House rules designed to facilitate competence (and therefore fun) at lower levels

[Celebrim]

commoners.

Yes. And without elite builds and with only a fraction of the PC's resources.

First level PC's are dangerous.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

And as always you could just start the PCs at level 2 or 3 if you want them to be more 'competent'.

 

[Tonguez]

You strike the rat, miss!
The annoyed rat bites you, Hp -1
You strike the rat, miss!
The riled rat bites you, Hp -1
You strike the rat, miss!
The angry rat bites you, Hp -1

Personally I'd let everyone choose an NPC class at 0-level and then their Level 1 PC class. This means that Larry the Paladin might be Lord Larry the Level 1 Aristocrat-Paladin with all the HP boost and Skill points he needs

 

[ValhallaGH]

You could give skill groups a try. I've noticed that those ratchet up character competency without actually overpowering anyone.

 

[papastebu]

Yes. And without elite builds and with only a fraction of the PC's resources.

First level PC's are dangerous.

To themselves and everyone around them. And they must be stopped.

 

[Nifft]

My house rule is: characters start at 3rd level.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Emirikol]

I think all those sound just fine. The extra hit points at lower levels are very handy I think for everyone. You look like you hit most of the major areas.

Another thought might be to increase the lower level action points..and have slower advancement of those later to keep things from getting out of hand.

jh