For anyone looking to use the General Background Features to replace a current background feature:
In the past, any alternate background features (see: Variant Sailor: Pirate, Baldur’s Gate Character Backgrounds, etc.) have been tied to specific backgrounds. And so for ease of use, D&D Beyond has provided each of these as individual backgrounds with the alternate features present. With Van Richter’s Guide to Ravenloft, five new Generic Background Features have been presented, that can be applied to any background. Implementing these in the same way would multiply the number of backgrounds by six, and any future published Generic Background Features would only compound the problem. With the current way backgrounds are implemented, there is no way to offer only background features without a full background, which these Generic Background Features are not!
Using homebrew tools, there are currently two ways to bring these alternate features to your character sheet.
The first option is to make a homebrew copy of the background, which you can do by selecting it as a template ...
… and replacing the Feature Name and Feature Description with the appropriate text from the Generic Background Feature.
The second option is to create a homebrew background for each of the Generic Background Features, and ensure that they are labeled as such. For example: If I were to want to use the Spirit Medium background feature on a regular basis, I personally would create a homebrew background called "Spirit Medium - FEATURE ONLY" with the full Spirit Medium background feature, and would fill in the other required fields (Introduction and Suggested Characteristics Description) with a warning, such as "This is for granting the Spirit Medium feature only, when building a Custom Background. DO NOT SELECT THIS AS A STAND-ALONE BACKGROUND." Then, when selecting the Custom Background option in the Character Builder, I would be able to choose the Spirit Medium background feature, like so:
The magic item Insignia of Claws which gives +1 to unarmed and natural weapons does not provide a boost to the Dhampir Vampiric Bite
I also noticed this, and that the bite is affected by the Monk's Martial Arts feature (it does qualify, but shouldn't have the modifier change as per the current official ruling). I understand that this is probably the result of being unable to separate other Martial Arts features (such as increasing the damage die) from the Str/Dex benefit, but it would still be nice to have.
Vampiric Bite. This feature is fully functional in the D&D Beyond character sheet. There are some rules points to know about this, primarily around Monk characters. Monks & Martial Arts: The Vampiric Bite uses your character's Constitution modifier, rather than Strength. As such, whilst it is a Simple Weapon and thus qualifies for the Monk's martial arts feature, the character may not use their Dexterity modifier instead of Constitution. The rules for the Martial Arts feature are quite specific that they only allow Dexterity to replace Strength, "You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons."
Seems like you say it doesn't work, but when you make a dhampir monk, it automatically uses strength on the Fanged Bite attack. And the damage levels with Martial Arts Die
For anyone looking to use the General Background Features to replace a current background feature:
In the past, any alternate background features (see: Variant Sailor: Pirate, Baldur’s Gate Character Backgrounds, etc.) have been tied to specific backgrounds. And so for ease of use, D&D Beyond has provided each of these as individual backgrounds with the alternate features present. With Van Richter’s Guide to Ravenloft, five new Generic Background Features have been presented, that can be applied to any background. Implementing these in the same way would multiply the number of backgrounds by six, and any future published Generic Background Features would only compound the problem. With the current way backgrounds are implemented, there is no way to offer only background features without a full background, which these Generic Background Features are not!
Using homebrew tools, there are currently two ways to bring these alternate features to your character sheet.
The first option is to make a homebrew copy of the background, which you can do by selecting it as a template ...
… and replacing the Feature Name and Feature Description with the appropriate text from the Generic Background Feature.
The second option is to create a homebrew background for each of the Generic Background Features, and ensure that they are labeled as such. For example: If I were to want to use the Spirit Medium background feature on a regular basis, I personally would create a homebrew background called "Spirit Medium - FEATURE ONLY" with the full Spirit Medium background feature, and would fill in the other required fields (Introduction and Suggested Characteristics Description) with a warning, such as "This is for granting the Spirit Medium feature only, when building a Custom Background. DO NOT SELECT THIS AS A STAND-ALONE BACKGROUND." Then, when selecting the Custom Background option in the Character Builder, I would be able to choose the Spirit Medium background feature, like so:
Vampiric Bite. This feature is fully functional in the D&D Beyond character sheet. There are some rules points to know about this, primarily around Monk characters. Monks & Martial Arts: The Vampiric Bite uses your character's Constitution modifier, rather than Strength. As such, whilst it is a Simple Weapon and thus qualifies for the Monk's martial arts feature, the character may not use their Dexterity modifier instead of Constitution. The rules for the Martial Arts feature are quite specific that they only allow Dexterity to replace Strength, "You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons."
Seems like you say it doesn't work, but when you make a dhampir monk, it automatically uses strength on the Fanged Bite attack. And the damage levels with Martial Arts Die
It's not supposed to work like that.
The Monk ability allows you to use DEX instead of STR.
The bite uses CON. Whilst the damage die can, and should scale, it should not be using STR for the bite attack (nor let you use DEX).
Yup, looks like we had an issue with the interaction with Monk characters. That should all be fixed up now!
We don't currently have a way to model supernatural gifts, charms, blessings & boons.
We understand that Dark Gifts are an important part of the Domains of Dread and that our community is keen to be able to use them on their D&D Beyond characters.
We fully plan to support these (this year) with the Features System, but unfortunately this will not be in place for the launch of this sourcebook.
Aww, a bit disappointing. I was just waiting to stab people with my shadow.
Hopefully that's closer to the "It'll be a cool birthday gift for me" (late July) part of the year, than the "It'll be a nice Christmas gift" part of the year.
I think it's easy enough to make homebrew feats with most of these dark gifts.
We don't currently have a way to model supernatural gifts, charms, blessings & boons.
We understand that Dark Gifts are an important part of the Domains of Dread and that our community is keen to be able to use them on their D&D Beyond characters.
We fully plan to support these (this year) with the Features System, but unfortunately this will not be in place for the launch of this sourcebook.
Aww, a bit disappointing. I was just waiting to stab people with my shadow.
Hopefully that's closer to the "It'll be a cool birthday gift for me" (late July) part of the year, than the "It'll be a nice Christmas gift" part of the year.
I think it's easy enough to make homebrew feats with most of these dark gifts.
Are they allowed to be shared? For those of us less...inclined in making homebrew feats.
Or is that not allowed since they're technically official material?
When creating a custom background could you not add the new background features (Inheritor, Mist Wanderer, Spirit Medium, Trauma Survivor, and Traveler) to the "Background Feature" dropdown list and the horror characteristics to the "Background Characteristics" dropdown list? Then we can just use them when making a custom background. I know we can just type characteristics manually and add the feature notes in the notes section for the character sheet, but it helps keep it all neat and stops the character sheet from getting too cluttered. Also it really helps for when I'm working with brand new players.
On that note it would be awesome too if for all backgrounds there was the option to adjust the Proficiencies/Languages, Background Feature and Background Characteristics. A lot of my custom backgrounds are just slightly altered existing backgrounds for specific players backstories and it would be so much easier to just edit the existing background choice.
The lineages and new subclassesare not visible on the character builder to those through content sharing. I have content sharing on in our campaign and my player bought the book. I can view the book but none of the content is visible on the builder. It works for the player who bought it but not for me or another party member.
The dhampir's bite attack doesnt increase in damage as you level in monk. Technically it should be a monk weapon right? Sorry if this was brought up already, i skimmed about 3 pages.
The dhampir's bite attack doesnt increase in damage as you level in monk. Technically it should be a monk weapon right? Sorry if this was brought up already, i skimmed about 3 pages.
You are correct, it should be considered a monk weapon and scale accordingly. I'll pass this along to the team!
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I can see the movement speed being a problem for example Dhampier Aarakocra but, is there any official races in 5e that get 3 skill proficiency?
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AlumniFor anyone looking to use the General Background Features to replace a current background feature:
In the past, any alternate background features (see: Variant Sailor: Pirate, Baldur’s Gate Character Backgrounds, etc.) have been tied to specific backgrounds. And so for ease of use, D&D Beyond has provided each of these as individual backgrounds with the alternate features present. With Van Richter’s Guide to Ravenloft, five new Generic Background Features have been presented, that can be applied to any background. Implementing these in the same way would multiply the number of backgrounds by six, and any future published Generic Background Features would only compound the problem. With the current way backgrounds are implemented, there is no way to offer only background features without a full background, which these Generic Background Features are not!
Using homebrew tools, there are currently two ways to bring these alternate features to your character sheet.
The first option is to make a homebrew copy of the background, which you can do by selecting it as a template ...
… and replacing the Feature Name and Feature Description with the appropriate text from the Generic Background Feature.
The second option is to create a homebrew background for each of the Generic Background Features, and ensure that they are labeled as such. For example: If I were to want to use the Spirit Medium background feature on a regular basis, I personally would create a homebrew background called "Spirit Medium - FEATURE ONLY" with the full Spirit Medium background feature, and would fill in the other required fields (Introduction and Suggested Characteristics Description) with a warning, such as "This is for granting the Spirit Medium feature only, when building a Custom Background. DO NOT SELECT THIS AS A STAND-ALONE BACKGROUND." Then, when selecting the Custom Background option in the Character Builder, I would be able to choose the Spirit Medium background feature, like so:
There is also a very well-written guide to the homebrew system that serves as a detailed walkthrough, for anybody that is uncertain how to get the desired results!
The magic item Insignia of Claws which gives +1 to unarmed and natural weapons does not provide a boost to the Dhampir Vampiric Bite
I also noticed this, and that the bite is affected by the Monk's Martial Arts feature (it does qualify, but shouldn't have the modifier change as per the current official ruling). I understand that this is probably the result of being unable to separate other Martial Arts features (such as increasing the damage die) from the Str/Dex benefit, but it would still be nice to have.
Armorer Subclass infusions on your armor
Seems like you say it doesn't work, but when you make a dhampir monk, it automatically uses strength on the Fanged Bite attack. And the damage levels with Martial Arts Die
IMO this should not have to be quoted every time a book comes out....
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D&D Beyond FoundersYup, looks like we had an issue with the interaction with Monk characters. That should all be fixed up now!
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If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
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D&D Beyond StaffThis has been fixed.
I think it's easy enough to make homebrew feats with most of these dark gifts.
Are they allowed to be shared? For those of us less...inclined in making homebrew feats.
Or is that not allowed since they're technically official material?
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AlumniThey can't be published, because (as you've correctly identified) it is official material.
Guess I've got to stop being lazy and homebrew them lol
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AlumniThere's an excellent writeup that really goes into detail about the homebrew tools, if that'll help any!
When creating a custom background could you not add the new background features (Inheritor, Mist Wanderer, Spirit Medium, Trauma Survivor, and Traveler) to the "Background Feature" dropdown list and the horror characteristics to the "Background Characteristics" dropdown list? Then we can just use them when making a custom background. I know we can just type characteristics manually and add the feature notes in the notes section for the character sheet, but it helps keep it all neat and stops the character sheet from getting too cluttered. Also it really helps for when I'm working with brand new players.
On that note it would be awesome too if for all backgrounds there was the option to adjust the Proficiencies/Languages, Background Feature and Background Characteristics. A lot of my custom backgrounds are just slightly altered existing backgrounds for specific players backstories and it would be so much easier to just edit the existing background choice.
The lineages and new subclasses are not visible on the character builder to those through content sharing. I have content sharing on in our campaign and my player bought the book. I can view the book but none of the content is visible on the builder. It works for the player who bought it but not for me or another party member.
I can see and select them through content sharing. Have you tried turning the content sharing off and then on again?
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Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Both a Van Richten's Issue and a mobile app issue, Dullahan Mythic Actions are not included in the statblock entry!
All me Hombews:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WUnYn1tRvbkKOPpAkWOVlpe2S3JVLpV_LDOVzKG2DgQ/edit?usp=drivesdk
The dhampir's bite attack doesnt increase in damage as you level in monk. Technically it should be a monk weapon right? Sorry if this was brought up already, i skimmed about 3 pages.
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AlumniYou are correct, it should be considered a monk weapon and scale accordingly. I'll pass this along to the team!