Questions tagged [character-advancement]
For questions about character advancement, the process by which a character gains competence upward or laterally.
296
questions
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Inspiration Dice in D&D 5e [duplicate]
I use a milestone progression so relative PC power levels are equal and differentiate by giving out inspiration to for good RP, creative problem solving, and heroic actions.
Is it balanced to allow PC'...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
Monk Level Advancement Combat Competitive Advantage
Question
Is there a fair way to give a character monk an advantage in the monk's combat to advance a level in AD&D 1st edition? What has worked for you?
Definition
A Fair Competitive Advantage ...
3
votes
1answer
40 views
How much does it cost to add a specialization to an A.I.?
Per the manual:
Skill Improvement: Unlike most characters, your skills are only improved by spending Company Resources (see page 98). With
permission from the group, the Company
Resources may be ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
How can a GM subtly guide characters into making campaign-specific character choices?
Note: the example I'm giving is D&D focussed, but the question is system-agnostic.
We're in the early days of a new D&D group. If it keeps running, I'm planning to transition the players into ...
4
votes
1answer
182 views
Can a PC become a god / powerful celestial?
This recent question seemed to be received well (Can a PC become a Devil?), so I thought I’d ask this one which I’ve been wondering about for a while.
Is it possible for a PC to ascend to godhood? A ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Are cleric domain spells from higher levels added to the previously gained ones or they replace them?
When you gain new cleric domain spells at higher levels, do they replace the domain spells you gained at an earlier level? Or do you keep the old spells?
For example, when a cleric is 3rd level, will ...
2
votes
1answer
207 views
Can Sidekicks take the average on the Hit Die to determine the max HP increase when they level up?
Reading through the new rules for Sidekicks in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (p. 142), it seems like they must roll for HP when they level up. Am I understanding this right? Or can I use Monster ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there a way to increase a character's STATs with improvement points?
I've just been checking the new Cyberpunk RED rules. The improvement points section (page 411) describes how your character skills (normal and x2) and your Role Ability Rank can be improved. However, ...
1
vote
0answers
88 views
What happens when a creature with Racial Hit Dice changes creature type?
The specific example I'm working with is a creature with RHD who takes the Human Heritage feat... and then advances by HD.
The creature retains all the traits of its previous type (so far so good), ...
16
votes
5answers
4k views
Can I defer levelling up after reaching the XP threshold?
As a rogue, I've gained enough XP to level up to level 3. However, I'm not yet ready to pick what archetype would fit best for me.
Despite having gained enough XP, can I wait until later to level up ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Applying XP to a pre-created adventure with milestones?
I have bought my first DnD adventure, Dragon of Icespire Peak, mainly because I wanted a good opening adventure to introduce some new players to the game.
However the module uses milestone leveling ...
5
votes
2answers
348 views
What does point-cost difference mean?
The wording of this rule is just confusing me.
To improve one of your basic attributes, you must spend character points equal to the point-cost difference between the old score and the new one.
What,...
3
votes
2answers
184 views
What are the ticks for when advancing skills?
In Troika! the numinous edition in chapter 11 Getting Better the rules suggest a tick next to the advanced skill on every successful skill roll (roll under) on the character sheet. After rolling for ...
20
votes
2answers
3k views
Does a Wizard copying a spell count as one of their two new spells for a level?
In D&D 5E Wizards get an additional two spells per level to add to their spellbook:
Each time you gain a wizard level, you can add two wizard spells of your choice to your spellbook.
If a Wizard ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
If a feature gives proficiency in a skill you are proficient with, can you always choose any skill to replace that proficiency?
Page 125 of the PHB in the rules for backgrounds we have this statement:
If a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, he or she can choose a different proficiency of ...
5
votes
2answers
197 views
Can a PC take a utility skill power before level 6?
Having just reached level 4, I want my battlemind PC that's just taken the feat Hero of the Faith (Divine Power 144)—picking the skill Streetwise—to retrain his level 2 battlemind utility power ...
10
votes
2answers
231 views
When you change entirely to a new class after the 10th level, do you get the new class's damage die?
When you have enough XP to go to 11th level, the book says that you can "change entirely to a new class."
The book says this about what that means (in this section, under "Beyond 10th Level"):
...
1
vote
2answers
177 views
What are reasonable age expectations for levels? [closed]
This is not a question about enforced limits but about plausible NPC reactions, to the PCs and how they explain other NPCs to the players. (Minimums more than maximums, since all a character has to ...
5
votes
2answers
296 views
Opening a skill with B1 stat as root
Suppose a character has perception B1 (maybe they are a young troll or something). If they open their observation skill, either in character burning or through play (testing, practice, instruction), ...
13
votes
3answers
622 views
When in game does gaining a level happen?
We are fairly new to D&D and we are not really sure about how to handle one thing as provided by the rules. It's about the point in time when you level up in-game.
The rules tell us this:
As your ...
6
votes
3answers
759 views
Do characters ever gain new skills/proficiencies?
Do player characters ever freely learn new skills/proficiencies? From what I can see, most classes get two or four proficiency skills to start, and backgrounds provide two more. Some class ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Understanding the Proficiency bump on Level Up for untrained skills
I'm experienced with DnD3.0, DnD3.5, and PF1e, but I am just starting to delve into Pathfinder 2e and I have a question on Proficiency for Skills.
It says when you Level Up your character, you "...
17
votes
6answers
2k views
As a DM, how can I manage a group with different amounts of free time?
I've started playing D&D 5e with a group of friends recently. I'm the DM and there are four players. One is still working and is only available during weekends, while the other three (and I) have ...
9
votes
3answers
173 views
What labels should be used when moves referencing playbook-specific features are taken as a move from another playbook?
A few playbook moves reference Labels connected to playbook-specific features - for example the Protege's Venting Frustration, allowing the character to roll the Label their mentor denies to directly ...
3
votes
0answers
38 views
Is there an option to circumvent creating an entry in the character advancement log in Genesis 6.1.2 when creating a hero rank >1 character?
When creating Splittermond player characters with Genesis 6.1.2, how do I create characters with a higher hero rank than 1? Currently, it looks like I have to create an event after regular hero rank 1 ...
15
votes
3answers
2k views
How does AC scale with character level?
In D&D 3.5, I know that base attack bonus scales with level. How does AC increase over levels to meet it? I know saves do, so there should be some kind of AC thing? Is it done more with HP, or is ...
8
votes
2answers
434 views
Is there a cap on experience for Ironsworn?
The Ironsworn character sheets have bubbles for tracking the experience that you mark by fulfilling your vows. The portrait character sheet has 30 bubbles, and the more-recently-released landscape ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
If I have a maxed-out stat, can I take a half-ASI feat?
My character has 20 charisma in one of my DND games, but I want to take the Actor feat. This question kind of has two parts:
RAW, can I take it and change the stat increase to another stat?
If I take ...
6
votes
1answer
129 views
How can I better reward progression in a Mouse Guard campaign?
Mouse Guard uses a modified version of the Burning Wheel system. Within the modified rules set the players can immediately choose from a Rank and Age that both carry with them certain in game ...
10
votes
4answers
478 views
What are some possible repercussions of using story-based leveling rather than experience points?
I am the DM for a D&D 4e game. Recently, I stopped keeping track of XP, on the assumption that I could just give my players a level every time they finished a major quest. In my mind, this had a ...
3
votes
1answer
149 views
How do you go about applying a Path's discount bonus to character progression/creation?
The Beast’s Way
COST:20 KARMA
PREREQUISITES:Adept
RATING:NONE
SOURCE:SR5:SG
Adepts who follow this path are under the guidance of an animal mentor
spirit, which they refer to as their totem, similar ...
2
votes
3answers
131 views
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
203 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, ...
9
votes
1answer
575 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
49 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
votes
2answers
420 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
334 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
396 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
200 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
2k 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
votes
1answer
615 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
194 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
479 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
votes
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
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2answers
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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
172 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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
1k 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
454 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
1k 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 at ...
11
votes
1answer
623 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 you ...
