You could check out the game threads Treasure Hunt and Legends are Made, not Born. Both those adventures start characters off as 0-level (insofar as there is any such thing anymore).
I always liked that concept.
Another thing I tried once was using the apprentice levels from the DMG, giving the characters. We started the characters off as commoners 1, and after 500 xp they could take an apprentice level in a character class. Those work well as half-levels.
Trouble is, my players hate this, so we're not doing it again.
I have never done this (1st-level is low enough), but I think the rule where you only get an NPC class for the first couple of XP (say, half of what you need for 2nd), which chances into a full-blown PC class after that. Or you get to keep that level, for some extra staying power.
there was 0th level duel classing rules in the 3.0 phb. They would allow you to play just 1 class at 0th level .
there was 0th level duel classing rules in the 3.0 phb. They would allow you to play just 1 class at 0th level .
I always thought those multiclass rules rocked for character creation. It always made more sense to start as a 0/0 fighter/wizard than to start off as a fighter and spontaneously pop out the ability to cast magic missile :(
I really wish they hadn't dropped those rules in 3.5.....
well I never dropped them and still allow them. I have updated them for pathfinder and have a player in a pbp that uses them.
I ran the Treasure Hunt module some years ago under the 3.0 rules. I offered the players a choice: either start as a 1st level commoner or start as an "apprentice" in a class. Apprentices had full starting hit points but not everything you get at 1st level (I can't remember the details, but I think they got fewer skill points, spells, etc.).
I gave a 100 XP bonus to anyone choosing to play a commoner since it was clearly a weaker option. The one player to pick the commoner option had more XPs than the other players for quite awhile afterwards as a result (it probably should have been less -- maybe 50 XP, but at least she was rewarded for playing a fragile character).
All PCs got full 1st level benefits at the end of the adventure, and the commoner player chose her class at that time. Afterwards, I gave the players XPs for the adventure the usual way, so they started the next adventure halfway (or more) to 2nd level.
Player feedback was very positive. They liked the sense that the PCs were essentially people off the street, with most having a little basic training but still new at this "adventuring" thing.
Good luck with your game!
Doug
Have fun fighting stray dogs and making diplomacy checks to sell pigs.
;P
A few options:
1) Start at 1st level in an NPC class (adept, aristocrat, etc.) and only allow PHB base classes from 2nd character level on. This can actually be quite enjoyable for groups that don't mind having characters that are slightly less combat capable than straight PHB versions.
2) Start as "apprentice level" characters (3.0 DMG, pg. 40) with only one class. Characters "graduate" to full class benefits (or take a second "apprentice level" in a different class) after 500 XP. As a variation, you can also limit skill points to half normal + Int mod and allow the PCs to "grow" during their experiences: If a PC uses a skill often, then they gain a rank in it.
3) Start as 1st level commoners. Depending on how strict you want to be, you can only allow multiclassing upon reaching 2nd level, allow "apprentice level" benefits after gaining 500 XP, or use an even more free-form system where the PCs can pick up various abilities as they learn and try things (possibly using the OGL Class and Class Ability Variants in UA as a guide).
I will also chime in with praising the old 1st Ed AD&D module N4 Treasure Hunt as a good example of a "0-level" adventure.
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We have used it several times.
We start with NPC classes based upon their history. Almost always Commoner, though once or twice Aristocrat has surfaced.
At 500 XP they "gain" their basic class. They get their Con Modifier in HP, and their skills, and their class ability.
At 1000 XP they gain their Saves and BAB.
At 2000 XP they can advance to lvl 2
All it does is ease them into their class using their character history. It can sometimes help make that history more interesting.
Another way we did this was to play 1st level just like always. During the first session I ask for histories to be handed in second session. During the 2nd session I gather histories (award 100 XP for giving me the history on time). Third session is a prequel. I have made a session for getting the PCs together based upon heir histories. We consider this a ROLEplaying session and do not use character sheets, but it is understood everyone is essentially an NPC class. In that session events are glossed over quickly. I normally also hand out useful NPCs at this time. These are NPCs that are friends, family and resources, as well as at least one enemy NPC per character. Fourth session sees us back on the regular story arc.
In my homebrew adventures, we also occasionally shift characters and roleplay bit story parts from the bad guy's point of view. The GM plays the bad guy and the Players play as important Lieutenants. Sort of like a cut scene. But only during really important and dramatic moments. The players always come up with really cool and neat ideas that I later run with against them as the heroes. This is almost always a ROLEplaying session as well. No XP is awarded, though. Just fun.
Co-owner - Battlegrounds to Board Games
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well I never dropped them and still allow them. I have updated them for pathfinder and have a player in a pbp that uses them.
I really liked those rules too and I had updated them to 3.5 when I ran Shackled City AP but I don't know what became of them. If those apprentice level rules were tweaked for Pathfinder, they would be a welcome addition to the PFRPG in my opinion. I think they really made sense. They are the only thing from 3.0 that I actually miss!
@ seeker - I would be interested to see how they translate into PF. Do you have them posted anywhere?
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0-levels or taking an NPC level before adventurer levels should be MUCH easier in Pathfinder because the old x4 skill points at 1st level thing is gone. Now you can take a level of commoner before a level of rogue without committing skill-point suicide. One of the little things I'm looking forward to.
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Check out this thread for my take on this.
It is a culmination of several campaigns and is based on the priniciples outlined in the original Greyhawk Adventures hardbook.It works for me.
The key is being flexible.
The pbp game thread is under French Wolf's Forest Force and truthfully the process is quite time-consuming on a pbp but I always wanted to show my version of a 0 level start off.
I hope it helps. Converting the ideas to Pathfinder would be a snap.
Cheers
well I never dropped them and still allow them. I have updated them for pathfinder and have a player in a pbp that uses them.I really liked those rules too and I had updated them to 3.5 when I ran Shackled City AP but I don't know what became of them. If those apprentice level rules were tweaked for Pathfinder, they would be a welcome addition to the PFRPG in my opinion. I think they really made sense. They are the only thing from 3.0 that I actually miss!
@ seeker - I would be interested to see how they translate into PF. Do you have them posted anywhere?
I have not posted them but i could if ya like
I have done this in 3.5, I started everyone out on 0-level with 1 HD of commoner with 6 + con bonus hp and (2 + int) x 4 skillpoints from the commoner list.
I allowed them one feat to be exchanged as they got to 1st level if it overlapped with the class abilities they gained.
(for example light armor or martial weapon proficiency)
Once they got to 1st level I gave them full hp for their class HD + con bonus making them tougher than typical 1st level characters.
I also did not give them 4 x skillpoints for 1st level but increased the skillpoints per level they got:
3 + int (fighter, cleric, wizard, sorcerer, paladin)
6 + int (barbarian, monk, druid)
9 + int (ranger, bard)
12 + int (rogue)
I don't use the commoner class otherwise, but I do add it as an additional HD to all 1 HD humanoids.
0-level kobolds do fine for a 0-level (combat) encounter, anyone can still wear armor even though most will not proficient with it and wear leather or padded armor without trouble at all.
great fun
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Have fun fighting stray dogs and making diplomacy checks to sell pigs.
;P
One of the most fun characters I ever played was a goblin character who wound up 4th level commoner before the game ended, it was a blast, all that fragility made me play uber careful and the game was so much fun I couldn't get enough of it.