D&D 5E How do you time your level-ups?

[Storyteller Hero]

Between sessions instead of during means more time during sessions to play the game.

 

[iserith]

Generally speaking, we do it on the spot when the XP is earned.

 

[payn]

End of session. I dont use XP anymore either.

 

[billd91]

Between sessions as much as is possible. We take a little time out to roll hit points but then I leave it up to the players to do the work, modify the character sheet, at home before the next session.

 

[el-remmen]

I rarely even bother to look at XP until an adventure is over or there is a sufficient break within a larger adventure where it might make sense. I've given out XP nine times in my current local game and we've had 40 sessions. The party is 7th level.

 

[Yaarel]

Leveling up strictly happens between sessions.

(Albeit, sometimes a session is spent without campaigning to help each other character build, and find interesting options.)

 

[Andvari]

I handle it with a few days of downtime while the party is in a safe area with reasonable facilities for training and resting. In practice, this usually means in town as the party returns from a mission.

I typically do not award XP for individual encounters, but for completing quests. But if I have a dungeon guarding the princess they need to save, the total XP award will still be based on the opposition guarding the princess.

 

[Horwath]

Passives are gained right away.

Any resource based abilities must wait for their respective rest to recharge.

no XP, milestone leveling.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

Always milestone or in dialogue with my players, always between sessions.

 

[Leatherhead]

I've always wanted to do a mid-fight level up for dramatic purposes, just like in The Last Dragon:


But practically speaking you have to level up in the downtime between sessions.