First Level Character Hit Points

[Elrohir_of_Kellemar]

My thanks to those who offered their insights. I don't have a handle on 4E monsters, so your observations are helpful. I do like the fact that beginning characters now have a better chance at surviving without undue help from the DM - a very positive point. Plus, a wizard can do something after casting his one spell.

I think I may have a problem trying to resolve my feelings about starting characters off as a farmboy, blacksmith's apprentice, or lowly guard who become heroes through their actions and choices. It seems Fourth Edition assumes that your character is already a hero, predestined for great things, not an ordinary person doing extraordinary things.

The suggestions of starting below 1st level might solve that, but then the advantages of 4E starting characters would be negated. Always wonderful trying to fit new systems into a 35 year old world.

Again, I thank you for your input.

 

[Fizzlemeyer]

If you are having a rough time with the monsters and how they are to be balanced against the party I would highly recommend starting your campaign with the H1 module Keep on the Shadowfell. I enjoyed it very much as a player and it gives a DM a very solid grounding in how 4e is supposed to work in terms of monsters vs. pcs and basics of encounter design.