Campaign Level? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Campaign Level? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
babysamurai
06-03-05, 04:57 AM This is a question for DM's and players alike.

I was wondering what level of play people enjoy most, by that I mean, do you like DMing/playing in low-level (1-5), mid-level (6-10), high level (11-15), elite level (16-20), or epic-level (21+) campaigns?

Please elaborate on why as much as you like.
Destiny_Forgot_me
06-03-05, 05:29 AM As DM or Player, I enjoy level 11+. This way the creatures and trouble are greater, and I'm not scared to actually do anything in case my PC gets hit, like in the lower levels. Plus being that high of level, you have this problem of renown. where everyone wants to know your name, you have lords wanting- even expecting you to do tasks for them. so being good, you have to tread lightly and be diplomatic. being evil of course had its own problems, with little wanna-be's trying to knife you in the back to get you stuff, or be 'the one that killed you'.

It adds more intrigure into the games, and as a DM most of the time, it completely baffles the Players, because they have to think if was something they have done that caused the attack, was it just random- cos thats what I do, or is it something to do with what task they are on presently.

It's also good to make them an arch-enemy, a guy or girl for that matter, just that little bit higher than them. that comes into play and messes about with their plans, and leaves before being killed, so they can come back again. just have them pop up enough so the players have to keep thinking about him, but not enough so they expect him to be around the next corner everytime.

Also makes an overall campaign tie in, cos this guy keeps popping up, what the hell did we do to deserve this attitude flows through the party, and how the hell are we going to get rid of this guy... who the hell is he? I love messing with peoples heads. (I usually make the arch-enemy really high, so if he wanted to, could have a good go at taking the party out by himself, but chooses to wait for his time to come, not revealling all his powers at once. This saves time as I don't then have to keep updating him as the PC progress)

Hope this helps.
babysamurai
06-03-05, 06:26 AM Thanks for the feedback Destiny Forgot me, and you're a fellow Londoner, well New Zealander, which is even cooler. I myself moved to London from L.A. 4 years ago but can't seem to get a gaming group together (damn!).
q'afuu
06-03-05, 07:18 AM Mid-level. I always start campaigns from level 1 - by level 5, the characters have built up enough of a rapport to really enjoy the interaction. From level 15 or so on, I find I have to compromise too much on suspension of disbelief, or switch to an entirely different style of adventure. PCs at those levels have vast wealth, numerous ties and contacts with people in power and can (and often do) own estates the size of an impressive duchy - sometimes complete with corresponding title. Those kinds of characters don't usually spend time wandering from wayside inn to wayside inn, complaining because they can only afford the cheap ale, so to speak. Obviously it's perfectly possible to have grand adventures fitting for characters of that status too, but I simply don't enjoy those as much.
CzarGarrett
06-03-05, 09:00 AM I can enjoy any levels.

1-5 its a little more dangerous, but thats when you start to truly form your character.
6-11 you're famous and have a reputation to live up to. Most things are easy, but sometimes you have a very deadly enemy.
12-20 is when you become a power in the world, and have enemies all over the place.
21+ is when you start to worry beings on other planes. They might come after you, or they might ally themselves with you.
Ezell Pike
06-03-05, 10:46 AM I feel the same q'afuu. I personally prefer the rub of the real in my fantasy setting so to speak. At around fifteenth it's hard to find enough challenges on this plane from a game mechanics perspective and i don't like any of the planes except the Prime and Baator. (The Abyss is weak, :devil: anything that needs infinite layers is trying to make up for some serious inadequacies.)
The Shaman
06-03-05, 11:31 AM I feel the same q'afuu. I personally prefer the rub of the real in my fantasy setting so to speak. At around fifteenth it's hard to find enough challenges on this plane from a game mechanics perspective and i don't like any of the planes except the Prime and Baator.I agree with q'afuu and Ezell Pike - well said by both of you!

I find there comes a point where the power curve in my games levels off and starts to drop or the conceits underlying the setting begin to break down.(The Abyss is weak, :devil: anything that needs infinite layers is trying to make up for some serious inadequacies.):rofl:

I'm not a person who sigs quotes, but if I was, that would be one I'd grab!
Draco Strang
06-03-05, 02:02 PM I'm all about levels 1 through about 17. I'm comfortable carrying characters that far, and the challenges don't get too obscene. When you reach near-epic though, it just gets stupid-powerful.

The beauty of low-level campaigns is that it's that much more real. You can die in one hit, you have to allocate your finances accordingly, and there are things that you're afraid of. That said, I enjoy the higher-level stuff simply because of the vast multitude of options that sit before you. When you can cast 9th level spells, there's about a hundred ways to skin any cat.
Azar the Prince
06-03-05, 02:51 PM I favor campaigns around level 5 to 10, as it gives players to truly start comprehending the power they have, but not so much that they are susceptible to power trips or other lapses of judgement.
Teshub
06-03-05, 06:43 PM In my campaign players advance quit slowly, this puts us in the 1-5 range, because I feel it's more challenging and more fun. I hate the idea of one character (like a level 15) being able to take out a dozen 2nd level warriors, numbers should count for more then levels.
There is one character who is a 6th level Barbarian but he's been playing since 1990, at this point he's one of the most powerful warriors in the world.
weasel fierce
06-04-05, 01:46 AM Low level definately. The levels from 1-5 tend to be the most enjoyable and interesting, in my experience.
Super Guy
06-04-05, 02:38 AM My DM plays all over that court. Except epic. Pretty much everyone in our group hates playing epic. And 15-20 is tops, it usually only gets to 17.

As a player, my favorite are around levels 3-10.
75RD Drum Clip
06-04-05, 03:20 PM I am comfortable planning campaigns for characters of any level, I find that as a DM I have more fun when the PCs start getting 12+. I really enjoy running and playing Epic levels too.
thasis
06-04-05, 03:59 PM I'm all for any level in my campaign. It seems 1st level is the most difficult to set an encounter for considering most monsters in any amount of numbers will kill them if they arn't prepared.

My favorite Lv is probally lv14. They can kill some realy cool monsters, I don't have to worry about to much, and they tend to have alot of fun. They can usualy travel across the planes more easily to. It's a overall realy fun level.

All levels of gameplay are fun though. D&D is D&D to me no matter what level the players are at.
Stuntman
06-05-05, 10:45 AM The highest level I've played was level 8. Campaigns seem to die by then or way before then. Personally, I like the power I get at levels 5-8, but I find I enjoy the journey through levels 1-4 more. It seems to me that it is more fun working towards something you want than using something you have.

As a DM, I like levels 3-5 the best. Lower than 3, you are limited to what you can throw at a party. Higher than that, a single ability or item can dramatically swing the encounter in one side's favour.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
babysamurai 06-03-05, 04:57 AM	This is a question for DM's and players alike. I was wondering what level of play people enjoy most, by that I mean, do you like DMing/playing in low-level (1-5), mid-level (6-10), high level (11-15), elite level (16-20), or epic-level (21+) campaigns? Please elaborate on why as much as you like.
Destiny_Forgot_me 06-03-05, 05:29 AM	As DM or Player, I enjoy level 11+. This way the creatures and trouble are greater, and I'm not scared to actually do anything in case my PC gets hit, like in the lower levels. Plus being that high of level, you have this problem of renown. where everyone wants to know your name, you have lords wanting- even expecting you to do tasks for them. so being good, you have to tread lightly and be diplomatic. being evil of course had its own problems, with little wanna-be's trying to knife you in the back to get you stuff, or be 'the one that killed you'. It adds more intrigure into the games, and as a DM most of the time, it completely baffles the Players, because they have to think if was something they have done that caused the attack, was it just random- cos thats what I do, or is it something to do with what task they are on presently. It's also good to make them an arch-enemy, a guy or girl for that matter, just that little bit higher than them. that comes into play and messes about with their plans, and leaves before being killed, so they can come back again. just have them pop up enough so the players have to keep thinking about him, but not enough so they expect him to be around the next corner everytime. Also makes an overall campaign tie in, cos this guy keeps popping up, what the hell did we do to deserve this attitude flows through the party, and how the hell are we going to get rid of this guy... who the hell is he? I love messing with peoples heads. (I usually make the arch-enemy really high, so if he wanted to, could have a good go at taking the party out by himself, but chooses to wait for his time to come, not revealling all his powers at once. This saves time as I don't then have to keep updating him as the PC progress) Hope this helps.
babysamurai 06-03-05, 06:26 AM	Thanks for the feedback Destiny Forgot me, and you're a fellow Londoner, well New Zealander, which is even cooler. I myself moved to London from L.A. 4 years ago but can't seem to get a gaming group together (damn!).
q'afuu 06-03-05, 07:18 AM	Mid-level. I always start campaigns from level 1 - by level 5, the characters have built up enough of a rapport to really enjoy the interaction. From level 15 or so on, I find I have to compromise too much on suspension of disbelief, or switch to an entirely different style of adventure. PCs at those levels have vast wealth, numerous ties and contacts with people in power and can (and often do) own estates the size of an impressive duchy - sometimes complete with corresponding title. Those kinds of characters don't usually spend time wandering from wayside inn to wayside inn, complaining because they can only afford the cheap ale, so to speak. Obviously it's perfectly possible to have grand adventures fitting for characters of that status too, but I simply don't enjoy those as much.
CzarGarrett 06-03-05, 09:00 AM	I can enjoy any levels. 1-5 its a little more dangerous, but thats when you start to truly form your character. 6-11 you're famous and have a reputation to live up to. Most things are easy, but sometimes you have a very deadly enemy. 12-20 is when you become a power in the world, and have enemies all over the place. 21+ is when you start to worry beings on other planes. They might come after you, or they might ally themselves with you.
Ezell Pike 06-03-05, 10:46 AM	I feel the same q'afuu. I personally prefer the rub of the real in my fantasy setting so to speak. At around fifteenth it's hard to find enough challenges on this plane from a game mechanics perspective and i don't like any of the planes except the Prime and Baator. (The Abyss is weak, :devil: anything that needs infinite layers is trying to make up for some serious inadequacies.)
The Shaman 06-03-05, 11:31 AM	I feel the same q'afuu. I personally prefer the rub of the real in my fantasy setting so to speak. At around fifteenth it's hard to find enough challenges on this plane from a game mechanics perspective and i don't like any of the planes except the Prime and Baator.I agree with q'afuu and Ezell Pike - well said by both of you! I find there comes a point where the power curve in my games levels off and starts to drop or the conceits underlying the setting begin to break down.(The Abyss is weak, :devil: anything that needs infinite layers is trying to make up for some serious inadequacies.):rofl: I'm not a person who sigs quotes, but if I was, that would be one I'd grab!
Draco Strang 06-03-05, 02:02 PM	I'm all about levels 1 through about 17. I'm comfortable carrying characters that far, and the challenges don't get too obscene. When you reach near-epic though, it just gets stupid-powerful. The beauty of low-level campaigns is that it's that much more real. You can die in one hit, you have to allocate your finances accordingly, and there are things that you're afraid of. That said, I enjoy the higher-level stuff simply because of the vast multitude of options that sit before you. When you can cast 9th level spells, there's about a hundred ways to skin any cat.
Azar the Prince 06-03-05, 02:51 PM	I favor campaigns around level 5 to 10, as it gives players to truly start comprehending the power they have, but not so much that they are susceptible to power trips or other lapses of judgement.
Teshub 06-03-05, 06:43 PM	In my campaign players advance quit slowly, this puts us in the 1-5 range, because I feel it's more challenging and more fun. I hate the idea of one character (like a level 15) being able to take out a dozen 2nd level warriors, numbers should count for more then levels. There is one character who is a 6th level Barbarian but he's been playing since 1990, at this point he's one of the most powerful warriors in the world.
weasel fierce 06-04-05, 01:46 AM	Low level definately. The levels from 1-5 tend to be the most enjoyable and interesting, in my experience.
Super Guy 06-04-05, 02:38 AM	My DM plays all over that court. Except epic. Pretty much everyone in our group hates playing epic. And 15-20 is tops, it usually only gets to 17. As a player, my favorite are around levels 3-10.
75RD Drum Clip 06-04-05, 03:20 PM	I am comfortable planning campaigns for characters of any level, I find that as a DM I have more fun when the PCs start getting 12+. I really enjoy running and playing Epic levels too.
thasis 06-04-05, 03:59 PM	I'm all for any level in my campaign. It seems 1st level is the most difficult to set an encounter for considering most monsters in any amount of numbers will kill them if they arn't prepared. My favorite Lv is probally lv14. They can kill some realy cool monsters, I don't have to worry about to much, and they tend to have alot of fun. They can usualy travel across the planes more easily to. It's a overall realy fun level. All levels of gameplay are fun though. D&D is D&D to me no matter what level the players are at.
Stuntman 06-05-05, 10:45 AM	The highest level I've played was level 8. Campaigns seem to die by then or way before then. Personally, I like the power I get at levels 5-8, but I find I enjoy the journey through levels 1-4 more. It seems to me that it is more fun working towards something you want than using something you have. As a DM, I like levels 3-5 the best. Lower than 3, you are limited to what you can throw at a party. Higher than that, a single ability or item can dramatically swing the encounter in one side's favour.