EvilGenius:
Clerics actually don't start out with any spells. They get their first spell at 2nd level.
Ah, yes. I forgot about that. But at low levels, death is quick enough that there's not necessarily much chance for healing. At higher levels is healing only through magic, meaning someone needs to cast spells, or use an item, or there needs to be a stock of potions on hand?
EvilGenius:
The balance for the classes is achieved by making some classes easier to advance in. Thieves are 20th level about the time Mages are 13th or so.
Does that means a 20th level thief is generally as useful to a party as a 13th level mage?
Characters might be at different levels as play progresses, but they're all around level 1 and 2 at about the same time. Are they all equally able to "be" their class at those levels? A wizard without any spells is arguably not a wizard.
EvilGenius:
Charging off into battle without a good plan is a good way to die horribly.
Makes sense, but it sounds like a lot of horrible dying is expected. If someone did this, and their character died, how long would they expect to wait before rejoining with a new character?
If death occurs at higher levels, does a character come in at 1st level? If they gain XP at a rate similar to that of higher-level party members they'd come up fast, I guess - if they can survive the threats the party is taking on.
EvilGenius:
There's a sense that clever gameplay and using the environment is one of the major points of the game.
Is character cleverness limited by an ability score like Int or Wis? That is, can a fighter be as clever as a wizard?
EvilGenius:
Also, hirelings and henchmen are expected, especially at the beginning to keep everyone from dying.
Could you clarify on how hirelings and henchmen help with that. I never understood that even when I played basic D&D.