Character Creation and Advancement — page 23

Spell save DC = 8 + spellcasting ability modifier + Proficiency Bonus Spell attack bonus = spellcasting ability modifier + Proficiency Bonus

Your spellcasting ability modifier for a spell is determined by whatever feature gives you the ability to cast the spell.

Spell Slots, Cantrips, and Prepared Spells. If your class gives you the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature, your class features table shows the number of spell slots you have available, how many cantrips you know, and how many spells you can prepare. Choose your cantrips and prepared spells, and note them—along with your number of spell slots—on your character sheet. Level Advancement While going on adventures, your character gains experience, represented by Experience Points (XP). A character who reaches a specified Experience Point total advances in capability. This advancement is called gaining a level.

The Character Advancement table lists the XP you need to advance to a level and the Proficiency Bonus for a character of that level. When your XP total equals or exceeds a number in the Experience Points column, you reach the corresponding level. Character Advancement Level Experience Points Proficiency Bonus 1 0 +2 2 300 +2 3 900 +2 4 2,700 +2 5 6,500 +3 6 14,000 +3 7 23,000 +3 8 34,000 +3 9 48,000 +4 10 64,000 +4 11 85,000 +4 12 100,000 +4 13 120,000 +5 14 140,000 +5 15 165,000 +5 16 195,000 +5 17 225,000 +6 18 265,000 +6 19 305,000 +6 20 355,000 +6 Gaining a Level When you gain a level, follow these steps: 1: Choose a Class.

Most characters advance in the same class. However, you might decide to gain a level in another class using the rules in the "Multiclassing" section. 2: Adjust Hit Points and Hit Point Dice. Each time you gain a level, you gain an additional Hit Die. Roll that die, add your Constitution modifier to the roll, and add the total (minimum of 1) to your Hit Point maximum. Instead of rolling, you can use the fixed value shown in the Fixed Hit Points by Class table.

Fixed Hit Points by Class Class Hit Points per Level Barbarian 7 + Con. modifier Fighter, Paladin, or Ranger 6 + Con. modifier Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue, or Warlock 5 + Con. modifier Sorcerer or Wizard 4 + Con. modifier 3: Record New Class Features. Look at your class features table in "Classes," and note the features you gain at your new level in that class. Make any choices offered by a new feature. 4: Adjust Proficiency Bonus.

A character's Proficiency Bonus increases at certain levels, as shown in the Character Advancement table and your class features table in "Classes." When your Proficiency Bonus increases, increase all the numbers on your character sheet that include your Proficiency Bonus. 5: Adjust Ability Modifiers. If you choose a feat that increases one or more of your ability scores, your ability modifier also changes if the new score is an even number. When that happens, adjust all the numbers on your character sheet that use that ability modifier.

When your Constitution modifier increases by 1, your Hit Point maximum increases by 1 for each level you have attained. For example, if a character reaches level 8 and increases their Constitution score from 17 to 18, the Constitution modifier increases to +4. The character's Hit Point maximum then increases by 8, in addition to the Hit Points gained for reaching level 8. Tiers of Play With each new level, characters acquire new capabilities that equip them to handle greater challenges. As characters advance in level, the tone of the game also changes, and the stakes of the campaign get higher.

It's helpful to think of a character's (and a campaign's) arc in terms of four tiers of play,