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Leveling Up

Character Advancement & Progression

Core Mechanics

Your party levels up whenever the GM decides you've reached a narrative milestone (usually about every 3 sessions). All party members level up at the same time.

Tier System

Daggerheart has 10 PC levels divided into 4 tiers:

1

Tier 1

Level 1 only

2

Tier 2

Levels 2–4

3

Tier 3

Levels 5–7

4

Tier 4

Levels 8–10

Your tier affects your damage thresholds, tier achievements, and access to advancements.

Leveling Process

1

Tier Achievements

Take any applicable tier achievements:

2

Level 2

  • • Gain a new Experience at +2
  • • Permanently increase your Proficiency by 1
5

Level 5

  • • Gain a new Experience at +2
  • • Permanently increase your Proficiency by 1
  • • Clear any marked traits
8

Level 8

  • • Gain a new Experience at +2
  • • Permanently increase your Proficiency by 1
  • • Clear any marked traits
2

Advancements

Choose any two advancements with at least one unmarked slot from your tier or below. Options with multiple slots can be chosen more than once. When you choose an advancement, mark one of its slots.

Increase Two Character Traits

Choose two unmarked traits and gain +1 to each. Can't increase again until next tier.

Add Hit Point Slots

Permanently add 1 or more Hit Point slots to your character sheet.

Add Stress Slots

Permanently add 1 or more Stress slots to your character sheet.

Increase Experience

Choose two Experiences and gain +1 bonus to both.

Additional Domain Card

Choose an additional domain card at or below your level from your class domains.

Increase Evasion

Gain a permanent +1 bonus to your Evasion.

Upgraded Subclass Card

Take the next card for your subclass (specialization or mastery). Crosses out multiclass option.

Increase Proficiency ⚫

Requires 2 advancements. Fill in Proficiency circle, increase weapon damage dice by 1.

Multiclass ⚫

Requires 2 advancements. Choose an additional class, select one of its domains, and gain its class feature. Add the multiclass module and take a foundation card from one of its subclasses.

Crosses out "upgraded subclass" advancement in this tier and all other "multiclass" options.

3

Damage Thresholds

Increase all damage thresholds by 1.

4

Domain Cards

Acquire a new domain card at your level or lower from one of your class's domains and add it to your loadout or vault.

If your loadout is already full, you can't add the new card to it until you move another into your vault.

You can also exchange one domain card you've previously acquired for a different domain card of the same level or lower.

Level Up Checklist

Every Level:

  • □ Take tier achievements (if applicable)
  • □ Choose two advancements
  • □ Increase all damage thresholds by 1
  • □ Acquire new domain card

Key Milestones:

  • 2 New Experience, +1 Proficiency
  • 5 New Experience, +1 Proficiency, clear traits
  • 8 New Experience, +1 Proficiency, clear traits