Home >> Games & Cards >> Role Playing Games

How to Level Up a Character in Dungeons & Dragons

"Dungeons and Dragons" (D&D) is a pen-and-paper role-playing game developed by Gary Gygax and published by Wizards of the Coast. It is, as of May 2011, in its 4th edition. Throughout the game your characters will gain experience points by completing quests or defeating monsters. Your character will gain a level when you gain enough experience, at which point you will have to go through several different steps to make sure all the bonuses that come from said level-up are added to your character sheet before you continue playing.

Things You'll Need

D&D Player's Handbook

Instructions

- 1
  Increase your character's hit points (HP). Every time you level up you will gain some HP. You may just add a specific amount at each level, or you will have to roll a certain die -- a six-sided or "D6" die, for instance -- and add the amount you rolled to your total HP depending on the specific rules you are playing. Consult your player's handbook (PHB) to find exactly how many HP your specific character class gains at each level.
- 2
  Distribute your skill points. Each character gains skill points upon leveling-up, which are then allocated among the specific skills available to that character. A 'Rogue" class, for instance, may put extra skill points into the "Lockpick" skill. Again, consult your PHB to find out the exact amount of skill points your character class gains on level-up.
- 3
  Select new powers or spells. This step may not apply to every level-up, but most level-ups in 4th edition D&D allow you to gain new class-specific powers or spells for your character. Consult your PHB and select the appropriate amount of new powers from the list of those available for your level.
- 4
  Distribute new Attribute Points. Your character gains an extra attribute point every fourth level which you can allocate to one of the six main attributes -- Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma. Make sure you increase the ability modifiers associated with the attribute you increase. Putting an extra point in Constitution, for instance, may increase your HP total.

Role Playing Games