Blue
Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal
I generally start at 1st, but give very rapid advancement until 3rd, and then mildly rapid advancement until 5th.
Starting at 1st allow everyone to know their characters when they aren't complex, and to make choices leveling up knowing that and their party as well.
Advancing rapidly up to 3rd gives everyone single-classed their subclasses, and enough survivability to handle an unlucky roll.
5th level power bump makes them all into heroes, or have multiclasses coming online. This is the start of the sweet spot for their play.
So first bit of play does technically start at 1st, but I incorporate the advantages of 3rd level start with the rapid advancement without losing the benefits of the 1st level start.
Starting at 1st allow everyone to know their characters when they aren't complex, and to make choices leveling up knowing that and their party as well.
Advancing rapidly up to 3rd gives everyone single-classed their subclasses, and enough survivability to handle an unlucky roll.
5th level power bump makes them all into heroes, or have multiclasses coming online. This is the start of the sweet spot for their play.
So first bit of play does technically start at 1st, but I incorporate the advantages of 3rd level start with the rapid advancement without losing the benefits of the 1st level start.