So bounded accuracy is supposed to keep powers and such viable over larger level ranges. A gang of low level enemies are still dangerous at high levels.

How tolerant is 5e for groups where party members are very different levels?

Quote from: Will;774567So bounded accuracy is supposed to keep powers and such viable over larger level ranges. A gang of low level enemies are still dangerous at high levels.

How tolerant is 5e for groups where party members are very different levels?

I ran a six session D&D Next game where characters ranged over about 5 levels in difference, just from some characters dying off and their players having to start again with 1st level characters. (I accelerated character progression quite a bit so we could get a feel for different levels.) The interaction between levels worked well, and provided no significant disadvantage to the lower level characters.

What creates more of a gap, however, was rolling methods. Some players brought their own already made characters, an a 1st level character who rolled 4d6 take away the lowest has a *drastic* advantage over the normal 3d6 I have my players roll. That difference in characters of the same level was more pronounced than a 5 level gap.

//Panjumanju

Yeah, I think I'm going to be using the standard array (15,14,13,12,10,8), with a few "freebie points" (most likely 3) that can be added directly to the array (i.e. raise the 15 to an 18, or change the array to 16,14,14,13,10,8, etc).

Otherwise I foresee "How many 18's did you roll?!?" in my future...

Yeah that "I rolled this dude up at home last night" spiel doesn't work for me. I insist on verifying chargen rolls personally.

As for 5e, the choice between array (or point buy) and 4d6 drop lowest seems fair. I like that rolling is a gamble vs the good but not great set that array will get you.

Quote from: Raven;774650Yeah that "I rolled this dude up at home last night" spiel doesn't work for me. I insist on verifying chargen rolls personally.

As for 5e, the choice between array (or point buy) and 4d6 drop lowest seems fair. I like that rolling is a gamble vs the good but not great set that array will get you.

I love it because it invalidates heavy charopping. Even I roll even with standard array mostly and sometimes way better. At least enough to feel confident enough to take the gamble.

Quote from: Novastar;774582Yeah, I think I'm going to be using the standard array (15,14,13,12,10,8), with a few "freebie points" (most likely 3) that can be added directly to the array (i.e. raise the 15 to an 18, or change the array to 16,14,14,13,10,8, etc).

Otherwise I foresee "How many 18's did you roll?!?" in my future...

Watch out for humans then, that +1 across the board with any adds to the standard array is a total game changer. It's a charop dream just so you know.

Quote from: Marleycat;774658Watch out for humans then, that +1 across the board with any adds to the standard array is a total game changer. It's a charop dream just so you know.

I'm much more likely to go the alternate route (with Feats and such), once the PHB comes out.

Quote from: Novastar;774664I'm much more likely to go the alternate route (with Feats and such), once the PHB comes out.

I assume everyone gets the 3 floating points? Are there stacking limits?

Quote from: Marleycat;774669I assume everyone gets the 3 floating points? Are there stacking limits?

Not really.
It allows for one real killer stat out the starting gate, or (more commonly) points to raise that 8 to a 10 or 11. I've found most of my players will use the points to reduce a negative Stat modifier, than raise one to an 18.

Quote from: Novastar;774674Not really.
It allows for one real killer stat out the starting gate, or (more commonly) points to raise that 8 to a 10 or 11. I've found most of my players will use the points to reduce a negative Stat modifier, than raise one to an 18.

Your lucky because I would do a High Elf STR 8 DEX 16 CON 14 INT 18 WIS 10 CHA 12...and run a multiclassed Abjurer/Eldritch Knight.  Or a Drow Valor Bard or Paladin switching INT for CHA. Or a Half Elf to really mess you up.

You really shouldn't give the floating points the array is there to make choosing a feat an actual decision over straight stat bumps. Even with that multiclass (6/14) she gets 6 chances for a feat/stat bump which means she maxes Dex/Int and gets 3 feats.

Mix that Bard with a Abjurer or Enchanter it may get stupid because of the full spell slots and the Bard's ability to know any spell in the game as a Bard spell and throw 7th level spells with that split...(14th level allows full Bladesinger action for a Valor Bard. I would characterize an EK more like a Spellsword).

Luckily 5e seems to taking a cue from Pathfinder and making staying single classed the better choice in a strict sense.

Most of my experience is from Star Wars d20, not 3.x (and only a smattering of PF). And compared to the original 18,18,18,10,10,10 array from SW d20 OCR...

And heck, it isn't like one Ray of Enfeeblement wouldn't mess your character up.

Quote from: Novastar;774896Most of my experience is from Star Wars d20, not 3.x (and only a smattering of PF). And compared to the original 18,18,18,10,10,10 array from SW d20 OCR...

And heck, it isn't like one Ray of Enfeeblement wouldn't mess your character up.

Hehe.

That array looks horribly unbalanced to me I hope that there was a chance to do ability swaps in some fashion?