Minor issue. I recently added enough XP to advance to the next level which includes a proficiency bonus increase. I haven't "processed" the level-up yet, but my proficiency bonus already reflects the new level.
My DM wants us to process level-ups back in town during a long rest. So I'll need to subtract here and there for a session, maybe two. No big deal.
Proficiency bonus is tied to character level, not class level, so that's probably why.
Are you implying that for a single classed character, there is a difference between character level and class level?
The rules say in the 'Beyond 1st level' paragraph of chapter 1 (PHB & Basic rules):
A character who reaches a specified experience point total advances in capability. This advancement is called gaining a level.
When your character gains a level, his or her class often grants additional features.
I've just created a lvl 4 fighter, added enough XP to the character to qualify for lvl 5, but did not use 'Manage Level'. The character sheet now adds a proficiency bonus of +3 wherever applicable, even though the sheet also says 'Human Fighter 4'.
When I now click 'manage level', but not actually change the level, the page in the character builder says: 'Character Level: 4' (not 5, and also not 'Class Level') and shows a green arrow to indicate that a level-up is in order. So the proficiency bonus already is increased, but nothing else is.
In my opinion, if the proficiency bonus is automatically increased, then at the same time everything else should update. But since a player could choose between options on some new levels, I would prefer to have it the other way around: only when you use the 'Manage level' function to level up, the proficiency bonus and everything else should reflect the level(s) that you now have. [I usually manage that by using Milestone leveling.]
Proficiency bonus is tied to character level, not class level, so that's probably why.
Are you implying that for a single classed character, there is a difference between character level and class level?
The rules say in the 'Beyond 1st level' paragraph of chapter 1 (PHB & Basic rules):
A character who reaches a specified experience point total advances in capability. This advancement is called gaining a level.
When your character gains a level, his or her class often grants additional features.
I've just created a lvl 4 fighter, added enough XP to the character to qualify for lvl 5, but did not use 'Manage Level'. The character sheet now adds a proficiency bonus of +3 wherever applicable, even though the sheet also says 'Human Fighter 4'.
When I now click 'manage level', but not actually change the level, the page in the character builder says: 'Character Level: 4' (not 5, and also not 'Class Level') and shows a green arrow to indicate that a level-up is in order. So the proficiency bonus already is increased, but nothing else is.
In my opinion, if the proficiency bonus is automatically increased, then at the same time everything else should update. But since a player could choose between options on some new levels, I would prefer to have it the other way around: only when you use the 'Manage level' function to level up, the proficiency bonus and everything else should reflect the level(s) that you now have. [I usually manage that by using Milestone leveling.]
I don't believe they're implying anything, simply stating how D&D Beyond works. The character sheet cannot display information for which you haven't made choices (such as class features when you haven't picked which class you're going to advance by a level), but it can display information for things that do not require a choice, such as proficiency bonus.
So when you grant a character enough XP to advance to the next level, the sheet has enough info to adjust proficiency bonus because regardless of what class level you choose to take, your proficiency bonus will always be the same.
Thanks all. I understand how proficiency bonus is determined. That is not the question here.
HopefulHearts's example describes what I'm talking about:
I've just created a lvl 4 fighter, added enough XP to the character to qualify for lvl 5, but did not use 'Manage Level'. The character sheet now adds a proficiency bonus of +3 wherever applicable, even though the sheet also says 'Human Fighter 4'.
Should the proficiency bonus increase happen after we use "manage level" and our character sheet reflects a level 5 character (or multiclassed character)?
What the others have been saying is a process of the way DndBeyond works, not the way the game works.
Your character is now technically level 5, so the character sheet has updated to reflect that. Your character is 4 levels of fighter and one level of unknown. Once you choose the level in the class that you want you'll have 5 levels of character classes. Again, its just the way DndBeyond handles XP leveling. Is it a little strange, maybe. But it also is ultimately inconsequential.
DDB’s system has no way of knowing whether or not any player wishes to multiclass or not. As such, when a character gains a level, the system does not automatically apply that level to the character’s existing chosen class. The character gains the level automatically and therefore the PB automatically increases at the appropriate levels, but anything specific lads related has to be done manually. Any part of the process that could be automated (like proficiency bonus) is automated for our convenience, the rest is accomplished through the Manage Levels system. What you are noticing is the automated portion of the process.
TLDR: It’s a feature of this website, not a function of the game.
The way the game works (for some games anyways) = Your character gains the level after a long rest. All changes occur after this long rest.
The way the DNDbeyond works = Your character levels up automatically. But that's not reflected on the sheet and can't be completed until you use the "manage level" task. Except for the proficiency bonus, that's applied immediately.
A relatively minor inconvenience. Would I say inconsequential? No. We'll need to actively "correct" rolls during play.
There are other ways to work around this. For example, only applying XP during a long rest.
Thanks for all your help. BTW does anyone know of any other level-up improvements that are applied immediately?
Things that scale independent of your class change immediately. So, racial features, proficiency (which we know) and anything affected by a change in proficiency.
There are other ways to work around this. For example, only applying XP during a long rest.
That’s the ticket. One of the advantages of DDB is that the DM has Admin privileges to their players’ character sheets. As a DM, I track and record all XP in a simple note on my phone and only award it to characters when they will level up. Then I just inform the players that their PCs’ have gained a level. Kinda like Santa Clause dropping off a li’l present for them, only without the B&E, and I’m less jolly and don’t wear a red suit. 😂😂
Minor issue. I recently added enough XP to advance to the next level which includes a proficiency bonus increase. I haven't "processed" the level-up yet, but my proficiency bonus already reflects the new level.
My DM wants us to process level-ups back in town during a long rest. So I'll need to subtract here and there for a session, maybe two. No big deal.
Is this the intended behavior? or a bug?
Proficiency bonus is tied to character level, not class level, so that's probably why.
Helpful rewriter of Japanese->English translation and delver into software codebases (she/e/they)
Are you implying that for a single classed character, there is a difference between character level and class level?
The rules say in the 'Beyond 1st level' paragraph of chapter 1 (PHB & Basic rules):
A character who reaches a specified experience point total advances in capability. This advancement is called gaining a level.
When your character gains a level, his or her class often grants additional features.
I've just created a lvl 4 fighter, added enough XP to the character to qualify for lvl 5, but did not use 'Manage Level'. The character sheet now adds a proficiency bonus of +3 wherever applicable, even though the sheet also says 'Human Fighter 4'.
When I now click 'manage level', but not actually change the level, the page in the character builder says: 'Character Level: 4' (not 5, and also not 'Class Level') and shows a green arrow to indicate that a level-up is in order. So the proficiency bonus already is increased, but nothing else is.
In my opinion, if the proficiency bonus is automatically increased, then at the same time everything else should update. But since a player could choose between options on some new levels, I would prefer to have it the other way around: only when you use the 'Manage level' function to level up, the proficiency bonus and everything else should reflect the level(s) that you now have. [I usually manage that by using Milestone leveling.]
I don't believe they're implying anything, simply stating how D&D Beyond works. The character sheet cannot display information for which you haven't made choices (such as class features when you haven't picked which class you're going to advance by a level), but it can display information for things that do not require a choice, such as proficiency bonus.
So when you grant a character enough XP to advance to the next level, the sheet has enough info to adjust proficiency bonus because regardless of what class level you choose to take, your proficiency bonus will always be the same.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Thanks all. I understand how proficiency bonus is determined. That is not the question here.
HopefulHearts's example describes what I'm talking about:
Should the proficiency bonus increase happen after we use "manage level" and our character sheet reflects a level 5 character (or multiclassed character)?
What the others have been saying is a process of the way DndBeyond works, not the way the game works.
Your character is now technically level 5, so the character sheet has updated to reflect that. Your character is 4 levels of fighter and one level of unknown. Once you choose the level in the class that you want you'll have 5 levels of character classes. Again, its just the way DndBeyond handles XP leveling. Is it a little strange, maybe. But it also is ultimately inconsequential.
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
DDB’s system has no way of knowing whether or not any player wishes to multiclass or not. As such, when a character gains a level, the system does not automatically apply that level to the character’s existing chosen class. The character gains the level automatically and therefore the PB automatically increases at the appropriate levels, but anything specific lads related has to be done manually. Any part of the process that could be automated (like proficiency bonus) is automated for our convenience, the rest is accomplished through the Manage Levels system. What you are noticing is the automated portion of the process.
TLDR: It’s a feature of this website, not a function of the game.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
The way the game works (for some games anyways) = Your character gains the level after a long rest. All changes occur after this long rest.
The way the DNDbeyond works = Your character levels up automatically. But that's not reflected on the sheet and can't be completed until you use the "manage level" task. Except for the proficiency bonus, that's applied immediately.
A relatively minor inconvenience. Would I say inconsequential? No. We'll need to actively "correct" rolls during play.
There are other ways to work around this. For example, only applying XP during a long rest.
Thanks for all your help. BTW does anyone know of any other level-up improvements that are applied immediately?
Things that scale independent of your class change immediately. So, racial features, proficiency (which we know) and anything affected by a change in proficiency.
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
That’s the ticket. One of the advantages of DDB is that the DM has Admin privileges to their players’ character sheets. As a DM, I track and record all XP in a simple note on my phone and only award it to characters when they will level up. Then I just inform the players that their PCs’ have gained a level. Kinda like Santa Clause dropping off a li’l present for them, only without the B&E, and I’m less jolly and don’t wear a red suit. 😂😂
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting