Starting Level for Temple of Elemental Evil (PnP)

[Agnostic Paladin]

Well, anything short of a dead cleric anyhow.

Radius, I wouldn't suggest trying it at less than 4th level. Below that, the characters will be too ineffective / die too quickly for their greater numbers to have any effect.

 

[Hadit]

We are just in the early stages of "RttToEE" ourselves and I think a balanced party of 4th level characters in NECESSARY to start. It's pretty tough in there! Balanced to me: Ftr, Wiz, Clc, plus an extra... rogue is nice, but an extra fighter is tasty too! Or a multi-class whatever. Play around.
But... your DM may have something else in mind. Perhaps he/she has some NPCs in mind that will eventually join the group? Perhaps the encounters will be toned down? Who can say?
Voice your concerns to your DM and see what he/she has to say.

 

[Gumby]

It would be very helpful for the DM to play a full-time NPC, perhaps a cleric or rogue.

And after that, I'd still start at 5th or 6th level...

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

A handful of 1st level warriors, paid followers, modestly equipped with chain shirts and crossbows, wouldn't hurt.

Old school!


Wulf

 

[the Jester]

A handful of 1st level warriors, paid followers, modestly equipped with chain shirts and crossbows, wouldn't hurt.

Old school!


Wulf

Yeah... I find that the old "bring in the hireling warriors" mentality from 1e has pretty much fallen by the wayside in most groups these days. It's kind of an interesting change- although at least some of it can be attributed (imho) to the increased damage-dealing capabilities of virtually everything in the new addition.

Bam! The cannon fodder's down!

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Don't know much about the adventure but if I were to drop a class from the standard 4 it would be the fighter. A cleric can cover the meat shield duties to some degree and it's really tough to do without the clerics spells. A cleric of war or str could kick some butt, and still have mad spells to sling. a wizrd is a big of utility hard to do with out, and you need rogues for traps and scouting.

Though perosnally I'd multi everyone with a stealth class for one level(rogue, monk, ranger) and rely upon the entire party not ebing seen to even the odds a bit.

 

[The Sigil]

Obligatory MP Reference

Though perosnally I'd multi everyone with a stealth class for one level(rogue, monk, ranger) and rely upon the entire party not ebing seen to even the odds a bit.

HM GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE FILM NO. 42 PARA 6. "HOW NOT TO BE SEEN

Voice Over: In this film we hope to show how not to be seen. This is Mr. E.R. Bradshaw of Napier Court, Black Lion Road London SE5. He can not be seen. Now I am going to ask him to stand up. Mr. Bradshaw will you stand up please

In the distance Mr Bradshaw stands up. There is a loud gunshot as Mr Bradshaw is shot in the stomach. He crumples to the ground

Voice Over: This demonstrates the value of not being seen.

--The Sigil

 

[Tempuswolf]

Running RtTEE myself, there is a very hard encounter at the beginning of the game. My suggestion is NPC a fighter type, one with the fewest options is easiest to NPC so find yourself a Barbarian in Homlett. Hint, hint look high and LOW!

 

[Sixchan]

Re: Obligatory MP Reference

HM GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE FILM NO. 42 PARA 6. "HOW NOT TO BE SEEN

Voice Over: In this film we hope to show how not to be seen. This is Mr. E.R. Bradshaw of Napier Court, Black Lion Road London SE5. He can not be seen. Now I am going to ask him to stand up. Mr. Bradshaw will you stand up please

In the distance Mr Bradshaw stands up. There is a loud gunshot as Mr Bradshaw is shot in the stomach. He crumples to the ground

Voice Over: This demonstrates the value of not being seen.

--The Sigil

Voice Over: This is Mr Nesbitt of Harlow New Town. Mr Nesbit would you stand up please. (after a pause - nothing happens)Mr Nesbitt has learnt the value of not being seen. However he has chosen a very obvious piece of cover.

The bush explodes and you hear a muffled scream.