I’m a new DM and so far having a great time. My players are all starting at level 1 and are eager to level up after the first session. Obviously session 1 has a lot of introductions and exposition, but over the 3 1/2 hour session I was able to include one combat encounter (which they barely survived, it was a CR 3/4 [150 XP] for 3 level 1 characters).
A lot of the guidance I’ve read recommends leveling up to level 2 after the first season, but I don’t see how I could possibly have thrown that at them 5 more times in such a short period of time without them all dying and/or hating it. I could throw in a puzzle or something, but 250 XP per player seems like a lot to try to squeeze into one session for first level players.
How much are yall managing to squeeze into each session to get players leveling up early on? I feel like I’m missing a very critical component of this. The only other campaign I’ve played in had zero combat (which I didn’t love, and is why I offered to DM) so I don’t have a lot of experience to compare against.
I’m trying to avoid milestone leveling just out of preference.