What is the minimum level would you play if you were never to gain xp again?

[Zappo]

So, to all those who said "12th" or "16th" -- I really am curious -- did you play earlier editions? If so, did you ever get to 12th? If so, how? How long did it take you? What did you get XP from?

Yes, yes, the usual way, a few years, fiends.

 

[davidschwartznz]

Can't your character change and grow in personality without a change in the numbers underneath?

Let's say my character has a religious conversion. I could change the way I play the character, I could even change his alignment. But I can't gain a level of cleric, or an exalted feat, or even a measly rank in knowledge (religion)? Screw that. Character evolution is, IMO, a key aspect of a campaign.

And it doesn't even have to be that extreme. The thrill of using a new spell or combat trick for the first time. To join that prestige class you've been striving for since 1st level. I'm not saying that level-based goals are the only goals a character can or should have, but they are part of the game, and part of the fun.

(Which is not to say I don't enjoy one-off games with set characters, but that's a whole different paradigm from campaigning.)

 

[Brother MacLaren]

Yes, yes, the usual way, a few years, fiends.

Ah, those 8,000 XP 9-hp dretches and 20,000 XP 19-hp abishai. Yes, it was most interesting as a DM to take a look at the Outer Planes Compendium.

 

[Remathilis]

Played a D&D game where I was 9th for 2-3 years real time. I like my XP after awhile, if for no other reason than the feeling of working for something.

I voted 15th. That is where your characters are fully developed, but not stupid-crazy either. 10th is nicer for middle-of the road.

 

[Odhanan]

I'd go with 12th level characters.

 

[Henry]

Sixth level - heck, many of my one-shot Gameday adventures are set at sixth.

 

[diaglo]

0 lvl Commoner aka Normal Man

i play one in real life. i'm sure i could play one in game.

 

[Aaron L]

16. 8th level spells for casters and 4 attacks for fighters.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I could be happy at 13, I think. 7th level spells, unless you're a sorcerer. I'd like to get up to at least 15, but I could handle 13 as a cap.

 

[Wombat]

No XP doesn't necessarily mean no advancement; the advances would simply take place in a different categroy, if I were to run such a game. For example, one could advance in wealth, allies, goods, social/political position, etc. All of these are prefectly reasonable ways for a character to develop without ever going up in class level again.

Then again, I am more into character development than XP counting...

That being said, I am most comfortable playing and GMing for lower end characters in D&D. As such I think 5th level would be a fine level to stop at, though with the right GM I would drop this even lower, possibly even down to first level.

This would certainly make an interesting challenge...