Campaign starting a 0-level?

[toberane]

We did this in 2nd Edition, and it was one of the best campaigns we ever ran.

Basically, we had a couple of gaming sessions where we were 14 years old, 0-level, and with extremely low stats given to us by the DM (to simulate the fact that we were youths instead of adults.)

Our role-playing during these younger sessions pointed us in the direction of the classes we would take later.

Anyway, after we were done playing kids, we passed a few years, and we were given a set number of attribute points to add wherever we saw fit to simulate our development into adulthood. Whenever we picked up again, we were about 18 years old and 1st level in the classes we chose.

It was a great adventure that we played for more than a year. One of the most enjoyable sessions we had was where we (the players, not the characters) went to stay in some resort cabins for a weekend, and we probably gamed about 75% of the time we were there. It never got old or boring once.

Of course, the adventure was ruined by one playerwho had to start acting so childishly that we gladly began to recklessly draw from a deck of many things until the campaign was ruined beyond repair. A year of playing, but one particularly annoying night was enough for us to trash the entire campaign. Oh, well.

 

[DM-Rocco]

Here's a curious question...

Has anyone here started a campaign with 0-level characters? Basically, no XP earned until you earn you 1st class level by roleplaying.

I'd imagine the characters would still roll attributes, but would have 4hp (+CON), no feats, no skills, no armour or weapon proficiencies, and base saves of zero across the board. Obviously there would be little to no combat until the class levels were awarded, but it would certainly help players get in touch with their new characters and each other's characters when the entirety of the first one or two game sessions is about regular folk in regular situations. Of course, the regular situation will rapidly turn into one requiring heroes to step forth.

Part of the reasoning behind this is that our group is adding a new player, and this should be a good way to get her into her character before getting her into the rules. Also, the experienced players should find it easier to tone down the meta-game thinking while playing commoners and make it easier on the new girl.

Has anyone tried this? Any potential pitfalls I am not seeing?

I actually start every adventuring party of mine at 0th level. Well, once or twice I would start them at 5th level, but usually at oth level. I don't give them there first level feat and no skills.

I do this for two reasons, one, to give them a feel for the game in which they are about to play, lay down the base rules and any changes so they can get a feel for what feats and skill might prove useful.

Two, makes the PCs greatly appreciate the game and thier characters all the more.

I usually have them go through a boot camp or training hall of sorts, where they go through soe low DC traps and situations that cover any house rules that you might want to play. I also have them interact in a city enviorment to get them into the swing of some type of trade skill, something they can use in the future and give flavor to thier characters.

If you want to know what to expect, your players will whine and complain, a few might like it but stick to your guns, in the end, they have richer characters and are attached to them more.

I recomend giving no XP for the first level, that is 0th - 1st level. Just let it be all about role-playing, that also sets the stage to get your players thinking.

Also, way back in an old Dragon magazine, I tried to find the number but couldn't, it is under 80 though, they had an awesome article for 0th level characters.

 

[Tatsukun]

Well if you want to capture this feel for a game without adding a lot of rules, just have all the PC's be a 1 HD monster class with no LA. Maybe Goblin?

Everyone starts out as the standard Goblin (but probably with better stats and differently allocated skill points) and goes from there.

If you don't like goblins, just call them teenagers but use the goblin stats. One more thing, just make sure they have 4HP + CON, not the 1D8+Con that's in the book. That'll keep a goblin-turned-wizard from loosing HP when he hits level 1.

Sounds like a cool game, I might run this idea past my players.

-Tatsu