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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →In Dungeons & Dragons, “level 0” most officially refers to a cantrip, not a character’s level. Some adventures and homebrew rules also use “level 0 character” for a person who has not yet taken a class level, but that is an optional ruleset—not one universal character level procedure.
What does level 0 mean in D&D?
It depends on what is being leveled: a spell or a character. The official rules use level 0 for cantrips. “Level 0 character” is a separate, informal shorthand used by some third-party adventures and table-made variants for play before characters reach level 1.
Level 0 spells are cantrips
The 2024 D&D Basic Rules glossary defines a cantrip as “a level 0 spell, which is cast without a spell slot.” Read the 2024 Basic Rules glossary.
Spell level and character level are different measures. The 2014 Basic Rules explain that spell levels range from 0 to 9 and that “Spell level and character level don’t correspond directly.” A character’s level does not tell you the level of every spell they can cast, and a level 0 cantrip does not mean its caster is a level 0 character. See the 2014 Basic Rules spellcasting section.
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What is a level 0 character?
In some optional adventures, characters begin as ordinary people without a class and face an introductory challenge before becoming level 1 adventurers. Their abilities, equipment, risks, and advancement depend on the specific adventure or rules supplement. One third-party supplement calls these characters “Survivors” and describes them as less powerful than standard level 1 adventurers, with the possibility of reaching level 1 after the adventure. See that supplement’s sample.
A third-party Waterdeep adventure likewise starts characters without a class and has them work through challenges toward level 1. Its procedure applies to that adventure, not automatically to other D&D games. See the adventure description. Another third-party 5e guide offers its own advice for making and playing level 0 characters. Read the guide.
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Are level 0 characters an official D&D rule?
The official Basic Rules sources cited here define level 0 spells, but do not establish a standard level 0 player-character procedure. That is not a claim about every D&D edition or adventure ever published; it means the character rules in the examples above are specific to their creators. If your group wants to start below level 1, use the rules of the chosen adventure or agree on a procedure with the DM rather than assuming every table means the same thing by “level 0.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to tell which meaning someone intends
| Phrase | What it means | Rules status |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 spell | A cantrip, cast without a spell slot. | Official terminology in the 2024 Basic Rules glossary. |
| Level 0 character | An optional starting character who has not yet taken a class level. | Varies by adventure, supplement, or table rules. |
If someone asks about “level 0 D&D,” clarify whether they mean cantrips or a pre-level-1 character scenario. For a character-focused adventure, check its character creation rules, how vulnerable the characters are, what equipment they start with, what event advances them to level 1, and whether the scenario is designed as a prequel or a standalone session. Level 0 play is optional; a campaign can simply start with level 1 characters.
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