Expert Tier Transition

Once all characters reach level 5, the party can step up to the Expert tier and begin using Four Against the Abyss.

How to Qualify

| Method | Cost | |---|---| | Burn 4 accumulated XP (1 per character) | Free; must be at level 5 | | Pay training costs | 500 gp per character | | Mixed XP + gp | Any combination (e.g. 2 XP + 1000 gp) | | Play a ready-made adventure | No cost |

When advancing mid-dungeon via option 1, place a staircase at the next room edge that reaches the sheet boundary and continue on a new map.

Die Change: d6 → d8

Expert characters roll d8 for every action: Attack, Defense, spells, saves, XP rolls, and skill attempts. The d8 explodes on a 7 or 8 (25% chance vs the old 1-in-6).

• A roll of 1 is still always a failure.
• Search rolls remain d6.
• Room-shape generation remains d66.
• Most content tables remain d6.

XP & Levelling

• Two XP rolls for defeating a boss; one XP roll per five minion encounters.
• XP rolls use d8+2. Beat your current level number, or roll a natural 7/8.
• On a success, choose: gain a level OR learn an Expert Skill.
• An expert party adventuring in a base-tier dungeon still rolls d6 for XP (d6+1 if defeating supplement monsters).

Character Progression

• All bonuses earned at levels 1–5 carry forward (e.g. a level-6 warrior attacks at d8+6).
• Expert Spells (six new spells) can be learnt by wizards and elves via XP rolls (level 5+ required).
• Expert spellcasters use the d8 even for base-game (tier-1) spells.
• Armor and shields work exactly as before; their relative Defense value decreases as monsters scale up.

Dismissing Crippled Characters

If a character is too weakened by level drain, curses, or Madness to continue, you may retire them. The retired character takes their magic items and receives an equal share of the party's current gold. A new 5th-level replacement joins with 100 gp of equipment.