Can an Awakened animal or tree take class levels?

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I have a player in one of my games that is a druid and he is looking at awakening a tree and animal army. He is wondering whether or not a tree or animal can take class levels after being awakened and if there are any requirements for a first level character to take a class.



In the Player's Handbook, on p. 163, it requires a character to have a 13 or higher in a certain stat to be able to multiclass. But I have yet to find anywhere in the books where it says that you need to have a base score to simply take a level in a class.



Can an awakened animal or tree take class levels? If so, how would this work?










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    I have a player in one of my games that is a druid and he is looking at awakening a tree and animal army. He is wondering whether or not a tree or animal can take class levels after being awakened and if there are any requirements for a first level character to take a class.



    In the Player's Handbook, on p. 163, it requires a character to have a 13 or higher in a certain stat to be able to multiclass. But I have yet to find anywhere in the books where it says that you need to have a base score to simply take a level in a class.



    Can an awakened animal or tree take class levels? If so, how would this work?










    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      I have a player in one of my games that is a druid and he is looking at awakening a tree and animal army. He is wondering whether or not a tree or animal can take class levels after being awakened and if there are any requirements for a first level character to take a class.



      In the Player's Handbook, on p. 163, it requires a character to have a 13 or higher in a certain stat to be able to multiclass. But I have yet to find anywhere in the books where it says that you need to have a base score to simply take a level in a class.



      Can an awakened animal or tree take class levels? If so, how would this work?










      share|improve this question















      I have a player in one of my games that is a druid and he is looking at awakening a tree and animal army. He is wondering whether or not a tree or animal can take class levels after being awakened and if there are any requirements for a first level character to take a class.



      In the Player's Handbook, on p. 163, it requires a character to have a 13 or higher in a certain stat to be able to multiclass. But I have yet to find anywhere in the books where it says that you need to have a base score to simply take a level in a class.



      Can an awakened animal or tree take class levels? If so, how would this work?







      dnd-5e spells monsters class-feature






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      edited 2 hours ago









      V2Blast

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      Craigamore

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          This is not something that is within player control, so it's up to the DM.



          DMs can build monsters and NPCs however they want, generally speaking. However, player characters abide by a much more limited set of rules.



          Allowing non-player characters and monsters to take class levels is something only the DM can do - so this is entirely up to DM discretion. The Dungeon Master's Guide provides rules for giving class levels to monsters on p. 283, under "Monsters with Classes":




          You can use the rules in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook to give
          class levels to a monster. For example, you can turn an ordinary
          werewolf into a werewolf with four levels of the barbarian class (such
          a monster would be expressed as “Werewolf, 4th-level barbarian”).



          Start with the monster’s stat block. The monster gains all the class
          features for every class level you add, with the following exceptions:



          • The monster doesn’t gain the starting equipment of the added class.

          • For each class level you add, the monster gains one Hit Die of its
            normal type (based on its size), ignoring the class’s Hit Die

            progression.

          • The monster’s proficiency bonus is based on its challenge rating, not
            its class levels.

          Once you finish adding class levels to a monster, feel free to tweak
          its ability scores as you see fit (for example, raising the monster’s
          Intelligence score so that the monster is a more effective wizard),
          and make whatever other adjustments are needed. You’ll need to
          recalculate its challenge rating as though you had designed the
          monster from scratch.



          Depending on the monster and the number of class levels you add to it,
          its challenge rating might change very little or increase
          dramatically. For example, a werewolf that gains four barbarian levels
          is a much greater threat than it was before. In contrast, the hit
          points, spells, and other class features that an ancient red dragon
          gains from five levels of wizard don’t increase its challenge rating.




          The DM can use these guidelines to give monsters/NPCs class levels. Jeremy Crawford even suggested this as a possibility in response to complaints about the Beast Master ranger's animal companion's perceived weakness:




          Want your D&D character to have a pet/companion? Here’s a little secret: you don’t need special rules for this. Through roleplaying and ability checks (most likely Animal Handling or Persuasion), you can have a buddy, as long as your DM is OK adding a creature to the group.



          I wish that was the default presented rules/guidelines in the book, much as anyway can pick up any weapon, and that the Beastmaster ranger wouldn't get a creature by class feature, but rather just better able to fight along with creatures that anyone could have



          The default assumption in the D&D rules is that you can befriend people and critters you meet on your adventures. If a class has a special companion (Beast Master, find familiar, find steed, animate dead, etc.), that companion is in addition to creatures you might befriend.



          Sure, but that creature's HP won't scale with level, making it hard to bring them with you the whole game. Sure, the DM could grant them extra HP as you all level, but then there's fears of main the Beast Master (partly) redundant.



          The “Dungeon Master’s Guide” has guidelines for adding class levels to creatures. Say your wolf friend has been fighting by your side for an adventure, the DM might give the wolf a level in fighter. This is a legitimate use of the DMG rules.




          Many people were dissatisfied with the response in that context, but it may address your situation - assuming the DM is okay with it, of course.






          share|improve this answer






















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            1 Answer
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            1 Answer
            1






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            5
            down vote













            This is not something that is within player control, so it's up to the DM.



            DMs can build monsters and NPCs however they want, generally speaking. However, player characters abide by a much more limited set of rules.



            Allowing non-player characters and monsters to take class levels is something only the DM can do - so this is entirely up to DM discretion. The Dungeon Master's Guide provides rules for giving class levels to monsters on p. 283, under "Monsters with Classes":




            You can use the rules in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook to give
            class levels to a monster. For example, you can turn an ordinary
            werewolf into a werewolf with four levels of the barbarian class (such
            a monster would be expressed as “Werewolf, 4th-level barbarian”).



            Start with the monster’s stat block. The monster gains all the class
            features for every class level you add, with the following exceptions:



            • The monster doesn’t gain the starting equipment of the added class.

            • For each class level you add, the monster gains one Hit Die of its
              normal type (based on its size), ignoring the class’s Hit Die

              progression.

            • The monster’s proficiency bonus is based on its challenge rating, not
              its class levels.

            Once you finish adding class levels to a monster, feel free to tweak
            its ability scores as you see fit (for example, raising the monster’s
            Intelligence score so that the monster is a more effective wizard),
            and make whatever other adjustments are needed. You’ll need to
            recalculate its challenge rating as though you had designed the
            monster from scratch.



            Depending on the monster and the number of class levels you add to it,
            its challenge rating might change very little or increase
            dramatically. For example, a werewolf that gains four barbarian levels
            is a much greater threat than it was before. In contrast, the hit
            points, spells, and other class features that an ancient red dragon
            gains from five levels of wizard don’t increase its challenge rating.




            The DM can use these guidelines to give monsters/NPCs class levels. Jeremy Crawford even suggested this as a possibility in response to complaints about the Beast Master ranger's animal companion's perceived weakness:




            Want your D&D character to have a pet/companion? Here’s a little secret: you don’t need special rules for this. Through roleplaying and ability checks (most likely Animal Handling or Persuasion), you can have a buddy, as long as your DM is OK adding a creature to the group.



            I wish that was the default presented rules/guidelines in the book, much as anyway can pick up any weapon, and that the Beastmaster ranger wouldn't get a creature by class feature, but rather just better able to fight along with creatures that anyone could have



            The default assumption in the D&D rules is that you can befriend people and critters you meet on your adventures. If a class has a special companion (Beast Master, find familiar, find steed, animate dead, etc.), that companion is in addition to creatures you might befriend.



            Sure, but that creature's HP won't scale with level, making it hard to bring them with you the whole game. Sure, the DM could grant them extra HP as you all level, but then there's fears of main the Beast Master (partly) redundant.



            The “Dungeon Master’s Guide” has guidelines for adding class levels to creatures. Say your wolf friend has been fighting by your side for an adventure, the DM might give the wolf a level in fighter. This is a legitimate use of the DMG rules.




            Many people were dissatisfied with the response in that context, but it may address your situation - assuming the DM is okay with it, of course.






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              5
              down vote













              This is not something that is within player control, so it's up to the DM.



              DMs can build monsters and NPCs however they want, generally speaking. However, player characters abide by a much more limited set of rules.



              Allowing non-player characters and monsters to take class levels is something only the DM can do - so this is entirely up to DM discretion. The Dungeon Master's Guide provides rules for giving class levels to monsters on p. 283, under "Monsters with Classes":




              You can use the rules in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook to give
              class levels to a monster. For example, you can turn an ordinary
              werewolf into a werewolf with four levels of the barbarian class (such
              a monster would be expressed as “Werewolf, 4th-level barbarian”).



              Start with the monster’s stat block. The monster gains all the class
              features for every class level you add, with the following exceptions:



              • The monster doesn’t gain the starting equipment of the added class.

              • For each class level you add, the monster gains one Hit Die of its
                normal type (based on its size), ignoring the class’s Hit Die

                progression.

              • The monster’s proficiency bonus is based on its challenge rating, not
                its class levels.

              Once you finish adding class levels to a monster, feel free to tweak
              its ability scores as you see fit (for example, raising the monster’s
              Intelligence score so that the monster is a more effective wizard),
              and make whatever other adjustments are needed. You’ll need to
              recalculate its challenge rating as though you had designed the
              monster from scratch.



              Depending on the monster and the number of class levels you add to it,
              its challenge rating might change very little or increase
              dramatically. For example, a werewolf that gains four barbarian levels
              is a much greater threat than it was before. In contrast, the hit
              points, spells, and other class features that an ancient red dragon
              gains from five levels of wizard don’t increase its challenge rating.




              The DM can use these guidelines to give monsters/NPCs class levels. Jeremy Crawford even suggested this as a possibility in response to complaints about the Beast Master ranger's animal companion's perceived weakness:




              Want your D&D character to have a pet/companion? Here’s a little secret: you don’t need special rules for this. Through roleplaying and ability checks (most likely Animal Handling or Persuasion), you can have a buddy, as long as your DM is OK adding a creature to the group.



              I wish that was the default presented rules/guidelines in the book, much as anyway can pick up any weapon, and that the Beastmaster ranger wouldn't get a creature by class feature, but rather just better able to fight along with creatures that anyone could have



              The default assumption in the D&D rules is that you can befriend people and critters you meet on your adventures. If a class has a special companion (Beast Master, find familiar, find steed, animate dead, etc.), that companion is in addition to creatures you might befriend.



              Sure, but that creature's HP won't scale with level, making it hard to bring them with you the whole game. Sure, the DM could grant them extra HP as you all level, but then there's fears of main the Beast Master (partly) redundant.



              The “Dungeon Master’s Guide” has guidelines for adding class levels to creatures. Say your wolf friend has been fighting by your side for an adventure, the DM might give the wolf a level in fighter. This is a legitimate use of the DMG rules.




              Many people were dissatisfied with the response in that context, but it may address your situation - assuming the DM is okay with it, of course.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                5
                down vote










                up vote
                5
                down vote









                This is not something that is within player control, so it's up to the DM.



                DMs can build monsters and NPCs however they want, generally speaking. However, player characters abide by a much more limited set of rules.



                Allowing non-player characters and monsters to take class levels is something only the DM can do - so this is entirely up to DM discretion. The Dungeon Master's Guide provides rules for giving class levels to monsters on p. 283, under "Monsters with Classes":




                You can use the rules in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook to give
                class levels to a monster. For example, you can turn an ordinary
                werewolf into a werewolf with four levels of the barbarian class (such
                a monster would be expressed as “Werewolf, 4th-level barbarian”).



                Start with the monster’s stat block. The monster gains all the class
                features for every class level you add, with the following exceptions:



                • The monster doesn’t gain the starting equipment of the added class.

                • For each class level you add, the monster gains one Hit Die of its
                  normal type (based on its size), ignoring the class’s Hit Die

                  progression.

                • The monster’s proficiency bonus is based on its challenge rating, not
                  its class levels.

                Once you finish adding class levels to a monster, feel free to tweak
                its ability scores as you see fit (for example, raising the monster’s
                Intelligence score so that the monster is a more effective wizard),
                and make whatever other adjustments are needed. You’ll need to
                recalculate its challenge rating as though you had designed the
                monster from scratch.



                Depending on the monster and the number of class levels you add to it,
                its challenge rating might change very little or increase
                dramatically. For example, a werewolf that gains four barbarian levels
                is a much greater threat than it was before. In contrast, the hit
                points, spells, and other class features that an ancient red dragon
                gains from five levels of wizard don’t increase its challenge rating.




                The DM can use these guidelines to give monsters/NPCs class levels. Jeremy Crawford even suggested this as a possibility in response to complaints about the Beast Master ranger's animal companion's perceived weakness:




                Want your D&D character to have a pet/companion? Here’s a little secret: you don’t need special rules for this. Through roleplaying and ability checks (most likely Animal Handling or Persuasion), you can have a buddy, as long as your DM is OK adding a creature to the group.



                I wish that was the default presented rules/guidelines in the book, much as anyway can pick up any weapon, and that the Beastmaster ranger wouldn't get a creature by class feature, but rather just better able to fight along with creatures that anyone could have



                The default assumption in the D&D rules is that you can befriend people and critters you meet on your adventures. If a class has a special companion (Beast Master, find familiar, find steed, animate dead, etc.), that companion is in addition to creatures you might befriend.



                Sure, but that creature's HP won't scale with level, making it hard to bring them with you the whole game. Sure, the DM could grant them extra HP as you all level, but then there's fears of main the Beast Master (partly) redundant.



                The “Dungeon Master’s Guide” has guidelines for adding class levels to creatures. Say your wolf friend has been fighting by your side for an adventure, the DM might give the wolf a level in fighter. This is a legitimate use of the DMG rules.




                Many people were dissatisfied with the response in that context, but it may address your situation - assuming the DM is okay with it, of course.






                share|improve this answer














                This is not something that is within player control, so it's up to the DM.



                DMs can build monsters and NPCs however they want, generally speaking. However, player characters abide by a much more limited set of rules.



                Allowing non-player characters and monsters to take class levels is something only the DM can do - so this is entirely up to DM discretion. The Dungeon Master's Guide provides rules for giving class levels to monsters on p. 283, under "Monsters with Classes":




                You can use the rules in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook to give
                class levels to a monster. For example, you can turn an ordinary
                werewolf into a werewolf with four levels of the barbarian class (such
                a monster would be expressed as “Werewolf, 4th-level barbarian”).



                Start with the monster’s stat block. The monster gains all the class
                features for every class level you add, with the following exceptions:



                • The monster doesn’t gain the starting equipment of the added class.

                • For each class level you add, the monster gains one Hit Die of its
                  normal type (based on its size), ignoring the class’s Hit Die

                  progression.

                • The monster’s proficiency bonus is based on its challenge rating, not
                  its class levels.

                Once you finish adding class levels to a monster, feel free to tweak
                its ability scores as you see fit (for example, raising the monster’s
                Intelligence score so that the monster is a more effective wizard),
                and make whatever other adjustments are needed. You’ll need to
                recalculate its challenge rating as though you had designed the
                monster from scratch.



                Depending on the monster and the number of class levels you add to it,
                its challenge rating might change very little or increase
                dramatically. For example, a werewolf that gains four barbarian levels
                is a much greater threat than it was before. In contrast, the hit
                points, spells, and other class features that an ancient red dragon
                gains from five levels of wizard don’t increase its challenge rating.




                The DM can use these guidelines to give monsters/NPCs class levels. Jeremy Crawford even suggested this as a possibility in response to complaints about the Beast Master ranger's animal companion's perceived weakness:




                Want your D&D character to have a pet/companion? Here’s a little secret: you don’t need special rules for this. Through roleplaying and ability checks (most likely Animal Handling or Persuasion), you can have a buddy, as long as your DM is OK adding a creature to the group.



                I wish that was the default presented rules/guidelines in the book, much as anyway can pick up any weapon, and that the Beastmaster ranger wouldn't get a creature by class feature, but rather just better able to fight along with creatures that anyone could have



                The default assumption in the D&D rules is that you can befriend people and critters you meet on your adventures. If a class has a special companion (Beast Master, find familiar, find steed, animate dead, etc.), that companion is in addition to creatures you might befriend.



                Sure, but that creature's HP won't scale with level, making it hard to bring them with you the whole game. Sure, the DM could grant them extra HP as you all level, but then there's fears of main the Beast Master (partly) redundant.



                The “Dungeon Master’s Guide” has guidelines for adding class levels to creatures. Say your wolf friend has been fighting by your side for an adventure, the DM might give the wolf a level in fighter. This is a legitimate use of the DMG rules.




                Many people were dissatisfied with the response in that context, but it may address your situation - assuming the DM is okay with it, of course.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited 2 hours ago









                Rubiksmoose

                39k5192297




                39k5192297










                answered 2 hours ago









                V2Blast

                15.8k236101




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