D&D 5E (2014) Do You Start At Level 1?

[Maxperson]

how about?

you have 5th level features or 3rd level or whatever, but you have 1st level HPs.
then every session or two, you gain 1 level worth of HPs.

I thought about that and almost suggested it for some of those in the thread. For me I like starting at 3rd, because I don't want to play a putz, and level 1 PCs are usually putzes. Level 3 is where the first signs of competence start coming into play.

 

[Zardnaar]

I thought about that and almost suggested it for some of those in the thread. For me I like starting at 3rd, because I don't want to play a putz, and level 1 PCs are usually putzes. Level 3 is where the first signs of competence start coming into play.

Sone of those ow level adventures are good though.

Biggest 8ncentive outside of newbies and new version.

 

[delericho]

Every 5e campaign I've run has started at 1st level.

For previous editions that's a little less true: of two 4e games I ran, one was at 1st level, the other at 10th. Neither made it to a second session. All (I think) of the 3e campaigns I ran started at 1st level, and there were a good many of them. (I did run a number of one-shots that varied in level.) Most of the 2nd Edition games I ran started at 3rd level following a recommendation in the "Complete Fighters Handbook". In hindsight, I no longer consider that to be good advice.

Overall, I think 5e has it right: I much prefer starting at 1st level, but I want those first couple of levels to go quickly.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

I honestly don't get it myself. Pretty much D&D through every edition has worked way better in 1-10 range than above it, so I have no idea why people want to speed-run to the unplayable part. (And then complain that their campaigns fall apart)

 

[Horwath]

I honestly don't get it myself. Pretty much D&D through every edition has worked way better in 1-10 range than above it, so I have no idea why people want to speed-run to the unplayable part. (And then complain that their campaigns fall apart)

low levels are mechanically boring, high levels are mechanically game breaking(maybe not if you ban 6th+ level spells)

For me, it's best played in 6th-12th level range.
And maybe not wanting ti wait for 6th level.

and that could be 20-30 sessions campaign, which is decent length.

 

[Zardnaar]

low levels are mechanically boring, high levels are mechanically game breaking(maybe not if you ban 6th+ level spells)

For me, it's best played in 6th-12th level range.
And maybe not wanting ti wait for 6th level.

and that could be 20-30 sessions campaign, which is decent length.

Stress starts at level 8 and game kinda falls apart lvl 13.

Last game made it to 13 just wanted i to end.

Think I'll cap at 10-12.

 

[Horwath]

Stress starts at level 8 and game kinda falls apart lvl 13.

Last game made it to 13 just wanted i to end.

Think I'll cap at 10-12.

Did high level spells caused it?

For matials, I dont see any broken abilities at those levels...

 

[Zardnaar]

Did high level spells caused it?

For matials, I dont see any broken abilities at those levels...

Level 7 spells are ball breaking. If you cant break concentration on things like conjure celestial its basically unlimited healing.

Wasn't just spells I used 10 encounters on the PCs over 3 sessions just to see. 3 low/medium/high last one was high X2.

They got through it.

The high level spells were the final straw. I planned on ending at 12th did one more level for story reasons oops.

Theres no real challenge or if you metagame against do them its very swingy.

Feels like rocket tag. High CR critters wins 40d6 damage if it doesnt its shut down.

Adding more bodies makes it very grindy. Enemies might have 1000+hp between them.

Can feel like a blend of 4E tactics and 3.5 rocket tag. Some monsters have massive initiative modifiers and deal buckets of damage die in 1-2 rounds. They might not get a go or drop a PC on decent rolls. 4 attacks 4d10+5 damage an you roll crit one in three chance you roll well so yeah.

 

[Horwath]

Level 7 spells are ball breaking. If you cant break concentration on things like conjure celestial its basically unlimited healing.

thinking of banning all 6th+ level spells for PCs.
might keep higher level slots for upcasting or just using spell points with 5th level slot as maximum.

higher level spells could appear as old magic items with 1 charge, ancient scrolls etc...

"Gods locked away all high magic as it was too dangerous in the hands of mortals"