Third Edition D&D is unbalanced. We all know that, but yet we still greatly enjoy it, hence why we are here. However, despite this we still seem to have a few issues with expectations of the degree of character optimization within the parties themselves. Now, in my own bias and personality, I like optimization, I like to provide an avenue for players to play characters and tactics that some other DMs do not. That being said, even though this shared campaign setting was targeted toward optimizers, only a handful have truly pushed the limits of optimization while the rest remain dumbfounded. So while I personally enjoy a high-powered game, fun has to come first. And, with a new wave of recruiting to come underway soon, we will all need to carefully consider our choices and standards in order to have meaningful growth.
So with that I have a few ideas:
1. Label games in the Calendar, High, Medium, or Low Powered. High Powered would be my adventures. Players are expected to be able to beat monsters well above their CR and play in the Solid Tier 1 Range. Other DMs could label their adventures as they wish, and could exclude characters that were too powerful. The advantage of this is that we're explicit in our expectations, and DMs are free to adjudicate which characters are too much compared to other characters. The disadvantage is that players may make characters that they have to remake or remove from an adventure because of a DM's whim.
2. Have high-powered characters switch out when low-powered characters show up. For example, whenever Baltasar or Altharid have a game with a newbie, they choose to play another character less powerful.
3. No characters are restricted, but players heavily coach other players on how to make their characters top tier.
Just some thoughts of mine. My ideals are both to allow a high-powered campaign and yet still be friendly to new members and thus with less optimization skill. Since we'll be starting another wave of recruiting, I consider it quite pertinent that we discuss this issue.
Thanks,
Bill