Levels IRL

[Doug McCrae]

The level system is intended to represent game constructs, not real people.

 

[S'mon]

The level system is intended to represent game constructs, not real people.

Yeah, but sometimes you need game constructs approximating to real people.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

The problem with statting people up into 3rd 4th and 5th level characters is that they are definitely not getting extra hit points. No way.

Sure more skill ranks, even a feat or two, but not extra hit points, as modern RL existence is mostly a bunch of people with minimal hit points but good skill ranks,

And yes, that 'con as a dump stat' comment is SOOOOO true.

 

[Presto2112]

4 Years of university alone could bring you up to about level 3 or 4, if you pass exams, do a really good thesis, or pull off some amazing research, it could equate to some decent story-related XP. Getting through a frat kegger without getting the crap kicked out of you makes for some decent ad hoc XP. Heck, if your major is in the arts, especially theatre, your roleplaying XP could go through the roof!

 

[hong]

I could be 20th level, but I _choose_ to be 2nd.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Sure more skill ranks, even a feat or two, but not extra hit points, as modern RL existence is mostly a bunch of people with minimal hit points but good skill ranks.

Yes I think we are certainly living a system where you don't gain hit points with advancement
and fighting is a skill like any other, it does not increase naturally.
really we are advanced more like call of chuthlu (pre-d20) than the D&D levels.

When young I trained in Tae-kwando, archery and with sword and shield. (duct tape and wood) 15 years later I am physically stronger (from weight machines) and have more knowledge skills, but my BAB is lower, easily +0.

 

[S'mon]

IRL there is some increase in 'hit points' with combat experience - you're much less likely to fall down and go into shock if you're already used to being wounded - but of course not to the D&D level, and not with massive trauma like falling 80'.

 

[shilsen]

There are no appropriate levels for real people because real people are actually using Mutants & Masterminds, not D&D.

 

[Celebrim]

I would love to agree, but I would say that assumption is proabaly a bit too far reaching.

Well, yes, I would also agree with that. Having been through the educational system and observed the different people in it, I've know that some high schoolers graduate with a diploma and are functionally illiterate, or that some (for example) CS graduates graduate without the ability to design and implement a program and from most institutions very few are prepared to actually do the work that is required of them. I'm quite aware of how the system fails, and how often. But I still maintain, based on my other experience, that educations are far more robust and common today than they were only a few centuries back. One can go into large parts of the world and find where educational systems aren't robust and CON isn't a dump stat a very different experience than what we are used to.

I further agree that those that did recieve an education on average took it more seriously than almost anyone in the 1st world takes thier education today, as you can go into those same afore mentioned parts of the world and in most of them find people who can get any sort of education taking it very seriously indeed.

But none of this changes the fact that our society is designed to churn out 'experts' rather than 'commoners' and that this is no small part why we are wealthier today than then (or there).

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I would refer you to this article which tries in part to answer that question: http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html

Really though its hard with any rule set to duplicate real life.