what is the best level for intro players?

[Praeco]

I would say second or third level, if only for a few extra hit points. It takes a long time for a person to make their first character even with low levels - I would hate to see someone's first character go down the tubes right away. There is of course the possibility of fudging rolls as arwink said, however it may be better to forgo that to some degree so they can get a sense of the game balance as it normally pans out.

 

[Agback]

G'day

I voted for third level. When you have new players you want to give them a good time to keep them coming back. Not too complicated to confuse them, but far enough away from the danger of being killed out of the game, and with a bit of a repertoire.

A lot of the pleasure in starting at first is the anticipation of reaching fifth, and the challenge of surviving the invertebrate stage. Newbies don't know what they have to hope for, nor understand enough to appreciate the triumph of surviving first level. They won't appreciate first and second levels. They don't deserve a first-level character. Start them off with something with a spine. The wimps!

Regards,


Agback

 

[Lalato]

For complete newbies... 1st level.

For experienced players... 3rd level.

For one-shots (with experienced players)... 7th level.

That about sums it up...

--sam

 

[Wicht]

First level for a few reasons.

1. Its easier to explain.

2. The excitement (heroics) of the game should not be level dependant.

3. In my experience, one of the great ways to hook a new player is to have their character advance a level at the end of the first adventure. Moving from first to second level is slightly easier to accomplish in one sitting then moving from third to fourth.

 

[ssampier]

1st since hunting goblins and kobolds for newbies is fun.

That said I started a campaign recently with 2nd level characters. It worked out well.

Epic I wouldn't recommend to anyone, unless you like cheese.

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

I said 2nd. It's like 1st, but you have a little more .

At 3rd, with 2nd level spells, it can get confusing.

Also, starting at 2nd, you'll probably level to 3 at the end of the first adventure, and get cool new stuff quickly enough.

TS.

 

[S'mon]

For complete newbies... 1st level.

For experienced players... 3rd level.

For one-shots (with experienced players)... 7th level.

That about sums it up...

--sam

I'd say the opposite - for experienced players I'd ideally start at 1st. OTOH I've found my current campaign setting under 3e rules wasn't survivable for 1st level PCs, not until they a started at ca 4th (transferring levels from a different GM's game) did it really get going.

 

[Verdigris]

I think first level is best because if they are new players they aren't yet sick to *death* of chopping through the obligatory goblins/kobolds/giant rats that invariably populate first level encounters.

Personally, I never get sick of hordes of goblins, but kobolds? Ick. Boring. Giant rats? Agh. Even worse.

 

[Bastoche]

1st level for absolute newbies.

When they begin to play wizards, clerics and such "more" complicated class, third allow them to test more than a single 1st level spell.

 

[jgbrowning]

First level for a few reasons.

1. Its easier to explain.

2. The excitement (heroics) of the game should not be level dependant.

3. In my experience, one of the great ways to hook a new player is to have their character advance a level at the end of the first adventure. Moving from first to second level is slightly easier to accomplish in one sitting then moving from third to fourth.

yeah, i go with 1st for the above reasons as well.

joe b.