Experience Tokens (5e Variant Rule)
Experience tokens[edit]
This is a replacement for the Experience points system DND, and by extension most D20 systems, use to keep track of character level. I've always had trouble justifying the exponential goal the Experience points system put forth, as at a certain point you character would have to waylay literal armies in order to gain a level. Being said that system has been in place since the 1970s, so many have argued for and against it over the years. Here I will offer one possible solution and replacement to this aged system. Experience Tokens
Gaining tokens[edit]
Just like experience points a GM decides when and where to dole them out. typically after every scene (important battle, social interaction, or significant exploration) a GM may grant a character 1-3 XP tokens depending on how well they did or how much they contributed to the scene as explained below.
| point(s) | Level of involvement |
|---|---|
| 1 | Underperformed, did poorly, or was not actively engaging during the scene. |
| 2 | Middling effect, did not stand out, but was engaged and otherwise attempting to be involved to the best of their ability. |
| 3 | Performed well, stood out amongst the other players, was actively engaged and involved in the scene. |
Expending tokens[edit]
A character can spend the tokens they accrue throughout gameplay as follows. They can spend 20 tokens to go up one level or they can spend 30 tokens to roll for a chance to go up 2 levels instead. This roll is a simple D20 roll with no modifiers. Alternatively they can spend 10 tokens to learn a new skill outside of their current scope of knowledge.
| point(s) | Effect |
|---|---|
| 10 | Player may select a new skill, weapon, armor, or tool proficiency outside of their current scope of knowledge. from this point forward their character is considered to be proficient with that skill or proficiency. |
| 20 | Character level increases by one providing the benefits that doing so normally entails |
| 30 | Player may roll 1D20, if they beat DC15 without modifiers their character goes up two levels instead of one and gain the benefits normally conferred upon doing so. Failure in this results in the character level only increasing by one and the excess spent tokens are wasted. |
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