Level of Play

[Wormwood]

My last 4e game went from 1st to 30th, my current game started at 1st, is currently at 10th and we intend to go to 30th as well.

 

[Hassassin]

I chose 1-9. Most of our campaigns (over 90%) start at 1st. Many end around 6th. Some more end before 10th. A few have continued to mid teens. None have reached 20th.

 

[delericho]

We almost invariably start at very low level (usually 1st). This means that almost all of our play is likewise at low level, as for various reasons campaigns tend not to run as long as originally envisaged.

That said, I really like the notion of playing at higher levels. I have high hopes that my current 3e game will reach at least 15th level by the time it's done.

(The highest level I've ever played was 18th, at the end of the "Shackled City" adventure path. Had we awarded XP at the end of that last session, the survivors would have reached 19th. But that's very unusual - I don't think any other campaign has gone above 15th, ever.)

 

[Number48]

When I was younger, we would invariably get bored with a game or frustrated with a DM and someone would start up a fresh one. I can't remember getting past 3rd in those. Now that I'm older, one campaign and one DM lasts for quite a long time, but we just can't coordinate the schedules. I don't believe I'd had these go above 5th. I WANT to take a game from 1 to 20-30 with an epic story conclusion but things are tough these days, man.

 

[thedungeondelver]

I said 1st-10th, but I would love it if an AD&D game I was in or ran went past that, even to 20th+ level.

Time is a big factor in that though.

 

[Henry]

Whether I want to or not, whether it's 1E, 3E, or 4E, for some reason play just usually caps out at about 12th level. I have no idea why.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

What I like to play and what I get to play are usually different. Within a year of a new edition, I'm usually sick of low levels (1-5) because I have terrible luck with groups that fizzle, break up, move away, etc. So as DM, I often start at mid- or even high-level.

As a player, finding a DM willing to start after 1st level is like winning the lotto. It's happened to me maybe 2-3 times ever.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

1st to about 14th in AD&D, got to about 23rd in 3e, but it turned out to be more math homework than gaming.

 

[Stormonu]

Whether I want to or not, whether it's 1E, 3E, or 4E, for some reason play just usually caps out at about 12th level. I have no idea why.

Yeah, that seems to happen too, players getting tired of running the same character after a while - seems to be after a year or so.

 

[KidSnide]

I don't have many examples, but my last campaign started around level 5 (in 2nd ed) and finished at level 15 (in 3.5). My current campaign started at level 3 (in 3.0) and is currently at level 9 (in 4e). I expect that it will end someplace in paragon tier (in D&DN).

I never had any interest playing epic (or 15+ in 2e/3e terms) for anything other than a one shot or the last adventure in a decade-long campaign.

-KS