homebrew

[lethal cedar]

Trying to work on the race of dinosaur people that represent the clade Carnosauria so Giganotosaurus, Allosaurus, Mapusaurus... those ones

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnosauria

[stable radish]

Bleed effects are weird in that they're hard to make good without being too good

like they'll either be easy to ignore, or literally deadly

DoT in general, imo

without the luxury of bigger numbers like on CRPGs

[lethal cedar]

I made a similar thing for the Ceratosaurus race and the way I tried to balance it was it's damage is only 1d4, if they fail to end their poison condition

[stable radish]

high damage but easy to end (basically just being Action Tax) can be fine, imo

[lethal cedar]

You can use your septic bite a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.```

[burnt cipher]

Should we call the Psion Subclasses 'Mentalities'?

[stable radish]

not a bad idea

[lethal cedar]

yeah sounds neat

[halcyon solstice]

Whenever I come up with a fun homebrew/character spice mechanic that I’m proud of, a lot of the time someone also had the idea and it gets popular on the internet so I can’t use it cause it’d seem like I copied lol. How do y’all deal with that if it happens?

[stable radish]

Mindset or Headspace could also work

so Psikinetic would be Destructive Headspace or whatever

I think I had a similar idea when it still had Attack and Defense Mode

something like "Change your Mind" vibe

[burnt cipher]

Don't feel too bad about it. As they say, Great Minds think alike. Worse case scenario, add something else to it, whether it be a flavour or social feature.

[azure perch]

It's peak...

[wise kettle]

Got a homebrew Japanese Korean inspired world if anyone interested

[sour grove]

Anyone know a good homebrew buckler that’s balanced?

[flint marsh]

The isle player spotted

[lethal cedar]

Funny thing: I haven't played since Ceratosaurus was added because my laptop cannot handle the graphics

[wheat kindle]

Could make it give only 1 ac or even no ac against ranged attacks but give some bonus in close quarters combat since that's kinda how bucklers work iirc

As in they're designed for close quarters combat as a less protective but easier to control alternative to bigger shields

[sour grove]

I wanted a shield that would allow you to still use 2 handed weapons. If I make it plus 0 or plus 1 armor class but it still benefits from shield master, would that be balanced?

[wheat kindle]

I'm pretty sure wielding a two handed weapon with any shield wouldn't really work but since the buckler attaches to your hand and not your arm i think it'd be even worse for that

[wheat kindle]

Do you want shield master for the shield attack?

[sour grove]

For the interpose shield mostly

[remote lance]

Can’t you just take interception instead?

[wheat kindle]

Gwf isn't that great either so you're not missing out on too much

[sour grove]

The idea is taken from the gladiator from for honor who uses a trident (which I’ll be reflavoring a spear into) together with a buckler

If it’s not a buckler that he uses then I apologize. But in the game he’s able to hold the shield and still use the trident with 2 hands

[wheat kindle]

There's a trident weapon in the game btw

[sour grove]

It doesn’t benefit from polearm master

[wheat kindle]

Let me check it out again

[sour grove]

That’s one issue eliminated, thanks

[wheat kindle]

I check the gladiator out, seems like the shield is just a cosmetic to him. There's no protection from it realistically

[sour grove]

Now that I think about it you’re right. He just uses it to punch people in the face which I don’t intend to do honestly

And a spear is all I need to use interception too correct?

[wheat kindle]

Yup

[stable radish]

"Blessing of Blood" as a name for that kinda thing kinda slaps, to me

probably most appropriate for something like a Vampire

[silent ridge]

Has anyone found a "muscle wizard" homebrew that they like? Im trying to write my own.

[sturdy knoll]

I have not but the wild magic barbarian subclass, which is an official class, is a fun "melee with magic" theme

[worthy flame]

Looking for feedback for my Alternate Ranger (Laserllama homebrew) High Elf Princess:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JOgShf0AmrY7ycFcLIoEBvwZ_DPfy_g7jget_G7mc68/edit?usp=sharing

[silent ridge]

Thats a fun subclass, but I'm trying to capitalize on the "I cast punch" idea

Specially for the wizard chasis

[void jewel]

Vanilla wizard with reflavored spells I think

You can just cast magic missile on the guy beside you and flavor it as punching him three times

[weary flame]

So i cooked up a magical musket as a practice in homebrewing. Is it good? And what would you recommend to replace the Steady Aim from Temu because i originally made this to be wielded by a ranger

Hawkseye Rifle
Weapon (Musket), Rare (Requires Attunement) 2024

This weapon on the surface looks like a master-crafted musket, but the barrel is cut with spiral grooves, and inlaid with runes to strengthen the barrel, and an etched spyglass is carefully attached to the top of the weapon.

You have a +2 to attacks and damage rolls with this weapon. Additionally, you can spend a Bonus Action to look through the spyglass, aiming clear at your target. Choose a creature within range. Until the start of your next turn, you have Advantage on attack rolls against that target, provided you have not moved that turn, and your speed is reduced by half.

Damage: 2d8 Piercing
Properties: Range (120/480), Two-Handed, Slow, Loading

[merry cobalt]

who can help me make a slayer class in dnd baced off of demon slayers

[ember sorrel]

I would not adjust the move speed (no real point, since you've already stipulated that you can't move and aim at the same time).

I would adjust the wording slightly:'

As a bonus action, you can aim at a creature through the spyglass. Choose a creature within range. Until the start of your next turn, you have Advantage on attack rolls against that creature. If you move, you lose the benefits of aiming.

[cerulean seal]

Why not just play fighter?

Unless this is for all your players?

[ember sorrel]

Try the Blood Hunter™ class, It was written by Matt Mercer, gamemaster of the popular Critical Role™ webseries.

[spring folio]

What are some of the coolest homebrew mechanics/systems that give more power to players but doesn't seem too OP. For example, I am considering a profficiency system-

Create 6 attunement slots

3 are toolset proficiencies
3 are armor/weapon proficiencies

You can gain proficiencies by training with the item or on successes with that item, giving better downtime activities and also giving a cool way to allow my sorcerer to... for example go 3 proffeciencies into heavy armor, which would be hillarious to think about but kinda awesome

[remote lance]

This is a massive nerf to rogues and bards

[spring folio]

True, but none of my party are rogues or bards so I am not particularly bothered.... Is there a way to make this less of a nerf? Maybe make it stack with rogue/bard proficiencies

[remote lance]

Maybe instead you could let people swap their proficiencies with tools or skills during long rests?

I.e, taking my stealth expertise and putting it in perception

[spring folio]

Would be cool, but I enjoy the idea of creating downtime activities in that way, hmmm. Maybe they get to "prepare" 2 proficiencies

But really I am looking at tool proficiencies and armor/weapon proficiencies, although that is certainly very cool

[remote lance]

There is a feat for armor proficiency

[remote lance]

I like this option better

[prisma glacier]

updated a shelved project so if anyone would be willing to skim and give feedback thatd be pretty sick https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-p6KXEKFzbP7n3doQsjCf55r4q-S3pexO7d5LaKXPg0/edit?usp=drivesdk

[merry cobalt]

it is

[merry cobalt]

ya but it wont fit i may be able to modifie it but isk

[cerulean seal]

I would probably recommend have them all play martials only and then maybe design custom subclasses around the breathing styles

Or find a way to flavor existing subclasses as breathing styles

Because like, Inoske to me is a Barbarian

[merry cobalt]

no what im doing is they keep leveling up in there chosen class but every level they get a secondary and at level 1 they chose a breathing and get first form but as it keeps going they unlock more?

[cerulean seal]

Are you allowing full casters and stuff then?

[merry cobalt]

no it works as a multi class by restricting power but otherwise its like a secondary class

atho magic is not that effective against demons so maybe

[cerulean seal]

Is this a demon slayer specific campaign? Like in universe?

[merry cobalt]

yes i have been working on it and im test running the first session rn

ai is a hard way to test runn it tho

it wont roll below 13

[merry cobalt]

is that bad?

[cerulean seal]

Don’t use AI. I would just find a real calculator

[merry cobalt]

how?

[cerulean seal]

It’s not bad. Though, magic in Demon Slayer is way different than DnD magic. Even the demon arts are very specific

[cerulean seal]

This is called Gestalt rules

[merry cobalt]

yeah i found some stat blocks custome made that can be changed

[cerulean seal]

Getting two class levels at the same time in different classes instead of multi classing

[merry cobalt]

yeah thats what i wanna do

[cerulean seal]

I think that’s fine. Though a lot of DnD subclasses are very magical in nature so you’ll probably want to ban those?

Like Eldritch Knight fighter is just a straight up spell caster.

This is why I personally was saying it might make sense to just give them only martial classes and make specific custom subclasses based off the breathing styles they want and each subclass feature gives them a number of features or breathing style options/form

[merry cobalt]

yeah atho i was doing somthing to balense it demons are not immune to magic lower moon are resistant and upper moon are immune

[cerulean seal]

Eh, idk if that’s the solution.

Because if I as a player pick the spellcasters subclasses and then my subclass just doesn’t work against most of the enemies I’m facing, what’s the point?

That’s just a waste of a class/subclass pick

I would just ban any subclasses that give spells

Martials only

[merry cobalt]

ok yeah but what about wizards because i have a player who is a multi class artificer wizard who channels magic throuh his technology. and i like this idea a lot

[cerulean seal]

I mean, if the player wants to do that then sure but again, I think it’s unfair to punish that player for wanting to play a spell caster by making every enemy strong against spells

Half caster are probably fine. But wizards get access to Wish

And crazy spells

[merry cobalt]

oh yeah he told me to pick a magic class for him i though wizard but maybe not

so what will be best i did chose light spells and stuf that form light are strong against demons but like random spells are weak

[cerulean seal]

I mean, imo, I think it’s okay to allow half casters since they are a lot less spell slots and more easily to manage spells.
So artificers, rangers, paladins, are fine.

You can make radiant spells more effective but then you make paladin Divine smites a bit OP. Imo I would not make demons resistant/immune to magic. There are a lot of demons who are affected by spells and weird effects. Canonically demons are still effected by demon arts

[merry cobalt]

ok yeah i havent seen much of the show unfutunaly but i do know a bit about it

[cerulean seal]

Also demons in Demon Slayer aren’t weak to all light just sunlight so radiant damage meh

[cerulean seal]

Out of curiosity, why are you running a demon slayer campaign then if you don’t know the series? Just a general question

[merry cobalt]

yeah 20 damege each turn in sunrise and it goes up more damage

[merry cobalt]

i have watched a bunch of it it was like a long time ago like 3 years 2 years idk so im restarting it and using the stuff i know to make a campain

[cerulean seal]

Ah gotcha

[merry cobalt]

yeah its also an way to rewatch the show

[wind berry]

wrong system to be running that show

[stuck raptor]

you

[wind berry]

oh no i've been foun out

time to scram

runaway

jingle berries

[stuck raptor]

Get over here

not even a hi?!

[wind berry]

hi ti-moth

hope games going well

[cerulean seal]

I think you can run Demon Slayer easily in DnD

[stuck raptor]

i got 6 campaigns soon.

[smoky sand]

How is homebrewing

[cerulean seal]

I just think you don’t run spell casters

Martials only, and maybe make breathing style special feats you pass out or as custom subclasses

[merry cobalt]

ok

[wind berry]

“Don’t run spell casters”

Literally everyone has spellcasting

The cope is real

[stuck raptor]

is break this week

[merry cobalt]

for demon slayer campain

[true forge]

Eldritch Arts

Starting in 1st level, you are taught how to commune with your army. Over the course of a short or long rest, you can perform a 1 hour ritual to connect yourself to your General's army. When you finsh this ritual, you can choose one of the following Arts.

• Eldritch Curse. As a bonus action, you can condemn a creature within 30 feet with a feeling of uneasiness and foreboding for a number of minutes equal to your Charisma modifier. When you attack this creature with a weapon attack, The creature takes an additional 1d4 necrotic damage. This damage increases as level in this class: 1d6 at 6th level, 1d8 at 10th and lastly, 1d10 at 15th. This can be used a number of times per long rest equal to your Charisma modifier.
• Bound Weaponry. The next weapon you touch becomes bound to your soul. As a bonus action, you can summon this weapon to your hands aslong as it is in the same plane of existance. This weapon cannot willingly leave your hands.
• Militaristic Might. As a bonus action, you can speak works of incoragement, bloostered by your army's cries, to a creature within 10 feet of you. This creature gains advantage on the next attack roll, saving throw or ability check they make. This can be used a number of times per long rest equal to your Charisma modifier.

If you do this ritual again, you can choose to remove your current Eldritch Art and replace it with a different Art.

sooooo, thoughts on this first level feature for a full class

[cerulean seal]

Have you never played a martials only campaign?

[true forge]

they are boring, it is just smack and stand still (most times, fighters and rogues can do ranged stuff but not as fun)

[cerulean seal]

Maybe. But some people want low magic settings

[true forge]

low magic and no magic are very different

[wind berry]

i host them

that's how I know it's a myth

its an annoying myth

i really wish people woul stop trying it because they're not actually goo wit numbers

[cerulean seal]

Oh I don’t run them personally

But if you are going to run a no magic setting like Demon Slayer outside of demon magic arts and such

[soft kraken]

Hey there, I am trying to recreate a subclass in Homebrew that my player sent me because the extended spell list doesn't work on ddb. I am having the same issue. Do you guys have a good reference I can watch or read to make sure I am doing it correctly? (Tried reaching out to the original creator, but no response from them. Not trying to steal their credit, only using in a homebrew game)

[tame wing]

Brewed up essentially a mash up of knowledge domain cleric into the bard base class - Seminary of Oghma. Does this feel balanced to everyone?

Seminary Spells (3rd Level)

You gain additional spells that reflect Oghma’s doctrine. They count as bard spells for you and do not count against spells known.

3rd Level: Comprehend Languages, Identify
5th Level: Augury, Mind Spike
7th Level: Arcane Eye, Divination
9th Level: Legend Lore, Modify Memory

Oghman Scholarship (3rd Level)

You gain proficiency in your choice of two of the following:
• Arcana
• History
• Investigation
• Religion
• Any one artisan’s tool used for writing/scribing

If you already have proficiency, you instead gain expertise.

Additionally, when you make an Int ability check, you may add +1d4.
You may use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining uses on a long rest.

Burst of Knowledge (3rd Level)

Your voice channels sudden insight.
When a creature you can see within 60 feet fails an ability check or saving throw, you may use your reaction to roll your Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to the check. If the creature still fails, the use of this feature is not expended.

You may use this feature once per short or long rest.
At 10th level you can use it twice per rest.

Cognitive Focus (6th Level)

Your mind is a disciplined archive.

Whenever your roll allies Bardic Inspiration die, you can treat a roll of 1 or 2 as a 3.

Additionally, you always have Detect Magic and Guidance prepared, and they don’t count against your spells known.

Archive Mind (14th Level)

Your memory becomes a permanent sanctum of Oghma.

You gain the following benefits:

Mnemonic Perfection.
When you finish a long rest, choose two spells of 5th level or lower from any class to add to your spell list. These spells are treated as bard spells for you until the end of your next long rest.

Flawless Recall.
You gain proficiency in all Intelligence-based skills, and expertise in Intelligence-based skills you already have proficiency in.

[true forge]

Soooo, thoughts on this?

[indigo escarp]

Has someone thoughts to share about it? (You can ignore the ring with mistra in it, it's a plot hook for campaigns)

[peak inlet]

is this 2014 or 2024?
Burst of Knowledge doesn’t really give a new use for Bardic Inspiration, I think it should only work if someone’s already using their granted BI and they fail, then you can expend an additional die to try to pass it again
The level 6 spells could just be added to the spell list
The level 14 feature’s first half is just a worse Lore bard feature in 2014 and 2 additional prepared spells in 2024. My opinion is that you could prepare a free casting of a specific spell at the beginning of the day

[peak inlet]

the effects are not an issue but I feel like there are different ways like Curse being a modified Hex and Might being an enhanced Help action. Also, Bound Weaponry says it cannot willingly leave your hand is that a typo or on purpose?

[true forge]

its not a typo?

it cannot leave your hands unless you want it to

[peak inlet]

so it cannot unwillingly leave your hand?

[true forge]

yes? it cant get dropped or removed from your hands unless you want it to

[peak inlet]

the sentence you wrote means that it can only be removed by disarming

[true forge]

disarming wont work

[peak inlet]

then it’s “unwillingly” instead of “willingly”

opposite meaning

[wheat kindle]

Yo guys! What do you think of a magic item which as a side effect gives you a random cosmetical change or a mood change at the start of the day?

[wheat kindle]

The bond weapon sounds significantly worse then the other abilities to me. Like way way worse

[true forge]

ik, i plan on buffing it

and it helps that the next level is fighting styles

[wheat kindle]

That's great!

[wheat kindle]

What's the class idea btw?

Is it kind of like sun jin woo?

[true forge]

Advocates are empowered with military might and eldritch magic to act as soldiers within grand extraplanar wars. With powerful figures acting as their Generals, an Advocate enacts their will in conquering and defending as is their duty to fulfil with their life, body and soul on the line.

basically, warlock fighter combo (much like paladin)

[wheat kindle]

I see. Sounds fire tbh

[wheat kindle]

Will you let them use their weapon as the spell fasting focus?

[true forge]

its a half caster lol, so getting it at 1st makes no sense really

[wheat kindle]

Sad

Imo all half casters should be able to do it

[modest storm]

You can tack it on to their spellcasting feature

paladin's spellcasting feature mentions letting them use their holy symbol as a focus

[true forge]

eh, could, but doesnt really make sense to be using weapons as focuses as that mainly a subclass thing another thing in base class (pact boon/invocation, which this doesnt get btw)

[wheat kindle]

What can they use as a focus?

[true forge]

anything that a normal person can use

[wheat kindle]

So just the components pouch?

Or rather just the components

[true forge]

their are other focuses

[wheat kindle]

They're class specific though. Some only use druidic, some holy, some arcane. Don't remember what warlocks use

[true forge]

they are arcane

[wheat kindle]

I see

[dire dirge]

are eldritch invocations feats going by the homebrew creator?

[stiff notch]

i have a question abt my homebrew rules (i wonder if my players would like it and want feedback)

While downed

• You can fail 2 death saves to do an action and stabilize yourself. But until you get healed, if you get hit once you die

• If you exhaust yourself to do a crit in this state, you can fulfil your action dealing max double damage but you sacrifice yourself to save the party

• Temp hp stabilizes and you back by one
• Death saves are made in secret
• After combat is over, initiative keeps going till you are either dead or stabilized

Coming back from being downed does two things

• DC 10 CON save. On a success you get the “Adrenaline” effect. Doubles movement and ADV on all rolls until end of combat
• Player takes one level of exhaustion until the end of combat

[west tangle]

Well ultimately, it’s up to your players what they like. We can give advice but only you know your players.

What’s your intention with these changes? What don’t you like about going unconscious & dying, and how do these changes solve those issues?

[stiff notch]

its 7 level 6 players and they are weaving through encounters and i wanted more stakes to being downed

i removed the "coming back from being downed" part

[cerulean seal]

I’m gonna be real, they are probably weaving through combat due to action economy. Since you have 7 players

[stiff notch]

this is true

[cerulean seal]

I would either increase the number of enemies they deal with or make the enemies harder

[stiff notch]

this is also true (average health for enemy is 100 and CR 9)

[cerulean seal]

I think your while downed rules are fine though

[west tangle]

Okay, so you want being downed to have higher stakes. Let's go through these in order:

• You can fail 2 death saves to do an action and stabilize yourself - death saves are rolled at the start of your turn. If you roll a death save, fail, you then can no longer use this because it instantly kills you. No idea if that's what you want but that is how that works. Either way, this kind of does the opposite I think. If I was a wizard and I go down, succeed on my save, and a cleric is coming up next: absolutely nothing is stopping me from using my action, and it's like I was never downed because I never even lost the turn. This gets even more breakable with classes which can heal themselves as an action. A level 3 land druid can use an action to heal themselves AND damage enemies, for example.

• The automatic crit / max damage roll sounds like a fun idea, it's not going to help you with your stated problems in 99.9% of circumstances. It facilitates big heroic moments, but most players outright won't do them unless absolutely forced to. It doesn't help your stakes issue.

• Temp HP stabilizes you and back by one - again, undercuts the stakes, makes it easier to get players back up.

• Death saves made in secret - well known, people love it. This works.

• Initiative keeps going til you are dead or stabilized - yeah reasonable.

• Advantage when you come back from being stabilized: This kind of does the opposite of making being downed more tense & high stakes. Being downed gives a benefit that means you're more likely to carry through and win the encounter.

• One level of exhaustion: Yeah, this is a solid idea. If you want it to be scarier, I would take it a step further and you keep the exhaustion until you clear it normally, but this isn't adding tension to being downed, this is just punishing being downed.

(@stiff notch )

[stiff notch]

thats alot of words

my username holds up still

let me take a sec to read

[west tangle]

yeah take your time

[stiff notch]

OH forgot to mention, there is no cleric its
2 rogues
1 paladin
1 artificer
1 warlock
1 fighter
1 sorcerer

[dull robin]

7 PCs ? Wow

I have done it but it’s not the easiest…

[cerulean seal]

What’s the Paladin, warlock, and sorcerers subclass?

[stiff notch]

vengence, undead and shadow

[cerulean seal]

God damnit

No healers here

Guys we can’t all be Dps

lol

[stiff notch]

i still do my best by giving each player a chance to shine, they rp well and it gives me time to plan more and also diverging plotlines for each one

[cerulean seal]

As long as everyone in having fun that’s all that matters

[stiff notch]

i spend my spare time of my day planning

the veteran player had an arguement with a new player abt learning their stuff and that made me realize "these guys dont know the homebrew rules and backstory feats i gave them" so im doing a google slides for the rules like a session 0

[west tangle]

Paladins, Fighters, and Artificers can all heal in some capacity, and I presume these classes are being offset with magic items for healing like potions etc

[dull robin]

Or the good ol’ tourniquet. 🤣

[west tangle]

or the good ol' tourniquet

[stiff notch]

or the good ol' tourniquet

[west tangle]

Oh, also, warlock potentially benefits from the temp HP rule with their invocation to get 7 temp HP as an action.

[dull robin]

« Can I use fireball to cauterize him? »

[stiff notch]

also heroism spell

[cerulean seal]

Trust me guys, Mending works on an open wound

[west tangle]

wizard and sorcerer can also benefit from this

[stiff notch]

if your a warforged maybe

like artificer homunculus

but a guy

[west tangle]

So what I just want to make clear is this: Your changes are interesting but they are gonna make getting knocked unconscious less difficult to recover from for the party

[stiff notch]

this goes hard thanks for the feedback, my players dont have that much to get temp HP or heal easily

[west tangle]

I also think it's important to plan for the future

[stiff notch]

this is also true

[west tangle]

because a cleric or a druid will help your players shred encounters

[stiff notch]

the players stated that if i add more players they WILL leave

OH

typo

they get the exhaustion at the end of combat

[west tangle]

Fighter goes down. Cleric casts bless. Fighter succeeds on their death save with the paladin aura and an extra D4. Uses Second Wind or drinks a potion or something (No idea if you'd allow bonus actions for that first rule). Fighter is back up, rolls a con save, clears the DC 10, that fighter now has advantage on all attacks for the rest of combat, and didn't lose much of a turn. Alternatively, magic intiate: cleric, use an action to cure wounds yourself, you're back up, bonus action second wind, action surge, and we're off.

[stiff notch]

this is true

hmm

i might change the adrenaline

[west tangle]

So here's where I ask again, perhaps a little more targeted this time: What do you want players to feel when they go unconscious? What do you want players to feel when their allies go unconscious?

[stiff notch]

The looming threat of death is apparent in this arc, specifically with the BBEG threatening to turn the party into undead after they kill them. The party is paranoid that the enemies will take the opportunity while the player is down to turn them along with one of the players soul being messed with by one of the BBEGS acolytes

[west tangle]

Okay so we want it to be a state where they are vulnerable and that can be capitalized on

[stiff notch]

also i keep threatening the "afterlife arc"

[west tangle]

I would heighten the threats of death. I'd honestly drop the first rule, I would keep the automatically die for a nat 20 success. I would consider adding the stipulation that this causes you to be raised as a zombie by the BBEG's magic.

Similarly, I'd drop temp HP reviving the party. Again, it just gives the party more ways to get out of that with no consequences.

I'd lastly drop adrenaline surge, it just seems so strong.

I would consider looking the other direction and maybe considering some even scarier changes, but I don't think you need to go that far

but really, I think the changes you're proposing are cool but mechanically undercut the goals you have for how you want the party to feel

[stiff notch]

bet bet bet thank youuu

[west tangle]

An optional rule if you really wanna instill the fear of god in the party: You don't roll death saves - you automatically fail them instead, but also you can't fail saves from being attacked. Force the party to use their action economy in the moment to stem the bleeding and stabilize you. I would heavily discuss this with the party, and likely give an additional round until death.

[native grove]

i have two druid subclass ideas that are mechanically rather similar that i want some opinions on

[west tangle]

and I want to emphasize, these should be discussed with the group, these are my untested ideas, and you do not need these changes.

[stiff notch]

sticker of a cat doing a thumbs up

-# this server wont let me use stickers :(

[native grove]

the circle of the other is an eldritch/alien themed subclass all about transforming into a cosmic horror with customizable mutations, giving you certain bonuses.

The circle of the sandstorm is a martial subclass which lets you do what is known as a "desert dance", creating a sandstorm around yourself that you can control.

[fierce dome]

I actually wrote an eldritch/aberration themed druid, but it was all about wild shaping into actual aberration stat blocks

[native grove]

can i see?

[fierce dome]

It's AWFUL and old, but I'll try to find the link real quick

It's called the Circle of the Unfathomable, I sorta took the name from the fathomless warlock
https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-MUdNoz1jauE5A8KpVXX

[native grove]

which one of these ideas do you think has the most potential for a subclass?

[fierce dome]

Probably the eldritch one. The desert one runs the rush of being too niche, like if you lean too hard into fire as a damage type or something

[native grove]

yeah the desert one might work better as a remake of the circle of land

[restive verge]

imagine a shinobi subclass of rogue

[cerulean seal]

I like the sand storm more. I don’t think we have a Druid that gets an emanation currently

[cerulean seal]

What would it do different from current rogues?

[fierce dome]

Doesn't circle of the sea?

[cerulean seal]

Ah yes, I forgot about that

But I still think you can have the emanation play differently

[native grove]

as said i think the concept of a desert druid works better for a circle of the land remake

[cerulean seal]

Looking for some feedback on this 3rd level subclass feature. This is for a half caster class in designing. Is this fine to leave as unlimited uses?

Level 3: Living Gear
Your Armament provides itself for combat, allowing you to use or wear it. You gain proficiency in Heavy Armor.
At the end of a long rest, you touch either a weapon or set of armor and mark it as the body for your Armament. The equipment comes alive, able to float above the ground, talk, and move on its own. While not moving, the armament appears ordinary. This equipment cannot be removed from you against your will. The touched target gains the following benefits depending on the kind of equipment until you use this feature again:

• Armor: You ignore the strength requirement for this armor. You do not have disadvantage on stealth rolls as a result of wearing this armor. As a magic action, you release a pulse of energy from your armor in a 5 foot emanation. Friendly creatures in this emanation receive a number of temporary hit points equal to your Bonded level plus your Wisdom modifier for 1 minute. Creatures of your choice in this emanation are forced to roll a constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save they are pushed back 10 feet and take 1d10 force damage.
• Weapon: When you attack with this weapon you can use your Wisdom instead of Strength or Dexterity, for attack and damage rolls. As a Magic action, you can channel your weapons energy causing the weapon to temporarily grow for a massive magical attack in a 15 foot line. All creatures in the space are forced to make a dexterity saving throw. On a failed save they take your weapons damage die worth of force damage and have disadvantage on their next attack roll.

[midnight elk]

Honestly great! Infinite uses seems fine

So, I've been working on an idea of having the DM be an in universe entity and having a "chosen blade" I was wondering if anyone would be willing to look at what I've got so far:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16MWLW62wJmmPYhceUHV0cVUoRnPsbm9Sf5orNWXRmTM/edit?usp=sharing

[quartz frost]

Hello you people. Would iron mans repulser blasts do piercing or bludgeoning damage?

[cerulean seal]

Armorer Artificer is basically in game iron man suit

[quartz frost]

I haven't read through the new book yet, does it include an integrated weapon system?

[cerulean seal]

Check Tasha’s or the 2024 version

[cerulean seal]

The armorer artificer has its own built in weapon depending on which mode you have it in

In guardian mode you get thunder gauntlets.
In infiltrator mode you get lightning launchers

And the new version in 2024 also gives you another mode where you get a big ball and chain you can throw

I would read over the armorer because it’s as close to Iron Man as you can get imo

[quartz frost]

I just read through the new stuff, I saw that in the infiltrator

Yeah I honestly kinda forgot the new artificer came out ngl

[cerulean seal]

The thunder pulse too is kinda iron man too

But those are melee

[quartz frost]

Okay but regular iron man from the movies/comics, what he shoots doesn't really feel/look like lightning or thunder

[cerulean seal]

It’s not piercing or bludgeoning just can tell you that. lol

They are “concussive blasts”

So probably closer to force damage

I guess bludgeoning works though

[quartz frost]

I suppose thunder does fit the concussive blast part. I just prefer avoiding giving players force damage when I can

[cerulean seal]

That’s fine. Do bludgeoning or thunder imo

Or just copy armorer

[quartz frost]

I appreciate the input.
I might also just do that lol

[midnight elk]

Probably a combo of force+radiant+fire.

Or you could use bludgeoning+radiant+thunder

[quartz frost]

I didn't think about radiant

[midnight elk]

That's fair, everyone I've met just forgets it exists.

[chilly laurel]

https://pastebin.com/k865RgKe

guys does this look good

its a homebrew class

[primal osprey]

As a paladin main… I never forget

Also I’m thinking of changing the name of my homebrew class from Battleborn to Battleblood, to make it sound like being born with the abilities isn’t the only way to get them

[wind berry]

it's in a pastebin

that's usually a suspect link for those unfamiliar

[chilly laurel]

oh

yeah i mean its an annoying amount of text

to put into seperate messages

[wind berry]

quick read it's not a good class

it's bad

too much tracking

already a big 👎🏿

[chilly laurel]

what do u mean by tracking

like its too complicated?

[wind berry]

Complex doesn't mean bad. Active complex tracking of how your character sheet functions is.

I already picked up on the quick read it has do this constantly.

No one wants to deal with that, an dit slows down the game in an already slowgame.

[chilly laurel]

is that bc of the control

values

and all the loose ac ig too

[cerulean seal]

Let me take a look

In the future I would use Google docs btw

Easier to share and read without people getting sus over links

[chilly laurel]

control thief is supposed to say control not energy**

[wind berry]

people still use gmbinder, cringe

[cerulean seal]

So level 1 imo is way too strong. It’s basically a free feat for anyone to take a single level dip into. I would either move it to a higher level or change it.

I’m confused about the frenzy thing because there is no explanation about the point system thing here so I have no reference for what it’s referring to.

I think the natural weapons this class gives are pretty weak and the fact that you have to spend a whole turn to get them back is weak. You don’t ever want to have to give up extra rounds or actions just to use your stuff. Just give them a resource cost

[cerulean seal]

Why do you keep being rude to people?

[chilly laurel]

the 4th number is like the control u have and if u spend it all (until level 14/18) ull enter frenzy

idk i feel like its too big of a drawback

[cold pumice]

I don't even think it's that bad honestly, the formatting is giving me a little bit of a headache because the levels are all over the place

[cerulean seal]

Yeah I would move this to Google doc to make it easier to reads it’s weirdly structured currently

[cold pumice]

the points are explained the pastebin is just being weird with formatting, they're the 4th column in the table

[chilly laurel]

also i gave an epic boon at level 19 but i honestly have no idea what that does bc i played with the handbook from 2014 not 2024 and there it worked differently are boons even good?

[cold pumice]

but I think the flavor is there, don't ask me about balance tho lmao

[cerulean seal]

Ah in that case, too many points imo

[chilly laurel]

should i make it like ki/focus points then?

[cerulean seal]

Epic boons are basically required in 2024 so yes. Leave it at level 19

[wind berry]

i dunno; why doyou care?

[cerulean seal]

Correct. Or make a more unique point system

Monks already get the highest amount of resource points, you either want to match it or go less imo

[chilly laurel]

wait so thats why theres also a lot of tracking right

its too arbitrary

[cerulean seal]

You want your class to be unique but not difficult to use

[wind berry]

It's not just the arbitrary. When I read it, you have specific bonuses tied to these changing conditions. The playetr has to constantly adjust the math of their sheet.

This is a big ❌ because it introduces a very big level of human error which can change how they're interacting with encounters.

I forget to subtract something here, I add something here, and so on.

It's a big criticism because you have fixed stats as abilities in there that don't require a change of condition(example of the permanent boost)

[chilly laurel]

ohhh

wait so what would be a preferred

situation

how would i swap all those buffs

[wind berry]

Make the buffs a short rest or long rest track but not a constant track.

It's just how often they have to change numbers. When yo udo it like,that, you can also make siad buffs stronger since they can't change them out very well

[chilly laurel]

sorry can u give an example 😭

[wind berry]

sure give me a moment

[midnight elk]

I had an idea for an infinite ammo crossbow that shoots eldritch blast style projectiles.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QphtK0rNvxvxsBdfB-P8u2rLhD3MDTOx4-uwCtBLOIk/edit?usp=sharing
Is it to OP?

[wind berry]

I need to rip one of your features then show it against an actual class feature

[cold pumice]

I'm confused by this a little bit
at level 3, you grow patches of external bone shielding. Gain +1 AC, whenever you take damage, reduce it by your proficiency bonus once per round for 1 control point.
why would I spend points to lower my ac? does my ac not go down if I don't spend anything?

[cold pumice]

infinite ammo by itself isn't OP in the slightest as, if we're being real nobody tracks mundane ammo

[midnight elk]

At level 20 if you know eldritch blast it can fire 18 bolts.

[chilly laurel]

it = the damage you took not the AC lol my bad

[cold pumice]

okay wait so, at level 20 1 attack with the crossbow does 9 bolts?

[midnight elk]

Yes and it doubles if you know eldritch blast

[chilly laurel]

some of the wording is a little bad ill fix that when the features themselves are definitive

[cold pumice]

be mindful of that because a lvl 20 fighter is gonna take an hour to finish their turn

[wind berry]

tarting from level 2, you can control your bones to shape a weapon for a control point a time:
spike - (piercing 1d6)
knuckle braces - (slashing 1d4 + STR)
forearm shield - (1d4, +2 AC while active)
the weapon will retract when 10+ damage is taken at once, and will take a turn and control point to repair.

vs.

ou can expend these points to enhance or fuel certain Monk features. You start knowing three such features: Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind, each of which is detailed below.
Flurry of Blows. You can expend 1 Focus Point to make two Unarmed Strikes as a Bonus Action.

Patient Defense. You can take the Disengage action as a Bonus Action. Alternatively, you can expend 1 Focus Point to take both the Disengage and the Dodge actions as a Bonus Action.

Step of the Wind. You can take the Dash action as a Bonus Action. Alternatively, you can expend 1 Focus Point to take both the Disengage and Dash actions as a Bonus Action, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.

What's the difference between the monk and this concept? None of these actually cause you to have to adjust and change a number on your sheet. They are action-based that call for an effect for sure, but won't change your AC(such as dodge) or your attack(such as unarmed strike).

This is the difference between "active tracking" and "passive tracking"

[midnight elk]

How so?

[cold pumice]

ah I see that makes more sense

[cold pumice]

you need to make 9 attack rolls for every attack action you take, a level 20 fighter is gonna need to make up to 72 attack rolls per torn

that's gonna take a little bit

[chilly laurel]

ahh okay so i shouldnt be giving out ac or resistances so loosely i should achieve the same effect but with less writing

[midnight elk]

Oh dear, I also just realised that since all 18 bolts can be aimed at one creature...

[chilly laurel]

huge help thanks

[wind berry]

I'm critical of people but I don't speak without evidence.

I've been homebrewing for four years.

I'm just mean about it now lol

[midnight elk]

Oh dear

[cold pumice]

doesn't matter who you're aiming at you'd still have to roll seperately for each and every bolt as it's written rn

keep in mind I do like the idea

but it's gonna bog down everything really early

[midnight elk]

Yes but the damge you would do...

[cold pumice]

yes but the hate your teammates would have for you :)

I don't wanna be next in line to the fighter making his 50th attack roll

[midnight elk]

Also I have one that's just the same concept but a LOT stronger:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MnnKu8wuyobeT_-ZaIAj8Llo24S01NGXVq5jtgv3Xr4/edit?usp=sharing

[cold pumice]

they're definitely legendary i'll tell you that much

I also really like the flavor text btw

[midnight elk]

Thank you!

[cold pumice]

why does the crossbow have a damage when it's gonna fire bolts every time you attack anyways, that seems kinda redundant

oh wait nvm it's the same

that's just there for reference I get it

I think you're definitely closing the martial-caster disparity with an item like that

[midnight elk]

I try

[cold pumice]

I wouldn't say game breaking, I would say less fun

that's the fun part, the gnome wizard inexplicably getting the barbarian into a chokehold and absolutely taking him out

[midnight elk]

I just realised that overdrive protocol+Cataclysmic Discharge is broken

[cold pumice]

oh wait

wait

it doubles it

that means

144 attacks

per turn

bestie I think it's time to rework that crossbow

[midnight elk]

And a total of 12d10 damage per creature

OH GOD 120 DAMAGE

THAT POOR GOBLIN

[cold pumice]

I love it but I won't love it when it's been 30 minutes and the fighter is taking their 70th attack with 70 more to come

also also

at that amount of bolts you're gonna trigger that nat1 effect a whole lot

[midnight elk]

Imagine the goblin that gets hit by that combo...

[cold pumice]

just saying this would work really well in a video game

just not in a game where each and every attack takes real time

[midnight elk]

But do you think it would be effective against a Tarrasque?

[cold pumice]

just so there's no miscommunication here, whenever you choose to make a weapon attack with this thing it's gonna fire 3/5/7/9 bolts, right?

[midnight elk]

Depending on level

[cold pumice]

yeah

[midnight elk]

Minimum 3

Maximum 18

[cold pumice]

so if I am a say level 17 eldritch knight fighter, I could
-bonus action overdrive protocol
-action attack
--fire 14 bolts (1st attack)
--fire 14 bolts (2nd attack)
--fire 14 bolts (3rd attack)
-action surge
--fire 14 bolts (action surge 1st attack)
--fire 14 bolts (action surge 2nt attack)
--fire 14 bolts (action surge 3rd attack)

[wind berry]

wrong system for it

That's the answer.

[cold pumice]

this would blow up literally anything

[wind berry]

in DND, it is bad.

There are other systems that do this specifically.

Let's take example Savage Worlds Adventurer Edition. You can in fact roll an skill check at a target number of 4(it's a d12 die system), but your success/raises determine the penalty they get to rolling against TN 4

[chilly laurel]

are resistances also a part the issue with tracking

[wind berry]

a raise is every 4 after TN 4

so if you get a 12, and you have 1 success and two raises, the person rolls an opposed skill check at -6

that means the effective TN is 10

that works in a properly constructed d12 system

d20 systems break apart because of variability

[wind berry]

permanent resistances no; changing resistances yes, but also no

it just depends on how many, more than anything

[cold pumice]

that is 90 bolts of 2d10 force damage, at a 65% chance to hit 120d10 for an average of 660 + 60 times your modifier

[wind berry]

this coulda been an email

[midnight elk]

So a smidge broken

[cold pumice]

a teensy weensy bit

add onto that something like, hunters mark, hex what have you

for an additional like 2 trillion damage

[cold pumice]

the reason why eldritch blast fires multiple blasts is because it's supposed to scale with extra attack, with that you're just quadratically scaling because it scales with extra attack already

[midnight elk]

Still less broken than Bob:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10KkWmDyumA03rugOgfphEWL-e9w5BxgrgqNXugjt2xs/edit?usp=sharing

[cold pumice]

four eldritch knight fighters with that crossbow are gonna bring him down in like a turn or two

:3

[wind berry]

No, it makes opposed checks completely pointless, nullifying them. This system fundamentally doesn't play well with non-opposed checks(save DCs).

Take save DC ten. A d10 has a 50% chance. Take Save DC 17, and let's sasy an CR 8 creature with a standard +5 in the save. the yahve about a 40 or 45% chance of saving again.

They make the checks incredibly pointless

[cold pumice]

especially if they're level 20

[wind berry]

that's the problem of this systems execution. Without opposed rolling, you don't bother doing it.

There's also a million ways for both monsters and players to just increase their save DC.

Let's take a standard GM crybaby complaint. Flash of Genius, a +5 intellignece mod to any save or check of themself or a player within 30 ft.

Let's take Save DC 20. Let's assume the die rolls a ten. Let's assume the player has a basic +4 in proficiency bonus and only ONE in the mod. that's a +5 modifier. Okay, they're at a 15. Flash of Genius, they're now at a 20.

bardic inspiration, generally going t beat it.

Guidance, easy.

There's also bless.

uh, let's see. Technically silvery barbs can potentially work on both targets, the one initiating and the one rolling against it.

This isn't exhaustive. I'm taking the standard; "my brain can default this out"

collapses instantly if you try that

hence my answer to you is; wrong system to try it in

No, stacking bonuses doesn't guarantee you to fail. The fact is they have very easy access to skill check bonus causing sources for each individual that it guarantees they will always succeed in some fashion on such checks.

[cerulean seal]

Players love their numbers go up

[wind berry]

It's the distinction that you're calling for a save DC type mechanic with a skill check.

emphasis on skill

If you're saying a skill check that causes a save DC, it's slightly less messier. But it's still messy.

[chilly laurel]

is temporary health bad

i rarely give it

theres 2-3 moves i think

[cerulean seal]

It’s fine in moderation. It doesn’t stack either

[chilly laurel]

2 pretty sure

[cerulean seal]

But it’s never particularly exciting

[pseudo salmon]

yeah, temp hp doesn's stack, you have to choose to keep your old temp hp or take the new value

[wind berry]

the only thing I've ever seen do temporary health as a thing worth considering for a lass feature is artilerist protector turret

because it's an AOE temporary health that uses a bonus action and doesn't cost resources

[chilly laurel]

how long does temporary health even last

if no damage is taken

[cerulean seal]

The feature usually specifies

[pseudo salmon]

until the next long rest

or if the effect has a duration

[chilly laurel]

aha thanks

[pseudo salmon]

would any1 be willing to look over a homebrew race for me and give feedback :)

[cerulean seal]

Temp hp is one of those like, it’s good to have but you are never particularly excited about having it

Unless it’s bonkers

[wind berry]

sure, I'm not nice about it though as gore has noticed

[cerulean seal]

lol. I just think people would appreciate kind and constructive criticism to further encourage creative pursuits

It’s like when the teacher in elementary school said your macaroni art was bad

Like damn

[pseudo salmon]

I would appreciate that

give me a sec, trying to figure out how I want to share this without giving out personal info

is just pasting the whole thing here frowned upon

[wind berry]

ngl, I'm so edged out about being nice because most of the people here aren't. So I am used to getting kicked so I just do the kicking.

[chilly laurel]

quivering palm sounds stupidly overpowered how is that a real thing

[cerulean seal]

2024 version? Or 2014

[wind berry]

gore

[chilly laurel]

i only know the 2014th version is the 2024 version better or worse

[wind berry]

that distinction

is so little lol

[cerulean seal]

Didn’t they change it in 2024? Like a lot?

[chilly laurel]

idk i dont think so

they look familiar

[wind berry]

The only thing they removed was Con save or die.

but they jumped up the 10d10 necrotic to 10d12 force

so uh

and they made it 1 point cheaper

"Resist this" - dies anyways from raw damage

[pseudo salmon]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lRNhr0JZ90HJmG5z4CQgllVHd4xVdoafnLTgjJxXcZU/edit?usp=sharing

^Homebrew race

[wind berry]

because 2014 was con save or die and even if you save take 10d10 necrotic damage

[chilly laurel]

does that make a big difference

force vs necrotic

[wind berry]

technically yes because they can't oneshot your bbeg. 2024 isn't player friendly; the playtesters were mostly GMs who cried about things

so it helps the GM

[wind berry]

almost nothing in the game, less than twenty creatures(aside from certain dragon types) are immune to force

its basicalyl meant to be unresisted death

and there are very FEW creatrues with resistance to force

[pseudo salmon]

Many more creatures are resistant to necrotic tho

[wind berry]

undead are immuneto necrotic

almost half the creatures in the game have resistance toit

[chilly laurel]

so damage basically does nothing except if u have resistance to it

how would a monk deal necrotic

isnt he just fists

[wind berry]

necrotic is meant to be in theme a control of life and death

you're literally killing life itself

[pseudo salmon]

there are certain traits that creatures have that care about damage type, but for the most part, you're correct

[wind berry]

so its on brand

But as a matter of mechanics; it wasn't really used for the necrotic. It was used for save ordie.

And players would make the BBEG and other big enemeis fail.

Because there's no actual target limitation

[chilly laurel]

😭

is there also like weaknesses

like take double damage instead of half

[pseudo salmon]

goodness, I just realized Quivering Palm and a divination wizard go crazy together

[wind berry]

yeah that was a common combo. 2024 wasn't designed with players in mind. it was designed to appease crybaby GMs

that's what I got from readng all the playtest feedback

"Hey, my player absued this. Someone could abuse that. My enemy died to this"

there was very rarely feedback about the player experience

It was also the same in playtest arcana, you can observe the same behavior

[pseudo salmon]

bump :)

[wind berry]

oh yeah thanks for the bump

let me read

ugh is this 2014

with the whole racial limitation thing again

for ASI

[pseudo salmon]

oh

I generally view that as the suggested ASIs now

[pure iron]

I kinda want a cage match spell Ngl
Any ideas or recommendations

[pseudo salmon]

wdym by "cage match"

[cerulean seal]

Compell duel?

Or do you mean like, you make an arena

[chilly laurel]

been playing too much overwatch bro 😭

[pure iron]

Yes arena

[wind berry]

add a way to trigger puppetry mode deliberately and I'd say its fun concept

[chilly laurel]

or valorant ig

iso or mauga

[wind berry]

it's definitely not a concept I'd take if I was being a minmaxing scumbag

but its a fun concept, but that dependency on a 1 is too slow to make use of it

[pure iron]

I don’t play either or 😭

[pseudo salmon]

ooh, maybe I can frame it like the Tides of Chaos feature that Wild Magic sorcerers get

[chilly laurel]

oh 😭 😭 😭

[pseudo salmon]

Mess with a roll in exchange for immediate Puppetry Mode

[cerulean seal]

@wind berry You mind if I Dm you? I already did, I just realized I should have asked first. lol

[wind berry]

you can do that, but it goes back to you want the player to have fun, irregardless of the GM, so they need a way to actually have fun with their race

so there needs to be someway for the player to deliberately trigger it

otherwise its not fun

[wind berry]

uh I have my DMs muted so thanks for pinging me

i'll take a look

[pseudo salmon]

Are you suggesting that I replace the nat 1 trigger, or add an additional (player controled) trigger?

[chilly laurel]

is there any mechanic where i can make a players attack be able to hurt an ally

or the possibility of it

[pseudo salmon]

any aoe spell XD

[wind berry]

add an additional trigger

or replace

that's up to you

but there needs to be a player controlledtrigger

[pseudo salmon]

hmm 🤔

[wind berry]

my advice is always about FUN, not necesarily numbers, keep that in mind. I just don't see it as fun at all if the player can't interact with it outside of rolling badly

[pseudo salmon]

yeah, that makes sense

[pseudo salmon]

other than spells, I don't think there's any RAW mechanics that make an attack hit multiple creatures

[chilly laurel]

alrrr thx

[pure iron]

Bomb?

Hum yes bomb does do this

[cold pumice]

hunter ranger thingy I think

idk what it's called

[pseudo salmon]

OH

Yeah

[cold pumice]

horde breaker?

[pseudo salmon]

Its the Volley thing

yeah

[cold pumice]

yeah that

[chilly laurel]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RBxHTKNKqB_quxUTNQViAZ4yli8kUFUIkVCxK8Xa-lM/edit?tab=t.0

idk i feel like i havent changed a whole lot but i removed almost all instances of gaining AC @wind berry

what do u think i can improve on now

[hollow siren]

contemplating reworking the eberron greater mark of x features so that they incorporate the benefits of potent dragonmark

i like both but tbh i think its very taxing for the target demographic build for 2 feats

[coral delta]

Potent Dragonmark is an extremely powerful feat just on its own. I recommend reconsidering this.

[hollow siren]

i dont really disagree either

but its almost too punishing for a 2 feats tax

instead of just a single feat tax

like the feat IRS can calm down im paying my feature/ASI taxes on time

(lol)

[coral delta]

I mean, if you want to have two abilities, you'll have to invest in them. That's kind of how sequential progress works.

[hollow siren]

the combo would only have "all spells are prepared" and not the extra spell slot

[coral delta]

If anything, the Greater Marks feats are usually a little underwhelming. I'd recommend buffing those to be on par with Potent Dragonmark, rather than trying to combine the two.

[hollow siren]

true

[hollow siren]

yeah, thats kind of what i meant

like more incorporating the always prepared part into the greater marks

[coral delta]

I don't think you need to take the thunder from Potent at all. I think a player should be rewarded for getting both.

[magic osprey]

@versed galleon

it dosn't use a spell slot

It just happens

[versed galleon]

Wait! that's wild strong

So if you fire off the avada kedava at them and it turns into a black hole, they get that for free?

[magic osprey]

if you fail a death saving throw in my games, you take a level of exhaustion

[magic osprey]

They can cast it at will

[versed galleon]

That is fair- something balance would look like an equal exchange of cost for that. So exhaustion makes sense

[magic osprey]

And I think, if they have exhaustion when they cast it next, its

1d4 exhaustion again

plus -5 Con

I want them to use is spairingly

[versed galleon]

this feels like with great power comes a high electricity bill

[magic osprey]

Thoughts on this as well for them?

``Infernal Displacement

You can switch places with an ally or object within 30 feet of you by clapping. You may use this technique as an reaction. You can do this

PF time/long Rest.``

[versed galleon]

That sounds fun though!

[magic osprey]

I think they'll like it

Both are based off of JJK, and nerfed to 5e ish

[midnight elk]

So this new weapon is part lore part randomness and part amazing weapon.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16-96WbW-qx6RVStFXidAy6yG7Wwqn8ToMf4ghICBGzg/edit?usp=sharing

[versed galleon]

I caught the reference!

[magic osprey]

The dragon ate my GIF 😭

[magic osprey]

All of us are also in a JJK campaign, and they kept asking for abilities\ from it, and I finally gave in lol

[versed galleon]

Oh that is awesome! so is everything based on cursed energy rather than magic?

[merry cobalt]

im doing one baced on demon slayer:)

[versed galleon]

I had just finished mine based around a hybrid of Hunter x Hunter, Genshin Impact and Solo Leveling

[magic osprey]

Yup

[merry cobalt]

that actualy sounts cool any tips?

sounds*

[versed galleon]

So i took parts that worked well while forming the world. That part i can talk about in #dm-world-building but I took the skills aspect from most adventure anime and homebrew them. The vision aspect from Genshin and made them explorers that were tasked with a mission.

**Best advice is simple is better. **

It was easy to go overload so simplifying it made life manageable and my players enjoyed them. Everyone had "visions" that was a special skill tailored to their character. They were limited to 5 skills but they could evolve depending on how they used them. The missions they took or dungeons they explored gave them more perks being explorers.

[merry cobalt]

ok ty

[versed galleon]

Also you don't need to make carbon copies of what you reference it can be inspired by that fits what you are looking for

[hollow siren]

thats a fair point. my thinking here is that potent dragonmark has a LOT of benefit but the allocation of the benefits is overly exacting with how the target demographic build would have to sink both feat/ASI choices from level 4 and 8 into them. its too exacting, but i recognize its also very, well, potent

[merry cobalt]

yeah but my player havent watched the anime so it will be easy to do it i thik idk

[hollow siren]

todd howard can be heard in the design process/thinking there

it just works

[versed galleon]

Yeah but considering demon slayer is heavy in breathing styles- it is a high task.

Especially if they want a unique one

[merry cobalt]

yeah

[versed galleon]

Yeah just keep it simple as possible. Make sure like demon slayer the breathing style relates to one you already have in existence.

[merry cobalt]

yeah ok

[chilly laurel]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jf2vLObHbtrcjCM1kYN-LT6r-0Dryx7pGTl8scCsGN0/edit?tab=t.0

what do we think (i still have to add subclasses)

[hidden delta]

no first level ability

[hidden grail]

How cruel must I be to add Localised limb Hp

[ember sorrel]

Check out Runequest.

[hidden grail]

Alright, I just need ideas to help me flesh this out

[ember sorrel]

Runequest has you covered. It was one of the original D&D homebrews that spun off because the author, Steve Perrin, wanted a more "realistic" system.

It specifically has limb damage. I think 2e is probably the best option.

[pseudo salmon]

Idea for a racial trait:

Chaotic Success: All attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws are made with Emphasis. (to roll with Emphasis, roll two d20 and select the result farther from 10. If the results are equidistant, choose the higher result.)

Thoughts?

[dull robin]

Many games have damage location (or « hit location »)

Deadlands Classic, for such an example.

Maybe you should look at ttrpg design books. Like « Succesful Design Patterns In RPGs »

https://danielrparente.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rpg_design_patterns_9_26_05.pdf

[ember sorrel]

this would get really tiring really fast

[hidden grail]

Tbh, I only got the idea from Escape from tarkov for my DnD campaign with magi-tech (there are guns too)

[dull robin]

Have you read any game outside D&D or its clones (Pathfinder) ?

[sacred current]

Are these two feats balanced?

[pseudo salmon]

I would remove the ASIs, these don't feel like half feats

[sacred current]

More like full feats?

[pseudo salmon]

Yeah

[pseudo salmon]

@wind berry
What would you think of this as a trigger ability?

Force of Chaos: As a reaction when you fail an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can change the roll to a 19. You then immediately enter Puppetry Mode.

[modest storm]

You need to specify what you're using it as a reaction to, fwiw

[hidden grail]

Well, I did read pathfinder
But I was only interested in the shields

Still focusing on main DnD

[dull robin]

Pathfinder 1e is D&D3.7
It’s not a different game, even in its 2e

[hidden grail]

I see, I'll go check it out once I'm done with 5e DnD

[dull robin]

Go check games that aren’t related to D&D. That aren’t even fantasy.
It will enrich your gamedesign. It will enrich your DMing.

[remote lance]

Is this balanced? It’s a racial feature

You have a keen nose that allows you to track down foes with predatory instinct. You can mark the scent a creature within 15 feet of you as a Bonus Action. While marked, you have Advantage on Attack Rolls against the target, and Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks to find the target. The target remains marked for 1 hour. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

[hidden grail]

I mean, I'm technically doing it
They aren't TTRPGs (Unless I count pathfinder shields)

I'm currently balancing my enemies to be more In numbers rather than spamming legendary monsters

To show that not all party deaths are from legendary bosses/monsters that are official or homebrew

[dull robin]

How are you « technically » doing it? Homebrewing D&D is not by any form reading different ttrpgs. It’s just making D&D variants.
I encourage you to play, like, other games than the Fallout series, and you tell me « I am doing it : I am modding fallout 3. »
The variety of ttrpgs is as varied as the video game landscape. Don’t get stuck in one game and miss the richness of the whole… Apocalypse World is to D&D what Quake is to Super Mario : a totally different experience / design / form.

[flint marsh]

It's vow of enmity but better

Also it's not limited to a paladin/paladin multiclass

I'd say it's way too much

[hasty onyx]

There's nothing broken about this item, right?
https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/10924320-anklet-of-strides

[dull robin]

Nope.
Take note that it does not muffle sound. It adds sound effects that cover the ones done normally.

[hasty onyx]

yep

[heady surge]

If y'all could improve Eldrich Smite, how would y'all do it?
My first idea was to give it free casts equal to half my Charisma modifier per short/long rest, or something like that.

[peak inlet]

I mean if you add the opposite sound waves of the ones you’re making, it can completely silence the footsteps

[hasty onyx]

picks up heavy flamer

Listen you...

[peak inlet]

it’s actually really weak as is, considering Elvenkind Boots gives a Stealth boost for an Uncommon non-attunement

in fact, you can make any sound which means you can completely cover up any noise including any clanking of your armor, which would usually remove your disadvantage to stealth from wearing armor

[normal quiver]

Would anyone be interested in hearing about the one-shot I built, and in offering feedback if it ends up sounding like dookie?

[stuck raptor]

#dm-discussion

[normal quiver]

ooh, thank you!

[hasty onyx]

good, its weak, that is all i need for a thematic item my dm will say yes to my character getting

[peak inlet]

unless I’m missing something, it’s a Common Magic Item

[hasty onyx]

sure, fine, i already submitted it as an uncommon so its good enough

[pseudo salmon]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lRNhr0JZ90HJmG5z4CQgllVHd4xVdoafnLTgjJxXcZU/edit?usp=sharing
Meant to be a silly race, but would you allow it in your game? If not, why?

[hasty onyx]

Would a heavy weapon with both Graze and Cleave properties be to good?

[hidden grail]

Well, just taking mechanics and stuff I like then polishing it to fit into my dnd campaign

[loud pasture]

Hey hey! I'm creating a homebrew greatsword heavily inspired by gaels greatsword from ds3! Any ideas for moves and things it can do would be greatly appreciated! This will be one of the players main weapons from now till the end of the game

[hidden grail]

Which greatswors version?

the boss gael or the Normal gael

[loud pasture]

Boss

Red skulls, lightning, crazy movement

Anything

[hidden grail]

So, bear with my ideas here

Well it would have great reach maybe like 10 ft since the boss gael sword is large

It would probably be unbreakable (assuming you got weapon durability)

It can maybe apply a effect like darkness referencing its from dark souls therefore stunning the target

Then every time you swing another red slash appears dealing more damage (referencing gaels cloak)

Then it should give necrotic damage, scales up with character level (or the sword levels up every time you reach enough kills)

Then it should give boosts to paladins smite since gael uses magic and fighting style at the same time making him a necrotic paladin

Also, If you get enough kills (or sacrifice a few hp) you get to apply a lightning on your opponents

They need to make a Constitution saving throw or risk being stunned for the rest of the round

Then, you can launch flying red souls that will do necrotic damage if it hits an enemy

The sword could have a description that is from a strong corrupted warrior wearing a red cloak

The sword could also lead to a secret quesline (and the reward is the equivalent of the dark soul or smth)

if its held by a good warrior, it will slowly Corrupt them turning them evil

Unless they drink or do something that can reverse the corruption

Or just abandon the sword

Holy dang I made it too long

[loud pasture]

Some of these are really good hellyeah

I like the double impact slash, red skulls stuff and the darkness too

I'm gonna add some movement things too

Thankyou for the input this is very helpful

[hidden grail]

A critical hit will make 2 or 3 Red slashes and stuns target 2 turns!

So it would be like 4 to 5 dices of dmg?

[loud pasture]

I'd say so yeah

That's sick

[hidden grail]

I'm assuming your world is inspired by dark souls?

[loud pasture]

Not really nop! Bought my friend dark souls 3 and he loved it and so he wants his sword to be gaels

It's still a fantasy setting but very different styles

[hidden grail]

As a starting gear? Peculiar starting weapon but then again it's DnD soo

[loud pasture]

No no we are well in to the campaign already

Earlier a session back he found the sword but it had 0 power

He has to unlock it which he will this session

[hidden grail]

Ah my mistake, carry on then

[loud pasture]

All good! Thanks for the help

[jolly shell]

hello can i share my homebrew item here to know if it's not too broken? it an endgame legendeary item

[dull robin]

If it’s endgame you can make it as broken as you wish, I believe

[jolly shell]

here

[peak inlet]

I updated this to be less damage/combat focused and more info-gathering focused

Detective’s Intuition

Origin Feat

When you use the Study or Search actions, you can modify them in the following ways:
Studious Mind. When you use the Study action on a creature, you choose a number of damage types or conditions equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You reveal whether the creature has vulnerability, resistance, or immunity to each of those damage types or conditions. Additionally, you learn the lowest saving throw for that creature.
Searching Gaze. When you use the Search action to look for a creature, the movements and actions the creature took within the last 6 seconds the creature spent in that room or area up to 120 feet away from you, are revealed in the order they were taken. If the creature is still in that area, they do not benefit from the invisible condition against you for the next minute.
Crucial Clue. When you use the Study action on an object, you cast the Identify spell on it as part of the same action. When you use the Search action on an object, you also cast Locate Object on it as part of the same action.
Once you use this feature on a creature, you can’t do so again for the same creature until you finish a Long Rest. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You regain your expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

you have to make it accessible by everyone with the link

[jolly shell]

i shared it in dnd beyond the homebrew page

it's called Krevlin's flaming horn

[silk hedge]

Would you still need a Pearl worth 100+ GP for Identify? Or a forked twig for Locate Object?

[peak inlet]

I meant for it to skip the material components, thanks for pointing that out

it’s Identify as an Action instead of 1 minute + no need for the pearl, which is why the counter point to it is a 2nd level spell that’s usually an Action and has a free material component

[silk hedge]

Its a really good feature, IMO, to quickly Identify Magic Items

[peak inlet]

you do still need to be touching the object though, which I don’t think is usually a constraint for the Study action

[silk hedge]

Maybe say something along the lines of "Study an object you are touching" 👍

[frail ferry]

Are there any examples of a magic weapon that acts as two weapons at the same time?

[true forge]

im going funny with this 'fighting styles' lol

Eldritch Fighting

Your training has made you learn a new way of fighting. Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a Eldritch Fighting option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.

Trick Weapon. When you make an attack roll using a weapon, you can change the weapon you are attacking with for another, as the weapon morphs into the new form. This can happen once per turn.

Call to Action. As a reaction when a allied creature within 5 feet of you makes an attack roll against a creature, you can make a weapon attack against the same creature if within range.

Spell Shot. When you cast a spell with a ranger great then self and touch while holding a ranged weapon, you can instead use the ranged weapon's range inplace of the spell's range.

Cull Forces. When you attack a creature, you can also make an attack roll against another creature within 5 feet of the first target. On a successful hit, you deal your weapon damage in force damage.

Grasp of the Commander. When a creature makes an attack roll within 20 feet of you, you can use your reaction to cause that creature to be pulled 10 feet towards you.

the last one may get nerfed to be like protection but pull

(maybe same with Cull Forces)

[silk hedge]

Hoopak. Not quite a magic item but could get Weapon +1/+2/+3

[mellow pollen]

Been thinking of a paladin subclass that acts closer to a barbarian, the idea of how you get the subclass is similar to the oathbreaker, where instead of getting stripped of your powers if you do something you weren't like betraying the crown, you swap up, oath of repentance, the idea came from the repentia sisters of battle

[mild cove]

So I could misty step 600 feet with a long bow with spell shot?

[plush burrow]

What would a Commoner subclass be like?

[silk hedge]

Sidekick: Warrior, Expert, or Spellcaster

[mild cove]

Bard college of poverty

[true forge]

well, yes, but that was an unforseen thing lol

attack roll spells only now

[peak inlet]

the backgrounds

Farmer sounds like a Commoner subclass to me

[peak inlet]

I’m wondering if I should just give those 2 as prepared free casts and detach them from the Study and Search

that way I can enable Locate Object at level 3 instead of level 1

[hidden grail]

I require assistance on my monsters (i need ideas and recomended stats)
I am currently making a long range boss called The Piercing Reapermancer
a supposedly Cr 25 - 30 Secret boss for my Campaign that is obviously a nightmare against to fight but very rewarding once defeated (I need ideas for rewards too)

that can go invincible temporary once she takes a certain ammount of damage
Then Teleport to another location, has 1.2k Hp and 3 Phases to go through
with phase 2 being at 600 Hp and phase 3 300 hp

The boss is weak in melee however makes up obviously in range using a high piercing long range weapon (it's also enchanted to be catered for her)
From AOE attacks to chain attacks then Single beam attacks

[native grove]

hey can someone help me with a paladin subclass im making?

[peak inlet]

waaaaaay too much HP

it’ll end up being a very boring long fight

Aspect of Bahamut has 1k HP at CR 30

500 and resets with another 500

but he usually gets away after the first phase

the issue isn’t even the HP which is a total of 2300 if I’m understanding it right

it’s also that you have a defensive feature that gives immunity to all damage after taking a specific amount of damage

depending on how much you allow and in what time frame, that’s a fight that will take 6 sessions or so to finish with a level 20 party

[remote lance]

Is this balanced as a racial trait?

You have a keen nose that allows you to track foes with predatory instinct. You can choose a creature within 30 feet of you as a Bonus Action. You have Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks to find the target. This effect lasts until you use it again or finish a Long Rest.

[native grove]

can someone help me with the paladin subclass?

[sturdy knoll]

Maybe also cap it to "until you take a long rest" or something like that but otherwise looks fine to me.

[remote lance]

Thanks!

[remote lance]

Race: Gnoll
The first gnolls arised [insert lore later]

Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 ft.

As a Gnoll, you have these special traits.

Sharp Claws
Your unarmed strikes can deal an extra 1d4 Piercing damage.

Feral Instinct
You have a keen nose that allows you to track foes with predatory instinct. You can choose a creature within 30 feet of you as a Bonus Action. You have Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks to find the target. This effect lasts until you use it again or finish a Long Rest.

Darkvision
You have Darkvision with a range of 120 feet.

Ancestral Spirits
The echoes of your ancestors reverberate in your blood. You may cast Speak with Dead, without expending a spell slot or material components. When cast this way, the corpse instead speaks as a distant ancestor of yours. The kinds of knowledge the spirit knows depends on your family history. Using this feature, you can cast the spell once, and you must finish a Long Rest before you cast it in this way again.

Any critiques?

[coral delta]

My thoughts:

• Sharp Claws should be 1d6.
• Feral Instinct is good.
• Ancestral Spirits is unfortunately too vague, and requires the DM to do too much work.

[sturdy knoll]

I'd nudge the darkvision distance down to 60 feet for game balance
The speak with dead is an interesting feature, might also be a bit OP.
Maybe instead they get a double proficiency bonus on survival/investigation checks around dead creatures?

[remote lance]

Yeah, I think I’ll change the speak with dead feature to be more inline with Divination. And probably at DM discretion

[peak inlet]

maybe for that last one, a free Borrowed Knowledge for the History skill might be less harsh

Feral Instinct doesn’t mean anything to me, do you just mean you can use the Search action as a Bonus Action but the range is limited to 30 feet?

[tacit leaf]

In 2024, Gnolls were changed to be Fiends if you want to play with making them a playable Fiend species

[peak inlet]

I think 120 feet of dark vision is fine if they don’t have much else going on. There are a bunch of new species in Lorwynn that got 120ft DV

[remote lance]

I’m making this for my homebrew world where they aren’t fiends, but thanks

[remote lance]

No, it gives you advantage on checks to find it until you use the trait again. Like hunter’s mark

[remote lance]

Do you think this is better?

Ancestral Spirits
The echoes of your ancestors reverberate in your blood. During a long rest, you may receive a message concerning a specific creature, event, or location from a distant ancestor of yours, at the DM’s discretion. The message might be a short phrase, a cryptic rhyme, or a dream. The kinds of knowledge and advice you can receive depends on your family history.

[coral delta]

I dunno, my problem with the previous one was that it hinged on DM discretion. I think that player features should be activated by players.

[peak inlet]

you should specify that

and a duration

[remote lance]

I did. “You have advantage on wisdom (perception) and wisdom (survival) checks to find the target. This efffect lasts until you use it again or finish a Long Rest”

[native grove]

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDHomebrew/comments/1pewc7c/oath_of_the_afterlife_paladin_subclass/

This is a link to a paladin subclass i made, how does it look?

[remote lance]

This is incredibly overpowered

Being able to knock all nearby creatures prone and immobile for a minute? And there’s no limit on how many times you can use it?

[peak inlet]

wait, so it just has unlimited uses?

[native grove]

I mean there is, channel divinity is once per short or long rest I’m pretty sure

[remote lance]

Oh

[remote lance]

Yes, although it is one at a time

[native grove]

With that out of the way, what do you feel about the rest of the subclass?

[remote lance]

Idea is cool, a bit poorly defined at parts

[peak inlet]

hmmm, I think that’s fine, but then I do think you should go for 60ft DV

the unarmed strike feature is really strong, that’s a free permanent Divine Favor for Monks

and this feature is very flexible

the last feature should be toned down and the DV should go down to 60ft imo

[remote lance]

The DV is now 60, and the last feature is…

[remote lance]

…now this

[peak inlet]

I mean it’s not bad, I just feel like I wish it was more defined

you can keep it, I don’t think it’s broken or anything

[ornate niche]

hey is it normal for an enemy to give players free Opportunity Attack?

[coral delta]

I'm trying to connect the dots on why you're asking that in the homebrew channel

[ornate niche]

i'm inventing an enemy that would provide a free Opportunity Attack

[coral delta]

I mean, it's up to the DM to determine creature behavior. Is it normal for DMs to purposefully incur opportunity attacks so the players feel more engaged? I dunno, you'll need a bigger sample size

[native gale]

What do you mean by “free?” Like it doesn’t cost their reaction?

[ornate niche]

like it falls outside of the normal rules of Opportunity Attacks

[coral delta]

I apologize, but it's not really clear what you're talking about here

[ornate niche]

i mean i was trying to get a general concept of other extingent circumstances for a free Opportunity Attack

[coral delta]

Can you describe a situation wherein this might happen? I still have no idea what you're talking about

[ornate niche]

when the enemy takes its movement, it gives a free Opportunity Attack to anybody with line of sight on it, and hitting it will Prone the enemy as well as dealing damage

[coral delta]

And 'free' means no reaction used, in this case?

[native gale]

so the trigger is still movement? How is this different from a normal opportunity attack?

[ornate niche]

i just wanted to know if anybody else had anything similar to giving Opportunity Attacks in circumstances thay don't normally cause that

[coral delta]

Movement normally does cause an opportunity attack

[ornate niche]

like when an enemy moves at all?

[coral delta]

When they move out of a creature's reach

[ornate niche]

this would be triggered regardless of if it's in a creature's reach, if somebody sees the enemy moving they get the Opportunity Attack

[native gale]

Sees them at all? Like even from range? So I could “opportunity attack” them with a bow from 30ft away?

[coral delta]

So just to be clear, you want to design a creature that:

• Moves in any way
• You prompt the players "do you want to make an opportunity attack?"
• You confirm "yes, you can make an opportunity attack against this specific enemy even if it's not leaving your reach
• If they say yes and hit it, it knocks them prone and deals damage to them

Is this all correct?

[ornate niche]

yea, it could be 30 or 60 or 90 or however far you can reach and you can attack it on Opportunity

[chilly laurel]

do these 2 classes compare in power and do they seem fun/balanced to play?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jf2vLObHbtrcjCM1kYN-LT6r-0Dryx7pGTl8scCsGN0/edit?tab=t.0 &
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RBxHTKNKqB_quxUTNQViAZ4yli8kUFUIkVCxK8Xa-lM/edit?tab=t.0

[ornate niche]

yea this is all right

[coral delta]

You can see how this will make the players feel like you've tricked them with no way of knowing that they'll face repercussions, right?

You're prompting them to do something they normally can't do

[ornate niche]

oh wait "them" meant the players? no

[coral delta]

And then if they do it, you slap them on the wrist

[ornate niche]

when they take the opportunity attack, the enemy takes damage and is Proned

[coral delta]

So you just want this enemy to be extremely, extremely hittable?

[native gale]

I'm like 2 sentences in to reading the first document here, and I already see a pretty major issue 😬

[ornate niche]

like an additional 1d4 of damage on top of what was already dealt on the attack

[coral delta]

What's the point of putting this enemy in, exactly?

[ornate niche]

yea!

[ornate niche]

something to bully and steal the weapons off of

[chilly laurel]

💔 whats wrong

is it the proficiencies?

i have no idea what to put there yet so just ignore that for now 😭

[coral delta]

Why does it need features that makes it worse though? Especially if it's muddying the waters of how normal game mechanics work. If you want them to defeat it, just give it worse stats.

[native gale]

The class has no weapon or armor proficiency, and no level 1 feature. You're literally just a commoner for level 1

[ornate niche]

this was the only ability i thought would be a little weird so i wanted thoughts is all, i heard that people like when combat is spiced up

[chilly laurel]

level 1 feature needed okay

noted

[coral delta]

I don't know if I'd recommend spicing combat up using this particular method.

Not to mention, spicing combat up usually involves making combat harder.

[ornate niche]

it does have some harder, this way of making it easier just seemed a bit strange so i wanted to clear that up

essentially, the enemy is someone with a very heavy shield that they can crouch with to gain Full Cover against one line of approach (i.e. North, South, East, or West (or the directions inbetween), and have Half Cover when they're in the immediate reach of a player, and when they move they provoke an Opportunity Attack with Half Cover to their decided "shield angle" or no cover to any of the others, and on a hit they are knocked Prone, have no cover, and take an additional 1d4 damage

[coral delta]

I think directional mechanics like this are too complicated.

More interestingly, perhaps design an enemy that forces a save, and on a failure players are forced to make an opportunity attack if in range.

The enemy can temporarily increase its AC prior, allowing them to 'waste' all the players' reactions.

[ornate niche]

i mean i like it being complicated, do you think it's inconvenient for the players?

[native gale]

Alright so with this first class, I've only made it to level 3, but basically everything has some degree of issue with it. But I'd say Adrenal Strike and Control have the biggest issues, which sucks because that seems to be the core concept of the whole class.

The issue with Adrenal Strike is that it is far too weak. 1d6+Mod for unarmed strikes is the same value as a monk or someone with the unarmed fighting style, but you are asking them to spend an extremely limited resource to get the same value. And then if they spend all of that limited resource, they start taking 1d6 damage every single turn until they drop to 0 HP. And keep in mind, that apply out of combat too. So there's no possible way to finish a short rest before it knocks you to 0, even if you started the rest the exact moment combat ended.

I'm not going to go much further with reviewing this class, because I think it needs to go back to the drawing board completely

[coral delta]

Complicated features are inherently inconvenient for the players, because they tend to require a lot more confirming mechanics, asking questions, and possibly feeling frustrated when the outcome wasn't clear to all parties

Simplicity is 👑.

[ornate niche]

i see, i see. well, thanks for the advice, i'll probably scrap the concept then? idk

[coral delta]

I still think this angle will achieve what you're looking for, using more conventional methods.

[chilly laurel]

hmmm will u look at the second one?

maybe the whole control thing is just bad

[native gale]

yeah I'll take a look

[ornate niche]

oh yea i'll look into using that, but probably for a different enemy

see i was considering giving the players that shield as an item was the thing

[native gale]

Just out of curiosity, how long have you been playing D&D?

[chilly laurel]

😭 😭 😭 😭 im new

i played like 2-3 sessions

for my classes

and me and some friends decided we want to do it outside of classes too

[ornate niche]

what kind of class teaches you DND????

[coral delta]

Skubr, I'll give you the same recommendation I gave you two days ago.

[chilly laurel]

nothing a little practice cant fix no

[chilly laurel]

its a new system where u have to follow an extra curricular

every couple of weeks

[coral delta]

My point is that even the most practiced DnD players still make garbage homebrew classes.

[chilly laurel]

stuff like rock climbing and cooking

[native gale]

I don't mean to be rude when I say this, but I could kind of tell that you were new based on how a lot of this was written. I don't want to shut down your creativity, but I HIGHLY recommend that you do not use or create homebrew content until you feel very familiar with the game. It is not something that a newcomer should do. If you think of it in video game terms, its like trying to design a balance patch for the game before you've played it. You need a very deep understanding of the game, of its design philosophy, and its balance before you can make a successful and fun homebrew anything. Let alone a whole class. That is literally the hardest project any homebrewer could do

[remote lance]

Why no starting equipment?

[chilly laurel]

i still have to actually make the starting equipment cuz that was going to be homebrew too (just regular weapons but reskins 😭 tbh) but lots of people telling me i shouldnt even be doing this so idk

[native gale]

I would say you shelve the idea for now, and come back to it later when you have more experience playing the game using official content only. I don’t think you need to scrap everything, you just need more experience before you try to tackle such a difficult project

[heady surge]

An item that doubles Misty Step's range from 30ft to 60ft, how strong and rare would you guys say an item like that would be and should be?

[ornate niche]

that is really strong and should probably be decently hard to get

[void jewel]

Na. Uncommon.

Easy to get

All it does is add 30 feet you still need to spend the spell slot, have misty step prepared, and use it

And most of the time 30 feet extra isn't going to change how good it is. 30 feet is usually enough

[coral delta]

Uncommon in a game without an Archfey Warlock. Rare in a game with an Archfey Warlock.

[void jewel]

I'd also make it non-attunmenet

Even as an archfey warlock, I'd throw this out as soon as I got something else competing for an attunement slot

Unless you want it to be temporary in which case attunement

If you want it to he attunment and decent, give a free use of the spell and make it always prepared as well

[ornate niche]

idk, 60ft of instant locomotion with no reaction just seems spooky to me

[coral delta]

30ft teleport means its difficult for a melee enemy to catch back up. 60ft teleport means it's nearly impossible for a melee enemy to catch back up.

As a DM for an Archfey Warlock, I can confidently say that it's a nightmare trying to keep this little guy pinned down, and an extra 30ft on a teleport that's up 5 times for free every long rest would be too much.

[exotic cedar]

Spider brood mother
AC: 11 (natural armour 10 +Dex modifier)
HP: 31 (2D20+con modifier)

● Actions in combat: 2
● Bite attack: +2 to hit. 2D6 piercing damage and have to roll a DC 15 con check or take 1D4 poison damage until the end of its next turn.
● Web: +2 to hit. 1D4 and DC 15 strength check to break out or be considered restrained.

● Legendary action:
● Once on initiative 20 the brood mother can summon six of its brood. Each brood member is considered a minion and has AC 5 and 1 HP, they also do 1D4 damage on a hit.

The Brood mother is considered to be a large creature.
● Str: 18 (+4)
● Dex:13 (+1)
● Con:15 (+2)
● Int:5 (-2)
● Wis:8 (-1)
● Cha:6 (-2)

Please can you help me balance this out, I've built this "boss" for an encounter with four or five players that are level one. I don't want to accidentally kill my players, but I also don't want it to be too easy.

[coral delta]

Monsters don't get "2 actions in combat", they get multiattack, which allows them to make two specific attacks when they take the multiattack action. This is a very meaningful difference.

Notably, this creature is dealing 11 damage on average (+2 average if they fail the con save). This means that your average level 1 Wizard has a 25-50% chance to die instantly with no death saving throws from full health if they get hit even once.

[exotic cedar]

So lower the damage output to possibly either 1D6, or a D4 damage with 1D4 poison damage until he end of the monsters next turn, or possibly have a fixed damage of 2 piercing damage and 1D4 poison damage until the end of the monsters next turn if they fail the con save?

[coral delta]

You're really just comparing damage numbers here, trying to hit that sweet spot.

1d6+4 = ~8 damage, which will instantly down a squishy caster but probably not outright kill them. I think that's a reasonable space to sit at.

[exotic cedar]

Aight, bet. Thanks, I don't want to one hit a caster, but it might be a fun challenge for the players

And how about the legendary action? Is six minions too much, or is it just enough, since they all have 1 HP?

[coral delta]

If you don't want to one-hit a caster, then you're starting your players off at the wrong level

[exotic cedar]

It's supposed to be a level one encounter, that's the problem😂

[coral delta]

The amount of minion-type enemies relies entirely on what resources your players will have access to at the time.

Does your wizard have Burning Hands up? Great! Minions are 0 problem.

Does no one have any AoE? That's probably a TPK.

[exotic cedar]

I'll add a note for myself to lower the amount of minions if the players don't have any of those ready, probably two or three minions. As for resistances and immunities, I'll rip off the giant spider sheet to see what it's resistances and immunities are

[river sierra]

why not just the normal giant spider statblock? you can still have the spide swarms showing up

[supple musk]

Let’s say that I’m making custom version of life cleric, what I should change/add?

[coral delta]

What are your issues with it?

[supple musk]

Enemy damage is often bigger than healing output

[coral delta]

That's not an issue with life cleric, that's an intentional dynamic that's built into DnD as a system.

[supple musk]

Alright, alright.. fine then. I was going to throw that anyway as sort of hypothetical question

[exotic cedar]

Shouldn't a life cleric have a lower damage output than a healing output?

[void jewel]

Intentional 5e design yeah

Healing being as potent as damage would make for much less tension

[void jewel]

Definitely not

They are still clerics and clerics are blasters

[coral delta]

Well, if you do want to change Life Cleric, and your issue is that it heals less than enemy damage, the thing you would change would be to increase its healing.

[void jewel]

There are zero classes in the game that have a main function of healing and that is by design.

[coral delta]

I wouldn't recommend it, but that's what you would do.

[void jewel]

Healing is always just taped onto the side, ala cleric and druid

Druids are primary controllers and clerics are primary blasters, really

[supple musk]

Huh..

[void jewel]

There are many reasons. Chiefly that it makes combat less tense and interesting

The other side of healing is condition removal which is often the more impactful side

Lesser and greater restoration aren't often needed, but are clutch when they are

[hollow siren]

dont mean to necro this too badly, but i skimmed these and i agree with the comments others made about them.

I will also echo previous points of learn the game first before homebrewing. If you must, i would recommend brewing small (feats, spells) and cleave VERY closely to existing content. That's how i learned how to homebrew solid/balanced content too. i tried brewing a class as my first project as well, and it was so bad i abandoned it. even then, though, that was AFTER playing 3 characters (while in the middle of playing the 3rd) AND learning the rules. Focus on learning rules and getting more experience playing the game first before brewing

[void jewel]

Learning how to optimize is also an excellent foundation for homebrew.

[hollow siren]

yes

[void jewel]

If you understand why people make the choices they do, it'll help balance.

[hollow siren]

i learned how to balance/optimize simply by comparing to official content

[void jewel]

Get involved in the optimization community. Read tabletop builds. Watch pack tactics. Understand RAW, RAI optimization, and even RAW abuse.

[hollow siren]

in regards to the concepts behind this brew, i like the conceptual ideas. though, i would focus on making the concept into a subclass of an existing if you really must brew this. otherwise, maybe shelve it till you get experience

[heady surge]

Yeah, Archfey Warlock is what I was thinking of for this item. So even with how strong you think it is, you still think it should be just rare?

[void jewel]

It's a bit underwhelming at rare imo

If I was an archfey there are many rares I want over it

[heady surge]

Okay so I'm getting very mixed opinions

[indigo escarp]

Could someone give me a quick feedback about it, you could although just take a look at stuff you find interesting and give me feedback about that ^^

[void jewel]

I just don't think the range extension will even be relevant enough to justify rare, much less rare with attunement.

[hollow siren]

@chilly laurel i would specifically direct you to the monk class for the muscular stuff if you are brewing to play these. second link doesnt work for me anymore but was it bone knives and stuff?

regardless, i really must stress: play the game and get experience, or do what i did and read the rules to understand them AND when you do brew, use official content as your barometer. also start small when you do start brewing, my first good homebrews that are actually useable were variances or spells and items that did similar yet distinct things to existing content.

[void jewel]

Not often will it be a notable difference to be a 30 or 60 foot teleport, given misty step's normal use cases.

[hollow siren]

ill take a look when i can but when drafting keep in mind why people had issues with the new one. the reviews ive seen are mixed, even with positive reviews bemoaning stuff like tool expertise being YEETed to the shadow realm

[chilly laurel]

yeah i disabled it cuz i cleared it out but thanks for your advice im now trying to redefine my ideas first cuz i noticed that every class has its own appeal (people that want to be upclose tanks will choose barbarian, people that want to fight and use spells will choose paladin, etc etc) so im looking a bit more into the theory behind it all

[heady surge]

What if it was a secondary effect on another item or a permanent buff acquired from some big in game event/milestone?

[chilly laurel]

but i will take your advice to heart thanks for taking your time to write it out

[indigo escarp]

That's still something I don't understand, why take the only expertise option they got, yeah it was nice but there was room for improvement. Still thanks for taking a look at it ^^

[hollow siren]

good idea to do exactly that!
yeah, understanding each class' niche/use is a good start for sure.

dont try brewing a class first, start smaller. the most id go, after understanding each class' theory/use/niche is to make a subclass

[hollow siren]

i completely agree

[void jewel]

More valuable in that case yeah

Also understand what niches don't actually exist. For example, tanking doesn't exist, and melee is almost always bad and isn't a niche.

Regarding learning homebrew

Many "roles" people think are real are not real at all in practice.

[indigo escarp]

That's why I kept it and moved it as a ribbon feature to Lvl 5, as a whole Lvl feature it's not good enough. As a cherry on top of something else on the other hand 🤔

[hollow siren]

i like that

[indigo escarp]

I gave them although the choice to lean more to the martial or caster side straight from level 1, even before the subclass comes

The Artificer got way more customiseble and flexible than it once was. It is comparable to a warlock know. There are some things that are fixed choices and some that could be changed to fit the needs

[hollow siren]

briefly skimmed the first few pages

some typos, but on the meat and potatoes:
-i like the arcane companion feature, thats amazing
-i went to skip ahead to see if this interacted with battlesmit and saw the artillerist cannon changes. not a fan of the cannon as a pet tbh, if you really must then have it interact with arcane companion perhaps? i am a fan of feature synnergy within a class, which is beef i have with 2024 clockwork sorcerer's trance of order not using innate sorcery lol
-this is my personal opinion: i actually hate tools required and wish they never spawned it. this is a personal beef, specifically with regards to cantrips. cantrips generally dont require M components except for a few like mesasage and minor illusion (neither of which should have had M components IMHO). in my own HB variances, i like to limit TR to levelled spells (because that makes sense). perhaps consider this

[hollow siren]

i like that, i wish more caster classes had that choice, or a variation of it

e.g. wizard's scholar feature should have included 1) second school specialty (minor) or 2) get better at blasting

or something like that

[indigo escarp]

I don't want to give just plain weapon masteries, since the alchemist or rune smith doesn't really care about it, but the armorer and battle smith on the other hand will kill for them

[hollow siren]

yeah, thats valid

maybe give those as part of battlesmith and armorer

i would also avoid making the battlesmith a pet subclass

[indigo escarp]

That would be cool, it would be fun if they did it for all classes

[hollow siren]

the OG 2014 had it bad but the 2024 one made it worse. the battlesmith is both the gish and pet subclass, and does neither super great

[hollow siren]

i agree!

[indigo escarp]

For those you can take the forged warrior path at lvl 1, you need to plan upfront your character but that isn't a problem in my opinion

[hollow siren]

yeah, fair
im looking back and see that now

i gtg back to work but ill give it further review when i can

[indigo escarp]

Yeah, know they are decent at both, at least until they run out of spell slots XD

[hollow siren]

lol
well yeah but also look at the new extra attack, the construct either gets no attacks because you're attacking or you're using the suboptimal not-attack-action attack option in place of one of your attacks

[indigo escarp]

Yeah, that's why I said you can command them and not just using their attack

So you could smite and still command your pet or attack/cast spells and then command it as a bonus action

[indigo escarp]

I think you will decently like the armorer and battle smith

[indigo escarp]

yeah, sometime peaple are just awfull

[indigo escarp]

In D&D 5e, an Object is a static, inanimate thing (like a door or sword), while a Construct is a creature type representing animated or artificially made beings (like Golems, Homunculi, or summoned spirits) that were once objects but are now considered living entities, making them distinct from raw objects for spell targeting and immunities. The key difference: Objects are just stuff; Constructs are magical automatons or spirits, treated as creatures with special resistances

Object: A non-creature, typically mundane item (table, rock, weapon) with HP and AC, but no real life or special immunities.
Construct: A creature type (like Humanoid, Beast, Undead) given life/animation by magic; they possess sentience (or programmed directives) and specific resistances/immunities.

For me it never made sense that the canon wasnt a construct, thats why i changed it, or which change do you mean exactly?

[ashen urchin]

do you guys change magical tinkering when theres an artificer at your table? if so how? I've seen a good few people point out magical tinkering is nearly useless

[native gale]

As someone who's played like 5 different artificer characters, I actually liked magical tinkering, but I understand the complaints about it. However, the Forge of the Artificer update has completely changed the ability and I think the new version will be much more generically useful

[indigo escarp]

yeah and you can see how in my Artificer document ^^

[indigo escarp]

tbh, if you got creative the old one was pretty good. I dont know why they didnt kept both

[void jewel]

Really? I think far less. New version can be replicated 1:1 by just carrying mundane items

At least the old one did something that wasn't completely replicated by mundane items that are borderline free

[hidden grail]

Any ideas you recommend?

[indigo escarp]

you know that the arcane copanion synergises with the arteficer enchantments and the spell storng item, right?

[hollow siren]

I didn’t see that no (just got home lol)

[indigo escarp]

the artillerists canon doesnt need to work with the companion. ahh and you should reload the page, since there was a change when it comes to uses for some features, to make it easier to track the stuf

[indigo escarp]

Completely agree with you on this

[peak inlet]

if it has a hard lock defensive feature, go for around 800 HP imo

that being said, idk you group or what their NOVA is

and idk if you’re running this right after a long rest

[pseudo salmon]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lRNhr0JZ90HJmG5z4CQgllVHd4xVdoafnLTgjJxXcZU/edit?usp=sharing
Would you let someone play this in your campaign?

[stuck raptor]

Fit of Madness is immediate no

[amber hollow]

and using that emphasis for every neutral roll is also a lot.

[pseudo salmon]

Could I ask what your problem with it is?

[stuck raptor]

removes player egancy and the results are extremely varied in levels

also a bit much for a species

[amber hollow]

It's both a wild bunch of bonuses and banes, as well as removal of agency as you are run automatically via dice rolls, a chance for that to start every single roll

How do you exit puppetry mode?
Also, what is this species?

it's called polyanima, it's described as "strange", they're an ageless humanoid
but I don't know what this is supposed to even look like. Is it just the cosmetic of anyone, like a lineage from VRGTR?

[pseudo salmon]

Discord was just being silly, ignore that message

[amber hollow]

Something like the rolling for emphasis IMO would have been a limited use thing. Like turning disadvantage into emphasis, maybe

[pseudo salmon]

Puppetry Mode, as described in the feature, either ends after one minute (outside of combat) or after two rounds (inside combat)

[pseudo salmon]

I'm not sure exactly on the physical look of these, but I'm currently looking at this being a lineage like the Dhampir

[amber hollow]

Right, so there's no early ending and there is potential to just attack allies

[pseudo salmon]

And I do like this idea!

[amber hollow]

I would personally shrink down the concept of puppetry mode to a little boost to X, if you do X
So you're not losing agency, you're just getting a small bonus to a random thing next turn, each time you roll a nat1 on a D20 Test (maybe limited use if you want to go potent)

I will also say in general with the suggestions of limited use stuff, probably not doing 3 or more limited use traits

And personally I'd say something like choosing a skill and getting a bonus d4 to checks using the skill, instead of being charisma bonus to int checks, only

[pseudo salmon]

Okay, cool! Thank you for the feedback!

[visual kindle]

amm hey guys

[crimson storm]

What are your thoughts on a psionic artifact. Brewing a custom encounter with psi brawlers in an abandoned mineshaft. Reward item is a strange rock. It uses detect thoughts spell lvl 3. 1 charge per long rest.

On failed save user gains advantage on intelligence checks until long rest.

On successful save user takes 1d6 psychic damage.

[scenic urchin]

pun intended?

[true forge]

trying to think of the subclass naming scheme (think paths for barbs or schools/orders for wizards) but im falling short, any ideas?

for context, its a pact magic half caster with the focus of armies and military, as you join you General's (your patron so to speak) army

[dull pollen]

Are you looking for military ranks?

[true forge]

i can look them up thats easy, but trying to find a name for the subclasses that follow a pattern, much like Oaths and Colleges

so it would be <name scheme> of X, ect ect all combos i could do

[dull pollen]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you but what about the different branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force

[true forge]

its not like that, that also depends on country aswell with some i think

its for the subclass names, like how paladin is Oath of X, this class would be ??? of X

[dull pollen]

You could do the chess pieces
“Name of chess piece” of “___”

Knights of death
Bishops of health

[indigo escarp]

no, im not a fan of features that take controll out of my pcs and could cause trouble at the table

[barren sand]

Hey fellas
Can a rogue be a tank?
I mean
A rogue that hauls a ton of gold and valuables with each and every heist and robber they do
Surely he could be a semi tank

[glass glade]

Sure, just buff your Con score! Backstories are for explaining stats, they don't often grant you additional abilities just by virtue of writing them.

But yeah! I've run multiple games for people who built Strength + Con heavy rogues that were viable and valuable team members.

[true forge]

Trick Weapon. When you make an attack roll using a weapon, you can change the weapon you are attacking with for another, as the weapon morphs into the new form. This can happen once per turn.

how would you guys/gals reword this, or is it fine as is?

[spring tusk]

Anyone up rn willing to help me with something

I need some ideas for a weapon that fits with my D&D character

I plan on making all the actual effects myself, but I mean just like

Vibe wise I'm kinda lost