Comments on: Level 0 Characters for a Dungeon Crawl

By: Mike Long

Mike Long — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 16:59:00 +0000

In reply to Theo Brinkman. Yes, this is a little throwback to AD&D that had options for Level 0 characters. Also as a tribute to the original D&D, DCC starts off with level 0 characters.

By: Theo Brinkman

Theo Brinkman — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 05:48:00 +0000

For most classes in 5e the ‘apprenticeship’ period seems to be levels 1 & 2. At level 3, you pick your specialization, and come into your class abilities more. Level 1 can be quite deadly as is because of the low hit point to typical damage ratio, and starting at about 1/2 that normal value (or less) seems like a really good way to go through 3-4 characters before you manage to survive *that* long.

By: ben eastman

ben eastman — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 19:20:00 +0000

So… at level 0, if you wear armor, you’re attacking with disadvantage and only with your ability modifier. This seems like it wouldn’t be much fun.

Why not “choose one weapon and one armor type which your apprentice class would grant a proficiency.” This feels more like how commoners are usually treated as proficient with the weapons that they’re equipped with, and helps balance out the fact that a wizard with firebolt or cleric with sacred flame is going to be the choice as an apprentice. Heck, limit it to simple weapons and light armor if you think that it goes too far into what level 1 should feel like.

Otherwise, the goblins are going to wreck your apprentices face. The fighter tries really hard to attack (with disadvantage) while learning how to use his armor, and any successful attack by the goblins is more likely than not to down an apprentice (1d6 + 3 = average of 5.5 damage, while 1d4 + Con = 2.5 + Con 16 = 5.5 hit points with superior consitution).