[RPG] What do characters need to do to level up

character-advancementcharacter-levelsdnd-5e

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 have plenty of time to figure everything out and for the players to reach the end goal, so I'm not super worried about them leveling up super quickly. Everyone is currently level 1, just so that had something to start out with.

Something I have yet to understand is leveling up within classes. What do I need the players to achieve in order to level up? Is it something I just decide when I think they're "ready", or do they gain experience points or something with each battle? I understand what the players will gain when they level up (like the spells and features and bonus actions and stuff). Is this covered more clearly in the handbook?

Best Answer

Some ways to advance your players' characters are described in the Dungeon Master's Guide.

Specifically, at pp.260-261. But that's a whole lotta book to buy for just 2 pp. of guidance, so here's a summary of common methods:

  • Award experience points (XP) as monsters are defeated in combat, per their challenge ratings (CR). (CR 1/2 = 100XP, CR 10 = 5900 XP, &c.) Combat awards are "most often" the source of XP, according to the DMG. (These XP are divided among the party, so a party of 5 killing a pegasus earn 90 XP each. And serious bad karma.)
  • Award experience points as the party overcomes obstacles--combat or otherwise--in their way. An Unearthed Arcana article titled Three-Pillar Experience presents a method for doing this.
  • Award XP or levels as the party achieves narrative "milestones." That is, when the party finally obtains the Dwarvish Axe of Awesome--whether by hook or by crook or by force of arms--you award them each 1000XP. Or maybe you award them their next level.
  • Award XP for time played: some GMs like to have the whole party advance along as they play, without all the bookkeeping. So each session the players earn "half a level." Or whatever.
  • Assign levels narratively: perhaps your party is really intrigued by your description of the Bloody Bloody Bloody Forest, even though they're only level 2. Tell 'em to come next week with their characters advanced to level 5, because you know that's what they'll need in order to avoid their bloody bloody bloody fate.

You're a new GM: you haven't said whether you're running a homemade campaign or something published. Either way, I suggest you start by trying out the common "XP for defeating encounters" method. It's simple, it's unusual for it to go badly quick, and it's easily understood by the players.

Just do be sure to remember one thing: not all encounters have to be combat encounters. "Defeating" an opponent only requires that the two parties' goals are in conflict. Getting the location of the Dwarvish Axe of Awesome from the last cleric of Awesome who is sworn to secrecy is a defeat for the cleric, no matter how they achieve it.