Dungeon Master’s Guide Exclusive Preview

The Evolution of D&D: Three Versions of the Experience Point System

From a player's perspective, one of the Dungeon Master’s most important duties is awarding experience points. Experience points drive the game, so they were an important issue in the design of the new edition of D&D.

Join Dungeon Master’s Guide designer Monte Cook for a behind-the-scenes look at three different XP systems proposed for the new edition of the game. As the DMG evolved, two of them were rejected and one was approved for the final book. Monte’s exclusive commentary explains the design team’s reasoning along the way and introduces you to the first official preview of the new guide.

• First XP system: December 1998
• Second XP system: May 1999
• Final XP system: September 2000