Backgrounds you can choose from anywhere and can even make up a custom one but you have to choose one of the existing features from AL sources. If you want to be a member of a faction (even one you make up yourself) you have to take the Safe Haven feature. In addition, if you want your character to have a Lawful Evil alignment you MUST be a member of either the Zhentarim or Lords Alliance and take the Safe Haven feature. Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil alignments are not allowed in AL.
As far as Oathbreaker goes, it is NOT an option in AL in general since the DMG is not a valid +1. Occasionally, certificates that allow for exceptions are available usually awarded for participating in special events or supporting the D&D Extra Life charity but I haven't heard of any of these being available for the Oathbreaker. These are official certificates usually printed on card stock and need to accompany the character to justify any exceptions to the character creation rules.
Anyway, for 99% of us :), an Oathbreaker paladin is NOT an AL legal character.
Not to add anything useful to this (sorry). But figure I'd ask here. Looking for a Fallen Aasimar Sorcerer mini -- Either premade/legit or even an STL to print myself. Found quite a few official Aasimar fighters/paladin/clerics with angel wings and a few STL files of robed Aasimars but again with angel wings.. I would think it wouldn't be so hard to get some Aasimars with Skeletal wings.
(I found an STL file of skeleton wings if anyone is knowledgeable enough to replace the angelic Aasimar sorcerer that I also have an STL file of)
Backgrounds you can choose from anywhere and can even make up a custom one but you have to choose one of the existing features from AL sources. If you want to be a member of a faction (even one you make up yourself) you have to take the Safe Haven feature. In addition, if you want your character to have a Lawful Evil alignment you MUST be a member of either the Zhentarim or Lords Alliance and take the Safe Haven feature. Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil alignments are not allowed in AL
You can't make up a background and still comply with the AL rules. You have to pick an already defined background and are stuck with its equipment. Lke you said, you also have to pick a defined Feature. You can then customize the rest of the components of the Background more freely.
Backgrounds you can choose from anywhere and can even make up a custom one but you have to choose one of the existing features from AL sources. If you want to be a member of a faction (even one you make up yourself) you have to take the Safe Haven feature. In addition, if you want your character to have a Lawful Evil alignment you MUST be a member of either the Zhentarim or Lords Alliance and take the Safe Haven feature. Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil alignments are not allowed in AL
You can't make up a background and still comply with the AL rules. You have to pick an already defined background and are stuck with its equipment. Lke you said, you also have to pick a defined Feature. You can then customize the rest of the components of the Background more freely.
Sorry. You are incorrect (or I am misinterpreting your comment). From the ALFAQ v9.0
"Custom Backgrounds You can create a custom background for your character by following the rules in the PHB, but you can’t create custom background features."
You CAN create a custom background. Mix and match skills/languages/tools as much as you like following the custom background instructions in the PHB. However, you can't create a custom background feature, you have to choose an existing one.
P.S.
In season 9, you can even create a custom faction for your character to be a member of ..
"Custom Factions The omission of a set list of authorized factions is intentional to allow characters to become members of any faction they come across in their adventures beyond the “Big 5.” However, this has the added benefit of characters creating their own factions. All of the grounds for suspension of renown benefits still apply, however. Due to their pronounced role as villains in the Dreams of the Red Wizards series of adventures, the Red Wizards of Thay aren’t available as a faction."
I have one of my characters as a member of the "Dwarven Scouts" faction (which I associated with the Harpers in the character lore but I decided they are only eligible for the generic faction benefits ... though a case could be made for Harpers under another name :) ).
Backgrounds you can choose from anywhere and can even make up a custom one but you have to choose one of the existing features from AL sources. If you want to be a member of a faction (even one you make up yourself) you have to take the Safe Haven feature. In addition, if you want your character to have a Lawful Evil alignment you MUST be a member of either the Zhentarim or Lords Alliance and take the Safe Haven feature. Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil alignments are not allowed in AL
You can't make up a background and still comply with the AL rules. You have to pick an already defined background and are stuck with its equipment. Lke you said, you also have to pick a defined Feature. You can then customize the rest of the components of the Background more freely.
Sorry. You are incorrect (or I am misinterpreting your comment). From the ALFAQ v9.0
"Custom Backgrounds You can create a custom background for your character by following the rules in the PHB, but you can’t create custom background features."
You CAN create a custom background. Mix and match skills/languages/tools as much as you like following the custom background instructions in the PHB. However, you can't create a custom background feature, you have to choose an existing one.
P.S.
In season 9, you can even create a custom faction for your character to be a member of ..
"Custom Factions The omission of a set list of authorized factions is intentional to allow characters to become members of any faction they come across in their adventures beyond the “Big 5.” However, this has the added benefit of characters creating their own factions. All of the grounds for suspension of renown benefits still apply, however. Due to their pronounced role as villains in the Dreams of the Red Wizards series of adventures, the Red Wizards of Thay aren’t available as a faction."
I have one of my characters as a member of the "Dwarven Scouts" faction (which I associated with the Harpers in the character lore but I decided they are only eligible for the generic faction benefits ... though a case could be made for Harpers under another name :) )
It's me - i think i just didn't explain what I was trying to say well enough. Its more restrictive than just 'you can create your own...', but that's where I've found players stop reading. When they read that they inevitably say 'alright, my level one now starts with the full plate mail he got from his dad' (which I've found to be problem for AL, throw that armor in with the fact they can now get a magic item on day 1, and the character is now way stronger than what the Tier 1 adventures are designed for, even when adjusting the difficulty). 'Create your own' is followed by several caveats that I think are somewhat hard to decipher. Here's a breakdown:
As an AL DM, i only care about two things when a character starts out...how they adjusted their background and how they got their ability scores. I've found if I don't watch these, I end up with two characters running the show with the other players just following along not really making a difference...which degrades the odds they'll come back.
Backgrounds you can choose from anywhere and can even make up a custom one but you have to choose one of the existing features from AL sources. If you want to be a member of a faction (even one you make up yourself) you have to take the Safe Haven feature. In addition, if you want your character to have a Lawful Evil alignment you MUST be a member of either the Zhentarim or Lords Alliance and take the Safe Haven feature. Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil alignments are not allowed in AL
You can't make up a background and still comply with the AL rules. You have to pick an already defined background and are stuck with its equipment. Lke you said, you also have to pick a defined Feature. You can then customize the rest of the components of the Background more freely.
Sorry. You are incorrect (or I am misinterpreting your comment). From the ALFAQ v9.0
"Custom Backgrounds You can create a custom background for your character by following the rules in the PHB, but you can’t create custom background features."
You CAN create a custom background. Mix and match skills/languages/tools as much as you like following the custom background instructions in the PHB. However, you can't create a custom background feature, you have to choose an existing one.
P.S.
In season 9, you can even create a custom faction for your character to be a member of ..
"Custom Factions The omission of a set list of authorized factions is intentional to allow characters to become members of any faction they come across in their adventures beyond the “Big 5.” However, this has the added benefit of characters creating their own factions. All of the grounds for suspension of renown benefits still apply, however. Due to their pronounced role as villains in the Dreams of the Red Wizards series of adventures, the Red Wizards of Thay aren’t available as a faction."
I have one of my characters as a member of the "Dwarven Scouts" faction (which I associated with the Harpers in the character lore but I decided they are only eligible for the generic faction benefits ... though a case could be made for Harpers under another name :) )
It's me - i think i just didn't explain what I was trying to say well enough. Its more restrictive than just 'you can create your own...', but that's where I've found players stop reading. When they read that they inevitably say 'alright, my level one now starts with the full plate mail he got from his dad' (which I've found to be problem for AL, throw that armor in with the fact they can now get a magic item on day 1, and the character is now way stronger than what the Tier 1 adventures are designed for, even when adjusting the difficulty). 'Create your own' is followed by several caveats that I think are somewhat hard to decipher. Here's a breakdown:
As an AL DM, i only care about two things when a character starts out...how they adjusted their background and how they got their ability scores. I've found if I don't watch these, I end up with two characters running the show with the other players just following along not really making a difference...which degrades the odds they'll come back.
Well yes :) ... "create your own" means follow the rules on background creation in the PHB which do not let you take arbitrary plate mail, items or gold as part of the background. Custom background is pretty well defined in the rules.
Also, I agree with your idea of a quick check over of the character at the start of the game. Folks make quite a few mistakes, mostly unintentionally to be honest. One time I was playing with a level 10 halfling paladin/rogue which was an interesting character concept except they had dumped strength to 8 so it wasn't AL legal since they needed a strength of 13 to multiclass. It was an easy fix and they lost a bit of wis and int bumping str to 13 which didn't change how the character played but the remarkable thing was that they had played through to level 10 without anyone noticing. It wasn't intentional and the player was surprised when it was mentioned. They weren't an expert on the multiclassing rules.
Another common one is taking a spell or cantrip from an ineligible +1, especially Xanathar's. If you ever see a Volo's race character cast Toll the Dead or Absorb elements then you know something is amiss :) ... folks just get so used to taking some of the Xanathar's utility spells or cantrips that they forget they can't due to +1 constraints (wizards can buy the spell scrolls but they can't pick up cantrips from scrolls).
Less common is folks taking an incompatible race and class archetype again due to +1 constraints. This tends to be less experienced folks since most folks experienced with AL know where the different races and class archetypes come from. One thing that is legal however is a swashbuckler rogue/caster with SCAG cantrips. Swashbuckler was first introduced in SCAG and re-printed in Xanathars so although you use the rules in the latest printing you can choose either SCAG or Xanathar's as the +1 when playing a Swashbuckler.
The Fallen Aasimar is Volo's, the DMG is not the PhB, so even if you could use DMG you'd be breaking the +1 rule. You are solely limited to Volo's and PhB if you play an Aasimar, which sucks because the best subclasses for Aasimar are things like Hexblade and Divine Soul in XGE.
The Fallen Aasimar is Volo's, the DMG is not the PhB, so even if you could use DMG you'd be breaking the +1 rule. You are solely limited to Volo's and PhB if you play an Aasimar, which sucks because the best subclasses for Aasimar are things like Hexblade and Divine Soul in XGE.
This is not true if you make an AL character this season (season 9). Aasimar and Tiefling characters are available (with wings as a feature at level 5) if created in season 9 and Volo's will not count as their +1.
So .. if you want to play an Aasimar hexblade, shadow sorcerer, divine soul sorcerer or anything from XGtE then now is the time to do it :)
ALPG 9.2
"Plane-Touched Wings If you wish to create an aasimar or tiefling, that character gains the benefit associated with their race, below. Neither benefit is contingent upon selecting the referenced resource as their +1. Aasimar. You can choose aasimar (Volo’s Guide to Monsters) as your character’s race. Additionally, at 5th level, you can permanently replace the Light Bearer trait and racial trait they gain at 3rd level to sprout feathered wings—gaining a fly speed of 30 ft while not wearing heavy armor. Tiefling. At 5th level, you can permanently replace their Infernal Legacy trait with the Winged tiefling variant trait (Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide)."
One question I have about that is when you “replace the infernal legacy trait with the winged tiefling variant trait” at 5th Level, are you just foregoing the 5th level ability to cast Darkness in favor of wings, or are you also unlearning Thaumaturgy and Hellish Rebuke to gain wings?
You're replacing Infernal Legacy, not changing it. You would lose Thaumaturgy and Hellish Rebuke for wings.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
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Hello guys, i recently started playing in AL as a Fallen Aasimar (Volo's guide to monster) Paladin.
My question is, can i do the Oathbraker Paladin at lvl 3? It appears only in the DMG so... counts as the +1 rule the DMG? (PHB+1)
And can i choose a background from other adventures or only from the PHB in this case? (Volo has no new backgrounds)
Thanks in advance
Backgrounds you can choose from anywhere and can even make up a custom one but you have to choose one of the existing features from AL sources. If you want to be a member of a faction (even one you make up yourself) you have to take the Safe Haven feature. In addition, if you want your character to have a Lawful Evil alignment you MUST be a member of either the Zhentarim or Lords Alliance and take the Safe Haven feature. Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil alignments are not allowed in AL.
As far as Oathbreaker goes, it is NOT an option in AL in general since the DMG is not a valid +1. Occasionally, certificates that allow for exceptions are available usually awarded for participating in special events or supporting the D&D Extra Life charity but I haven't heard of any of these being available for the Oathbreaker. These are official certificates usually printed on card stock and need to accompany the character to justify any exceptions to the character creation rules.
Anyway, for 99% of us :), an Oathbreaker paladin is NOT an AL legal character.
Not to add anything useful to this (sorry). But figure I'd ask here. Looking for a Fallen Aasimar Sorcerer mini -- Either premade/legit or even an STL to print myself. Found quite a few official Aasimar fighters/paladin/clerics with angel wings and a few STL files of robed Aasimars but again with angel wings.. I would think it wouldn't be so hard to get some Aasimars with Skeletal wings.
(I found an STL file of skeleton wings if anyone is knowledgeable enough to replace the angelic Aasimar sorcerer that I also have an STL file of)
You can't make up a background and still comply with the AL rules. You have to pick an already defined background and are stuck with its equipment. Lke you said, you also have to pick a defined Feature. You can then customize the rest of the components of the Background more freely.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
A rather comprehensive list of free WotC D&D resources
Deck of Decks
Sorry. You are incorrect (or I am misinterpreting your comment). From the ALFAQ v9.0
"Custom Backgrounds
You can create a custom background for your character by following the rules in the PHB, but you can’t create custom background features."
You CAN create a custom background. Mix and match skills/languages/tools as much as you like following the custom background instructions in the PHB. However, you can't create a custom background feature, you have to choose an existing one.
P.S.
In season 9, you can even create a custom faction for your character to be a member of ..
"Custom Factions
The omission of a set list of authorized factions is intentional to allow characters to become members of any faction they come across in their adventures beyond the “Big 5.” However, this has the added benefit of characters creating their own factions. All of the grounds for suspension of renown benefits still apply, however.
Due to their pronounced role as villains in the Dreams of the Red Wizards series of adventures, the Red Wizards of Thay aren’t available as a faction."
I have one of my characters as a member of the "Dwarven Scouts" faction (which I associated with the Harpers in the character lore but I decided they are only eligible for the generic faction benefits ... though a case could be made for Harpers under another name :) ).
It's me - i think i just didn't explain what I was trying to say well enough. Its more restrictive than just 'you can create your own...', but that's where I've found players stop reading. When they read that they inevitably say 'alright, my level one now starts with the full plate mail he got from his dad' (which I've found to be problem for AL, throw that armor in with the fact they can now get a magic item on day 1, and the character is now way stronger than what the Tier 1 adventures are designed for, even when adjusting the difficulty). 'Create your own' is followed by several caveats that I think are somewhat hard to decipher. Here's a breakdown:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/d-d-adventurers-league/43990-the-real-deal-on-backgrounds
As an AL DM, i only care about two things when a character starts out...how they adjusted their background and how they got their ability scores. I've found if I don't watch these, I end up with two characters running the show with the other players just following along not really making a difference...which degrades the odds they'll come back.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
A rather comprehensive list of free WotC D&D resources
Deck of Decks
Well yes :) ... "create your own" means follow the rules on background creation in the PHB which do not let you take arbitrary plate mail, items or gold as part of the background. Custom background is pretty well defined in the rules.
Also, I agree with your idea of a quick check over of the character at the start of the game. Folks make quite a few mistakes, mostly unintentionally to be honest. One time I was playing with a level 10 halfling paladin/rogue which was an interesting character concept except they had dumped strength to 8 so it wasn't AL legal since they needed a strength of 13 to multiclass. It was an easy fix and they lost a bit of wis and int bumping str to 13 which didn't change how the character played but the remarkable thing was that they had played through to level 10 without anyone noticing. It wasn't intentional and the player was surprised when it was mentioned. They weren't an expert on the multiclassing rules.
Another common one is taking a spell or cantrip from an ineligible +1, especially Xanathar's. If you ever see a Volo's race character cast Toll the Dead or Absorb elements then you know something is amiss :) ... folks just get so used to taking some of the Xanathar's utility spells or cantrips that they forget they can't due to +1 constraints (wizards can buy the spell scrolls but they can't pick up cantrips from scrolls).
Less common is folks taking an incompatible race and class archetype again due to +1 constraints. This tends to be less experienced folks since most folks experienced with AL know where the different races and class archetypes come from. One thing that is legal however is a swashbuckler rogue/caster with SCAG cantrips. Swashbuckler was first introduced in SCAG and re-printed in Xanathars so although you use the rules in the latest printing you can choose either SCAG or Xanathar's as the +1 when playing a Swashbuckler.
yeah, i'm looking forward to the AL-compliant feature in the character sheets.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
A rather comprehensive list of free WotC D&D resources
Deck of Decks
The Fallen Aasimar is Volo's, the DMG is not the PhB, so even if you could use DMG you'd be breaking the +1 rule. You are solely limited to Volo's and PhB if you play an Aasimar, which sucks because the best subclasses for Aasimar are things like Hexblade and Divine Soul in XGE.
This is not true if you make an AL character this season (season 9). Aasimar and Tiefling characters are available (with wings as a feature at level 5) if created in season 9 and Volo's will not count as their +1.
So .. if you want to play an Aasimar hexblade, shadow sorcerer, divine soul sorcerer or anything from XGtE then now is the time to do it :)
ALPG 9.2
"Plane-Touched Wings
If you wish to create an aasimar or tiefling, that character gains the benefit associated with their race, below. Neither benefit is contingent upon selecting the referenced resource as their +1.
Aasimar. You can choose aasimar (Volo’s Guide to Monsters) as your character’s race. Additionally, at 5th level, you can permanently replace the Light Bearer trait and racial trait they gain at 3rd level to sprout feathered wings—gaining a fly speed of 30 ft while not wearing heavy armor.
Tiefling. At 5th level, you can permanently replace their Infernal Legacy trait with the Winged tiefling variant trait (Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide)."
One question I have about that is when you “replace the infernal legacy trait with the winged tiefling variant trait” at 5th Level, are you just foregoing the 5th level ability to cast Darkness in favor of wings, or are you also unlearning Thaumaturgy and Hellish Rebuke to gain wings?
You're replacing Infernal Legacy, not changing it. You would lose Thaumaturgy and Hellish Rebuke for wings.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha