Comments on: A Conversation With a New Gamer: Characters Above 1st Level

By: Norman Harman

Norman Harman — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:28:59 +0000

> In an MMO, you can’t simply start out at a higher level.

Actually there are several websites where you can purchase a leveled and fitted character

Might be were the “cheatin” idea comes from.
.-= Norman Harman´s last blog ..The Most Awesome Talk on Future of Games Evar =-.

By: Mike Monaco

Mike Monaco — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:57:15 +0000

Actually, the 1st ed. DMG does advise that experienced players may start above 1st level. More commonly new players take over a higher level henchman or NPC closer to the level of the party. My DM has new players read the adventure logs/summaries of the party for partial XP; starting a few levels lower is not a big deal in earlier editions (you catch up after a few sessions) but it would be a problem in 4e, I think. But doesn’t 4e just make all PCs the same level by fiat anyway?
With two new players, personally I’d start a new 1st level adventure; the 11th level guys can rest a while. Once they get the hang of it, level them up.

By: Finally, A Full Night’s Sleep « Old School Rant

Finally, A Full Night’s Sleep « Old School Rant — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:32:46 +0000

[...] spite of all the latter-day D&D Badness below, I think a special award should go to the player mentioned in this post. ‘Isn’t that cheating?’ he said. Yes, it is, noble player. Much respect to you, [...]

By: Cody

Cody — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:46:19 +0000

I actually had this same thing happen with a player I used to have in my group. She was a WoW and Dark Age of Camelot player and I asked her if she wanted to join my group. We had chatted before about gaming and she knew our group at the time was at 8th level and she asked if she would have to start at 1st level and catch up. It took me a while to explain to here the differences in MMOs and table-top gaming.

I thing is that most people who play MMOs are used to, like you already stated, earning everything by working up from 1st level. So, when someone tells them they get to start at 11th level and have all these magic items and class abilities open to them, it’s probably somewhat shocking and surprising. I know this because I had the same reaction when i first played D & D (I was a WoW player at the time) and I still don’t like starting above 1st level because I like to feel like I’ve earned everything instead of just starting off with it, but that’s just me.

I’m sure once they se everything in action, they will switch from the MMO mentality and pick up one of a roleplayer.

By: Swordgleam

Swordgleam — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:17:51 +0000

I think that technically, in 1st edition, you were “supposed” to start at 1st level, no matter the level of the rest of the party. I’ve seen a surprising number of arguments in favor of doing that.

By the way, for what it’s worth, some people do play computer RPGs as roleplaying games. I have a friend who does. We made fun of him for it until we got Dragon Age, and then all of us ended up doing it – “I know I’ll probably get the best loot if I make this choice. But my character respects elves. I think she’d do this other thing.”