D&D 5e Advancement cheat sheet
Progression loop summary. At-the-table reference for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
D&D 5e leveling: earn XP from encounters and milestones, level up to gain hit points, class features, and new spell slots.
Advancement loop
- Earn XP from combat encounters, exploration, and social encounters (or use milestone leveling: the DM says when you level up).
- At each new level: roll hit die + CON mod for new HP (or take the average), gain class features per the class table.
- Proficiency bonus increases at levels 5, 9, 13, and 17 (+3, +4, +5, +6).
- Ability Score Improvement at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, 19 (for most classes): +2 to one score, +1 to two scores, or a feat.
Multiclassing
- Requires 13+ in the primary ability of both your current class and the new class.
- HP: use the new class's hit die for that level.
- Proficiencies: limited set from the new class (not all starting proficiencies).
- Spell slots: combined from all caster levels, but spells known/prepared are per-class.
Common mistakes
- Average HP per level is the die average rounded up (d8 = 5, d10 = 6, d12 = 7), not rounded down.
- Multiclassing spell slots stack, but you learn/prepare spells as if each class were separate.
- Ability Score Improvements come from class level, not total level: a Fighter 3/Wizard 1 has no ASI yet.