Starting as Commoner (3e/3.5e Variant Rule)

Alternate variant rule, for playing as ultra-low levels. Simulating the process of transition from "normal man" to "man who passed Military Recruit Training" to "Level-1 Adventurer/Properly Trained Soldier". After all, not everyone are instantly born as heroes - many other people start as "normals" and later become heroes.

PC starts as Level 1 Commoner. Your CR is 0. After getting 1/5th of amount of XP needed to normally level-up from level 1 to level 2, you replace Commoner level with level of any other NPC class of your choice (Warrior, Expert, Aristocrat, Adept).

When you're member of this more advanced NPC class, your CR is 1/2 (0.5). Then, after getting 1/2th of amount of XP needed to normally level-up from level 1 to level 2, you replace your NPC class level with level of any PC class of your choice.

After getting PC class, you level up normally. Your CR also works normally. You're officially an adventurer now - not "cretin bashing bats and toads".