Level 1 Start - The Poll

[Rotku]

At OGR's request. Simple Yes or No answer. Enjoy

Poll running for 14 days.

[Rotku]

My vote : Couldn't care less. So long as what ever move is well thought and supported, I don't really mind.

[Magile]

No.

If it's a fixed experience for every new PC, then I can possibly agree with that; otherwise, I doubt we'd ever see any ECL races due to the fact that regardless of stats, the level two "normal" PC is going to have a leg up on the ECL race on creation (namely due to the #1 complaint in the original thread -- Health). ECL is already a rarity due to the fact that it has to be approved (and we have had cases where the character is solid and there was no reason not to allow it to be made, but finickiness made it denied), you might as well remove it all together if it's only a level increase and not a set EXP gain.

tl;dr version: No if set level; maybe if set exp.

edit: wrote yes instead of maybe

[Rotku]

What's been suggested is set all to 1000 or 3000xp. This applies to everyone.

[CloudDancing]

I put yes because I don't see it effecting game play. Rivermoot spawns and road spawn kill level threes just as much as level 1s .

My only thought it Dms would have to be MUCH more picky about characters and proper stats as well as people having a background READY before they even create a PC. Maybe an "only with a completed character bio" as a provision?

[hollyfant]

Maybe an "only with a completed character bio" as a provision?

That makes sense.

Also: I'll point out that ECL'd characters will get it tough - most of them do not have abilities that are worth trailing one or more full character levels.

[Blindhamsterman]

Maybe an "only with a completed character bio" as a provision?

That makes sense.

Also: I'll point out that ECL'd characters will get it tough - most of them do not have abilities that are worth trailing one or more full character levels.

I agree that with a set exp gain, and a requirement for a full bio, it's not too bad an idea.

As to ECL characters, ultimately it is the players choice, if drow were allowed, making a drow fighter/bard or rogue, while harder initially results in a more powerful character due to in much greater ability scores, magic resistance, spells etc.

Some of the abilities other planetouched have are also rather good, and probably worth a single level if its a non spellcasting character.

[Mick]

I don't feel strongly either way. If it is implemented, however, I do think a reasonable bio should be required to get the 3k xp bump.

Oh, and you can't leave your character description field blank.

[Happycrow]

Oh, and you can't leave your character description field blank.

MAN, do I hate that. It's the first clue another player has about how your character and theirs might interact...

[kid]

I voted no just to be on the safe side though i do belive that a good bio that a Dm aproves might be worth a 1000 Xp, but no more. and 1000 should be the max amount. as far as im concerned it should be an amout from 200 to 1,000 pending DM's decision.

[Anguipes]

Put me in the "eh" column.

From a newbie perspective, the only problem I have with a level one start is the whole "don't bother detailing your PC until it survives to levels 3+" culture it (plus permadeath) seems to spawn. Rewarding a well thought out bio with a set amout of XP also sounds good.

[I-KP]

"don't bother detailing your PC until it survives to levels 3+"

Exactly. This reminds me of the PnP RP games where your character can die during character creation, a la Traveller and Twilight2000.

Conceptually, is this not the same as what's happening now in PWs that force a level1 start? Perhaps this is why such games are brimming over with power-builds, knights and butt-kickers-for-goodness (or badness, or the vacillating) but are very thin on the ground with non-combat, Mages and Rogues; the combat weaker builds find it harder to make it through this 'character creation' phase. Systems like this one do seem to place a strong predication on homogeneity.

[Swift]

My vote goes to option 3. I personally prefer to start at level 1 but am not going to get up in arms if that were to change.

Though if we required a full bio and fully fleshed out character for it, I would vote no, as it simply isn't how I personally create my characters. Deliberately vague so I can fill in the holes and quirks as situations in game demand or present the opportunity.

Plus, it prevents such occurrences as Corios recent novella being all for naught because the character died quickly.

[dergon darkhelm]

I've changed my vote......

I voted "no, primarily out of an "ain't broke don't fix it" thought process.


But in the end, I don't really care either way.

[Keryn]

I haven't voted yet but I'll drop a question on the side of consistency.

If we do opt for a start at 1000xp or 3000xp... Does that mean already made PCs will now get a bump of XP aswell, or this would not work retroactively.

I suppose in a way those PCs got it harder back then, now people getting it easier doesn't seem that fair does it?