D&D 5E New Players same level as Current Players?

[Nytmare]

Having Damage Resistance for 1 minute 2/day does not turn the Bar 3's 35 hp into the Bar 15's 185 hp, and that's before the Bar 15's more and better rages factor in.

Bounded accuracy also does not say that a 3rd level barbarian's hit points and rages are the same as a 15th level barbarian's.

 

[S'mon]

Having Damage Resistance for 1 minute 2/day does not turn the Bar 3's 35 hp into the Bar 15's 185 hp, and that's before the Bar 15's more and better rages factor in.

Yes, you'll need to cycle him out from the front rank - he can basically only tank 2/day. But he can tank, even vs encounters designed for 15th level PCs; few critters do over 70 dmg/round even at that level, and some of the other PCs will likely only have around 100 hp anyway (say 3+6/level=93 hp for a typical d8 class with +1 CON). A Barb 3 OBVIOUSLY does not equal a Barb 15. BUT he CAN fulfil a tank function, even in a high level party. He still benefits double from healing magic, for instance.

 

[Arial Black]

Bounded accuracy also does not say that a 3rd level barbarian's hit points and rages are the same as a 15th level barbarian's.

Exactly!

My point is that bounded accuracy does not turn 'replace 15th level PCs with 3rd level PCs' from 'pointless' to 'no problem'.

 

[Nytmare]

Exactly!

My point is that bounded accuracy does not turn 'replace 15th level PCs with 3rd level PCs' from 'pointless' to 'no problem'.

If the only measuring stick you are going to use is "how many hit points, and how much damage can these two characters do" then you're going to see a difference. Bounded accuracy has absolutely nothing to do with the differences you keep pointing to.

 

[Iry]

Yes, you'll need to cycle him out from the front rank - he can basically only tank 2/day. But he can tank, even vs encounters designed for 15th level PCs

Probably loses initiative. Eats a single 5th Level Fireball (along with the rest of the party). Average damage = 35. Fails saving throw. You're going to have to babysit him in the back ranks, and hide him from AOE constantly.

Only way this sort-of-works is with a Dex/Con Bear Barb.

 

[Sunseeker]

Bounded accuracy also does not say that a 3rd level barbarian's hit points and rages are the same as a 15th level barbarian's.

Maybe in 6th Edition we can have Bounded HP!

 

[MostlyDm]

Maybe in 6th Edition we can have Bounded HP!

So... E6?

I love e6, so I'm all for it.

 

[ThirdWizard]

The risk - and I've had this debate before in here - with levelling everyone up arbitrarily at the same time is that you may well end up rewarding characters (and it *is* a reward, you can't frame it any other way) for doing nothing.

Of course I can frame it another way. I did. I don't appreciate that snide comment.

It isn't a reward in my game. If you think different, you're free not to show up to my games, but you aren't free to dictate what is and is not a reward in my games.

 

[Iry]

Of course I can frame it another way. I did. I don't appreciate that snide comment.

It isn't a reward in my game. If you think different, you're free not to show up to my games, but you aren't free to dictate what is and is not a reward in my games.

Not to mention that giving XP is no more or less likely to award people for doing nothing than leveling up everyone at the same time. One is simply more granular than the other.

 

[Mirtek]

The captives as well? Their contribution was...what, exactly?

showing up to have a good evening with us.

Hey, if I'm playing a survival-first character and I know I'll get the xp no matter what, spectating for a while is a small price to pay to ensure my character's ongoing safety

While you're at it why not just send me a text message you want to play character X never show up and after the campaign ends I send you a mail with your level 15 character sheet, as we just agreed your PC stayed at the inn the whole time.

Great to now have a level 15 hero without ever having him have risked his life. A pity on the gaming you missed out, but who cares you got XP