The default for most new campaigns is to start characters at first level (I’ll be using DnD as the default for this article, hopefully the concepts works across multiple systems). But there are a variety of reasons to start characters off at higher levels.
In my next campaign I’m going to start the characters at fifth level. I want to get them into more “consequential” action as soon as possible and that can be harder with lower level characters. Fifth level is a good baseline where the players have more of the “powers” from their classes. For example, fighters have two attacks, casters have third level spells, etc. If a character wants to multi-class, they can have a good foundation started.
By Consequential, I mean that the stakes of the campaign are going to start off high. My last two long-term campaigns were Tyranny of Dragons (I was the DM), and Storm Giants Thunder (player). In both cases, there is an extended build up to ease the characters into the story. My problem with this is that you know that the characters will end up being the main focus of the story (OK, were not finished with Storm Kings Thunder – but it’s already pretty apparent). Why wait. Start the characters at a competent level, and let them make important discoveries and decisions right away.
The thing that is missing is the build up, the character development that happens at lower levels. Even with a group that’s played together for years (and years and years like the one I regularly play with), there are moments that make a group of characters a party. So what do you do to build cohesiveness with a party starting at a higher ability level than normal.
The first step is to not spring this decision on the players when they show up for the first session. Let the players have time to think about choices. Even at “just” fifth level, there can be plenty of choices. Spells for spell books. Archetypes, origins, colleges, etc for classes. Equipment and what to do with starting gold. Along with limitations on races, allowed books/resources, these are things that can be handled ahead of time if possible.
Even more important is Session Zero. All of those sessions leading up to the level they’re starting at have to be covered somehow in a session zero. Beyond each characters background, the players need to decide on relationships and history. Where are they based? Do they have a sponsor or a set of familiar NPCs? What types of adventures have they been on? This is also something to let players know about ahead of time. Not everyone is comfortable with role playing like this, so make sure they can prepare.
As a DM, I’m looking forward to the flexibility I get starting with higher level characters. Fifth level characters open up a wide variety and combination of monsters and challenges.
When I get a chance to start and run, I’ll report back on how things went.