PC survivability and starting at 1st level

[TheAuldGrump]

I think that the biggest change is a shifting line of thought from 'first level PCs are grunts, they are a dime a dozen' to 'first level is the beginning of a HERO!' Generating a character in previous editions was much faster. Who cared if Slog the Fighter died? Just generate Slog II! Now generating characters takes much longer, but the result is also more attachment to the character, which in my estimation is a good thing. A first level character is capable of much cooler stuff now than he was in OD&D.

While having less fragile starting characters is a nice side effect my main reason for starting PCs at 2nd level is to allow them to be better adventurers, whether by multiclassing or by getting those extra skill points, spells, or feats. I like it when the characters are more willing to go and check things out.

The Auld Grump, Grognard either way...

 

[Crust]

Like others have said, I start players at whatever level I feel is necessary for the start of the campaign. I've started campaigns at levels ranging from 1-8.

We just retired a four-year campaign that started with level 3 and ended with level 28 or so.

Dungeon's Age of Worms had me starting PCs at 2nd level, and part of my reasoning for that was so that PCs survived the early levels.

At my gaming table, 1st level PCs have the same chance of survival as 28th level PCs. An orc has as much chance of killing a 1st level PC as an advanced balor has of killing a 28th level PC.

Concerning killing PCs to get them into line, I feel like my group and I have moved on from that. We've been playing together for almost eight years, and they know what I expect from them. I HAVE slain PCs to make a point or as a way of showing how my games run, but by this time, I honestly strive to keep them alive rather than seek their destruction. I hope to take my current group all the way through Age of Worms without any permenant deaths. I know that might be blasphemous, but they've dealt with TPKs before. Unless one of the players sacrifices himself, makes a really stupid decision, or throws his life away for glory or honor, I don't see anyone losing a PC (unless the player grows bored with the PC). I also love the party makeup, and I'm dying to see each of them excel and grow through this awesome campaign arc.