Rules reference
Advancement in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
How progression works and how to track it. Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is the world's most popular tabletop roleplaying game, where players create heroic adventurers and explore fantastical worlds filled with magic, monsters, and mystery. Using a d20-based system, players roll a twenty-sided die plus modifiers to determine the outcome of attacks, skill checks, and saving throws.
Key points
Advancement is about tracking change over time and keeping it transparent to the table.
Copyable facts
- 12 classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- 9 races (SRD): Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, Dragonborn, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Tiefling
- 6 ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
- d20 system: Roll d20 + modifier vs. Difficulty Class (DC) or Armor Class (AC)
- Proficiency bonus: Scales from +2 to +6 across levels 1–20
- Advantage/disadvantage: Roll 2d20 and take higher or lower instead of flat modifiers
Advancement workflow
- Record XP gains (and why) after each session.
- Spend XP intentionally toward concept.
- Keep history so changes are auditable.
Examples
Example: Avoid XP drift
Record XP gains/spends right after sessions and keep a short history so the table can audit decisions later.
Example: Buy toward concept
Spend to reinforce what you want to do in scenes, not to chase every niche option.
Common mistakes (smallest fix)
- Mistake: XP drift (nobody remembers what changed). Fix: Record gains/spends right after sessions and keep a short history.
- Mistake: Buying upgrades that don’t show up in play. Fix: Spend toward your concept and the scenes you actually get.
Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition FAQ
How does the d20 system work in D&D 5e?
What are the ability scores in D&D 5e?
How does advantage and disadvantage work?
What class should I play as a beginner?
How does spellcasting work in D&D 5e?