D&D 5E Name level heroes for 5e

[CubicsRube]

I've got in the back pocket a gold for xp, west marches style game (now including strongholds and followers - thanks matt colville!) And am thinking whether a "name" level might fit into that.

I'm thinking of capping hp gain at 9th, and at this point they gain a 1st level follower. Then when they level up they either gain a second 1st level follower or their follower levels up to 2nd, etc.

What would you like to see if you were to institute an 1e style name level?

 

[jasper]

Go with 10 because it nice and round. But since you are buy Strongholds I wait till that is published.

 

[Wiseblood]

Go with 10 because it nice and round. But since you are buy Strongholds I wait till that is published.

Yep. I can't wait.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Go with 10 because it nice and round. But since you are buy Strongholds I wait till that is published.

I'd actually go with level 11, since that's the start of a new tier.

 

[Krachek]

One title per level is too much.
4 titles would be usable.

Level 1-4
level 5-10
level 11-16
level 17+

For the Wizard:

L1 Apprentice
L5 Mage
L11 School + Mage : Evoker Mage, or Master Mage? not obvious.
L17 ArchMage

 

[Gadget]

Bah, we never name our characters until they survive at least a three levels

 

[aco175]

I like the idea of gaining followers and even maxing HP for level PCs. I have been in several games where the followers and henchmen become a new set of characters when the PCs become high enough level for the players to start getting bored. 5e has tried to stretch out the 'sweet spot' through several levels, but my last campaign went to level 10. My new one will most likely be the same.

A problem I see is if some PCs do not want followers. Say the thief does not trust anyone and wants to live in seclusion. Maybe the monk has taken a vow and lives alone. The DM can have people show up and just do things to help in hopes that the PC will take them on or have an animal come to be a follower. Another thing to think about is if some players start to get several 1st level NPC while another player has only one 5th level NPC. This part is not much of a big deal unless they are going on adventurers with the original group. I can see eventually a follower becoming a hero of his own.

 

[Quickleaf]

I've got in the back pocket a gold for xp, west marches style game (now including strongholds and followers - thanks matt colville!) And am thinking whether a "name" level might fit into that.

I'm thinking of capping hp gain at 9th, and at this point they gain a 1st level follower. Then when they level up they either gain a second 1st level follower or their follower levels up to 2nd, etc.

What would you like to see if you were to institute an 1e style name level?

Meaningful choices and/or really fun random follower tables.

By "meaningful choices" I mean giving the player some say in what "name level" means for their character & making the choice to have strongholds/followers relevant in your game. The Rules Cyclopedia has some examples of this in the fighter class IIRC. For some it will be followers, for others strongholds, for others still both, and a few are likely to reject all of that and wonder "well, what do I get?"

Possible answers might be: nothing/freedom from feudal responsibilities (only appropriate in some campaigns), a reputation that grants social benefits in some settlements, a 10% XP bonus for accomplishing quests, a magic item that gains power as you do, a second subclass choice, or a charm/blessing/epic boon from DMG.

 

[CubicsRube]

One title per level is too much.
4 titles would be usable.

Level 1-4
level 5-10
level 11-16
level 17+

For the Wizard:

L1 Apprentice
L5 Mage
L11 School + Mage : Evoker Mage, or Master Mage? not obvious.
L17 ArchMage

Hi krachek. Im not referrimg to that.

1e had a level youd reach they called "name level" where youd made a name for yourself. At that pevel you basically stopped getting hp and started getting followers and xluld build a stronghold etc. So im thinking forward about the supplement and things i could integrate into that

 

[CubicsRube]

I like the idea of gaining followers and even maxing HP for level PCs. I have been in several games where the followers and henchmen become a new set of characters when the PCs become high enough level for the players to start getting bored. 5e has tried to stretch out the 'sweet spot' through several levels, but my last campaign went to level 10. My new one will most likely be the same.

A problem I see is if some PCs do not want followers. Say the thief does not trust anyone and wants to live in seclusion. Maybe the monk has taken a vow and lives alone. The DM can have people show up and just do things to help in hopes that the PC will take them on or have an animal come to be a follower. Another thing to think about is if some players start to get several 1st level NPC while another player has only one 5th level NPC. This part is not much of a big deal unless they are going on adventurers with the original group. I can see eventually a follower becoming a hero of his own.

Youre right that some people wouldn't wabt followers. But i think if you set up the concept of a west marches style play with levelled areas and followers of different levels of quests the players can choose then it should be fine if you make it clear up front.

To further expound on the idea im thinking of running is to prep a game world with various damgers and quests throught the world in the uncivilised wilds. The players choose what quests they want to go on.

Im thinking of using a reputation score at name level to see what the world thinks of them. So when they are high enough level they CAN go on quests that are a cakewalk for them, but their reputation might suffer as the party arent dealing with the tougher threats. Alternatively if the players want to deal with a threat while its small, they can send theor lower level followers in and play them for a session.