The max is 20, full stop. If you multiclass, the sum of your class levels can’t exceed 20 (so wizard 17 / fighter 3 is possible, but Wizard 20 / fighter 3 isn’t)
the traditional way in 5e to grow a character beyond 20 levels is through epic boons. Those are up to the DM, but could feasibly include levels in another class (it’s not a listed option though) But to get those, you have to reach a total of 20 levels, and again, what you get is up to the DM
The whole game system is designed to stop at character level 20. It’s in the introduction of the PHB (the character advancement table). Multiclassing rules (also in the PHB) refer to that table as well, and the table stops at character level 20.
All this said, there's nothing to stop a determined DM from homebrewing the level process beyond level 20. The published game rules from the game designers simply cap out at 20.
All this said, there's nothing to stop a determined DM from homebrewing the level process beyond level 20. The published game rules from the game designers simply cap out at 20.
All this said, there's nothing to stop a determined DM from homebrewing the level process beyond level 20. The published game rules from the game designers simply cap out at 20.
D&D5e does not technically limit you to a maximum classlevel; it imposes a limitation on the maximum character level, which is 20. As having only a single class is the default (MC is an optional variant), each subclass is plotted out through 20 levels... nobody's going higher than that anyway.
You advance in character levels from 1-20, which may be 20 levels of a single class (default), or it may be a mixture of up to 20 combined levels from multiple classes (with DM approval).
Gaining new levels of any class follows the character advancement chart from Chapter 1:
Character Advancement
Experience Points
Level
Proficiency Bonus
0 300 900 2,700
1 2 3 4
+2 +2 +2 +2
6,500 14,000 23,000 34,000 48,000 64,000
5 6 7 8 9 10
+3 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4
85,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 165,000 195,000
11 12 13 14 15 16
+4 +4 +5 +5 +5 +5
225,000 265,000 305,000 355,000
17 18 19 20
+6 +6 +6 +6
Advancing through 5 levels of Cleric and 5 levels of another class requires the exact same amount of total experience points as someone else advancing through 10 levels of only Cleric (64,000 EXP). Both are character level 10.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
You guys are Awesome! and thank you for the explanations.
An example, Batman.
When he was young, he swore an oath at his parents' grave, to avenge them and to protect the innocents, Paladin (Oath of Vengence), so they would never feel the lose like he had.
He learned to fight, first at Shaolin Monk Temple because he learned that they accepted kids. He spent time at the temple and then he traveled to League of Assassins to learn their fighting strategy, Monk (Shadow).
Many people think Batman learned Rogue (Assassin) from the League of Assassins, but it is actually Alfred Pennyworth who taught Batman Rogue (Thief). After all, Alfred is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, & Spy (MI5 agent over 25 years). Alfred never taught Batman how to kill, but how to sneak and acting (body language and voice details).
As he returned to Gotham, he visited the caves under the Wayne Manor, the bats didn't attack him, but welcomed him as family, Ranger (Swarmkeeper).
Through all the money and swag (Noble or Knight Background), Batman's best Ability is still Intelligence. Ra's al Ghoul calls him the Detective. With his supercomputer station in the Batcave, he probably also multiclass in high tech version of Wizard (Divination).
So, with totally 5 different classes in multiclass, Batman probably have 4 levels in each class = Character level 20.
Or 3 levels in 4 classes (character level 12) and 8 level in Wizard (Divination) = Character level 20. An extreme example, I know. :-)
To also add, some of the higher creatures in the MM or other books like the Tarrasque or demi/gods or other really strong things *can* go above 20 but its more of a reflection of their stats and traits. The DMG briefly mentions that the 'hard cap' for both ability scores and levels is 30 (with a hard cap of +10 for ability scores up to 30 and I forgot the + proficiency bonus of level 30 things).
That being said, although I never played it, 3/3.5 edition (or maybe 4th ed., I only played 5th) did have Gestalt characters. Pretty much multiclassed character but EACH class can go up to 20, allowing you to max out each class because as of now, you can only reach character level 20 meaning you miss out on the rest of the class features if you multiclass.
The creatures don't have PC character levels. They have stats and damage output capabilities that can give them a calculated Challenge Rating above 20, though.
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I'm wondering how many levels is the maximum Character level. What if I multi-class?
A character usually stay in one class and trying to reach level 20. Level 20 is WOW! Really high level.
But what if the character multi-class? With 2 different classes, the character can reach Character level 40.
So, anyone care to explain??
The max is 20, full stop. If you multiclass, the sum of your class levels can’t exceed 20 (so wizard 17 / fighter 3 is possible, but Wizard 20 / fighter 3 isn’t)
the traditional way in 5e to grow a character beyond 20 levels is through epic boons. Those are up to the DM, but could feasibly include levels in another class (it’s not a listed option though) But to get those, you have to reach a total of 20 levels, and again, what you get is up to the DM
Level 20 is the max. If you multiclass you can reach a combined level of 20; 10 levels in one class, 10 in another, or whatever other combination.
You cannot exceed a character level of 20. Character level and class level are different.
Is there any of the books that says this? Dungeon Master's Guide?
The whole game system is designed to stop at character level 20. It’s in the introduction of the PHB (the character advancement table). Multiclassing rules (also in the PHB) refer to that table as well, and the table stops at character level 20.
Epic boons are in the DMG.
Ok, thanks!
I guess no DM want his/her players having characters at the Character level of an immortal.
All this said, there's nothing to stop a determined DM from homebrewing the level process beyond level 20. The published game rules from the game designers simply cap out at 20.
The challenges to doing so though are considerable and time consuming though, see this thread https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/rules-game-mechanics/83036-level-0-100-campaign
Re: not worth the effort.
Chapter 1 of the Basic Rules: Beyond 1st Level, and Chapter 6 of the Basic Rules: Multiclassing.
D&D5e does not technically limit you to a maximum class level; it imposes a limitation on the maximum character level, which is 20. As having only a single class is the default (MC is an optional variant), each subclass is plotted out through 20 levels... nobody's going higher than that anyway.
You advance in character levels from 1-20, which may be 20 levels of a single class (default), or it may be a mixture of up to 20 combined levels from multiple classes (with DM approval).
Gaining new levels of any class follows the character advancement chart from Chapter 1:
Advancing through 5 levels of Cleric and 5 levels of another class requires the exact same amount of total experience points as someone else advancing through 10 levels of only Cleric (64,000 EXP). Both are character level 10.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
You guys are Awesome! and thank you for the explanations.
An example, Batman.
When he was young, he swore an oath at his parents' grave, to avenge them and to protect the innocents, Paladin (Oath of Vengence), so they would never feel the lose like he had.
He learned to fight, first at Shaolin Monk Temple because he learned that they accepted kids. He spent time at the temple and then he traveled to League of Assassins to learn their fighting strategy, Monk (Shadow).
Many people think Batman learned Rogue (Assassin) from the League of Assassins, but it is actually Alfred Pennyworth who taught Batman Rogue (Thief). After all, Alfred is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, & Spy (MI5 agent over 25 years). Alfred never taught Batman how to kill, but how to sneak and acting (body language and voice details).
As he returned to Gotham, he visited the caves under the Wayne Manor, the bats didn't attack him, but welcomed him as family, Ranger (Swarmkeeper).
Through all the money and swag (Noble or Knight Background), Batman's best Ability is still Intelligence. Ra's al Ghoul calls him the Detective. With his supercomputer station in the Batcave, he probably also multiclass in high tech version of Wizard (Divination).
So, with totally 5 different classes in multiclass, Batman probably have 4 levels in each class = Character level 20.
Or 3 levels in 4 classes (character level 12) and 8 level in Wizard (Divination) = Character level 20. An extreme example, I know. :-)
To also add, some of the higher creatures in the MM or other books like the Tarrasque or demi/gods or other really strong things *can* go above 20 but its more of a reflection of their stats and traits. The DMG briefly mentions that the 'hard cap' for both ability scores and levels is 30 (with a hard cap of +10 for ability scores up to 30 and I forgot the + proficiency bonus of level 30 things).
That being said, although I never played it, 3/3.5 edition (or maybe 4th ed., I only played 5th) did have Gestalt characters. Pretty much multiclassed character but EACH class can go up to 20, allowing you to max out each class because as of now, you can only reach character level 20 meaning you miss out on the rest of the class features if you multiclass.
The creatures don't have PC character levels. They have stats and damage output capabilities that can give them a calculated Challenge Rating above 20, though.