Characters of different power levels in Zero to Hero type games

[Tony Vargas]

I wonder what the math of this actually is.

The math on damage, in Hero is linear, +1/5, what that represents, though is geometric 2^(n/5), so +5 STR, +1d6 when you punch someone, but you can lift twice as much...

The biggest problem I'm having with the later editions zero to hero model that assumes replacement characters of the same level as the dead/retired character is conceptually figuring out where those replacement characters come from.

Its not really much of issue, Raise Dead kicks in fairly early, and characters get more durable at higher levels, anyway.

In 3e, replacement characters became an issue in one group I was in, because a player would get bored with his current build and want to swap. Or, a PC would die, be stripped of his gear, then the fully equipped (to suit the build) replacement would show up.