Deep Rock Galactic: How to Promote a Dwarf for the First Time

Check the correct level before starting

Mission XP advances the selected class. Level the dwarf you intend to promote rather than assuming that playing another class advances this dwarf’s level. XP from objectives, mining, enemies and events contributes to progression. [1]

At class level 25, XP progression for that class stops and its Promotion Assignment becomes available. This is the promotion gate. Reaching it qualifies you for the assignment; it does not automatically promote the dwarf or reset its level. [2]

Steps

1. After reaching class level 25, choose that class’s Promotion Assignment at the assignment terminal. [2]

Complete the promotion’s marked missions

Assignments are selected at the Space Rig’s Assignment Board, with one active assignment per player. Confirm that the promotion assignment is the one you are progressing before setting off. [3]

Promotion requires a four-mission assignment, followed by payment. Finishing one ordinary mission or earning more XP at level 25 does not replace completing this assignment. [3]

Steps

1. Choose the mission carrying the assignment’s small white diamond and finish it successfully. Select the next marked mission as the assignment advances. [3]
2. Use another class for these assignment missions if you prefer. The assignment does not require the class awaiting promotion. [2]

Promote at the Memorial Hall terminal

Once the assignment is complete, the promotion itself happens at the Memorial Hall’s Promotion terminal. The assignment terminal and the promotion terminal serve different purposes. [2]

Steps

1. Go to the Memorial Hall and use the Promotion terminal. [2]
2. Pay the required fee for the eligible class. Its class level resets to 1, while previously unlocked items and upgrades stay unlocked. [2]

If the mission changes during assignment progress

An assignment’s marked mission can change with biome rotation while retaining the required mission type. That change is not by itself evidence that your promotion assignment has reset; follow the marker on the current mission selection. [3]

A correct assigned mission started before a rotation changes can still count when completed afterward. You do not need to abandon it merely because the selection screen has rotated to new missions. [3]

Understand the first-promotion unlocks

The first promotion on the account grants account-wide Machine Event activation and Forge access. Those benefits apply to all four classes, so you do not need to promote every class just to gain the account-wide access. [2]

Other first-promotion benefits belong to the promoted class: Deep Dive access and an extra active perk slot. Keep that distinction when switching to an unpromoted dwarf; the account-wide unlock does not mean every class has acquired its class-specific benefits. [2]