D&D 5E What level do you like to start at?

[Garthanos]

With earlier editions I stated at 1st pretty much without exception. Back in 1E/2E, even getting to 3rd level could take several weeks of playing and felt like a big achievement.

Gygax and Arneson skipped the first levels... starting at 3 and 4

 

[BookTenTiger]

Back in 3rd Edition we would usually start at 4th Level, because we loved feats.

These days I love starting at 1st Level, both as a player and a DM. I like to give the characters room to grow before most of them hit a subclass.

 

[payn]

First level is always classic.

 

[Maxperson]

Back in 1E/2E, even getting to 3rd level could take several weeks of playing

And 8 different characters. 3rd was where survivability started to be a thing.

 

[Laurefindel]

level 2 or 3. Multiclass start as multiclass, everyone else gets their subclass, or are just about to.

unless I intend to stop at lvl 5, then level 1 start it is.

 

[Vaalingrade]

1 and 2 are like level 0 and I'd never start there. You aren't even actually your class at that point.

3 used to be the sweet spot in previous editions, but it's actually level 1, so I've had to move to 5 to get character robust and with enough choices to make character creation worth doing for me.

 

[Maxperson]

1 and 2 are like level 0 and I'd never start there. You aren't even actually your class at that point.

3 used to be the sweet spot in previous editions, but it's actually level 1, so I've had to move to 5 to get character robust and with enough choices to make character creation worth doing for me.

I thought about that, but the game is 25% over at that point. Only 15 levels left.

 

[Rabbitbait]

Level 1, but everyone starts with an extra feat. It makes it feel less vanilla while still having the characters start nice and fragile.

 

[overgeeked]

Well the latest season of Critical Role just started started today and they started at Level 3, again.

And though I know this question gets asked on the regular, with the impending "5.5e", I feel it's a good time to ask again:

What level you you like to start at? Or perhaps more accurately, which level do you feel gives the best starting point for a new campaign?

C2 started at level 2.

 

[Magister Ludorum]

I would start at 1st if all the classes had their first subclass ability at that level.