(DF) Minimum Points for a Dungeon Delver?

[Greg 1]

How many character points do you think a PC needs to start a career in dungeon delving?

Let's assume that they can't join a party that has members of higher point value than they are.

Does the minimum depend on what class the PC is?

[mr beer]

You could scale it to whatever you want really. Just have fewer, weaker monsters. It's about what feel you are going for.

If I wanted heroic cinematic fantasy, I wouldn't go below 150 points unless I intended to emulate a D&D-esque 'pleb to demigod' progression.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Greg 1

How many character points do you think a PC needs to start a career in dungeon delving?

Depends on the content of the dungeon

Originally Posted by Greg 1

Does the minimum depend on what class the PC is?

Spellcasters scale poorly at low point levels.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Greg 1

How many character points do you think a PC needs to start a career in dungeon delving?

I'm a firm believer in nothing less than 250, but people do not see it my way.

Does the minimum depend on what class the PC is?

Not really, but Anthony is not remiss in noting that that at low point levels casters really get the shaft in GURPS, where at point levels to let them thrive, non-casters often get to 'unspecialized' (as in they can stop being Johnny One-Skill).

[SteamBub]

Henchmen has 62-point templates, so that is at least the minimum. I would say that is the best for a rags to riches game.

[mhd]

Originally Posted by SteamBub

Henchmen has 62-point templates, so that is at least the minimum. I would say that is the best for a rags to riches game.

I used that for a Warhammer game once, and it worked out great. So beyond low-level D&D (or DCC) dungeons, WFRP could server as a good inspiration for adventures below the usual DF starting point.

[Devil_Dante]

my PCs started with 150+ 30 of disadv..
To be honest, this depends a lot by you as GM and the experience of your players.

I'd prefer a slow improvement of their abilities, but i play a long term campaign. If you are just looking for dungeon crawling, could be different

[Bruno]

If your dungeon has regular rats, giant rats, modest numbers of unarmed/armored zombies, and a minimal number of deathtraps, I think the 50-62 point range would be fine.

If it has water elementals and puddings, you need more dangerous delvers.

[Greg 1]

Originally Posted by SteamBub

Henchmen has 62-point templates, so that is at least the minimum. I would say that is the best for a rags to riches game.

That's true, they do. But only the Guard really looks like someone who could turn into a PC. And even the Guard looks a bit squishy to go into the dungeon without "higher level" help. I think 62 points might be too low for dungeon delving PCs.

The 125 points templates would certainly make great low-level PCs (as they are intended to be).

[Hide]

Originally Posted by evileeyore

I'm a firm believer in nothing less than 250, but people do not see it my way.

I agree with this fact as well. IMO, 250 CP allow your players building characters good enough to start adventuring in most settings, without taxing their imagination (especially when confronting expectation versus reality).

Regarding CP budget and PC's classes; budget is not necessarily relevant to class because you can buy whatever fits/distinguishes your class and that's it. On the other hand, you could set some “house rules” and provide guidelines to your players and parameters for classes. A fighter and a knight could start with the same CP value and exactly the same skills, etc. but maybe in the future the fighter will have access to light armor only & DX up to 20 but the knight will have access to any kind of armor & DX up to 19, etc.

However, if you want balance among your players and also functional classes, you should look for character templates. You could throw 5 templates worth 100 CP each, and allow your players customize them using the remaining 150 CP.