Question: When you get an ability every x amount of levels when do you really get it?

[bulldoghk]

I have a question about when a class gets an ability. I'm using the physician class of mask of the red death as an example but it could really apply to any class that gives an ability every x amount of levels.

The physician class states that with a successful profession physician check a physician can heal 1d4 wounds every 5 levels.
Now I read that to mean that at first level you get 1d4, and starting at level 6, five levels later, you get 2d4 and so on. My friend says that it is actually 1d4 at first level and 2d4 at tenth level cause you divide the total levels by 2 to determine when every five levels is. Which of us is correct?

To me if you don't get it again till tenth level your not getting it every 5 levels, since a total of 9 levels has passed before you see an increase.

[Alasanii]

I would have to agree with you. If it says every 5 levels then I would say that you get it when you hit level six. Although, to me it would make more sense if you got it at level 5 then at 10 then 15, etc.... I don't have any books in front of me right now but if you were to compare it to something else that that is in the players handbook you may find your answer there. Just look for something that has an ability that increases so many levels.

Hope that helps
Later
A.

[LarryMac]

1st, 6th, 11th, etc.

Typically, if you get the added ones at 5th, 10th and so on the text will specify that you get it at each level that is divisible by five. I'm sure that someone out there has the text to prove that I am wrong. And they will post it...

now...

[Adam Daigle]

I'm with ya'll. Lvls 1-5 (1d4); 6-10 (2d4); 11-15 (3d4) etc.
Or else me and everyone else I've gamed with is wrong and hasn't caught that.

[ignimbrite78]

bulldoghk wrote:

The physician class states that with a successful profession physician check a physician can heal 1d4 wounds every 5 levels.

Now I read that to mean that at first level you get 1d4, and starting at level 6, five levels later, you get 2d4 and so on. My friend says that it is actually 1d4 at first level and 2d4 at tenth level cause you divide the total levels by 2 to determine when every five levels is. Which of us is correct?

You are correct, your friend is wrong. Use below as your guide.

OK so Rangers get favoured enemy "at fifth level and every five levels thereafter (10th, 15th etc)."
Sneak attack: extra 1d6 at first level and it increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
barbarian trap sense: starts at 3rd level and "these bonuses rise by +1 every three barbarian levels thereafter (6th, 9th, 12th, etc)".

igi