How high have you started?

alsih2o · Mar 2, 2005

How high a level have you used to start a running game?

shadowlight · Mar 2, 2005

When the epic rules came out I ran a game that started at 21st level (just to get a feel for the rules). It turned out to one of the most enjoyable games I've done!

In general I start around 4-6 though.

diaglo · Mar 2, 2005

alsih2o said:
How high a level have you used to start a running game?

Level 1. all new PCs start at lvl 1.

alsih2o · Mar 2, 2005

diaglo said:
Level 1. all new PCs start at lvl 1.

Man! I forgot my "However they did it in Od+d, all else is a pale imitation" option. No offense, D.

francisca · Mar 2, 2005

diaglo said:
Level 1. all new PCs start at lvl 1.

Somehow, I'm not surprised. (and yeah, no offense here, either, mang.)

I/we generally start at level 1 as well. Only one time that I can recall have I ever started them at anything other than level 1, and that was at level 4.

The Shaman · Mar 2, 2005

D&D first level, d20 Modern second level.

Mercule · Mar 2, 2005

Well, that whole "running game" clause majorly influences my answer. I honestly can't remember starting a campaign above 3rd level.

On the other hand, I've started one-shots at up to 25th level (a 1E pickup game using I6 -- believe it or not, no one lived to see 26th level).

diaglo · Mar 2, 2005

none taken.

as a player i've gamed with DMs who started us out a little higher level (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th) but the campaigns got bogged down. as each player had min/maxed to fit their concept and background. it led to some really bizarre parties.

for me it is easier to bring in a new PC as a new PC and thus lvl 1.

edit: but as for one-shots i think any level goes. as they are meant to be one-shots not campaigns. i played a 30th lvl PC for a friend as a send off for his group.

der_kluge · Mar 2, 2005

Last campaign I ran (which ended prematurely because I ended up hating it.

) we started at 9th, and my intent was to go to 20th. The reasons why I hated it didn't really have anything to do with level, although I think that was part of it. I think I decided that I hated D&D at the high levels, and I wasn't really very good at it. They got to 15th.