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Sometimes, inDungeons & Dragons, it’s more fun to be underpowered than overpowered. Of course, it’s always a blast to play the level 20 wizard who can alter the very fabric of reality itself, but for longtime players, it can be surprisingly refreshing to play a character that almost functions more like an NPC rather than a regular character.
If you’re about to start a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign, you and your party should talk about whether it might be interesting to start at level zero, rather than level one. Here’s everything you need to know to make level zero characters.
For this guide, you should consider creating level zero characters as a homebrewed concept. Feel free to tweak or modify these rules to your table’s liking!
What’s Different About Playing Level Zero Characters?
If your table has agreed to make level zero characters for the start of their campaign,there are a few key differences between creating characters at level one and level zero.
The central idea behind this concept is tohave your characters function like NPCs, unable to affect major change in the world around them.
However, be sure toencourage your players to think about what class they will want to take when they level up, unless you plan on retiring the characters at level zero.
How Character Creation Works At Level Zero
Gather your players either individually or as a group for character creation, and make sure everyone’s on board and understands the above differences.
From there,here’s a breakdown of how to create characters at level zero.
Details
Determine Ability Scores
First, you’ll want toroll your starting ability scores(more details on this below), to inform your character’s abilities.
Fill In AC And HP
Using your ability scores and some minor tweaks,fill in your Armor Class and Hit Point Maximum.
Select A Background
You will also get toselect a backgroundand origin.
Typically, a background determines what your life was like before level one. But,since you’re playing your life before level one, you’ll want to select a backgroundat character creation.
Determine Backstory
As per usual, you’ll also want to work with your DM todetermine your backstory.
This is also a good time todiscuss what class you might want to select at level oneand how this backstory might feed into that.
As a DM, remember tobe flexible when it comes to determining abilities.
If a player has an idea for equipment or an item they might have, consider giving it to them since they’re already playing severely underpowered characters.
How To Determine Ability Scores
As is the case normally with character creation, you candetermine a level zero character’s ability scores in one of three ways.
These three systems of determining ability scores are detailed in Chapter Two of the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
However, because level zero characters should be weaker than level one characters, you musttweak these methods slightly as detailed below.
Standard Array
Alter available numbers
Rather than use the six numbers offered in the 2024 PHB,use 13, 12, 10, 10, 9, and 8.
Random Generation
Only roll three d6
Rather than roll 4d6s, taking the highest three, simplyhave players roll 3d6 and use that for their ability score.
Point Cost
Alter table and points offered
Use the same table offered in Chapter Two, Step Three of the Player’s Handbook,but remove the 15 and 14 scoresfrom the first column.
Additionally,inform players that instead of 27 points to spend, they only have 21.
When players level upto level one,have them take the Ability Score Improvement feat automatically, at no cost, to raise their Ability Scores slightly post-level up.
Alternatively, you’re able to also have players redo their Ability Scores post-level-up,but ensure that any stats they increase or decrease make sense narratively.
Fill In Armor Class And Hit Points
You canfill in your Armor Class and Hit Pointsin the same way you would as a level one characterwith the following adjustments.
Once you’ve selected a class at level one, toss these numbers out and re-determine your Armor Class and Hit Points based on your class details.
Select A Species
Once players have their level zero Ability Scores in tow, have themselect a species. Just as they would at level one,they gain all species' features and traits.
Encourage players to think aheadwhen selecting a species. After all, certain features may prove redundant or non-utilitarian depending on what class they want down the road.
After all, just because they don’t have a class yet, doesn’t mean players shouldn’t have some abilities already. This willensure that players have some abilities at the start of gameplay.
Then, just as you would during level one character creation, you shouldhave your players select a background. This is important for a few reasons.
Create A Backstory
Finally, you should, of course,have your players also create a backstory and select an alignmentduring character creation.
As is the case with selecting a background and a species, you’ll want tomake sure you prod players to think ahead when selecting their backstory.
For example, if someonewants to play a sorcererdown the line, consider having the player create a backstory involving moments in their life where small bursts of arcane wonder spilled from their fingertips.
How To Level Up From Zero To One
Now that your players have created level zero characters successfully, it’s time to play your first few games.After a game or two at level zero, try to weave in a ‘level up’ momentthat feels exciting and momentous.
While you should always do what’s best for your table,we don’t recommend keeping players at level zero for more than one or two games.
If possible, you shouldtry to have these ‘level-up’ moments happen on an individualized level for each player. These should be characterized by whatever class they wish to select.
‘Level Up’ Moment
Wizard
A small gnome discovers an ancient spellbookwith a few spells written in its old pages. Surprisingly, the gnome understands the language of the book and gains the ability to cast spells.
Fighter
In an encounter with a large spider-like monster,a human picks up a nearby rusty sword off the ground, discovering that they have a natural prowess for swordplay.
Bard
After a memorable encounter with an entertainer they adore,a dragonborn is gifted a magical lute by their musical idol, as well as some arcane sheet music to study.
