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Continuing Your Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Beyond Level 20
Has your Dungeons & Dragons campaign reached level 20, but you’re not ready to wrap things up? While it’s definitely possible to carry on at that level, it can sometimes feel a bit stale without any new challenges. After all, once you hit the highest level, it might seem like there’s no room for growth.
Unfortunately, the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide or Player’s Handbook doesn’t provide clear rules for character progression beyond level 20. That’s where this simple homebrew guide comes into play, giving you some creative options to extend your gameplay.
How to Keep Playing Beyond Level 20
You definitely have the option to keep your characters advancing beyond level 20. You can either opt for a new campaign or explore ways to play on.
If your group prefers not to increase character levels or is hesitant to introduce homebrew rules for progression, you’ll need to consider a few strategies to maintain the excitement in your game.
Strategies for Maintaining Engagement
| Campaign Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Raise the Stakes | To keep things exciting, even if your characters aren’t leveling up, find ways to raise the stakes. You can’t simply rely on increasing challenge ratings, so consider using lair actions, legendary resistances, or other mechanisms to enhance encounters. |
| Introduce Restrictions | With a party of level 20 characters, adding restrictions or unique twists can offer new challenges. Imagine them entering a dungeon where spells over a certain level can’t be cast, boosting the need for creative tactics. |
| Focus on Narrative | Since experience points and level advancement aren’t options, the storyline should take center stage. A captivating narrative can keep players engaged even without traditional leveling up. |
If these ideas feel too far from your vision for the campaign, it might be worth discussing a restart at level one with your group. Open up a conversation about what everyone prefers.
Achieving Advancement Beyond Level 20
If your table wants to explore character progression after level 20, there are several homebrew options:
- Experience Points: Have players gain a level for every 50,000 XP they earn, or implement a milestone system.
Examples of Progression Rewards
| Level-Up Reward | Description |
|---|---|
| Increase Hit Points | Allow players to roll hit dice for HP upon reaching each new level. This encourages a sense of growth without disrupting game balance. |
| Boost Stats | Similar to HP, consider granting players a small stat boost every four levels of advancement. This mirrors standard progression mechanics and keeps the gameplay balanced. |
| Enhance Proficiency Bonus | For every four levels past 20, increase the players’ proficiency bonus by one. This maintains an element of progression typical in leveling up. |
| Upgrade Existing Features | Rather than crafting new features, reward players with enhancements to their current abilities every few levels. For example, a bard might roll additional dice for their bardic inspiration at certain levels. |
| Grant Epic Boons | Use Epic Boon Features to reward players every four levels instead of an ability score increase. |
Non-Level Advancement Options
If tangible level progression isn’t your style, plenty of other ways exist to inspire a sense of development.
It’s wise to communicate with your players about their preferences for progression. For example, you might consider rewarding them with higher renown among factions, giving them a greater ability to influence the world around them.
Additionally, providing prestigious rewards or more powerful magic items can also elevate the gameplay experience beyond levels. For instance, handing out an Artifact magic item can act as a milestone experience for players.
Another route is through bastions—if players have the opportunity to improve or expand upon these locations, it can create a rewarding feeling of continuous progression without adhering strictly to levels.
In the end, your Dungeons & Dragons adventure can thrive beyond level 20 with a little creativity and an open dialogue with your players.
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