I'm *so* looking forward to high-level D&D

[Quasqueton]

From the early 80s to the mid 90s, I ran a campaign world under AD&D1. Because of various in-game and Real-Life reasons, none of the PCs made it above about 7th level (took *forever* to level up in AD&D1). I ran a couple very short campaigns with PCs created at 10-12th level, but they were only for one adventure (and ironically, both ended in TPKs).

I played (was not the DM) in one campaign, under AD&D2, that got above 20th level within a year. But it was pure munchkinism, and pretty unsatisfying in hindsight.

So, I've had very little experience with a serious mid- to high-level D&D. My current campaign has worked up to 8th level (3 of 6 PCs are now 8th level), and I'm *really* excited about finally being able to see some high-level stuff.

The funny thing I'm going through is, I think I'm more anxious for the PCs to gain levels than the Players are. There are so many really cool high-CR monsters that I've never been able to DM, and so many cool high-EL situations I'd like to see played out.

I find it ironic, that the various monsters and encounters I'm really looking forward to have me thinking, "the PCs just don't have enough hit points." ;-)

I'm not really asking for help or anything here, with this post. I'm just wondering if I'm the only DM who has never really "tasted" a beholder, mindflayer, dragon, major demon/devil, etc., and is looking forward to sinking his teeth into such a role?

I think I've gotten tired of DMing the same old low-level stuff.

Quasqueton

 

[DaveMage]

I got tired of DMing low-level stuff back in 1983.

Seriously, though, I agree with you. In games I DM, the PCs generally start at 4th level or higher. The beauty of 3rd edition provides that you can even make the traditional "low-level" monsters (such as goblins, orcs, etc.) more challenging for the high-level folks by adding class levels.

You therefore have a much greater monster-base to draw from at higher levels. Plus, with PC levels at 9+, the party now has access to raise dead, so you can pretty much throw deadly encounters at them now-and-again without worrying if a PC or two doesn't quite make it. (Though I still avoid monsters that would cause total party kills since those aren't usually much fun unless it happens in the final battle.)

 

[EricNoah]

I had never played nor DMed high level games until the past couple of years. I'm playing in a game where we are 18th level and it is quite fun (but also quite different). I ran a FR game that went up to about 13th level which seemed high to me at the time. I think I would not have been able to do a very good job with levels 15+, and I also think that even as a player I may start to get bored with "epic" D&D. But I'm sure I'll find out over the next few months...

 

[Lordrel]

Epic....

High level is fun. Most of my campaigns tend to start at first and finish when we finish. In 1st and 2nd edition, this could be anywhere from the high twenties to the seventies (that was crazy). We haven't been able to play with 3e and 3.5 as much...but we have gotten there. I am currently DMing a 28th level party and it is a nightmare. It simply takes too much preparation for it to be fun. Bad Guys and NPCs are a chore to generate, even when I don't worry about their numbers adding up just right. Some stock creatures work, others I can adjust in the middle of the game on the fly. High level has its merits...and there is something enjoyable about involving the party in campaign shattering events. However, it is just infinatly more complicated. Our first battle this last weekend lasted 2.5 hours of real time, and about 20 seconds of in-game time. Granted, we were just rusty with the Epic rules and we did get faster. I'm just rambling now...

 

[diaglo]

why do you think that the high lvl NPCs never get a chance to solve the world's woes in most published adventures?

same thing should hold true for high lvl PCs.

these guys of reknown should be in the sights of every BBEG going.

every time they fluff, the nearest imp should be reporting the severity of it.

 

[WizarDru]

You're not alone. I'd never done high-level play until 3e. And yes, I was as happy as a giggly schoolgirl the first time I used a beholder. There are several iconic D&D monsters that I'd only ever looked at in the Monster Manual and never gotten a chance to use. And it's pretty sweet when you finally get to do so.

 

[der_kluge]

I'm in the same boat. The last game we played we stopped at 11th, I think, and the game before that saw us to 12th. So, when I chose to run my game, I *started* them at 9th, and they just made 12th. I plan to run them up to level 20. And then who knows after that.

But yes, I'm really looking forward to the looks on their faces when they find that room full of beholders, for example. They've already fought two different dragons (not overly tough, but still), and they've had run-ins with Slaad, and other nasties. Demons and devils eventually. Those will be fun.

 

[Zappo]

The first time I used a beholder, it got whooped like a giggly schoolgirl. Those things have a huge firepower, but they are damn fragile!

 

[Treebore]

All I can say is that the deadliest monster I have ever played/ran at high levels were NPC's, not the monsters. But they are fun/cool in their own right. The Terrasque is fearsome. So are high level liches and vampires. Slaadi, demons, and devils are also fun and nasty, but you can start using the weaker ones at about 9th level. Beholders are deadly, best used between 10th and 13th level. After that you have to use way to many to be challenging and then you have to explain why the treasure is so skimpy.

 

[jerichothebard]

The first time I used a beholder, it got whooped like a giggly schoolgirl. Those things have a huge firepower, but they are damn fragile!

Yeah - I played in a game that went from 1st to around 12-13th, and at some point late in the campaign, the DM sent us up against a beholder.

He spent two or three sessions building up to this encounter, then sprung it on us. We of course all freaked out, went through the init order casting buff spells and diving for cover. When our sorcerer's turn came up, she looked at her spell list, said I have nothing but Phantasmal Killer, and laughed, thinking there was no way that was going to work on a beholder... And then cast it anyway.

DM fails the saving throw, and down goes the beholder.

So much for the buildup. I haven't ever seen a DM look that crestfallen before. But, the dice fell where they fell, and that was the end of that.