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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 1:22PM
#41
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Date Joined:
Jun 16, 2007
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To me, level 1 means "fresh meat." It means that you've got some skills and a bit of talent, and you've gotta learn to pick up your tricks in earnest so you can be a hero. You're not big and bad yet, but that's why you're fighting mere fellow humanoids, and often frail ones at that -- you're learning how to rise above the rabble you're facing.
That said, it also means the end of a large part of your life. I think of it like the random starting age chart in the 3.5 PHB -- human wizards could be 30 years old! You've had a whole regular life, and I suppose your character must be yearning for something else, something riskier.
I hope that's included in making a character advice on release -- not just "what does it mean in the rules to be level 1," but also "what does it mean for a person to be level 1."
I don't use emoticons, and I'm also pretty pleasant. So if I say something that's rude or insulting, it's probably a joke.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 4:28PM
#42
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since i use the greyhawk 0 level character rules, level 1 to me and my group means we have graduated from school and are ready for the work to begin on our adventuring careers. i never liked starting out at higher than level 1 unless its 2nd edition dark sun. your early days of adventuring are just as fun and creative as when your 20th level. i have every dungeon mag so i see so much great low level material its a shame to waste it all.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 5:00PM
#43
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What does taking the first level in a class mean, to you?
Does the first level in a class represent the end of a long effort of training, or is it the beginning of the journey? Something inbetween, or none of this at all?
This question applies to both the first character level as well as a potential first level in a new class in a multiclass situation.
Edit: Yes, I know the correct answer is "It's up to your group." My real question is, for your group, what does it mean, not what it should mean at the abstract system level.
Well for me personally, I see the first level character as someone who's finished their apprenticeship and is thus cleared to go out in the world as a journeyman as competant to practice in their field, but someone who's not a master yet.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 5:19PM
#44
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Actual first level is easy to define.
Taking a first level in multiclassing is where some things get muddy.
My two copper.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 6:24PM
#45
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Date Joined:
Jun 24, 2005
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Starting at 1st is graduating from whatever training it took to get you there. Starting a new level in a different class due to 3E multiclassing is an abomination that defeats the purpose of having a class system in the first place.
Unless its an Elder Scrolls style boost with use system you have to insert roleplaying to make it work.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 6:44PM
#46
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Date Joined:
Feb 19, 2012
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My characters at level 1 are established as a concept. This isn't their first kobold rodeo, but last time they were with a more experienced NPC/mentor... they can do iconic [class] stuff, but aren't influential/powerful on their own.
"What's stupid is when people decide that X is true - even when it is demonstrable untrue or 100% against what we've said - and run around complaining about that. That's just a breakdown of basic human reasoning."
-Mike Mearls
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 7:55PM
#47
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Date Joined:
May 23, 2012
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For us it's the beginning of training or skill & experience, but it only applies to the very first level because we don't allow multiclassing. The class is the class.
1st lvl characters are just barely better than Joe the farmer in our worlds. They have a spark, and potential, and likely a basic skill set with a single power/ability, but that's all. They're utterly average neophytes.
Not a bad reply. I just think that 1st level characters need more hit points than Joe.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 8:19PM
#48
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Date Joined:
Sep 26, 2001
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What does taking the first level in a class mean, to you? This question applies to both the first character level as well as a potential first level in a new class in a multiclass situation.
In the former case, being first level means that you've crossed some ineffable line between ordinary joe and hero, and are about to start making a big difference to the world around you. Up until this point, you may have tried a number of things with your life to date, but when the chips were down, you felt a certain calling or relied on a certain skill, and that defines your 'class.' Maybe you trained all your life to be a Knight or take holy orders or master magic, and when you found yourself in the extraordinary circumstance that separate heroes from ordinary people, that training served you well. Or maybe the skills/powers/abilities you called upon in that moment of truth were something you never realized was there, or were even actively trying to suppress all you life.
In the latter sense, taking the first level in a class means that something in your background has finally come to the fore. You've had a breakthrough, and something that's always been teasingly just beyond your reach has been mastered. Maybe a battle with an arcane foe finally awakened long-dormant sorcererous power. Maybe you've finally fallen back on the theiving skills you developed as a youngster trying to survive on the streets, but set aside when you mastered the skills of your first calss. Maybe you've found (or re-discovered) your faith, and your patron deity now answers your prayers in a more concrete way than before.
That sort of thing.
Love 4e? Concerned about its future? Join the Old Guard of 4e"You want The Tooth? You can't handle The Tooth!" - Dahlver-Nar. "If magic is unrestrained in the campaign, D&D quickly degenerates into a weird wizard show where players get bored quickly" - E. Gary Gygax
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 8:37PM
#49
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Date Joined:
Oct 11, 2009
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Starting at 1st is graduating from whatever training it took to get you there. Starting a new level in a different class due to 3E multiclassing is an abomination that defeats the purpose of having a class system in the first place.
Wow! Yeah, this.
I just agree with casualoblivion, there is hope for us all!
EDIT: To give an example: During Star Wars: Episode V, the bounty hunters Dengar & Bossk might be 1st level; while IG-88 might be 5th level and Boba Fett 10th level or more.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 8:41PM
#50
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To me, a level 1 character is a hero. Notably, observably head-and-shoulders above most of the populace. He may be inexperienced, he may be a rookie, but he's still the kind of guy other folks observe in action and think 'wow, he's a badass'.
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