Epic Level (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
The term epic level refers to a very high level of play in the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. Although such high-level play has existed in various forms in the game for decades, the term "epic level" was introduced in the game's third-edition to refer to character levels that are beyond the standard leveling rules, or every level past 20th level. In the case of fourth edition, levels 21 through 30 fall into the Epic Tier level of play.
for the Basic Dungeons & Dragons
game in 1983. Although it was not specifically termed "epic", the rules covered play for characters as high as 25th level. It was quickly followed by the black-boxed Master Set
(allowing play up to 36th level) and the gold-boxed Immortals Set
(which detailed play beyond 36th level). During this time, what is now called the "First Edition" of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game had no support for characters above 20th level.
AD&D Second Edition also limited characters to 20th level, until late in the game's life. In 1996, TSR released DM Option: High-Level Campaigns
, which covered characters in any high-level game and included rules for characters of levels 21-30.
D&D Third Edition first coined the term "epic level" in 2001's Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
in order to account for the unusual strength of many of that setting's many most famous characters. These rules were quite simple, allowing a character to select from a short list of options with each epic level gained. With the subsequent release of the Epic Level Handbook
in 2002, an entire system was introduced that allowed for infinite level advancement past 20th level. Each of the base classes was given an epic progression, as were some of the more popular prestige classes. The book introduced epic feats, epic prestige classes, and epic monsters to the game. In addition, it created an entirely new spell system to create epic spells, while still providing options for improving existing spellcasting into epic levels.
When Dungeons & Dragons
3.5 was released, many of the epic rules were included in the Dungeon Master's Guide
. Other books, such as Complete Adventurer
, Complete Divine
, Complete Arcane
, Complete Psionic
, Complete Warrior
and Draconomicon
have included additional epic content.
Since the release of the Expanded Psionics Handbook, fans have been asking for a similar treatment of the Epic Level Handbook
on various message boards, such as EN World
.
Wizards of the Coast
ran a series of articles on their website called Epic Insights which provided additional epic content. It ran from July 2002 through January 2004.
Fourth Edition was the first edition to include epic levels in the Player's Handbook
. In this edition there were 30 levels of play (rather than the previous 20), divided into three tiers: "Heroic" for levels 1-10, "Paragon" for levels 11-20, and "Epic" for levels 21-30. Characters cannot advance beyond level 30, but the first Fourth Edition Monster Manual
included one monster above that level (Orcus, level 33).
The main difference between the Epic tier and other tiers, apart from the power level, is the inclusion of an "Epic Destiny": a series of abilities parallel to character class
, among them the strongest abilities now in the game. Each Epic Destiny concludes in a form of "immortality", varying from ascension to godhood (e.g. the Demigod destiny) to legendary reputation (e.g. the Deadly Trickster destiny).
Some epic monsters include:
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. Although such high-level play has existed in various forms in the game for decades, the term "epic level" was introduced in the game's third-edition to refer to character levels that are beyond the standard leveling rules, or every level past 20th level. In the case of fourth edition, levels 21 through 30 fall into the Epic Tier level of play.
History
High-level play (above 20th level) was first introduced in the green-boxed Companion SetDungeons & Dragons Companion Set
The Companion Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1984 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
for the Basic Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
game in 1983. Although it was not specifically termed "epic", the rules covered play for characters as high as 25th level. It was quickly followed by the black-boxed Master Set
Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1985 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
(allowing play up to 36th level) and the gold-boxed Immortals Set
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1986 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
(which detailed play beyond 36th level). During this time, what is now called the "First Edition" of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game had no support for characters above 20th level.
AD&D Second Edition also limited characters to 20th level, until late in the game's life. In 1996, TSR released DM Option: High-Level Campaigns
DM Option: High-Level Campaigns
DM Option: High-Level Campaigns is a supplemental sourcebook to the core rules of the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This 192-page book was published by TSR, Inc. in 1995. The book was designed by Skip Williams...
, which covered characters in any high-level game and included rules for characters of levels 21-30.
D&D Third Edition first coined the term "epic level" in 2001's Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is a role-playing game sourcebook first published in 1987, detailing the Forgotten Realms setting, containing information on characters, locations, and history as well as setting-specific rules for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
in order to account for the unusual strength of many of that setting's many most famous characters. These rules were quite simple, allowing a character to select from a short list of options with each epic level gained. With the subsequent release of the Epic Level Handbook
Epic Level Handbook
The Epic Level Handbook is a rulebook by Wizards of the Coast for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons.-Contents:This books contained rules for Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition characters to attain levels above 20, the limit in the core rulebooks...
in 2002, an entire system was introduced that allowed for infinite level advancement past 20th level. Each of the base classes was given an epic progression, as were some of the more popular prestige classes. The book introduced epic feats, epic prestige classes, and epic monsters to the game. In addition, it created an entirely new spell system to create epic spells, while still providing options for improving existing spellcasting into epic levels.
When Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
3.5 was released, many of the epic rules were included in the Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
. Other books, such as Complete Adventurer
Complete Adventurer
Complete Adventurer is a supplemental hard-cover rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game system published by Wizards of the Coast.-Contents:...
, Complete Divine
Complete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
, Complete Arcane
Complete Arcane
Complete Arcane is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. It expands upon and replaces an earlier soft-cover rulebook entitled Tome and Blood.-Contents:...
, Complete Psionic
Complete Psionic
Complete Psionic is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast released in April 2006...
, Complete Warrior
Complete Warrior
Complete Warrior is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game, published by Wizards of the Coast. It replaces and expands upon an earlier rulebook entitled Sword and Fist.-Contents:...
and Draconomicon
Draconomicon
The Draconomicon is an optional sourcebook for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material focusing on dragons. Different versions of the Draconomicon have been printed for different editions of Dungeons & Dragons...
have included additional epic content.
Since the release of the Expanded Psionics Handbook, fans have been asking for a similar treatment of the Epic Level Handbook
Epic Level Handbook
The Epic Level Handbook is a rulebook by Wizards of the Coast for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons.-Contents:This books contained rules for Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition characters to attain levels above 20, the limit in the core rulebooks...
on various message boards, such as EN World
EN World
EN World is a role-playing game news and reviews website, which has grown from the earlier "Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News" site .- Description :...
.
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
ran a series of articles on their website called Epic Insights which provided additional epic content. It ran from July 2002 through January 2004.
Fourth Edition was the first edition to include epic levels in the Player's Handbook
Player's Handbook
The Player's Handbook is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons . It does not contain the complete set of rules, but only those for use by players of the game...
. In this edition there were 30 levels of play (rather than the previous 20), divided into three tiers: "Heroic" for levels 1-10, "Paragon" for levels 11-20, and "Epic" for levels 21-30. Characters cannot advance beyond level 30, but the first Fourth Edition Monster Manual
Monster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
included one monster above that level (Orcus, level 33).
The main difference between the Epic tier and other tiers, apart from the power level, is the inclusion of an "Epic Destiny": a series of abilities parallel to character class
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
, among them the strongest abilities now in the game. Each Epic Destiny concludes in a form of "immortality", varying from ascension to godhood (e.g. the Demigod destiny) to legendary reputation (e.g. the Deadly Trickster destiny).
Epic monsters
A monster begins to qualify for epic feats once its Hit Dice exceed 20. However, epic monsters generally have access to special abilities beyond the scope of normal monsters, such as the ability to use epic spells as spell-like abilities.Some epic monsters include:
- AbominationsAbomination (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, abominations are the unwanted offspring of a deity and some other being. Abominations are immortal, spiteful, destructive creatures of immense power...
- Demilich
- DraedenDraedenIn the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, draedens are massive, ancient beings that predate the multiverse.-Publication history:The draeden first appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Immortal Rules set...
- Primal ElementalsElemental (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, an elemental is a type of creature. Elemental creatures are composed of one of the four classical elementals of air, earth, fire, or water.-Publication history:...
See also
- Munchkin (role-playing games)Munchkin (role-playing games)In gaming, a Munchkin is a player who plays what is intended to be a non-competitive game in an aggressively competitive manner...
- PowergamingPowergamingPowergaming is a style of interacting with games or game-like systems with the aim of maximising progress towards a specific goal, to the exclusion of other considerations such as storytelling, atmosphere and camaraderie...
- Powerleveling
- TwinkingTwinkingTwinking is a type of behavior in role-playing games. A player who engages in such behavior is known as a twink. The precise definition of twinking varies depending on the variety of role-playing game. In "pen and paper" role-playing games, a twink is often synonymous with a munchkin. In MUDs, a...