Out-of-Tier Etiquette

[Lakesidefantasy]

I recently played in a tier 3-4 game with a 6th level character. I know how annoying it can be when an out-of-tier character dominates the game so I tied to stay out of the way and let other characters shine. However, I didn't want to be seen as not pulling my weight so my character got involved and dominated the challenges in the game. It was a tough balance to maintain.

Do you have any advice on how top conduct one's character when in this situation?

[Bigdaddyjug]

It's much easier with a support character. I would say, stay out of the way unless they need the help. If you're a level 6 full-BAB character, don't take your iterative. If you're a level 6 healer, it's even easier to let the others shine. For a full caster, memorize more buff spells than SoS spells or blasts.

[Elder Basilisk]

Depending upon party composition, you may also be able to loan some of your equipment to other party members. (If they duplicate your role). This Sunday I played my Inquisitor (1 but with a mod under his belt) with a party of mostly pregens. I loaned my masterwork longsword to the paladin and stuck with my masterwork longspear for the most part. If you are a prepared spellcaster, you can also switch your loadout as described above.

With martial focused characters, you don't have the same option to refocus your character on support but you can also try out some less common (and less optimal) tactics. Disarm all the monsters with your primary attacks and use your iterative for damage. Or trip the monsters so that you and your lower level allies can murder them when they try to stand.

[The Beard]

Loaning a +4 headband of mental prowess to a character that had a 7 INT score before is hilarious, just sayin'. I imagine it's about like achieving enlightenment for the recipient.

[John Compton]

I think this is an issue that you can approach both in-game and out-of-game.

Out-of-Game
Chat with the other players and let them know that you're interested in ensuring everyone gets some spotlight time during the adventure, and because you have the highest-level character, you might sometimes step aside to let someone else take the lead—in combat, in negotiations, or anything else. Also let them know that you're always ready to step back in and play at full power in case the encounter starts getting hard.

In-Game
Have your character adopt a character or two as his protégées. Encourage them in-character to follow your lead, and when you step aside to have others contribute, you can accompany it with good-natured encouragement. Have a little bit of role-play as you show a lower level character some of the feats you have, and show him a few tricks that he might master later in his career. So long as you're not patronizing, I suspect it will go over well. As Elder Basilisk mentioned, you might even loan out a piece of equipment to level the playing field a little.

[Finlanderboy]

One of the worst(worst as in off balancing) DMing experiences I had was running a 1-5(pre-season 5 rules)

I have 5 level 1s that are fresh and two people like 5s that demand they play thier level 5s.

With brand new players I did not want to wreck their game. So as a Dm I played the creatures much more tactically. The level 5s were not prepared for monsters tripping on surprise rounds and wre both knock out twice and the level 1s saved them both times.