Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jerryb78 Sep 20, 2014 13:30:25	The background aspect of character creation in 5E reminded me of the days when people would run "Level 0" sessions with characters prior to them reaching 1st level.  I've posted some thoughts on how to do so in 5E here:   http://dungeonleft.com/2014/09/20/running-a-level-0-session-in-dd-5e/
#2 teron82 Sep 20, 2014 17:39:11	That's fine if you desire to do this to get some background filler in for sure, and I am not trying to steal your thunder on doing this if you so desire. But will say that personally, I do not see much need for this in 5e, because most of your class trademarks are not achieved until level 2 or 3 now, effectively making level 1 like level 0. You're really an "apprentice" or "trainee" still at level 1 in 5e.
#3 alienux Sep 20, 2014 19:29:10	It was stated during the transition between the last couple of playtest packets that levels 1 and 2 would be more like level 0. The last packet moved some of the class features from level 1 to level 3, and Mike Mearls said that if you wanred to skip the apprentice/rat slayer type of levels, just start with level 3. So with 5e, level 3 is really the new level 1.
#4 Tony_Vargas Sep 20, 2014 20:37:58	Not to pile on, but, level 1-2 (and even 3 or 4 to judge by some AL policies) might as well be level 0.   That (gratuitiously) said, you could run level 1 as very much an 'apprentiship' story, concentrating on the characters' backgrounds, at first, weaving them together, and going through anything from a trianing montage to a Gandalf like figure gathering them together or some other 'first adventure' where they gain/discover their basic class abilities and come together as a party.
#5 jerryb78 Sep 20, 2014 20:48:19	Thanks for the feedback.  It's not for everybody and not for every campaign, that's for sure.  It's just an idea I'm toying with because of the emphasis on backgrounds in 5E.  I disagree about level 1 in 5E being essentially level 0 already.  No, level 1 characters don't have all of the core abilities of their class which they usually get by level 3, but level 1 characters are still badasses compared to the guy sweeping out the stable or making horseshoes in the smithy.  Not that there are any truly right or wrong answers about what "level 0" means, but that's my perspective on it.
#6 Dreamstryder Sep 20, 2014 22:53:03	I had an idea to run a chapter of an interlude campaign every so often as breaks in a more typical adventurers' campaign, and the misadventures of a few put-upon serfs and gate guards was one (another one was called "dragons versus the tarrasque", but we'll leave that aside for now). It was similar to what you have: apply ability scores, races, and backgrounds as normal, but don't add any class (using 1d6 for hp and HD).   As it was pitched to the table, the plan wasn't to gain levels, just to be an nonadventurer in a world of frenzied housecats and vicious shrubberies, and if you saw a bear, you'd head for the hills! Of course, being a serf meant you had tasks to accomplish by the end of the season, and then there were plagues...
(Reply to #5) Nevvur	jerryb78 wrote:
#8 alienux Sep 22, 2014 19:45:17	jerryb78 wrote:
#9 MykeSchultz Sep 22, 2014 20:22:21	One shoots from level 1 to level 3 pretty fast too, and 1-2 definitely have an apprentice feel to it imo. Which can be cool.
#10 Ansbach Sep 22, 2014 21:07:29	jerryb78 wrote:
#11 BW0222 Sep 23, 2014 11:35:48	I've done this in the past.   Currently, our DM runs a simple one-on-one session for each of us at 1st-level. This typically plays off the characters background, gives her a chance to see what the character is like, the player to develop the character's personality and get used to their abilities. The DM can give an in-character reason for the characters to meet up and see the character travel to their starting location. Our DM then gives out enough XP for 2nd-level so that characters don't start as "paper dragons".   In the past, I've done "Level 0 Sessions" where I've run characters are children/teens through key events of their lives. Typically, no class abilities, -2 on all scores and rolls, etc. Usually it isn't combat. I've run clerics through their order's initiation rituals, rogues trying to initiate themselves into a thieves guild, or a squire seeing his knight die in a battle, and the knights wife sponsoring him because he managed to return her glove to her. Sometimes, they'll discover or learn something which might tie into the adventure.
#12 Illithidbix Sep 23, 2014 11:47:36	I think entirely rules-less prequel/prologues, perhaps a series of flashbacks are a really good way of helping people establish their characters without worrying about their superpowerz. Esp. for players new to roleplaying or a system.   They've worked well for me with a number of different games.   I imagine it'd be hell for other types of players though.
#13 kimura121 Sep 24, 2014 13:34:02	I think its a great idea..... I believe Dungeon Crawl Classic's RPG did something similar.  If your background was a farmer then you started with a pitchfork and thats it haha. This was more for fun but could also be brutal depending on the campaign. I really like the idea and might use it after we finishing creating characters but before our actual first game...... maybe.
#14 Redbeard2 Sep 29, 2014 20:39:12	jerryb78 wrote: