Dead in your first combat ever?

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Unless you have to read through all the options to figure out what you can do...

It isn't just creating the character, it's learning the character creation system as well.

Newbies should stick to the core book only. And does nobody help newguy so he isn't overwhelmed by the options?

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

He obviously didn't want it enough. This is a tough game, and only the most serious competitors are going to make it through in one piece. You've got to give it 110 percent. And you're not just playing for yourself; the team's relying on you, too. There are no second chances. So if the newbie gamer loses his character in the first quarter, I say let him sit on the bench and learn by watching the more experienced players finish the game. Maybe he'll try a little harder next time.

Damn straight.

The other players should jeer him as well.

 

[dougmander]

Ha -- this just happened in one of my games on Monday. A player rolls up a 1st-level fighter, joins a party of 2nd- and 3rd-level PCs. They meet him as a prisoner in a jail block where they've been dumped by a group of duergar. They overpower a guard, bust out right into a group of orcs the duergar have been using as slaves to load their galley ships. A fight ensues, goes in the PCs' favor with a couple of natural 20s. The new PC is down to 2 hit points but on impulse decides to tackle the two remaining orcs, who are retreating. The orc gets an AoO, rolls a 20, and neatly decapitates the PC, inflicting 16 points of damage.

Dead PC in his first combat ever.

He had a reserve PC ready and waiting, and I worked him into the story line within a few minutes. No problem.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Even if 3e I don't think it takes several hours to make a 1st level PC.

This guy made an 11th level (or roundabout) character. As his first PC in D&D ever.

 

[Hussar]

Guys, can we get off the time bit. HE CAME BACK EXACTLY AS HE STARTED! No loss of time, no rewriting. Jeez.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

This guy made an 11th level (or roundabout) character. As his first PC in D&D ever.

I think that is a problem right there. But I missed that part.

It doesn't change my opinion. Especially at higher levels you have to be ready to save or die and other things like that often.