What do you think the worst/most boring level is, either to play or DM? I'm going with level 4. The monsters are starting to get tanky, but the party doesn't have any big damage abilities, so it's not particularly fun.

For me, it's level 1. 

Neither players nor monsters have interesting abilities.

Players (and monsters - but they're not really an issue) are very flimsy making combat very swingy. I'm one for combat being more dangerous than in 5e, but in the first few levels it's all dice and too swingy. Even minions are capable of killing you in one blow, unless you go really tanky.

There just aren't so many levers to pull to make an interesting story.

I like levels 4 through 8. Dangerous, but not to the point where combat is likely to kill you. Everyone has some interesting and distinct abilities. As DM, I can thrash the party about a bit and not worry about getting them killed. You usually have interesting levers to pull. Unlike later levels, they haven't moved into superhero range. It's more fun all round, in my opinion.

Levels 5 and 6 are great. Not sure about past 6, because I've never gone higher than that.

Quote from Linklite >>

For me, it's level 1. 

Neither players nor monsters have interesting abilities.

Players (and monsters - but they're not really an issue) are very flimsy making combat very swingy. I'm one for combat being more dangerous than in 5e, but in the first few levels it's all dice and too swingy. Even minions are capable of killing you in one blow, unless you go really tanky.

There just aren't so many levers to pull to make an interesting story.

I like levels 4 through 8. Dangerous, but not to the point where combat is likely to kill you. Everyone has some interesting and distinct abilities. As DM, I can thrash the party about a bit and not worry about getting them killed. You usually have interesting levers to pull. Unlike later levels, they haven't moved into superhero range. It's more fun all round, in my opinion.

 For me it’s Level 2 for a lot of the same reasons mentioned here. You’re still squishy, one or two bad dice rolls will be enough to kill you, and although you’ve got a couple of things you can do spell casters will still burn through spell slots quickly and Martials are only attacking once. Why do I think it’s worse than level 1? Because you’re so close to unlocking that subclass that’ll make your character unique but it’s frustrating out of reach 

It’s obvious level 20, because either you never get there or if you do, you’re rerolling another character. Easy choice. 

Quote from Cyrene66219 >>

It’s obvious level 20, because either you never get there or if you do, you’re rerolling another character. Easy choice. 

 I'm not sure I understand the bit about rolling another character. Also, never reaching 20 doesn't mean it's a bad level.

Levels 16-20 are the worst. Every fight feels like it is a battle with nuclear hand grenades where each side does so much damage that it simply comes down to which side hits first to determine the outcome.

I'd say Level 2. Following the exciting 1st Level new begining, you hit this spot before your Level 3 Subclass and Level 4 Feat and Level 5 Extra Attack or other cornerstone ability etc  

I agree with level 2, for reasons already stated. Especially since all subclasses are now level 3 in 2024 classes. The subclass is the real core of your class identity, the thing that makes the class truly yours, and it's locked out of reach by xp/story milestone and you've already left behind the fresh-new-novelty of level 1.

I hard disagree about level 20. I've played a few level 20 campaigns and they were incredibly fun, among my favourite sessions. You get lots more options for tackling problems, the story gets more epic as stakes are higher - it's no longer 'a few bandits' but now saving worlds from multiversal threats - jaunting through realms and planes with ease. Death itself is no longer the end of your career but a hurdle to overcome. With a good DM, it's no longer "big damage numbers go burr" and more about solving problems in new ways. Gold no longer matters: You're no longer doing basic quests for a few shinies. You're facing invasion forces from other worlds, banishing evil gods or stopping eldritch cosmic horrors from unravelling existence. Undisputedly the best D&D I've ever played.

It's nice to see someone say that tier 4 is fun. It sounds really fun, but I've never even made it close. Can't wait to experience high-level spells and monsters.