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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fanaelialae" data-source="post: 5873895" data-attributes="member: 53980">I don't really agree with the premise that characters in 1/2e topped out around name level.While, admittedly, hp gains were much more modest after name level, and followers changed the potential scope of the game significantly, characters continued to gain significant power beyond level 9.Spellcasters are probably the best example of this, as a 9th level wizard had only achieved 5 of 9 possible spell levels, which was considerably less than half the power of a mage of 20th level. However even fighters continued to make significant progress in both Thac0 and saving throws.That said, I'd like to see PCs start with core competency, as defined by being good at what that class is intended to be good at. An example of where this might be lacking can be found in the 3e archery feat tree. A character required Point Blank Shot in order to obtain Precise Shot, without which firing into melee suffered a prohibitive -4 penalty. Which wasn't too bad if your were a fighter, or human, but if I wanted my elven rogue to be competent with a bow I had to wait til level 3. Precise Shot should have been available without Point Blank Shot. That's probably not the best example, but it's late and I'm tired.I think one of the designers said something to the effect that levels 1 and 2 were intended as learning levels, lacking full competence, with level 3 having core competence and being the assumed starting point for experienced players. That's fine as far as I'm concerned.Beyond core competence, I don't want to see characters top out (prior to max level). There should always be something bigger and better to look forward to next level. Topping out seems little different to me from leveling up to max level and then continuing playing.I guess what I'm saying is, it depends on your definition of "fully realized hero". If it means that you become competent in your class shtick early on, I'm all for it. If it means that you get your best abilities early on, and have little to look forward to at later levels, then I disagree.</blockquote>

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