My dm runs a campaign for me only, she is new to dming and I am still quite new to dnd (this is my first campaign ever and I am almost level 4). We want to add 2 new players that are also new to dnd overall.
Maybe they will start at level 1 but just get more xp till they match me? Or should they start at my level? Or something else to do?
I'd advise starting at your level or close to it. Level four isn't so high that creating and playing such characters should be too difficult or problematic for new players, and running encounters for a group with a 4th level and a couple of 1st level characters is impractical.
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I'd advise starting at your level or close to it. Level four isn't so high that creating and playing such characters should be too difficult or problematic for new players, and running encounters for a group with a 4th level and a couple of 1st level characters is impractical.
I thought experiencing level 1 is important, especially for new people to dnd overall
I'd advise starting at your level or close to it. Level four isn't so high that creating and playing such characters should be too difficult or problematic for new players, and running encounters for a group with a 4th level and a couple of 1st level characters is impractical.
I thought experiencing level 1 is important, especially for new people to dnd overall
Experiencing low level is important, but I don't think it has to be level 1. The issue is that you'll have around three times as much hp as they will if you're at lvl 4 and they're at lvl 1 - more if you're playing something martial and they are casters. Anything that doesn't outright kill them on an average hit will be trivial for you to soak, but using anything that's at least a little bit of a threat to you might take you out really quickly if it has to focus on you (because it'll murder the others) and a couple of rolls really don't go your way. At low levels combat can go south for the PCs really fast if the DM rolls well a few times. With a more or less equally levelled party the DM can spread the attacks around a bit, but if two thirds of the party is likely to be rolling death saves after one hit that isn't a great option.
To each their own but you asked, so... that's my two cents on the subject.
I'd advise starting at your level or close to it. Level four isn't so high that creating and playing such characters should be too difficult or problematic for new players, and running encounters for a group with a 4th level and a couple of 1st level characters is impractical.
I thought experiencing level 1 is important, especially for new people to dnd overall
If you really want them to experience level 1, then I recommend giving them extra potions and maybe have one or a few NPCs ready to step in whose primary purpose is to be a meat shield and to stabilize and heal downed characters.
For example, you can run an escort mission/quest for a small caravan, and if the party gets into real trouble, a brave merchant or two (I use a commoner stat block) steps into battle and attempt to heal the PCs. And once everyone is patched up, you can have them retreat back to safety or have them stay on the battlefield and use their help action to give your players advantage on attack rolls. You can also have the merchants attack, but they are not very effective, and when used that way, they are more like meat shields.
I agree with the opinion that it is impractical (and not much fun for anyone at the table overall) to have a wide level disparity among the player characters.
One idea could be to just put your current lvl 4 character in the background, then you + new players all create new lvl 1 characters, build up to lvl 4 over a few sessions, then once everyone is at that lvl 4, and feel comfortable, you have the option decision to place your new character in the background and retrieve your old character, and essentially pick up the story line from where you left off
Getting from 1st level to 3rd level usually takes as few as 2-3 sessions. Getting from 3rd to 4th level usually takes another 3-4 sessions. If they start at 1st level now with a few extra potions and stuff then they will probably be 4th level before you reach 5th level. You will all be so close to each other level-wise that it shouldn’t make any difference.
In fact I just added someone to my level 6 campaign and we started her character at level 6. I gave her treasure and magic items not quite to the level of the party but sufficient to buy what she needs and be on part with them in combat. (They have a few more potions and "misc" magic items, which I think is appropriate since they actually did go out and earn those.)
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I'd advise starting at your level or close to it. Level four isn't so high that creating and playing such characters should be too difficult or problematic for new players, and running encounters for a group with a 4th level and a couple of 1st level characters is impractical.
I thought experiencing level 1 is important, especially for new people to dnd overall
Experiencing low level is important, but I don't think it has to be level 1. The issue is that you'll have around three times as much hp as they will if you're at lvl 4 and they're at lvl 1 - more if you're playing something martial and they are casters. Anything that doesn't outright kill them on an average hit will be trivial for you to soak, but using anything that's at least a little bit of a threat to you might take you out really quickly if it has to focus on you (because it'll murder the others) and a couple of rolls really don't go your way. At low levels combat can go south for the PCs really fast if the DM rolls well a few times. With a more or less equally levelled party the DM can spread the attacks around a bit, but if two thirds of the party is likely to be rolling death saves after one hit that isn't a great option.
To each their own but you asked, so... that's my two cents on the subject.
I agree completely with pangurjan on this. The disparity between level 1 and level 4 is dramatic. For a new DM and new players, navigating that gap can be difficult and frustrating. Throwing some potions at the problem might not solve it because potions are reactive rather than preemptive. The level 1 characters will be dying/dead before they get to drink a healing potion. Integrating NPCs into the mix to shield the level 1 characters might pull the focus away from the players and can leave the players feeling inconsequential rather than heroic. EXP doesn't feel earned if you're being saved all the time by throw-away NPCs. The DM could "go easy" on the level 1 characters until they catch up but that would surely dull the excitement of the game and set a poor precedent for those new players.
Theoretically, any solution could work with enough finesse. But since you're only level 4 and you're new to D&D, I would recommend just resetting your character back to level 1 and starting fresh with the other new players so you all can have a truly shared experience leveling up together. After all, the pleasure is in the journey and camaraderie. Sharing those life-or-death moments together and beating the odds as a party will be so much more satisfying and fun when the danger and risk is equal for all the characters.
If you’re almost 4th level then having the rest of the party start at 3rd level probably is your best bet, but I would not start them with the same XP as your character, only at the bare minimum XP to be 3rd level. If your PC hits 4th level before theirs do it won’t really matter, and by 5th level you will all be so close in XP that it won’t be an issue.
If you’re almost 4th level then having the rest of the party start at 3rd level probably is your best bet, but I would not start them with the same XP as your character, only at the bare minimum XP to be 3rd level. If your PC hits 4th level before theirs do it won’t really matter, and by 5th level you will all be so close in XP that it won’t be an issue.
As a relatively new DM myself, this is what I would do. This plus give them a little mission or such, to allow them to graduate to level 4, and decide what they want, ASI or feat, kind of give them that first real choice to make developing their characters. I feel, from having played a few characters now, DM-ed a few mini campaigns and so forth, that starting at 3, playing the character a bit and getting a feel for everything, then getting to make a choice, tends to make the players feel a little more invested in their character (which results in more fun RP stuff that often comes from knowing, developing and loving you character lol) I'd suggest a single session, with 2-4 combat events and 2-4 puzzle/social events (lean more towards the type the players seem to enjoy) Maybe use it as a lead in to whay they are now joining you on this mission or whatever the main story is.
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My dm runs a campaign for me only, she is new to dming and I am still quite new to dnd (this is my first campaign ever and I am almost level 4). We want to add 2 new players that are also new to dnd overall.
Maybe they will start at level 1 but just get more xp till they match me? Or should they start at my level? Or something else to do?
I'd advise starting at your level or close to it. Level four isn't so high that creating and playing such characters should be too difficult or problematic for new players, and running encounters for a group with a 4th level and a couple of 1st level characters is impractical.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I thought experiencing level 1 is important, especially for new people to dnd overall
Experiencing low level is important, but I don't think it has to be level 1. The issue is that you'll have around three times as much hp as they will if you're at lvl 4 and they're at lvl 1 - more if you're playing something martial and they are casters. Anything that doesn't outright kill them on an average hit will be trivial for you to soak, but using anything that's at least a little bit of a threat to you might take you out really quickly if it has to focus on you (because it'll murder the others) and a couple of rolls really don't go your way. At low levels combat can go south for the PCs really fast if the DM rolls well a few times. With a more or less equally levelled party the DM can spread the attacks around a bit, but if two thirds of the party is likely to be rolling death saves after one hit that isn't a great option.
To each their own but you asked, so... that's my two cents on the subject.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
If you really want them to experience level 1, then I recommend giving them extra potions and maybe have one or a few NPCs ready to step in whose primary purpose is to be a meat shield and to stabilize and heal downed characters.
For example, you can run an escort mission/quest for a small caravan, and if the party gets into real trouble, a brave merchant or two (I use a commoner stat block) steps into battle and attempt to heal the PCs. And once everyone is patched up, you can have them retreat back to safety or have them stay on the battlefield and use their help action to give your players advantage on attack rolls. You can also have the merchants attack, but they are not very effective, and when used that way, they are more like meat shields.
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I agree with the opinion that it is impractical (and not much fun for anyone at the table overall) to have a wide level disparity among the player characters.
One idea could be to just put your current lvl 4 character in the background, then you + new players all create new lvl 1 characters, build up to lvl 4 over a few sessions, then once everyone is at that lvl 4, and feel comfortable, you have the option decision to place your new character in the background and retrieve your old character, and essentially pick up the story line from where you left off
Boldly go
Getting from 1st level to 3rd level usually takes as few as 2-3 sessions. Getting from 3rd to 4th level usually takes another 3-4 sessions. If they start at 1st level now with a few extra potions and stuff then they will probably be 4th level before you reach 5th level. You will all be so close to each other level-wise that it shouldn’t make any difference.
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I would start them at the same level.
In fact I just added someone to my level 6 campaign and we started her character at level 6. I gave her treasure and magic items not quite to the level of the party but sufficient to buy what she needs and be on part with them in combat. (They have a few more potions and "misc" magic items, which I think is appropriate since they actually did go out and earn those.)
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I agree completely with pangurjan on this. The disparity between level 1 and level 4 is dramatic. For a new DM and new players, navigating that gap can be difficult and frustrating. Throwing some potions at the problem might not solve it because potions are reactive rather than preemptive. The level 1 characters will be dying/dead before they get to drink a healing potion. Integrating NPCs into the mix to shield the level 1 characters might pull the focus away from the players and can leave the players feeling inconsequential rather than heroic. EXP doesn't feel earned if you're being saved all the time by throw-away NPCs. The DM could "go easy" on the level 1 characters until they catch up but that would surely dull the excitement of the game and set a poor precedent for those new players.
Theoretically, any solution could work with enough finesse. But since you're only level 4 and you're new to D&D, I would recommend just resetting your character back to level 1 and starting fresh with the other new players so you all can have a truly shared experience leveling up together. After all, the pleasure is in the journey and camaraderie. Sharing those life-or-death moments together and beating the odds as a party will be so much more satisfying and fun when the danger and risk is equal for all the characters.
If you’re almost 4th level then having the rest of the party start at 3rd level probably is your best bet, but I would not start them with the same XP as your character, only at the bare minimum XP to be 3rd level. If your PC hits 4th level before theirs do it won’t really matter, and by 5th level you will all be so close in XP that it won’t be an issue.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
As a relatively new DM myself, this is what I would do. This plus give them a little mission or such, to allow them to graduate to level 4, and decide what they want, ASI or feat, kind of give them that first real choice to make developing their characters. I feel, from having played a few characters now, DM-ed a few mini campaigns and so forth, that starting at 3, playing the character a bit and getting a feel for everything, then getting to make a choice, tends to make the players feel a little more invested in their character (which results in more fun RP stuff that often comes from knowing, developing and loving you character lol) I'd suggest a single session, with 2-4 combat events and 2-4 puzzle/social events (lean more towards the type the players seem to enjoy) Maybe use it as a lead in to whay they are now joining you on this mission or whatever the main story is.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.