Too soon to daydream about Heroic-only Campaign?

[Grimstaff]

In 3.5, I was often on the lookout for fun ways to run lower level campaigns (such as E6).

4E seems like it will offer a possibilty of easily running "Heroic" only games, but I wonder if the power levels will be as clearly delineated as the tier system seems to imply.

So I wonder if I should start building a campaign setting based on the assumption that lvl 10 is a good as it gets, or just wait and see how the game plays.

So much to ponder...

 

[Lacyon]

In 3.5, I was often on the lookout for fun ways to run lower level campaigns (such as E6).

4E seems like it will offer a possibilty of easily running "Heroic" only games, but I wonder if the power levels will be as clearly delineated as the tier system seems to imply.

So I wonder if I should start building a campaign setting based on the assumption that lvl 10 is a good as it gets, or just wait and see how the game plays.

So much to ponder...

I'm definitely considering it for one of my games as well.

 

[keterys]

One kinda interesting point is that a group of 5 level 10s can potentially fight monsters up to the very low 20s with the way XP is spread. Especially with extenuating circumstances (allies, terrain, siege weapons, special magic items, etc). Bit of a miss fest, but hey.

That's quite a lot more of the game open wide, which is pretty cool.

 

[Mercule]

Without seeing how it all reads, I'm not making any decisions yet. I think I'm actually going to be extremely happy the 4e has the tier system, though. It tells me what to expect from certain supplements, adventures, etc. I can play the game and my group and I can be pretty explicit about what sort of game we want.

My expectation is that we will probably never use the Epic tier. If we do, it'll be with definite forethought. I have one player who is a bit skeptical about even using the Paragon tier, but I think that will go over well in the end. If I had to put money on it, I would say that our campaigns will have an explicit agreement up front that they stop at 20th level.

The first campaign may have a statement about only going to 10, but I suspect it will be more a case of wrapping the first main story with a contingent "sequel" to cover 11-20.

 

[baberg]

One kinda interesting point is that a group of 5 level 10s can potentially fight monsters up to the very low 20s with the way XP is spread.

I'd reword that as "a group of 5 level 10s can potentially fight single non-elite non-solo monsters up to the very low 20s".

This post lists a level 10 encounter as 2500 XP but shows a level 23 elite monster at 10,200 XP. On the other hand a non-elite Level 18 shown here is 2000 XP.

It definitely opens up the monsters a DM can throw at a party, but the corollary is that the DM can only throw one monster at the party plus a minion or two. It certainly opens up many more BBEGs for use but also restricts it to one-on-five combat.

 

[jaldaen]

It definitely opens up the monsters a DM can throw at a party, but the corollary is that the DM can only throw one monster at the party plus a minion or two. It certainly opens up many more BBEGs for use but also restricts it to one-on-five combat.

It also has the possibility of being a very long fight... from what we can tell of the to-hits and damage output on both sides.

 

[HeinorNY]

I'd reword that as "a group of 5 level 10s can potentially fight single non-elite non-solo monsters up to the very low 20s".

Good job. Cookie for you!

 

[Protagonist]

to avoid the miss-fest you could simply allow leveling past 10 for the sole purpose of determining 1/2 level to hit / dmg / defense / initiative etc. No feats / powers / class abilities from the paragon or epic tier of course. HP / Surges might be something one could increase as well without ruining the heroic feel

 

[dystmesis]

E10 is the new E6!

 

[Grimstaff]

It might be interesting to have a campaign feature, say, 3 individual groups of characters, each group advancing to 10th level and then retiring into the "movers and shakers" NPCs of the campaign setting.

Then perhaps some delving into paragon level play drawing from this pool of established heroes.