Should First Level Ever Be Played?

Elaine by Sophie_Anderson
Google Art Project

There is no doubt playing a 1st level character in B/X and other OSR systems is challenging. A single blow can kill a 1st level D&D character outright, and the fatality rate for our characters during those first months of play was high since we charged into combat at almost every encounter without even thinking about other options. In this case, the level of our characters matched the level of the players - we were all 1st level and blissfully ignorant of our inexperience. 

Bill Willingham
Basic D&D Title Page (Moldvay)  TSR 1981

As play continued, we players began to learn from previous mistakes, party tactics began to take shape, and combat became more of a last resort. While the characters were still 1st level, we players were learning and playing smarter, which led to characters surviving games and gaining XPs (experience points.) After about 6 months of regular play, our DM implemented a rule that players whose character died could start their new character with a rolled percentage of the deceased character's XPs. 

Some of this was to try and keep the party members within arm's reach of one another as far as hit points, saving throws, etc. as it totally sucks to be the poor 1st level character traveling with a bunch of 6th level heroes. Why further penalize the already disappointed player by starting them at 1st level again? 

I think 1st, 2nd and even 3rd level play is great for people who are new to the hobby (not necessarily to the specific set of rules being played.) Someone who has NEVER played a tabletop role playing game misses out on the experience of advancing thru the challenges of those initial levels if they are simply thrown into a game starting with a 7th level character, and the number of options for higher level characters in some games can be overwhelming for a brand new player.

That sense of accomplishment that comes from progressing from a beginner player to a seasoned veteran shouldn't be denied to new enthusiasts.

Experienced players and referees, having "earned their stripes," may not want to start a new campaign all the way back at 1st level, and in that case, starting at whatever level upon which the group agrees certainly makes sense.