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D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling.

Posted by Lord Psynister
Lord Psynister
member, 135 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Tue 9 Feb 2021
at 19:14
  • msg #1

D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I'm looking for a 5E game that levels quickly, to counter the typically super-slow pace of RPOL games. I don't mind if it's a published adventure or homebrew, traditional setting or homebrew. I do prefer a European/medieval vibe to futuristic, but I'm cool with magic-based technologies such as you see in Eberron, just not spaceships and things like in Spelljammer.

I really enjoy 5E, and think it's a great system, but so many games start at level 1 or hang out in the level 1-5 range and never go beyond that. I'd like to get a better feel for tier 2+ play.

[Edit: Updates in this thread sometimes don't show up at all, so feel free to rMail me as well.]
This message was last edited by the user at 03:40, Sat 03 Apr 2021.
Sardis
member, 717 posts
Nova Scotia, Canada
Tue 9 Feb 2021
at 19:30
  • msg #2

D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I would be interested in this, as a player, as well.
DaCuseFrog
member, 117 posts
SW Florida
Tue 9 Feb 2021
at 20:51
  • msg #3

D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Are you looking to start at level 1 and just ramp up the experience?  Or did you want to start at a higher level?
Lord_Sanduzun
member, 55 posts
Wed 10 Feb 2021
at 01:17
  • msg #4

D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

sign me up if you get one going
Flarelord
member, 435 posts
Wed 10 Feb 2021
at 02:18
  • msg #5

D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

List me as a potential player~!
Lord Psynister
member, 136 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Thu 11 Feb 2021
at 23:01
  • msg #6

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

DaCuseFrog:
Are you looking to start at level 1 and just ramp up the experience?  Or did you want to start at a higher level?

I'd prefer to start somewhere between levels 1-7, and go from there. I do enjoy the actual progression and development of the characters over time as well, so I would like to experience as much of that growth as we can, rather than just *poof* level 20.
Flarelord
member, 436 posts
Thu 11 Feb 2021
at 23:51
  • msg #7

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Yeah, I usually never like to start under level 3 since that's when everyone has their subclass first online :D
Lord Psynister
member, 138 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Mon 15 Feb 2021
at 17:39
  • msg #8

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Seems like we have plenty of player interest. We just need to find someone with the time/energy to run it for us, now.
deraxeman
member, 30 posts
Thu 18 Feb 2021
at 16:04
  • msg #9

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I'd also be very interested in this kind of game that aims at quicker leveling.
Lord Psynister
member, 139 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Tue 2 Mar 2021
at 01:50
  • msg #10

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Still looking for a place to call home
deraxeman
member, 31 posts
Tue 2 Mar 2021
at 17:24
  • msg #11

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I'd love an Eberron game but am open to any setting.
Lord Psynister
member, 140 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Mon 15 Mar 2021
at 16:02
  • msg #12

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I'm happy with any setting at all.
Wiglaf
member, 817 posts
Mon 15 Mar 2021
at 17:51
  • msg #13

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

What is the combat to social interaction ratio you are generally looking for?

How rule heavy do you want the game to be? RaW with all the supplements? Or just the PHB with one or two other books?

Do you want an epic campaign long story spanning multiple arcs? Or, a series of episodic adventures that make the game feel more like a TV show?

I ask because I also generally enjoy faster leveling, and have been thinking about running a 5E game using the 5E Hardcore rules from Runehammer. The setting would be a medieval fantasy style location but with a more Dark Ages or 1066 feel more than the high Medieval setting that is more common. I also generally prefer social encounters over combat in RPoL games due to the extra time combat takes.
This message was last edited by the user at 17:57, Mon 15 Mar 2021.
Flarelord
member, 438 posts
Tue 16 Mar 2021
at 02:48
  • msg #14

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Hey there. Not the OP but I'll say what I'm interested in here.

No idea what the Hardcore Runehammer rules look like, but it's called hardcore, and I personally look for more generous than more lethal experiences.

Also, with the latest UA, I very very much have an actual character idea I'd love to play somewhere, and my usual crew (with their opinions skewed by a balance spreadsheet that overvalues racial flight IMO), doesn't care for it.  I kind of want to try it out.

I do personally feel like the main core books of PHB, Xanathar's, and Tasha's are basically mandatory, including the flexible origins stuff from Tasha's.  Makes concepts so much more diverse and fun.

I will say for the concept to really come into its own I'd want to start it at 4th level, buuuut that said, I could go with a different idea, though if you really go for hardcore rules that make the game a lot deadlier or less forgiving, I may not be up for that.

Social is pretty cool, all considered, and I have a few ideas that lean well into it. Eloquence Bard is fantastic and I have had ideas for neat things to do with one.

On the question of long arcs vs episodic, I've never felt the need to get into a long arc right away, and feel like episodic starts can be nice for getting the party settled and ready to go for a bigger thing.
JAM2019
member, 47 posts
Tue 16 Mar 2021
at 20:16
  • msg #15

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

How about this:
stock characters from the PHB
no home-brew crap that i have to look up, research, and warn everyone else about
open world that is a high fantasy setting to be fleshed out during play
straight vanilla 5e rules
leveling based on play; if you participate more you level more
must post at least three times a week or else
mature, not adult, no dominatrix pseudo-dragons
no gestalt, don't ask
4 to 6 players depending on how quickly it can all be put together
you will have character sheet access to update as needed

anything I missed?
Wiglaf
member, 819 posts
Tue 16 Mar 2021
at 21:20
  • msg #16

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

In reply to Flarelord (msg # 14):

Thank you for answering my questions. I look forward to hearing the OPs thoughts as well, but I'll flesh out my idea based upon what information you have offered.

https://youtu.be/9ZP92GaTb84 This is a review of 5E Hardcore Mode in case anyone is curious. Using it isn't required. I personally like it quite a bit in concept, especially what it does for magic users. However, I also know that it is not to everyone's taste.

What character concept do you want to try out using the latest UA? I've been reading about it a bit and find some ideas interesting so I'm just curious here.

I'm generally cool with the three books you mentioned. Tasha's is a lot of fun. I am a little allergic to Artificers, however, due to the way their creations and abilities break my sense of immersion in a medieval fantasy world.

My preferred Combat/Role Play Ratio for RPoL games is 25/75. I prefer running combat as theater of the mind, so no maps.

I'm open to most of the material created by WotC. I'd be open to the material in the latest UA as long as the player can give me a reason why that character would be sworn to serve the local Baron.

I generally prefer the more episodic style of storytelling. Even a short module takes months to complete using RPoL so I prefer the ideas behind smaller more contained stories. This also frees up more options for creative ways to solve problems.

The general skeleton I am working on is centered around a castle in a cold northern land just as winter is setting in. The game would start at 1st level. The party would be vassals of the local Baron and they would gain, or lose, favor in the court based upon completing quests or ousting spies from among the courtiers. Politics and negotiations would be an important part of the game while combat, when it is entered into, would be dangerous and carry a chance of your character dying. After the completion of each short quest or milestone the characters would level up.

I actually made the game, using the Cypher System, but can easily convert the ideas back to D&D if there is enough interest in this style. If, however, this doesn't suit your desires, OP, just let me know.
Flarelord
member, 439 posts
Tue 16 Mar 2021
at 22:22
  • msg #17

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I'll give that video a watch later this evening, not in a place where I can, ATM.

As for the concept, I've been playing with multiclassing of Warlock (Genie Patron, Probably Tome Pact, maybe Chain?) with a few levels of Swarmkeeper Ranger, on a Fairy (though, the way I personally want to handle fairy is actually being 'effectively tiny/pixie sized... specifically, sort of looking to flavor the idea as a fairy who has a swarm of similarly tiny guards and attendants on hand via swarmkeeper. ( Warlock 1, then the three Swarmkeeper Ranger levels, then level as a Warlock from there)

To really get the idea off the ground, I'm inclined to want to be 4th level, and it might not be as fun to go with if not starting with the swarm going on, so I might want to come up with something else for this if we want to start at 1. Idea is a fairly social warlock with the whole pixie thing going on, so, yeah, I'd be up for social fun.

And still need to look over hardcore mode
JAM2019
member, 48 posts
Wed 17 Mar 2021
at 00:23
  • msg #18

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

i didn't really enjoy running or playing the so-called hardcore rules from runehammer. some of it merely introduces arbitrary complication to make things different. hell, a GM shouldn't need parlor tricks to make a game hard and intriguing. i enjoyed using the alternate rules in the DMG more. adjusting short and long rests, make healing skill based, no ability score modifier for non-proficient skills/tools, required proficiency for two weapon fighting, and so on. its the small things that work better i think.
Flarelord
member, 440 posts
Wed 17 Mar 2021
at 03:00
  • msg #19

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

In reply to Wiglaf (msg # 16):

Gave it a watch. I was pretty much 'nope'ing all the way through XD;
Wiglaf
member, 822 posts
Wed 17 Mar 2021
at 03:27
  • msg #20

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

In reply to Flarelord (msg # 19):

Fair enough. :) No offence taken. :)
Wiglaf
member, 823 posts
Wed 17 Mar 2021
at 23:07
  • msg #21

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

So, I'm going to wait a little longer to see what, if anything, the OP thinks about what I've proposed. I'm cool with running a game without using the Hardcore rules if that is OP's preference.
Lord Psynister
member, 142 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Sat 3 Apr 2021
at 03:07
  • msg #22

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Sorry I haven't replied. I hate how things get updated in these threads. Let me read through these real quick.
This message was last edited by the user at 03:33, Sat 03 Apr 2021.
Lord Psynister
member, 143 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Sat 3 Apr 2021
at 03:23
  • msg #23

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I literally check this board for new posts every single day. Never once did I see updates to this post, until it was bumped to the second page.

@Wiglaf
Combat vs Social: I think I would generally lean a bit more toward combat, so maybe 60/40, 70/30, somewhere in there. While combat does take more time, I feel like the fact that there's no tone in written words sometimes makes social encounters feel kind of flat, and it seem like that's when players are most likely to tune out and fall away from the game. I'm not opposed to it, I've just found that after being here for nearly 20 years, that's a common time for people to check out.

Extended vs Core: I don't have a particular preference on how many supplements we have, I feel that's more up to the DM since they need to be able to balance around all of that. I'm happy either way.

Long Haul vs Episodic: I don't think I have an actual preference on this. I think it would be easier to do episodic, and therefor I'm fine with that since the idea is to level more quickly and see a wider range of levels in gameplay. I would be perfectly happy with the long haul campaign though.

I've never looked at Runehammer, but I'm not afraid of the word Hardcore and what it brings to mind. I guess I'd need to look it up to really have an opinion on that. [edit] I watched the video. I don't mind doing that, I've done a lot of that kind of stuff before on my own. It does add a lot more little rules that might discourage people from joining. If we can get enough players, I'm alright with using the hardcore rules. It really helps you focus on RP when you're having to play to things out of your control.


@JAM2019
That all sounds perfectly fine to me.

@Flamelord
I hate that most recent UA. I'm all for people having the option to take those things, but those races are absolutely not something I picture in my D&D games.
This message was last edited by the user at 03:30, Sat 03 Apr 2021.
JAM2019
member, 49 posts
Sat 3 Apr 2021
at 04:37
  • msg #24

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I never think of it as planning out a mix of combat vs. social interaction in a game. either is a situation dictated by player choices. i view the game as more of a sandbox experience where the details of a character's history, background, and so on contribute to fleshing out the world. approaching the game in this way, to me, creates a more realistic world than crating a dungeon, and then filling in the world in the immediate vicinity to add some detail between dungeons.

players progress in their world, not just in their capacity to complete a quest or clear a lair, so that means becoming known for their deeds in specific social circles whether they gain renown or notoriety. that would put them in position to encounter more social interaction with the people of knowledge and/or authority in their world. after all, the movers and shakers of the world don't enlist the help of above average citizens to handle complex or dangerous problems they seek out known trouble stalkers and monster killers.

all that to say, sometimes a character's words and social interactions can be as important as their ability to toss out a spell or swing a sword in combat.

my biggest concern is the expedited leveling request. gaining experience, whether it's via the assigned XP or the milestone method, are both dependent upon participation. i would expect players to be able to post three times per week minimum. you know to actually regularly participate in order to earn the expedited leveling mentioned.
Lord Psynister
member, 144 posts
@Psynister on socials
HostparentingWordpressCom
Sat 3 Apr 2021
at 04:47
  • msg #25

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

I agree that we need participation. I can post every day, in general. Obviously things happen sometimes, but I'm fine with a frequent posting schedule requirement. I think milestone > exp for this path, especially because tiers 2 & 3 have larger chunks of xp that they require compared to T1, so it really feels like things start to slow down a lot at that state. Not that XP couldn't work, but there really needs to be a lot of stuff going on in order for the XP to accumulate at a "quick" rate in those middle tiers.

Something I've seen in another game is awarding for XP for encounters to the entire group instead of dividing it, so the challenge is still appropriate for the level when it's faced, but the xp rewards are increased. It doesn't have to specifically be that, but that's something I've seen that does help at least.
This message was last edited by the user at 03:20, Sun 04 Apr 2021.
razorbackyak
member, 10 posts
Sun 4 Apr 2021
at 15:24
  • msg #26

Re: D&D 5E - Expedited Leveling

Hello all-Happy Easter for those who celebrate that holiday.

I have a small little game I am starting. I have one player thus far. The game is set in a new world which uses all the canon deities. The premise is that a domain of dread is forming around a small town and its community.

I am hoping that this will lead to a caravan type adventure where heroes protect townsfolk as they try to stay alive long enough to understand what is going on and to avoid the dread otherworldly domains.

link to another game
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