A bit of background first.
I am working on some ideas for a campaign to be run at a monthly Meetup. Each player would have a character that they can play at each Meetup they attend. Over time, some will level faster then others depending on how many times they can attend. Now at the Meetup we would not want to limit people by saying 'Sorry this adventure is for level X and you are only X-2, better luck next time.'
I would try and group similar level characters together but this may not always be possible. So my basic plan is this.
The adventure is set for a basic level (ie 4) then characters 1 level higher or lower can join without a problem (3-5). If someone only has a level 1 or level 2 they can play with the following modificiations. The character is boosted to level 3 (lowest level for the adventure). They gain the level bonuses (+1/2 level) to all skills, stats, rolls, etc that they apply to, along with the hit points for thier level. They do not gain any powers, feats, skills, etc that a level gain would warrent.
To my thinking this allows a player with a lower level character to participate more without feeling like a wrong move will kill them right away and it means they can actually contribute to the adventure mechanically. It allows a smooth power boost when required that can be removed for the next game. It does not take away from what the other players have achieved by gaining levels for thier characters. There may be a maximum how much you can boost someone, but I doubt we would have large ranges for levels.
Is there something I am missing that may make this unworkable? And yes, I got the basic concept from Warhammer Online.
A bit of background first.
I am working on some ideas for a campaign to be run at a monthly Meetup. Each player would have a character that they can play at each Meetup they attend. Over time, some will level faster then others depending on how many times they can attend. Now at the Meetup we would not want to limit people by saying 'Sorry this adventure is for level X and you are only X-2, better luck next time.'
I would try and group similar level characters together but this may not always be possible. So my basic plan is this.
The adventure is set for a basic level (ie 4) then characters 1 level higher or lower can join without a problem (3-5). If someone only has a level 1 or level 2 they can play with the following modificiations. The character is boosted to level 3 (lowest level for the adventure). They gain the level bonuses (+1/2 level) to all skills, stats, rolls, etc that they apply to, along with the hit points for thier level. They do not gain any powers, feats, skills, etc that a level gain would warrent.
To my thinking this allows a player with a lower level character to participate more without feeling like a wrong move will kill them right away and it means they can actually contribute to the adventure mechanically. It allows a smooth power boost when required that can be removed for the next game. It does not take away from what the other players have achieved by gaining levels for thier characters. There may be a maximum how much you can boost someone, but I doubt we would have large ranges for levels.
Is there something I am missing that may make this unworkable? And yes, I got the basic concept from Warhammer Online.
I think that's a great idea.
Unless you've got a huge number of players and you'll be running adventures of lower levels with one subgroup sometimes AFTER running higher level adventures, just tell them to level up their characters.
I game with 5 or 6 guys, and when someone can't make it, we usually try to keep the character out of the session (if at all possible), but they stay with the rest of the party experience wise, because otherwise it is just too much of a pain in the rear.
Just a suggestion.
I have thought about campaigns involving less powerful characters mixing it up with more powerful characters. I have always thought some sort of luck mechanic would mimic cinema and literature fairly well where less powerful characters are often with more powerful characters.
I have never fully defined any sort of system. Some sort of hero points for re-rolls? Some GM fiat (Kevin the Inept does not pose a threat to the ancient red dragon who therefore ignores him)?
I have thought about campaigns involving less powerful characters mixing it up with more powerful characters. I have always thought some sort of luck mechanic would mimic cinema and literature fairly well where less powerful characters are often with more powerful characters.
I have never fully defined any sort of system. Some sort of hero points for re-rolls? Some GM fiat (Kevin the Inept does not pose a threat to the ancient red dragon who therefore ignores him)?
Hmmm...extra action points might be a fairly easy way to quickly boost up the power of lower level characters. They are loads of fun as well.