven by what he wants and not what the players want (been there) but there are just those types out there. While I let the players determine the tone, speed, tempo and focus of the game, there are those who have a grand vision of "thier world" and its rules.
If you like the guys and have fun just go with it you'll catch up soon enough.
I have been in your shoes dude and while I simpathize with you I think that you need to think hard before you make choice number two as someone suggested.
I recently joined a group in which the DM also has this rule. It was a group with two 5th level characters, two 3rd level characters and a 2nd level character. Considering that I was going through game withdrawl I argued the decision only half heartedly out of desperate need of a group.
Anyway, to make a long story short it wasn't all that bad. I had to fumble around for about three sessions before I sort of caught up with the lower rung of the party and in about 10 more sessions I was even with all but the highest two characters. It did suck from a role playing stand point since I had to deviate from my character ideal and background to fit the party but I think that was more because of me being the last guy in than the 1st level only rule. I tried to hang and with a good cleric you'll survive too, just know your limits.
I really liked the group and have made a great group of friends too. We had a great time togethre at GenCON.
Bottom line is that if you likie the group and feel you have articulated your point to the DM well and he/she will still not budge just accept it and move on with the game. I think that its more than fair of the guy/gal to give you an ECL option so don't take an adversarial twist on a good thing - play what you like. If you are adventuring with a higer level party you'll gain a level every gam for the fisrt three sessions if the DM goes by the DMG in meting out encounters and rewards by average party level.
While it specifically says in the DMG that you should consider letting new players start at a level equal to the party average its not a rule per se. I think it creates enmity and strife in the party because some charcaters are more effective than others but hey some people don't want characters that aren't specifically "advanced and developed" by them (the DM) in thier own world.
Some DMs are flexible others are not. I know it sucks to be stuck with a GM who's campaign is soley driven by what he wants and not what the players want (been there) but there are just those types out there. While I let the players determine the tone, speed, tempo and focus of the game, there are those who have a grand vision of "thier world" and its rules.
If you like the guys and have fun just go with it you'll catch up soon enough.
