What's your preference when joining in a game for the first timeā¦ start out with a 1st level character and work your way up or with a higher level character to give you a better chance of success?
What about level 0 like in ROK. That makes it really tough although not many get the chance to have a big gold advance or someone watching over you. I rather start from the beginning, that way when I get to higher levels I feel like I've really accomplished something.
Depends on the tone and content of the game. It also depends on whether this is a brand new character, or one I've played before.
For instance, I have a Wizard who goes by the name of Elymas. He's been in 3.5E, Pathfinder and 5E. His personality and specialties get tweaked every so often (Especially when translating between game platforms), but his story, outlook, and experiences are well set by this point. Aside from building new relationships with new companions, I don't feel the need to reestablish him from the ground up with every new campaign. So these days he's mostly reserved for campaigns that start at mid to high levels.
But to perhaps more directly address the question. I generally prefer anywhere between 3 and 12. Too low and the odds of surviving until interesting options come online plummet, too high and the journey is pretty much done.
Edited: daishain on 28th Oct, 2016 - 5:05pm
I really tend to prefer starting at 1st level. I enjoy working my way up and developing my character while the threat of character death looms. But like Daishain said it depends on the tone and content of the game. I was a big fan of the Birthright Campaign setting when it came out but I felt like games in which a character is a leader of a kingdom or even a small political entity needs to start out at a higher level.
I enjoy starting out as a 1st level character. Watching them grow in a unique character because of the adventures and people they meet. I have had some characters go a complete different direction than I was hoping but still fun to play. Trying to figure out the past to get a character to a mid level is not easy and then not as fun to play in my opinion.
I prefer starting at 4th level, it gives you time to build upon your characters story in game, but also allows you to do more with your backstory, as you're already a capable combatant in game, and your story can reflect that. Its also hard as you can easily die at first level without doing much wrong.