Leveling Up!

So, I gained enough Xp to level. In 5th, the Xp curve has been overhauled. Interestingly enough, there are advancement options to level up without Xp called the milestone system. But if you are using Xp, you only need 300 to level. But the amped up deadliness of low-level play will make that feel like an achievement.

The level-up tables in 5th edition are interesting. While 3.5 managed to reduce "dead" levels (levels where not a whole lot happens), 4th removed them entirely. Unfortunately, 4th managed this by making each class level up in exactly the same way. The new edition has no dead levels, but each class levels up differently. Each class gains a new feature, a new level of spells to cast, or both.

So how did Alek level? Well, at 2nd, clerics gain Channel Divinity, so I gained Turn Undead, plus a War Domain Channel Divinity that grants me a +10 to an attack roll. That will be handy. Turn Undead has a range of 30ft, and each undead makes a Wisdom saving throw or is turned for one minute or until it takes damage.

Each stat has a save associated with it. Meaning it is a bit harder to justify a dump stat when it suddenly is important for a saving throw.

Casters, and caster abilities like Turn Undead calculate their save DCs as 8 + proficiency bonus + casting stat modifier. Proficiency bonuses start at +2 and apply to anything you're proficient with: weapon attacks, skills, saving throws, and spell attacks. The proficiency bonus goes up by 1 every 5 levels or so, capping at +6 at level 17. Since all casters in Encounters start with +3 modifiers at most, they'll start with DC 13 saves.

Also, I gained another level 1 spell slot.

Next, classes that prepare spells, like Clerics, Druids, Paladins, and Wizards can prepare a number of spells equal to their class level plus their casting ability modifier. So you can add a new prepared spell every time you level up. Also, there's no restrictions by level. You can put all your prepared spells into your highest available level, dump them all into lower levels, or spread them out. Remember that the incentive to keep some low-level spells is that you can use them with higher level slots for increased effects.

Last but not least, I gained hit points. The new edition allows for rolled hit points, but offers an option for diceless, which is what encounters uses. The amount is a little over half the middle point of the die. Clerics use d8s, so I gained 5 + Con modifier. So I gained 7. Not too shabby.

The next session is tomorrow. Expect a new update the day after.