Would you play a D&D campaign without leveling?

[Lord Mhoram]

No. I don't play RPGs that do not have progression.

Even my favorite board games have progression.

 

[iserith]

I wouldn't. For a one-shot, it's fine, perhaps even a two- or three-session adventure. Beyond that, I'm going to need to see some character advancement. In part, that's because it allows us to face tougher and more interesting challenges. But also because it's fun to see what the other players and I get for our overcoming all those challenges in addition to coin and magic. How have our heroes become better at their jobs by boldly confronting deadly perils? At our table, someone leveling up is a mini-celebration for everyone. It's really fun. (We generally do it immediately upon gaining the necessary XP and then carry on.)

The other question I would have, again, out of curiosity is what would staying at a single level for longer than the norm bring to the play experience?

 

[StormbringerAUS]

Yes would certainly consider it, probably depend a bit on the DM and if not levelling what are the goals for character advancement - this could be evolving the story but like any story it needs to progress to stay interesting.

This would probably appeal more than one where the only advancement is in the players level but the story stagnates.

 

[CrimsonCarcharodon]

For something as long as Storm King's Thunder, no. Going that long without leveling would be incredibly boring, even if it was in my sweet spot in the low teens.

Now, if it was a 20th level campaign, with advancement coming through boons, I'd consider it. Doubly so if the campaign pitch was suitably epic in scale.

 

[S'mon]

I'd definitely consider it for a level in the 5-10 sweet spot, 5 ideal for pulp heroics, 10 for high fantasy, killing giants single-handed. I'd prefer if some lateral advancement were available in terms of gaining skills & tool proficiencies & languages, if only through downtime. Plus magic items unless it's a very low magic game.

 

[Tallifer]

If I am having enough fun with the group, it shouldn't matter. But there would have to be some other player-side improvement. Building power; magical treasure especially interesting artifacts; learning fluffy skills... I would also expect a constant variety of new and interesting foes and obstacles.

 

[5ekyu]

Idle curiosity: if you were invited to play a 5e campaign that was expected be in similar size and scope to a Storm King's Thunder or Out of the Abyss, except that there would be no XP or leveling, would you be interested in such a game?

Presume that the FM and fellow players are people you like and trust, and that the level you will be st for the campaign is in your personal "sweet spot" as far as 5e characters are concerned.

Also note that no leveling does not mean no character development. Things like the gaining prestige, influence, land and titles are on the table, as well as the accumulation of wealth and some magic items.

Finally, assume this is a story based campaign, designed to have a beginning, middle and end with the promise of a personal character arc to whatever degree you prefer such things.

So, in short, would you play long form D&D without gaining levels?

Played quite extensive super hero games with no leveling so... yeah. If the game was at tier 2-3.
Its easy to see that eork.

 

[Li Shenron]

Idle curiosity: if you were invited to play a 5e campaign that was expected be in similar size and scope to a Storm King's Thunder or Out of the Abyss, except that there would be no XP or leveling, would you be interested in such a game?

Presume that the FM and fellow players are people you like and trust, and that the level you will be st for the campaign is in your personal "sweet spot" as far as 5e characters are concerned.

Also note that no leveling does not mean no character development. Things like the gaining prestige, influence, land and titles are on the table, as well as the accumulation of wealth and some magic items.

Finally, assume this is a story based campaign, designed to have a beginning, middle and end with the promise of a personal character arc to whatever degree you prefer such things.

So, in short, would you play long form D&D without gaining levels?

Sure, why not?

In a way, it would be a relief: less thinking about the next stats bump, more thinking about what happens in the game.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I've played leveless RPGs in the past: Traveller (1st ed), FASA Star Trek, etc. It's okay, but I prefer a system of levels to keep character abilities fresh. Traveller swings on getting ever better gear, but Star Trek,in the spirit of the Original Series, is fairly static. In which case strong stories become essential to avoid boredom."Beam down to the planet and kill the klingons" doesn't cut it.

 

[Charlaquin]

Probably not in 5e. I like the idea of such campaigns, but with no leveling you need some other form of incentive, and 5e just doesn’t have it. Gold is worthless in 5e, and magic items are nice, but I don’t think they could sustain a lengthy campaign as the sole reward. And 5e doesn’t have enough character building options to pull off something like Epic 6.