Does Leveling Up Restore Hit Points in Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition?

In Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition (5E), leveling up does not automatically restore hit points (HP). However, players gain additional HP based on their class's hit die when they level up. Here's a detailed look at how this system works and some practical considerations.

Hit Die and Leveling Up

When a player's character levels up in 5E, they roll their class's hit die. For example, a wizard would roll a d6, while a fighter would roll a d10. After this roll, players add their Constitution modifier to the result. The final sum is then added to their current hit points, effectively increasing their maximum HP.
Final HP Gain Roll Constitution Modifier

Restoration and Long Rests

While leveling up provides a boost to hit points, any actual loss of HP due to damage or other effects is not restored. Players must either take a long rest or use healing spells or potions to regain lost HP. A long rest is an important period during which characters can fully recover and prepare for their next adventure.

It's important to note that in the typical gameplay experience, leveling up does not occur during an adventure. Players usually level up between adventures, when they would have full HP anyway. This separation between leveling and combat emphasizes the idea that leveling up is a separate stage in the game, distinct from the ongoing action of an adventure.

The DPS Model and Short Rests

In contrast to some other games, such as Skyrim, 5E does not follow a continuous HP regeneration model. Milestone level-ups in 5E often coincide with long rests, which are when characters regain their full HP. Hence, leveling up mid-combat, during an adventure, is not expected to restore HP. Instead, HP comes back as a result of the long rest, not the level-up itself.

After a long rest, players should level up to reflect their increased capabilities. In my primary campaign, I informed players to level up before the next session, especially after they declared a long rest at the end of the last session. This ensures that the HP boost from leveling up is only applicable after proper recovery time.

Best Practices for Leveling Up

It's generally recommended to level up during a long rest because it takes significant time to recalculate new maximum HP, choose new abilities, spells, and other enhancements. These activities should not be done in the middle of a dungeon where goblins are crawling around.

I personally try to aim for level-ups to happen at the end of a session, giving the players an opportunity to anticipate and plan for their new empowered characters. This practice promotes a smoother game flow and ensures that players are prepared for their next adventure with their updated stats.

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Conclusion: Understanding the mechanics of leveling up and hit points in 5E is crucial for a smooth and balanced gaming experience. Properly managing long rests and ensuring that leveling up occurs after sufficient recovery can significantly enhance the overall gameplay.