23
submitted 10 months ago by antaymonkey@lemmy.world to c/dnd@lemmy.world

Hey everyone! Just trying to figure out if what I'm thinking is a good idea or the worst idea ever. My group is only two sessions in. They started at level 5. I have them going into a supposed-to-die battle wherein they wake in hell and have to figure out how to get out (yadda yadda this is where the real story starts). I was thinking that when they awaken in the underworld that they'd revert to level 1 and lose their gear, and that's my contention. Is that a dick DM move? Or would it make sense? I know it's hard to give a solid answer and the best way to know is to know my players, but I don't exactly want to ask them for obvious reasons. How would you all feel?

Thanks!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] bionicjoey@lemmy.ca 3 points 10 months ago

I'd make sure they know something like this is going to happen before they even do character creation or begin the campaign. This absolutely isn't something that should come as a surprise to the players mid-campaign. Many character concepts could be completely ruined by being de-levelled, and they need to be able to plan for playing their character from level 1. It should be the case that the higher level play that precedes the delevelling is a "flash forward", ie. They should know it's not the character they should expect to play.

If you tell people you are starting a campaign at level 5 and then they show up and 2 or 3 sessions in you're like "sike! you're actually starting at level 1!" ... Well, personally I'd quit that campaign if I was a player. And not just because I think level 1 is extremely unfun.

this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2024
23 points (100.0% liked)

Dungeons and Dragons

11029 readers
80 users here now

A community for discussion of all things Dungeons and Dragons! This is the catch all community for anything relating to Dungeons and Dragons, though we encourage you to see out our Networked Communities listed below!

/c/DnD Network Communities

Other DnD and related Communities to follow*

DnD/RPG Podcasts

*Please Follow the rules of these individual communities, not all of them are strictly DnD related, but may be of interest to DnD Fans

Rules (Subject to Change)

Format: [Source Name] Article Title

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS