Questions tagged [character-advancement]
For questions about character advancement, the process by which a character gains competence upward or laterally.
261
questions
2
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How should you adjust Encounter Levels for underequipped PCs?
In two campaigns I play our PCs are equipped far below the guidelines given in the DMG, p. 135 ("Character Wealth by Level"). We keep getting into trouble and are overwhelmed with situations we should ...
4
votes
2answers
172 views
How to deal with lack of advantages for a character starting at low point total?
I'm currently playing a character, and just made another, in a Dungeon Fantasy/DFRPG group that starts at 75 points (+50 disads, +5 quirks). It's not all that difficult to make a viable character, ...
8
votes
1answer
307 views
Do characters level too slowly for the storyline in Adventurers League?
I might start as an Adventurers League DM soon and I'm trying to figure out how it all works. I found one page which seemed to have a list of scenarios that I could run one after the other.
Just ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
Do bloodline ECL increases reduce how many class levels a character can get?
Say a wizard has a major bloodline. Is their maximum level wizard-17/bloodline-3(in which case they only have 17 HDs), or wizard-20/bloodline-3 (in which case their total caster level is 23)?
This ...
11
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1answer
320 views
Why would a combat character advance anything but weapon skill?
We might return to our campaign soon that paused for unrelated reasons.
I have not played version v3, so I can only compare the current version (v4) to v2.
Why would a combat character put their ...
6
votes
3answers
320 views
Are there any tools or tricks to quickly level characters multiple levels at once?
I'm in the process of writing a short sci-fi campaign which is based on D&D 5e, in which the player classes, weapons, and skills are effectively just sci-fi reskins of their magical counterparts. ...
8
votes
2answers
193 views
Balancing Karma rewards to be meaningful
I have a Shadowrun 5e group that sadly only comes together once or twice a month. In that group we focus most of our time on the roleplaying aspect of the game, rather than advancing the run itself. ...
2
votes
1answer
179 views
Does gaining levels accelerate?
In Pathfinder 2e, an adventurer goes up a level by earning 1000 XP.
If it always takes 1000 XP and adventurers are facing greater foes (who I presume are for more XP), then does it follow that going ...
3
votes
1answer
470 views
What is the expected damage / to hit / saving throw / DC per level?
While reading through monster stats and 1st edition adventures, I noticed that at some point, PCs should dish out 2dX instead of only 1dX damage; else, an adequate monster will become a serious threat ...
2
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1answer
96 views
How do you progress your familiar without taking more levels in that class?
I am playing a cleric/wizard/Mystic Theurge. I choose the familiar class feature for my wizard. MT only progresses a wizards spell casting and caster level. You do not learn new spells and the ...
4
votes
1answer
130 views
Do prestige class levels give feats and ability score improvements?
Does gaining a level in a prestige class in Pathfinder (1e) give you feats and ability score improvements? Or do you only gain those from "base" classes?
5
votes
1answer
267 views
Can you variant multiclass as your primary class?
Can you VMC into the same class you're taking as a primary class to 'focus on your class' at the expense of feats and gain increased benefit or uses from class features, or to be able to choose from ...
16
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5answers
4k views
Are there any rules on how characters go from 0th to 1st level in a class?
One group I played with some years ago, back in 2nd edition, had, as part of their character generation/background process, an explanation of what event caused that character to gain the experience ...
10
votes
2answers
540 views
In Call of Cthulhu 7e, how does one increase their HP Max?
I’m recently starting to play Call of Cthulhu 7e, and really enjoying it. My Investigator is also enjoying it so yay, this Keeper is happy. However, we just finished our first Scenario and she asked ...
1
vote
1answer
140 views
Is there a starting class that has all the necessary skills for the Shadowsmith prestige class?
I am looking into making a character that will go into the Shadowsmith prestige class from Tome of Magic page 132.
I want to get into it as soon as I can so I am looking mainly for a class that has ...
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1answer
265 views
When leveling up, how do you determine your new HP?
I’ve been playing D&D for 3 years, and recently I started to seriously look into it to become a better DM. I noticed that it would make sense for the HP to go up every time you level up, but how ...
2
votes
3answers
257 views
How many prestige class levels can one take?
The maximum level for any base class is 20. However, it is possible to go beyond this into the epic levels.
Now I wonder; Is the same essentially true for prestige classes? Take for example the ...
0
votes
1answer
481 views
Can a Tomelock swap the Book of Ancient Secrets invocation with itself upon level-up, and gain more than two ritual spells that way?
Eldritch Invocations (PHB, p. 107):
...Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the invocations you know and replace it with another invocation that you could learn ...
11
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1answer
430 views
When can a Barbarian, who has just levelled up, use the additional Rage gained from that level?
At certain levels, Barbarians gain additional Rages to use between Long Rests. My question is, when can these additional Rages be used? The PHB seems a little unclear on this.
PHB pg.48
Once ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
Can a wizard delay learning new spells from leveling up, and instead learn different spells later?
Can a wizard delay learning new spells from leveling up, and instead learn different spells later?
For example, can a 2nd-level wizard choose to skip adding two new spells to their spellbook from ...
1
vote
3answers
361 views
Besides a rebuild, how can you become native to Toril if you currently aren't?
The sarrukh possesses the supernatural ability manipulate form. The ability is one of the game's most powerful and versatile and it's essential for the overpowered kobold Pun-pun. However, the special ...
asked Jun 17 '19 at 5:11
Please stop being evil
54.1k12 gold badges118 silver badges242 bronze badges
4
votes
3answers
269 views
Where can I find mechanics to manage a character's career/advancement within an organization?
I run a game where characters apart of their mechanical advancement can become part of various organizations to gain standing and influence.
At the moment the barbarian became chief of a small tribe, ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Which rules apply for Non-Career Skill and Characteristic advances?
On p.48 of the Rulebook, under Non-Career Advances, it says (emphasis mine):
Characters will inevitably want to advance Characteristics and
Skills not listed in their Careers. That’s fine, if ...
2
votes
0answers
137 views
Why do some classes gain additional class features when they get an ability score increase but others don't? [closed]
Some classes, when they reach a level that gives an ability score increase, don't usually gain any other class-specific benefits when they reach that level. (Examples: Barbarian, Fighter, Rogue.)
...
4
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2answers
141 views
How do I level up an animal?
My elf sorcerer 3 has a Handle Animal skill modifier of +10. How can my sorcerer level up his dogs and warhorse so that they're not extremely weak in future fights?
3
votes
1answer
118 views
Can I get more than one level from a single action/encounter?
I have similar situation to described in here Can a character gain two levels with the same encounter? albeit in another system, as we are playing Pathfinder instead of D&D.
My character is 4th ...
13
votes
3answers
4k views
When do characters level up?
I'm a new DM with a group of very new players. I've read through the rules and some of the Player's Handbook (I just haven't finished it yet). We are still within the first arc of the campaign and ...
41
votes
14answers
11k views
My players want to grind XP but we're using milestone advancement
I've been running a D&D 5e campaign where the levelling up has been done at certain landmark points or milestones. Regardless of your opinion on that specific system, it's reached a point where ...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the effect of the Feeblemind spell on Ability Score Improvements?
Our Bard had the Feeblemind spell cast on him and failed his save. The battle ended and we gained a level. Feeblemind states that:
On a failed save, the creature's Intelligence and Charisma scores ...
3
votes
0answers
60 views
Can you spend access after character creation to improve your character?
I have been looking at the Paranoia: High Programmers book, and I am a bit confused about something. At the start of the game, you can use up access to improve your skills.
After creating your ...
2
votes
1answer
120 views
When an injured character gains a level, how are hit points handled?
I'm used to the party having healers, but I'm running a game right now where a character was injured brutally, down to 1 hit point and they made it to an Inn. They healed somewhat while resting and ...
7
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3answers
2k views
Can a level 2 Warlock take one level in rogue, then continue advancing as a warlock?
I recently "upgraded" to D&D 5th edition. I decided to play a warlock. However, now I would like to be proficient in Stealth, and a warlock can not have this proficiency.
I am Warlock level 2. Is ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I handle milestones for levels?
I understand the concept behind milestones, and what the DMG recommends. I was planning to use old fashioned XP-per-encounter for my campaign, but the more I read the more I prefer milestones.
My ...
2
votes
1answer
155 views
Do hybrid classes get everything from both classes during advancement?
In Pathfinder there are the hybrid classes, e.g. Arcanist, Investigator, etc. Each hybrid class has two parent classes. For example, Arcanist has Wizard and Sorcerer as parent classes.
My question ...
11
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2answers
635 views
What happens to a Warlock's expended Spell Slots when they gain a Level?
Suppose a Level 6 Warlock has expended both of their Level 3 Spell Slots. Then, upon receiving XP, they gain enough to level up to Level 7. They immediately gain access to their new spell (and their ...
13
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3answers
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How do spell lists change if the party levels up without taking a long rest?
I'm playing in a D&D 5e campaign with a bard and a wizard.
Our most recent session ended while we were in the middle of exploring a dungeon. The DM informed us that we leveled up from 4 to 5.
...
6
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1answer
1k views
In the Lost Mine of Phandelver campaign, is it a problem to have PCs advance above level 5?
I'm currently planning to DM Lost Mine Of Phandelver as my first D&D game, and as explained in this question, I'd like to add more encounters than the scripted ones in the scenario.
This led me ...
3
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2answers
526 views
Is there really a lack of character customisation options when levelling up? [closed]
One issue I have with D&D 5e is that I feel there's really a lack of options when the character progresses. Don't get me wrong, I like the concept of Bounded Accuracy as it makes room for epic ...
-2
votes
1answer
206 views
Is an Elf Fighter 1 different from a Human Fighter 1 in terms of the level-up bonuses?
Is an Elf Fighter 1 different from a Human Fighter 1 in D&D 5e in terms of the level-up bonuses?
11
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1answer
871 views
“and that skill is always a class skill for you” - does “always” have any meaning in Pathfinder?
Many traits and (some feats, if my memory is right) have this rule written in them. For example:
Trap Finder
Benefit(s): You gain a +1 trait bonus on Disable Device checks, and that skill is ...
10
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5answers
2k views
Are there any unintended negative consequences to allowing PCs to gain multiple levels at once in a short milestone-XP game?
My recent campaign has been run in arcs of 4 to 6 month, between which we usually change system and rebuild the characters due to using a Work-In-Progress custom system. My players and I have been ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Can a player character increase stats?
I'm a new GM. With friends, we had two sessions, and after each of them, I've let them roll for skills increase. But recently one of them asked if he should roll for STR because his character is weak ...
3
votes
0answers
50 views
Advancement by control? [closed]
I've mostly played D&D in the past, and thus have ample experience with character advancement that is primarily based on increasing power: higher level characters pack a bigger punch (especially ...
-12
votes
1answer
718 views
How do I level up my wizard to level 2? [closed]
How do I level up my wizard to level 2?
I need answer by today, so please hurry up and come up with an answer cause I am running out of time.
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1answer
206 views
How much gold do characters and monsters get through the level progression of 21-40? [closed]
How much gold do characters and monsters get through the level progression of 21-40?
22
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2answers
5k views
What are the consequences of giving an ASI or feat every 4 character levels instead of every 4 class levels?
I'm trying to figure out why Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition designers decided that ASI or feats would be given every 4 class levels and not every 4 character levels.
If I allowed my players to ...
8
votes
2answers
481 views
Is increasing character advancement OK for a campaign on a timeline?
I am currently DMing a campaign with a group of level fours. One of the four characters is much less experienced than the others.
I have planned part of my campaign for people who are lv.10+, and ...
6
votes
1answer
287 views
How can I bring back a dead character without resurrection?
My player's character has just died as the result of rolling natural 1 against assassin's death attack. It was a 7th level character, advancing in rogue and paladin classes.
Is another way to bring ...
7
votes
1answer
110 views
How long does advancing levels take?
Are there any rules about the amount of time level progression takes in Rolemaster Classic?
I am trying to work out a time cost for Characters advancing levels whilst events are occurring in other ...
8
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1answer
1k views
Can the new Sidekicks system from UA be applied to creatures you create?
In Unearthed Arcana: Sidekicks, the prerequisites for a sidekick template to be applied to a creature are:
Its challenge rating must be 1 or lower.
The two of you must be friends.
If you ...
