I’d certainly nerf it. I’d say vampire replaces the character’s current race, so it loses any racial abilities except ability scores. But the first thing is to cut out legendary resistance and regeneration. And the legendary actions. And probably bring a lot of the other stuff down to 1/long rest. And maybe get rid of the thing where if it stops to 0hp it floats away, or maybe don’t because then the rest of the party can’t help him. Iamsposta is completely right that it doesn’t have to change alignment, though any people it encounters would probably assume it is evil and want to kill it on site. Also, the vampire sensitivity is different than other monsters in that it takes damage for being in the sunlight. While I think the OP is right that it would be a pain, it would be up to the players to figure that out. And there’s nothing in RAW about them needing blood to survive, but if you want a traditional vampire you’ll need to create a mechanic for it. I guess if you scrap the regeneration, you could say bite is the only way it can heal.
Why does your player want to do this? Are they looking to power game because a vampire is crazy powerful, or is it more of an RP thing? You could homebrew something based on a vampire spawn, again nerfing it a lot, if they just want it for flavor, just make sure the drawbacks are real b and that they understand this is neither Twilight, nor an episode of Buffy.
If I can turn one of my players into the last prismatic dragon in the world you can turn one of your players into a vampire
. Just takes planning for the evolution of the character. Plus it should make sense for the character and most important for the player.
You're the DM. Your world.
With my player his alignment didn't change. But that can change based on his actions. In a fun way. In my world not every being is locked to their alignment. I have black dragons and vampires that are good aligned. That's what makes the story better cause they are not used to that so they never know who is good or evil until they meet with them for a chat and see their actions.
How would you become a vampire? I'm thinking of the characters going to a guild and meeting a vampire there and asking for it. But I need more ideas. I don't know if it's self-isolation or what, but I can't think of anything.
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"Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced"- Soren Kierkgaard
A vampire could be the villain of an adventure, ends up getting that PC alone and offers to turn them. That PC could be walking back to wherever alone one night and get attacked. It could happen in their sleep. Tons of ways.
The player get a horrible, incurable by anything short of a wish spell type of disease. A vampire shows up offering to “save” him from dying. But there’s a price to be paid, blah, blah, blah.
Obviously, the vampire’s motivation can help serve the larger story.
This question may not be relevant anymore, but in the 3rd party Grim Hollow campaign book, there are a series of transformations available to players that includes vampires. The transformations are gradual and aren't sudden bursts of power like the 5e vampire transformation, and each tier comes with a flaw in addition to the boons.
Each transformation comes in 4 tiers, and has a general and specific level up requirements for each transformation tree.
First, I’d suggest using the dhampir concept instead of pure vampire. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it usually means the child of a vampire and a mortal. Typically has some vampire-like powers, sun sensitivity, fangs and such. Previous versions of D&D or Pathfinder have Dhampir as its own race.
I’d approach it as replacing the pc’s race. To create a balanced homebrew, I’d combine existing racial mechanics. Sun sensitivity from kobold/goblin, hungry jaws from lizardfolk, and something dexterity/coordination/acrobatics related to represent almost unnatural agility. Maybe a free misty step per long rest like the eladrin concepts.
Yeah. I wouldn’t let a PC become a vampire either unless they wanted to make a different character and let that one become an npc. Which is something I actually have done before.
I’d talk to the player and try to find out what’s going on with the vampire schtick. Why do they want to do this? does their character actually know what a vampire is? and are there good reasons that they have for becoming one?
I’ve never seen a PC have a good reason for this, it usually is a meta game decision.
The times I’ve seen things like this have all been attempts at changing the power level of the character. Is the player unhappy with their character? I’d try and find out what’s going on with them.
Ultimately I’d try to help fix the problem they’re having rather than bandaid the game with something that will definitely spiral out of control when the other players get wind of it.
Late to this topic, but... firstly, RolePlay out the "turning" and remember that whomever sired him/her will have some kind of power over them that can't be broken (could be a good role-play element) as the character may still be good, but the sire-vampire may be evil and force tough choices. Plus this basically sets up a final villain for your PC because at some point they will wish to rid themselves of being a "slave" to this master.
I would break down the vampire powers similar to Sorcerer points. Give your PC "Blood Points" that they can spend during the day to use any of the vampire's powers on the monster stat block, but when they are out of the points they have to feed to replenish them, they don't come back after a long rest. Thus is shows the somewhat natural bend to evil.
Conversely, start them with the charm ability but then turn the rest of their powers into "Make-Shift Feats" and allow the character to buy them whenever they level up; if you go this route you may want to immediately give them a stat bump to their attributes to show the extraordinary physical powers. Plus this gives them some room to grow as a vampire without sacrificing overtime stat increases (+2 str, +2 con with a 20 max).
or Finally, you can just give them the Vampire Spawn powers but then half all the experience they gain as payment for gaining those powers (takes them much longer to level up). I haven't looked at The Grim Hallow book, but I'm sure that would be interesting as well (I'm currently writing a campaign supplement book that deals with these types of choices too); super interesting. I think the thing to keep in mind is to marry the type of campaign you want to run with what is fun for your players. Give them some "world resistance" from in-place power structures that offer natural obstacles (think Spanish Inquisition style play with a powerful over reaching church, or vampire hunters can now be a thing for this PC to avoid--no rest for the "wicked").
I’d certainly nerf it. I’d say vampire replaces the character’s current race, so it loses any racial abilities except ability scores. But the first thing is to cut out legendary resistance and regeneration. And the legendary actions. And probably bring a lot of the other stuff down to 1/long rest. And maybe get rid of the thing where if it stops to 0hp it floats away, or maybe don’t because then the rest of the party can’t help him. Iamsposta is completely right that it doesn’t have to change alignment, though any people it encounters would probably assume it is evil and want to kill it on site. Also, the vampire sensitivity is different than other monsters in that it takes damage for being in the sunlight. While I think the OP is right that it would be a pain, it would be up to the players to figure that out. And there’s nothing in RAW about them needing blood to survive, but if you want a traditional vampire you’ll need to create a mechanic for it. I guess if you scrap the regeneration, you could say bite is the only way it can heal.
Why does your player want to do this? Are they looking to power game because a vampire is crazy powerful, or is it more of an RP thing? You could homebrew something based on a vampire spawn, again nerfing it a lot, if they just want it for flavor, just make sure the drawbacks are real b and that they understand this is neither Twilight, nor an episode of Buffy.
So not a vampire basically lol, that's everything that makes a vampire a vampire.
How about, they CAN get all that, but gotta be level 15 minimum caster and do a very complex costly ritual to achieve the dark apotheosis.
Just make it however best fits your game, players get stronger, enemies get stronger this would make nothing different. A bad guy turns them, an artifact, anything can turn them. Have them involved with how and why and they want the player even more. In fantasy situations good people have bad things happen to them and they don't change who they are they just change how they live some. I would allow my player to do this just because it would be fun to try and kill them in dumb ways knowing it couldn't happen. (In my world) IE poison or stabbing. I would treat them like I treat Shadar-Kai whose goddess doesn't let them die because she is the goddess of death and can. But this is just me some may feal different.
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One of my players wants to become a vampire and I don't know if I can do that. Give me ideas on what to do.
"Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced"- Soren Kierkgaard
Why can’t you do that?
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I don't want a lawful evil character, and I don't know what to do with the sunlight sensitivity with vampires.
"Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced"- Soren Kierkgaard
Becoming a Vampire doesn’t automatically set alignment to L/E. Kobolds and Drow also both have sunlight sensitivity.
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I’d certainly nerf it. I’d say vampire replaces the character’s current race, so it loses any racial abilities except ability scores.
But the first thing is to cut out legendary resistance and regeneration. And the legendary actions. And probably bring a lot of the other stuff down to 1/long rest.
And maybe get rid of the thing where if it stops to 0hp it floats away, or maybe don’t because then the rest of the party can’t help him.
Iamsposta is completely right that it doesn’t have to change alignment, though any people it encounters would probably assume it is evil and want to kill it on site.
Also, the vampire sensitivity is different than other monsters in that it takes damage for being in the sunlight. While I think the OP is right that it would be a pain, it would be up to the players to figure that out.
And there’s nothing in RAW about them needing blood to survive, but if you want a traditional vampire you’ll need to create a mechanic for it. I guess if you scrap the regeneration, you could say bite is the only way it can heal.
Why does your player want to do this? Are they looking to power game because a vampire is crazy powerful, or is it more of an RP thing? You could homebrew something based on a vampire spawn, again nerfing it a lot, if they just want it for flavor, just make sure the drawbacks are real b and that they understand this is neither Twilight, nor an episode of Buffy.
If I can turn one of my players into the last prismatic dragon in the world you can turn one of your players into a vampire
. Just takes planning for the evolution of the character. Plus it should make sense for the character and most important for the player.
You're the DM. Your world.
With my player his alignment didn't change. But that can change based on his actions. In a fun way. In my world not every being is locked to their alignment. I have black dragons and vampires that are good aligned. That's what makes the story better cause they are not used to that so they never know who is good or evil until they meet with them for a chat and see their actions.
How would you become a vampire? I'm thinking of the characters going to a guild and meeting a vampire there and asking for it. But I need more ideas. I don't know if it's self-isolation or what, but I can't think of anything.
"Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced"- Soren Kierkgaard
A vampire could be the villain of an adventure, ends up getting that PC alone and offers to turn them. That PC could be walking back to wherever alone one night and get attacked. It could happen in their sleep. Tons of ways.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB, & You
DDB CONTENT TROUBLESHOOTING
The player get a horrible, incurable by anything short of a wish spell type of disease. A vampire shows up offering to “save” him from dying. But there’s a price to be paid, blah, blah, blah.
Obviously, the vampire’s motivation can help serve the larger story.
There was another post recently with a similar question, link here if you want to have a read of the suggestions I came up with
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/dungeon-masters-only/61738-running-game-of-pc-vampires-help
This question may not be relevant anymore, but in the 3rd party Grim Hollow campaign book, there are a series of transformations available to players that includes vampires. The transformations are gradual and aren't sudden bursts of power like the 5e vampire transformation, and each tier comes with a flaw in addition to the boons.
Each transformation comes in 4 tiers, and has a general and specific level up requirements for each transformation tree.
but vampires take damage in sunlight
First, I’d suggest using the dhampir concept instead of pure vampire. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it usually means the child of a vampire and a mortal. Typically has some vampire-like powers, sun sensitivity, fangs and such. Previous versions of D&D or Pathfinder have Dhampir as its own race.
I’d approach it as replacing the pc’s race. To create a balanced homebrew, I’d combine existing racial mechanics. Sun sensitivity from kobold/goblin, hungry jaws from lizardfolk, and something dexterity/coordination/acrobatics related to represent almost unnatural agility. Maybe a free misty step per long rest like the eladrin concepts.
Yeah. I wouldn’t let a PC become a vampire either unless they wanted to make a different character and let that one become an npc. Which is something I actually have done before.
I’d talk to the player and try to find out what’s going on with the vampire schtick. Why do they want to do this? does their character actually know what a vampire is? and are there good reasons that they have for becoming one?
I’ve never seen a PC have a good reason for this, it usually is a meta game decision.
The times I’ve seen things like this have all been attempts at changing the power level of the character. Is the player unhappy with their character? I’d try and find out what’s going on with them.
Ultimately I’d try to help fix the problem they’re having rather than bandaid the game with something that will definitely spiral out of control when the other players get wind of it.
If you do want a playable PC race for vampire check out the magic the gathering crossover "Planeshift" series, they have d&d playable vampires, I'll link to this one : https://media.wizards.com/2018/downloads/magic/plane-shift_ixalan.pdf
They are not as powerful as the monster but give enough flavour.
Late to this topic, but... firstly, RolePlay out the "turning" and remember that whomever sired him/her will have some kind of power over them that can't be broken (could be a good role-play element) as the character may still be good, but the sire-vampire may be evil and force tough choices. Plus this basically sets up a final villain for your PC because at some point they will wish to rid themselves of being a "slave" to this master.
I would break down the vampire powers similar to Sorcerer points. Give your PC "Blood Points" that they can spend during the day to use any of the vampire's powers on the monster stat block, but when they are out of the points they have to feed to replenish them, they don't come back after a long rest. Thus is shows the somewhat natural bend to evil.
Conversely, start them with the charm ability but then turn the rest of their powers into "Make-Shift Feats" and allow the character to buy them whenever they level up; if you go this route you may want to immediately give them a stat bump to their attributes to show the extraordinary physical powers. Plus this gives them some room to grow as a vampire without sacrificing overtime stat increases (+2 str, +2 con with a 20 max).
or Finally, you can just give them the Vampire Spawn powers but then half all the experience they gain as payment for gaining those powers (takes them much longer to level up). I haven't looked at The Grim Hallow book, but I'm sure that would be interesting as well (I'm currently writing a campaign supplement book that deals with these types of choices too); super interesting. I think the thing to keep in mind is to marry the type of campaign you want to run with what is fun for your players. Give them some "world resistance" from in-place power structures that offer natural obstacles (think Spanish Inquisition style play with a powerful over reaching church, or vampire hunters can now be a thing for this PC to avoid--no rest for the "wicked").
Have fun!
Nate
-Nate the Knife
"You are neither beer nor gems." -dismissive Dwarven saying.
So not a vampire basically lol, that's everything that makes a vampire a vampire.
How about, they CAN get all that, but gotta be level 15 minimum caster and do a very complex costly ritual to achieve the dark apotheosis.
Just make it however best fits your game, players get stronger, enemies get stronger this would make nothing different. A bad guy turns them, an artifact, anything can turn them. Have them involved with how and why and they want the player even more. In fantasy situations good people have bad things happen to them and they don't change who they are they just change how they live some. I would allow my player to do this just because it would be fun to try and kill them in dumb ways knowing it couldn't happen. (In my world) IE poison or stabbing. I would treat them like I treat Shadar-Kai whose goddess doesn't let them die because she is the goddess of death and can. But this is just me some may feal different.