UPDATE (2024-08-24) : I have updated these house rules... See my 2024 Updated rules post in the discussion thread below.
Though I'd share my house rules with the community.
Note: I don't use all these house rules for every campaign or every group I play with. I adapt the number of rules to each table. I also don't expect the players to know all these rules by heart. I have created a "magic item" that lists the rules; the players can add the item to their inventory and read them whenever they want. I try to integrate the rules progressively. Heck, I sometimes forget some of them myself during play!
I've been playing D&D since 86 (1st edition), so there are what some might consider some "grognard" rules in the list. :P
25 House Rules
1. Ability Scores
Use standard array or point buy.
You get a racial feat appropriate to your lineage if you used point-buy or the standard array for your ability scores, and are willing to lower a score by 2.
If using the One D&D playtest rules, you get a Level 1 feat from your background. You can choose a Level 1 racial feat instead. Level of feats that aren't part of the playtest is determined by the DM.
If you create a character for a one shot adventure that last only a couple of sessions, you can choose to roll dice in the character builder, choosing among 3 different sets of 6 x 4d6, drop lowest die method. If that character is later used for a long term campaign or adventure, the DM might ask to set back your default scores using point buy.
Bear in mind House Rule 3 when determining Strength score.
2. Variant Encumbrance - aka Strength not an automatic dump stat
In the Character Preferences, choose "variant encumbrance" from the drop down menu, but toggle ON Ignore Coin Weight.
Normal, "easy" encumbrance rules are to make life easier when using pen & paper, so players don't have to worry about calculating weight and risking bogging the game down. But D&D Beyond calculates everything for you, so there's no reason not be somewhat realistic when it comes to carrying stuff and wearing heavy armor...
3. Multiclassing
Multiclassing is an optional rule in 5E. Any multiclassing must make sense from a roleplaying perspective (i.e. fit the character's personality, take into account its background, and follow the current story narrative). Feats can be used to diversify a character's abilities rather than multiclassing. A number of interesting homebrew feats are available to increase characterization options.
Some multiclassing options open the door to play complexity, combos with rule particularities, or shenanigans that can unbalance or bog down the game. If you do multiclass, you must meet the necessary prerequisites and follow these house rules :
Dual-class only (no more than 2 classes).
No 1 level dips. You must invest in gaining at least 2 or 3 levels in your secondary class before you reach character level 10 (or at least 2 consecutive levels after level 10).
No paladin/other spellcasting class or warlock/other spellcasting class. Would be wizard/clerics (theurgists) are encouraged to play a wizard of the (improved) War Magic tradition, or a cleric of the (improved) Arcana domain.
That being said, there might be a good story reason for an exception to any of these multiclassing house rules. In which case, you are encouraged to discuss your character ideas with the DM.
Thematically speaking, limiting the warlock normally makes sense, since the warlock is a character that makes a pact with a dangerous or mysterious entity to gain magic powers. Why would a creature make such a pact if it felt it was able to achieve similar powers through study, manipulating natural energies, or the devout worship of a deity? However, there can always be exceptions that fit the narrative.
4. Alignment and Background
Player characters are expected to be the "heroes" and the "good guys". If you want to play an "evil" character, keep these guidelines in mind:
Your character must have a motivation other than naked greed, lust for power, or just being a murder hobo. It must be capable of working with the party without betraying them at every opportunity.
Your character must not consciously think of themselves as a "bad guy" or "villain". It does not do anything simply "because he's evil." Even evil characters understand and exercise restraint. Followers of evil deities in a well-ruled land or city worship largely behind close doors.
5. (Relatively) Low-Magic Campaign
In small urban areas, magic abilities are feared or frowned upon. Creatures with arcane spellcasting abilities are uncommon, and high-level spellcasters are very rare. Larger urban areas like Waterdeep, Mulmaster or Calimport may have more creatures with magic abilities (and common magic items), but there are laws that regulate magic use in public. In certain areas, public spellcasting might attract the attention of witch/warlock hunters and religious inquisitors.
Characters with divine spellcasting abilities (i.e. clerics, paladins) are very rare. Most priests, monks, and clerics of religious orders and associations have no divine powers. For this reason, divine spellcasters are often admired by the common folk but shun by envious or fearful coreligionists. When roleplaying your character, try to think about their sense of awe and wonderment when they discover their magical abilities -- or when witnessing the magical abilities of their allies for the first time.
To help you define your background and backstory, see This is Your Life in Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
6. Average Hit Points
You don't roll for hit points when gaining a level. In Character Preferences, choose "Hit Point Type : Fixed". If you really want to roll the die, set the option to "Manual", and you must roll in front of the DM. If you roll a 1, it becomes a 2.
7. Languages
In the Forgotten Realms, the Common tongue is divided in four main dialects : Chondathan (Sword Coast, Cormyr, Sembia, northern Faerun), Alzhedo (Calimshan, southern Faerûn), Shou (Kara-Tur), and Chultan (jungles of Chult, Maztica). Nomadic tribes such as the Reghed or the Uthgardt also have their own language.
I assume you speak Common: Chondathan, unless you specify otherwise because of your backstory. On the digital character sheet, you can customize (add) a language.
My improved Linguist feat is a cool way to know more languages.
Linguist (Improved)
You have studied languages and codes, gaining the following benefits:
Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
You learn three languages of your choice.
You know the comprehend languages spell, which you can cast as a ritual or using spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
You can pick up the basics of a conversation carried on in a foreign language. Make a DC 15 Intelligence check (DC 20 for exotic languages). On a success, you have a general sense of what the creature is talking about and you can communicate basic ideas. The higher your check result, the more you understand what a creature is trying to communicate.
You can add your proficiency bonus to Wisdom saving throws against spells that target you that include spoken words or instructions, such as vicious mockery, command, geas, or suggestion.
You can ably create written ciphers. Others can't decipher a code you create unless you teach them, they succeed on an Intelligence check (DC equal to your Intelligence score + your proficiency bonus), or they use magic to decipher it.
8. Improved / Revised Subclasses, Feats, Spells, etc.
The game has evolved over the years, and knowledgeable members of the D&D community voice their opinions about which class or subclass is weaker or stronger, and which features, feats, or spells should be improved, revised, or added. I'm always looking for ways to improve the game based on feedback and analysis from these nerdy DMs and players in D&D forums, articles, and podcasts. If a feat or spell is generally considered weak, poor, or lackluster by the community, I will try to improve it. If it is generally considered overly powerful or "broken", I will try to balance it while maintaining its usefulness. In effect, we are playing a homebrew version of D&D 5.5. A "revised" version of a spell often includes Rule As Intended ruling (Sage Advice) by lead rule designer Jeremy Crawford, or is revised for game balance.
After creating your character, open your digital character sheet and go to Feats > Manage Feats > and choose the Improved Class Features feat relevant to your chosen class. This "feat" will give you additional or variant features, and tell you which Optional Features (from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything) you can toggle on in the character builder.
If you're not sure about any of this, the DM will do it for you :)
8b. Reskinning
As long as you aren't changing the actual mechanics of a class, of a spell, or "how things work", we are lenient in allowing reskinning and reflavoring some abilities and spells.
Example: fire is an easily countered damage type. Most of the elemental types (cold, fire, lightning, and thunder) are very commonly resisted, as is poison, so it’s fine to modify fireball and create a similar spell that uses one of these damage types. However, force, necrotic, psychic, and radiant damage are all dangerous options because few creatures are resistant to them. Talk to your DM for reskinning ideas.
Introducing the Breather (10-Minute Break). There is no limit to the number of breathers you can take in a day.
At the end of a breather, you can spend 1 hit die (only one).
Any amount of combat or strenuous activities interrupt a breather.
Six breathers in a row amount to a short rest.
If really pressed for time, the adventuring party can gain the benefit of a short rest in 10 minutes provided the PCs can all spend at least 1 Hit Die. Once they use a breather this way, it can't be done again until the characters complete a long rest.
10. New Conditions
Bloodied
A creature is bloodied when its hit points are equal to or less than one-half of its maximum hit points, rounded down. One-half of its maximum hit points, rounded down, is referred to as its "bloodied value".
A bloodied creature suffers a temporary level of exhaustion (see exhaustion PHB p. 291). This temporary level of exhaustion is immediately reduced once the creature is no longer bloodied.
During combat, a bloodied creature can use a bonus action to burnHit Dice (sacrificing two of them), drawing upon inner strength and adrenaline to suppress the bloodied condition until the end of the encounter. If the party is facing a particularly deadly encounter, the DM may adjudicate that the bloodied condition is suppressed for all player characters in a dire situation without spending any Hit Dice, reflecting the survival instinct.
As an action, someone with proficiency in the Medicine skill can expend one use of a healer's kit to help a creature that is bloodied (including themselves). When they do so, the temporary level of exhaustion caused by the bloodied condition is suppressed for 1 minute (or 10 minutes if the healer is also proficient in the herbalism kit and has it readily available). If the character has the Healer's feat or the Fast Hands rogue feature, it can do this as a bonus action.
Undead, construct, oozes, and legendary creatures are immune to the bloodied condition.
Bound
A bound creature can't move or take reactions. The only action it can take is to cast a spell that doesn't require somatic or material components, or attempt to escape the binds with a Strength (Athletics), a Dexterity (Acrobatics), or an Intelligence (Sleight of Hand) check.
If the bound creature is also gagged (mouth stopped up to prevent speech), it can't cast a spell that requires a verbal component.
The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
Any attack that hits the creature is a critical hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature. (Possible coup de grâce at the DM's option.)
After three failed ability check escape attempts, a creature cannot usually try to escape again until a certain amount of time has elapsed. The DM can adjudicate based on the DC to escape the bonds, the result of the creature's ability checks (degrees of success), or the environment. In a combat situation, a creature can normally attempt to escape bounds once per turn, emboldened by a sudden adrenaline rush.
Surprised
A surprised creature can't move or take an action on its first turn of the combat.
An attacker has advantage on its first attack roll if it attacks from a hiding position, or moves within reach of the surprised creature without being seen.
The creature can't take a reaction until the end of its first turn.
At the end of its first turn, the surprised condition ends.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they usually notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side (-5 to the passive score in dim light). Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't. When an unseen attacker makes an attack, it gives away its location whether the attack hits or misses (PHB ch.9 : "Unseen Attackers and Targets").
If the two sides are suspicious of one another, such as in a tense stand-off, they are considered ready for combat. They might be "surprised" by an opponent's sudden move or action, but they won't get the surprised condition.
Staggered
A staggered creature's speed is halved
The creature has -2 AC and -2 Dexterity saving throws
The creature can't use reactions, and it can use either an action or a bonus action on its turn, not both.
The condition ends at the end of the creature's next turn.
11. Dropping to 0 Hit Points
To avoid metagaming, death saving throws are rolled secretly by the DM.
When regaining hit points after falling to 0 hit points, you suffer the staggered condition (see rule # 11).
12. Familiars
A familiar can't normally help you with "knowledge" ability checks (Arcana, History, Nature, Religion). See house rule 18b.
A familiar can attune to one magic item if its Intelligence score is 6 or higher.
A familiar can't make a creature drink a healing potion (or other potion) during combat unless it has opposable thumbs (e.g. monkey).
The augment familiarspell includes new benefits for your familiar. Check it out!
13. Spell Focus
Divine casters with shields (clerics, paladins) are assumed to use a shield emblazoned with their holy symbol or sacred oath symbol as divine focus. They can perform the somatic components of spells even when they are wielding a weapon and a shield. (HR) To use a simple or martial weapon as a spellcasting focus, a spellcaster can also shop around for a ruby of the war mage (50 gp). Sorcerers can eschew material components (don't need them), unless a material component's value is over 100 gp. See Improved Sorcerer Features "feat" for details.
You are an able physician, blessed by the gods of life, allowing you to mend wounds quickly and get your allies back in the fight. You gain the following benefits:
You gain proficiency in the medicine skill if you don't have it already.
When you use an action and spend one use of a healer's kit during combat, a target that isn't unconscious may immediately spend 1 Hit Die.
Once per day, after a short or long rest, you may expend one use of a healer's kit to grant a creature a new saving throw against one disease or one condition. That condition must be blinded, deafened, paralyzed, or poisoned. If the effect that created the condition had no saving throw, the save DC is 20.
You can cast cure wounds at its lowest level. Once you cast it, you must finish a short rest before you can cast it again using this feat.
15. Identifying an Item / Attunement
Proficiency with the Arcana, Nature or Religion skill (depending on the item; usually Arcana)-- or the identify spell, is required to learn a magical item's properties and the way to use it during a short rest.
Becoming attuned to an item requires 10 minutes (instead of 1 hour), which can be done during the same short rest you use to identify the item. Without becoming attuned to an item that requires attunement, a creature gains only its nonmagical benefits, unless its description states otherwise. If a character dies, even for less than 1 minute, attunement to a magic item is instantly broken. As RAW, you can voluntarily end attunement by spending another short rest focused on the item, unless the item is cursed. A creature's attunement to an item also ends if the creature no longer satisfies the prerequisites for attunement, if the item has been more than 100 feet away for at least 24 hours, if the creature dies, or if another creature attunes to the item.
16. Monster Knowledge
There is player knowledge and character knowledge. With regards to monstrous creatures, characters know about the tales and legends of popular creatures such as lycanthropes, vampires, trolls, and zombies, but might not know about specific abilities, vulnerabilities or immunities.
Passive Intelligence scores (Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion) will be used by the DM to determine character knowledge about a specific creature. During combat, you must spend an action to roll a relevant check and try to beat your passive score.
17. Object Interactions
On your turn, you can interact with two objects or features of the environment for free, during either your move or your action (RAW = one object interaction). Example, on your turn: you can draw two swords instead of just one. You can draw one sword and kick open a door. You can drink your ale and grab your knife on the table. Whatever makes sense in a 6 seconds round.
Potions are assumed to be readily available during combat, stored using a potion belt or other accessible pockets. However, the DM might require you to use an action for any activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door, turn a crank to lower a drawbridge, or unsling your backpack, open it, and retrieve an object.
You can use a bonus action to quaff a potion of healing. Administering a potion of healing to another character still takes an action, as does drinking any other magic potions. This is a game balance thing, as many potions are bottled spells that momentarily "daze" the drinker upon consumption.
18. Resistance and Immunity to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage
The common magic weapons introduced in Xanathar's Guide to Everything (e.g. a moon-touched sword) or those that have only minor magical properties (such as a dagger that never gets dirty) do not overcome resistance or immunity to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. The weapon must grant a bonus to attack and damage rolls, or be at least uncommon in its rarity.
If a monster's stat blocks states the creature is immune or resistant to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from "nonmagical attacks", it will be treated as immune or resistant to "nonmagical damage" from these damage types (which can potentially include damage from failed saving throws, such the one required by a scything blade trap).
A creature immune to nonmagical bludgeoning damage takes half damage from a fall (as if resistant to bludgeoning damage, not immune).
19. Skill Checks
Simply describe your character's actions. The DM will ask if a skill check -- if any-- is required for a given situation. Never roll in anticipation, because it slows the game down, and a skill's passive score might be enough while a low number on the die will always count as a failure. Some actions might require proficiency in a given skill, tool, or instrument (DM's call).
Your character's Passive Perception score is used for general detection of "things that are out there" including monsters and traps. No need to specify you are using your perception skill unless you are trying to beat your passive score. Reminder: there's a -5 penalty on your Passive Perception score when your are in a lightly obscured or in dim light (darkness for creatures with darkvision). A skill's passive score may also be used by the DM if you try to do something repeatedly : e.g. open a stuck door, pick a lock, look for secret doors.
Rule of thumb: if you don't succeed at first, you can try again (if possible with someone's help to give advantage on the roll). After two attempts, passive scores are used.
19b. Helping Another Character
A player has to announce its character is trying to help another one before the relevant ability check is rolled. (Same for guidance spell)
A character can only provide help if it has proficiency in the skill or tool related to the task at hand, or a relevant ability score equal or higher than the character doing the task. Example: a bard with Arcana proficiency can help a wizard decipher magic runes (advantage on the Intelligence (Arcana) check), but a rogue with a Strength score of 8 cannot help a barbarian with a Strength score of 18 force open a stuck door.
20. Swimming
You need to be proficient in Athletics to know how to swim efficiently; without proficiency, you can "float" and swim (dog paddle) 5 feet per round in calm water on a successful DC 10 Strength check. (DC 15 in agitated waters). If the Armor table shows "Disadvantage" in the Stealth column, the wearer has disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to swim. (Exception: padded armor).
21. Athletics / Perception Skills
As written, only a handful of creatures have the Athletics and Perception skills. That’s great for simplicity, but weak for game balance. For the purpose of the grappling and pushing/shoving rules, many fighting type creatures (e.g. orcs, hobgoblins, giants) will be considered proficient in the Athletics skill (DM's call). Creatures and NPCs that have "guarding" duties might get an ad hoc Perception skill proficiency, or even the Alert or Observant feat.
21b. Escaping a (nonmagical) Grapple
It normally takes an action (Athletics or Acrobatics check) to escape a grapple. If you have the Extra Attack feature (or Multiattack action in the case of monsters and NPCs), you can take the Attack action and replace one of your attacks to attempt to break out of the grapple (instead of using your full action to do so). This doesn't apply if you are also restrained or if you are grappled by a magical effect (such as the entangle spell or Bigby's grasping hand). Using the One D&D playtest rule, the DM might allow a DEX or STR save at the end of a creature's turn to break a grapple.
22. Lingering Injuries by Damage Type
We use my Lingering Injuries by Damage Type document on the DMs Guild. There is a roll on the relevant lingering injuries table in the following situations:
Scoring a critical hit (natural 20)
Failing a saving throw with a natural 1
Whenever a creature drops to 0 hit points as a result of damage.
23. Tool Proficiency
If you are proficient in a set of tools, make sure you add to your equipment the tool kit that includes the gp cost in the title; example Cartographer's Tools (15 p). This revised version that I created using the D&D Beyond magic item builder includes optional rules from Xanathar's Guide to Everything on how to use them.
24. Milestone/ Story-Based Level Advancement
The DM tells you when you go up a level. Might require a long rest and some downtime (training).
25. On Your Turn in combat...
On your turn, not much time for lengthy "in character" discussions or strategic talk (since the whole round lasts 6 seconds!) Only "brief utterances" are allowed (PHB p. 189).
Be ready on your turn. Know your class features and spells. If you don't know what to do, the DM will give you about 20 seconds. If you don't act fast, you will Dodge as an action and finish your turn.
When playing online, to speed up the game, you can preroll your attacks and note any damage. When your turn comes up, describe what happens based on your roll results.
Here's a Revised version following the 2024 rules change.
My house rules include revised elements from the 2024 PHB and elements borrowed from Level Up 5e and Tales of the Valiant (Kobold Press).
1. Ability Scores, Background, and Origin Feat
For ability scores, use standard array or point buy. Keep in mind House Rule #4 Variant Encumbrance rules when determining your Strength score.
For your background, choose an option from the Homebrew section of the drop down menu (tagged ₅․₂₄)
You get a Level 1 feat from your background called an Origin feat (identified as such in the character builder).
If you are not playing a Human, you can choose any Origin feat, as long as the feat makes sense with your backstory. You don't have to use the one suggested by your background, unless the background says otherwise.
If you are playing a Human, you can choose any Origin feat for the one granted by your species, but you must choose the suggested Origin feat that comes with your background.
If the Ability Score Modifiers drop down table doesn't appear in the Abilities section of the character builder, customize your +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 ASI using the "Other Modifier" boxes.
To help you define your background and backstory, you can use the random tables in Xanathar's Guide to Everything (This is Your Life) or have an AI generator create one for you. (Specify the setting in ChatGPT, such as the Forgotten Realms, plus your class, species, intended subclass, background, and alignment, and it will work its magic.)
2. Species
The DM decides at session 0 which species are available for the campaign. Species from theme-specific campaigns, such as the Leonin (Mythic Odysseys), the Harengon (Strixhaven), the Grung (Chult), the Astral Elf (Spelljammer), and the Autognome (Spelljammer), are normally unavailable. However, feel free to discuss any special idea or potential exception with your DM.
If a race/species has been recreated for the 2024 rules, you must use the 2024 version of that species.
Dwarves, gnomes, and characters with an Intelligence score of 13+ are considered Proficient in the Engineering skill (Level Up 5e skill), unless you choose otherwise.
Allure measures your physical beauty and abilities of seduction. You know how to attract, manipulate, or command the attention of others in a sexual manner. Your target must be attracted, at least minimally, to persons of your species and gender.
The DM might call for a Charisma (Allure) check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
Arouse someone to obtain a favor
Command the attention of someone
Seduce a guard to gain entry into a room
Mesmerize or distract an enemy
Find someone in a busy tavern to warm your bed at night.
If you have proficiency or expertise in Allure and you also have Experise in the Persuasion skill, you have Advantage on the check.
At character creation, you decide whether your character is 1. homely/ugly (Disadvantage on Allure checks), 2. average-looking (not proficient), 3. cute/pretty/attractive (proficient), or 4. beautiful/stunning/gorgeous (expertise).
Alternatively, you can roll 1d4 to determine your Allure randomly.
An Engineering check allows a character to know a fact or advance a project involving building, invention, or mathematics.
The DM might also call for an Engineering check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
Construct a tiny clockwork device using Tinker's Tools.
Spot a dangerous structural instability; identify a weak point in a wall or small construction.
Determine if a building is condemned from outside; build a simple, single-purpose device.
Identify a weak point in a grand construction such as a stone bridge; quickly synthesize a useful chemical compound from limited available resources.
Assess the causes of long-past structural damage; rig a small structure to fall at a specific tiime
4. Variant Encumbrance
In the Character Preferences of the Character Builder / Settings, choose "Variant Encumbrance" from the drop down menu, but toggle ON Ignore Coin Weight.
Verisimilitude
Normal, "easy" encumbrance rules are to make life easier when using pen & paper, so players don't have to worry about calculating weight and risking bogging the game down. But D&D Beyond calculates everything for you, so there's no reason not be somewhat realistic when it comes to carrying stuff and wearing heavy armor...
5. Third Party Options, Gaining Levels, and Multiclassing
If you wish using a subclass or character option taken from a popular third party company such as Critical Role, Kobold Press or Ghostfire Gaming (Grim Hollow, Drakkenheim) that hasn't already been incorporated to my homebrew subclass options, discuss it with me for potential balance adjustments.
The DM tells you when you go up a level. Might require a Long Rest and some downtime (training).
You don't roll for Hit Points when gaining a level. In Character Preferences on D&D Beyond, choose "Hit Point Type : Fixed". Okay, if you really want to roll the die, set the option to "Manual", but you must roll in front of the DM.
Multiclassing. Some multiclassing options open the door to play complexity, combos with rule particularities, or shenanigans that can unbalance or bog down the game. Any multiclassing must make sense from a roleplaying perspective (i.e. fit the character's personality, take into account the PC's background, and follow the current story narrative). Often, feats can be used to diversify a character's abilities rather than multiclassing. A number of interesting homebrew feats are available to increase characterization options.
Discouraged combos. For the 2024 Player's Handbook, known balance issues when multiclassing include the Monk/Ranger combo using the Nick weapon mastery and Hunter's Mark. I also discourage multiclassing a spellcasting class with another spellcasting class (e.g. Sorcerer/Paladin, Sorcerer/Warlock), as if othen creates its own balance issues. If you have the multiclassing itch, consider multiclassing your spellcaster with the Fighter, the Rogue, or the Barbarian. Multiclassing as a Cleric should also be fine.
Thematically speaking, a Warlock probably wouldn't multiclass with another spellcasting class. The character made a pact with a dangerous or mysterious entity to gain magic powers. Why would they make such a pact if they felt they could achieve magical powers through arcane study, manipulating natural energies, or the devout worship of a deity? However, there can always be exceptions that fit the narrative. Feel free to discuss your idea with me!
6. Evil Alignment
Player characters are expected to be the "heroes" and the "good guys". If you want to play an Evil character, keep these guidelines in mind:
Your character must have a motivation other than naked greed, lust for power, or just being a murder hobo. It must be capable of working with the party without betraying them at every opportunity, and find their own "noble" purposes for doing the occasional right thing.
Your character must not consciously think of themselves as a bad guy or villain. It does not do anything simply "because he's evil." Even evil characters understand and exercise restraint. Followers of evil deities in a well-ruled land or city worship largely behind close doors, and maintain a decorum of civil behavior in social situations.
7. (Relatively) Low-Magic Campaign
In small urban areas, magic abilities are feared or frowned upon. Creatures with arcane spellcasting abilities are uncommon, and high-level spellcasters are very rare. Larger urban areas like Waterdeep, Mulmaster or Calimport may have more creatures with magic abilities (and common magic items), but there are laws that regulate magic use in public. In certain areas, public spellcasting might attract the attention of witch/warlock hunters, religious inquisitors, or a group of wizards in charge of peacekeeping.
Characters with divine spellcasting abilities (i.e. clerics, paladins) are rare. Most priests, monks, and clerics of religious orders and associations have no divine powers. For this reason, divine spellcasters are often admired by the common folk but shun by envious or fearful coreligionists. When roleplaying your character, try to think about their sense of awe and wonderment when they discover their magical abilities -- or when witnessing the magical abilities of their allies for the first time.
ON/OFF Campaign Options
Unless the DM says otherwise at Session 0, spellcasters don't have automatic access to spells found in the Magic the Gathering (Strixhaven, Ravnica), Critical Role (Wildemount), or other campaign-specific settings. When creating your character ("Home" tab > "Character Preferences" in the character builder), the Magic the Gathering, Critical Role, and other Noncore D&D toggle buttons should be turned off. However, the DM can consider allowing spellcasting PCs opportunities throughout the campaign to learn a handful of these spells as rewards, or to find scrolls or items that allow you to cast some of these spells. Exception: if you choose to play a wizard of the Chronurgy or Graviturgy school tradition, or a fighter of the Blood Hunter class, you can toggle on the Critical Role options.
8. Languages
In the Forgotten Realms, the Common tongue is divided in four main dialects : Chondathan (Sword Coast, Cormyr, Sembia, northern Faerun), Alzhedo (Calimshan, southern Faerûn), Shou (Kara-Tur), and Chultan (jungles of Chult, Maztica). Nomadic tribes such as the Reghed or the Uthgardt also have their own language.
Your character speaks Common: Chondathan, unless you specify otherwise because of your backstory. On the digital character sheet, you can customize (add) a language.
9. Improved or Revised Subclasses, Feats, Spells, Items, etc.
The 2024 core books fixed many of the balance issues that affected some of the 2014 options, but there are still some outliers that need attention. If you come across a feat, spell, subclass, or item with the "BM" (Ben Morrier) tag, you must use that version when playing with me instead of the regular one. (Check with other DMs). Any option with the "IMP" (Improved) or "LU" (Level UP 5e) tag is optional. You can use that version or the regular one.
On the digital character sheet, options from other sources are identified with the tags "KP" (Kobold Press), "LU" (Level Up 5e), "DR" (Dungeons of Drakkenheim), "CR" (Critical Role), "EG" (Ed Greenwood) or "H" (homebrew, other 3rd party, or adapted from an older edition).
If you are proficient in a set of artisan tools, make sure you add to your equipment the tool kit that includes the gp cost in the title; example Cartographer's Tools (15 p). This revised version that I created includes optional rules from Xanathar's Guide to Everything on how to use them.
If a character option is generally considered weak, poor, or lackluster by the D&D community, I will try to improve it. If it is generally considered overly powerful or "broken", I will try to balance it while maintaining its usefulness. A "BM" or "Revised" version of a spell -- tagged "BM" or "R" -- either includes a Rule As Intended ruling (Sage Advice) by the lead rule designer, or is revised for game balance.
10. Resting and Safe Havens
While on a journey, adventurers are only able to recover from Exhaustion and recover their full Hit Dice after a Long Rest when they have access to a Safe Haven. A Safe Haven is a place to get a meal and a full night’s sleep without the reasonable risk of attack or harm from the elements. For example, an inn is considered a Safe Haven, but a campsite or dungeon environment where adventurers must take turns keeping watch through the night is not. Some spells (such as Tiny Hut) and class features may create safe havens.
The Breather (10-Minute rest) A creature can take a Breather (a 10-minute rest) to spend one Hit Die. When you do so, you don't regain any features that reset on a Short Rest.
11. Conditions
I'm using a few homebrew conditions as well as revised conditions. Revised conditions supersede the conditions found in the 2014 and the 2024 PHB Rules Glossary. See the "magic item" * Conditions ᴮᴹ for details.
12. Dropping to 0 Hit Points
To avoid metagaming, I usually roll Death Saving Throws secretly, unless I decide otherwise. See Death Saving Throws rules here.
When regaining Hit Points after falling to 0 Hit Points, you suffer the Slowed condition until the end of your next turn.
If you have proficiency in Constitution saving throws or have the Durable or Tough feat, you regain 1 Hit Point on a natural 19 or 20 (rather than just on a 20).
If you are Stable, you continue to roll "Death Saving Throws" at the start of each of your turns... If you roll a natural 20 (or 19-20, as explaned above), you immediately regain 1 Hit Point and are no longer Unconscious.
SLOWED [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
While you have the Slowed condition, you experience the following effects: Speed Affected. Your Speed is halved. Defense Affected. -2 penalty to AC and Dexterity saving throws. Limited Actions. On your turns, you can take either an action or a Bonus Action, not both, and you can't take Reactions. Number of Attacks Affected. If you take the Attack action, you can make only one attack, or one fewer attack if you have the Extra Attack feature or Multiattack.
13. Death and Resurrection (Critical Role)
The magic pulls you from beyond the dark veil of death, taking its toll on your body and psyche each time, leaving you less and less the person you were.
When you are brought back to life via magic with the exception of Revivify, you must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to 20 - the level of the spell used to return the character to life. A failure on this save inflicts a Long-Term Madness(2014 DMG p. 260), except that the duration is measured in days rather than hours. If the player rolls a natural 1 on this save, the character instead suffers a permanent Indefinite Madness.
A Greater Restoration, Lesser Restoration, or Remove Curse can alleviate the madness, though it returns any time that character drops to 0 Hit Points or finishes a Long Rest, until its full duration has expired.
14. Spell Focus
Divine casters with shields (clerics, paladins) are assumed to use a shield emblazoned with their holy symbol or sacred oath symbol as divine focus. They can perform the somatic components of spells even when they are wielding a weapon and a shield. To use a simple or martial weapon as a spellcasting focus, a spellcaster can also shop around for a Ruby of the War Mage (50 gp).
Eschew Materials (2nd level Sorcerer feature)
Sorcerers can eschew material components (don't need them), unless a material component's value exceeds 50 gp.
15. Healer's Kit & Medicine Proficiency
If you have proficiency in the Medicine skill, you gain extra benefits when using a healer’s kit. See Healer's Kit (revised) in the equipment section of your digital character sheet, or the Medicine Proficiency "feat". The 2024 PHB has also improved the Healer feat.
16. Identifying an Item / Attunement
A successful Arcana, Nature or Religion check (depending on the item; usually Arcana)-- or the Identify spell, is required to learn a magical item's properties and the way to use it during a Short Rest. The DM sets the DC for the check based on the item's rarity or the character's potential familiarity with it based on the PC's background.
Becoming attuned to an item requires 10 minutes (instead of 1 hour), which can be done during the same Short Rest you use to identify the item. Without becoming attuned to an item that requires attunement, a creature gains only its nonmagical benefits, unless its description states otherwise. If a character dies, even for less than 1 minute, attunement to a magic item is instantly broken. As RAW, you can voluntarily end attunement by spending another Short Rest focused on the item, unless the item is cursed. A creature's attunement to an item also ends if the creature no longer satisfies the prerequisites for attunement, if the item has been more than 100 feet away for at least 24 hours, if the creature dies, or if another creature attunes to the item.
17. Monster Knowledge
There is player knowledge and character knowledge. With regards to monstrous creatures, characters know about the tales and legends of popular creatures such as lycanthropes, vampires, trolls, and zombies, but might not know about specific abilities, vulnerabilities or immunities.
Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion checks can be used to determine character knowledge about a specific creature. During combat, you must take the Study action (5.24 rules).
18. Object Interactions / Weapon Swapping
On your turn, you can interact with two objects or features of the environment for free, during either your move or your action (RAW = one object interaction). Example, on your turn: you can draw two swords instead of just one. You can draw one sword and kick open a door. You can drink your ale and grab your knife on the table. You can shield your sword and ready your bow. Whatever makes sense in 6 seconds. No excessive weapon swapping will be allowed. (See rule 25d.)
19. Potions
Potions are assumed to be readily available during combat, stored using a potion belt or other accessible pockets. However, the DM might require you to use an action for any activity that needs special care or presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door, turn a crank to lower a drawbridge, or unsling your backpack, open it, and retrieve an object.
You can use a Bonus Action to drink a Potion of Healing (RAW in 5.24 rules). However, administering this potion to another character or drinking any other potion will still take an action. This is a game balance thing, as many potions are bottled spells.
20. Ability Checks
Some actions might require proficiency in a given skill, tool, or instrument (DM's call). I can ask that only characters with a relevant proficiency make a particular check. This allows PCs from the Expert classes and other skill-based characters to shine in these non-combat situations.
Your character's Passive Perception score is used for general detection of "things that are out there" including monsters and traps. No need to specify you are using your perception skill unless you are trying to beat your passive score. A skill's passive score may also be used by the DM if you try to do something repeatedly : e.g. open a stuck door, pick a lock, look for secret doors. Reminder: there's a -5 penalty on your Passive Perception score when your are in a lightly obscured area or in dim light (darkness = dim light within darkvision range).
Rule of thumb: if you don't succeed at first, you can try again (if possible with someone's help to give Advantage on the roll; see Help action below). After two attempts, passive scores are used.
21. Swimming
You need to be proficient in Athletics, Acrobatics, or Survival to know how to swim efficiently (at half your Speed); without one of these proficiencies, unless you have a Swim Speed, you can "float" and swim (dog paddle) 5 feet per round in calm water on a successful DC 10 Strength check, or DC 15 in agitated waters. If the Armor table shows "Disadvantage" in the Stealth column, the wearer has Disadvantage on ability checks made to swim, with the exception of padded armor.
21b. Casting a spell underwater
Casting verbal component spells while submerged can be difficult for those who cannot breathe underwater. A spellcaster that holds its breath can cast one spell with a Verbal component, but once it does, it's out of breath and starts suffocating. Creatures that can breathe water are unaffected and can cast spells normally.
Some spells might function differently underwater, subject to DM discretion. For example, creatures within 5 feet of a creature or object that takes lightning damage might have to make a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 lightning damage, and thunder effects might emit sound at four times the regular distance.
22. Athletics / Perception Skills for Monsters and NPCs
As written, only a handful of creatures have the Athletics and Perception skills. That’s great for simplicity, but weak for game balance. For the purpose of the grappling and pushing/shoving rules, many fighting type creatures (e.g. orcs, hobgoblins, giants) will be considered proficient in the Athletics skill (DM's call). Creatures and NPCs that have "guarding" duties might get an extra Perception skill proficiency, or even the Alert or Observant feat.
22a. Burning a Hit Die to Move an Extra 5 feet(When you really need to reach that one extra square on a grid...) A character with the the Athletics skill proficiency, can burn (sacrifice) a Hit Die to move an extra 5 feet on its turn.
23. Dice Fudging / Cheating
The game expects players to be honest with their dice roll results, and to diligently keep track of ressources like spell slots and hit points. Similarly, the DM enters a trust agreement when running an adventure that dice results and monster Hit Points won't be arbitrarily changed in the course of a combat encounter, only adjusting things occasionally for the sake of game pacing or fun of the adventure.
Randomness should be the key to turning UP monster's hit points during combat. I will sometimes roll the monster's Hit Points Dice when it's about to drop to 0 HP, especially for an important monster, legendary creature, or BBEG. If the result is higher than the average HP, I recalculate remaining Hit Points appropriately based on the increase. For the fun of the game, I can always turn DOWN a monster's hit points if its better for the story and pacing of the encounter, especially if the combat is dragging on and it's time for it to end.becomes shrouded with necrotic energy and deals an extra d8 necrotic damage.
24. Intentionally inflicting less damage
You can intentionally inflict less damage when making an attack roll with a weapon or a spell. For a weapon, the damage becomes 1 + modifiers instead of the weapon's normal damage. If you're making a Ranged attack, the attack is made with Disadvantage. For a spell attack, you must make a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check. On a success, you deal the minimal damage (for example, 3 Force damage for 3 rays of Eldritch Blast). This rule can be useful for characters that want to deal with Commoners and other low CR NPCs without killing them outright.
25. Other rules from the 5.24 edition of the game I'm changing or ignoring
5.24 rule : you can target allies with Opportunity Attacks
My rule: Allies can't target each other with Opportunity Attacks, as per the 2014 rules, unless they are engaged in PvP and wish to attack them.
The 5.24 rule -- or omission -- just opens up the door to too many shenanigans with the new Unarmed Strike rules to shove or knock Prone, or to cast strong spells such as Haste or Polymorph as a Reaction on allies with the War Caster feat.
5.24 rule: you can willingly fail a saving throw
My rule: you can willingly fail a saving throw once per round.
The 5.24 rule as written creates weird rule interactions, like willingly failing several Shove saving throws in a single round from allies (including conjured creatures) to “teleport” away or get within reach of an enemy of which you are Frightened.
5.24 rule : You can either equip or unequip one weapon when you make an attack as part of the Attack action. You do so either before or after the attack.
My rule: no excessive weapon swapping.
No excessive stowing and drawing weapons to gain different weapon mastery benefits every turn or before each attack. Swap of weapon options should follow the "verisimilitude" unspoken rule... It's fine to change weapons a few times during combat, especially if you’re stowing a Ranged weapon and drawing a Melee weapon to enter melee (or the other way around), but no weapon-swapping that abuse the Weapon Mastery feature or ignore common sense.
If you dual wield two Light weapons, I allow you to draw both weapons before you make your attacks on your turn without the Dual Wielder feat. Here's how it can be done RAW, as an example: You're using a Longbow. After your ranged attack, you stow your Longbow (equiping/unequiping rule), and you draw your Light weapon as your free object interaction ("Interacting with Things" rule). At the start of your next turn, you draw your second Light weapon before your attack(s).
The 5.24 rules allow to stow a weapon and draw a weapon before *any* attack. That’s just crazy for 6-second turns and opens the door to ridiculous shenanigans with the game mechanics, especially with Extra Attack, dual wielding, and weapon masteries.
5. 24 rule: Clerics with the 10th-level Divine Intervention feature can cast the Hallow spell as an action.
My rule: Hallow is not an option. Planar Binding is an option only if the CR of the creature is equal or lower than 5. (You won't bind a Glabrezu demon or the Demogorgon to do your bidding with a Divine Intervention). Other spells with a long casting time or expensive Material component will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Most will be fine, such as Awaken,Commune, Contact Other Planes, Creation, andRaise Dead.
5.24 rule : While a time-span spell that you cast is ongoing, you can dismiss it (no action required) if you don’t have the Incapacitated condition.
My rule: You know how to swiftly dispel the magic of your own spells. As a Bonus Action, make an Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC 10 plus that spell’s level). On a successful check, the spell ends.
Note: some spells -- including third party, homebrew, or older 2014 spells -- are not balanced to end before the full duration expires, which can create issues. If ending a non-Concentration spell without the use of Dispel Magic would be too potent, I will make a ruling on the spot that that particular spell can't be interrupted with an Arcana check and must run for its full duration.
Since you're not concentrating on the spell, there's no reason it should be dismissible without a Dispel Magic. But I'm willing to meet the designers half way.
Homebrew conditions ᴮᴹ: Bound, Buried (Hazard), Dazed, Fascinated, Hidden, Slowed, Surprised, Swallowed (Hazard) 5.24 PHB Conditions with added house rules: Bloodied, Deafened; also, revised Burning hazard, Concentration, and Hide action rules 5.24 PHB Conditions with minor house rules : Exhaustion (static -2 to spell save DC),Grappled(creature can use part of Extra attack to attempt escape unless Restrained), Incapacitated (can't use telepathy), Invisible (no auto Surprise, not equal to Hidden), Petrified (become Unconscious after 7 days), Prone, Stunned (half Speed), Unconscious (-10 PP if sleeping). Unchanged from the 5.24 PHB (RAW) : Blinded, Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Restrained
Homebrew conditions and changes to official conditions are marked with the ᴮᴹtag.
BLINDED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Blinded condition, you experience the following effects. Can't See. You can't see and automatically fail any ability check that requires sight. Attacks Affected. Attack rolls against you have Advantage, and your attack rolls have Disadvantage.
BLOODIED [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
A creature is Bloodied when its hit points are equal to or less than one-half of its maximum hit points, rounded down.
While you have the Bloodied condition, you experience the following effects. Not Feeling Great. A Bloodied creature suffers 1 temporary level of Exhaustion. This temporary level of Exhaustion is immediately reduced once the creature is no longer Bloodied. Combat Ready. During combat, you draw upon inner strength and adrenaline to suppress the Bloodied condition until the end of the encounter, reflecting your survival instinct.
This condition is loosely enforced. For verisimilitude, it's up to the player to impose their character the Bloodied condition when appropriate. A Bloodied condition "magic item" can be added to your Equipment, and checked ("in use") when you are Bloodied. Your stats will be modified on the digital character sheet accordingly.
BOUND [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
While you are Bound, you are Paralyzed, with the following exceptions. Limited Action. You can take an action to cast a spell that doesn't require Somatic or Material components, or attempt to escape the binds with a Strength (Athletics), a Dexterity (Acrobatics), or an Intelligence (Sleight of Hand) check. No Speaking. If you are gagged or otherwise prevented from speech, you can't cast a spell that requires a Verbal component.
After three failed ability check escape attempts, you cannot usually try to escape again until a certain amount of time has elapsed. The DM can adjudicate based on the DC to escape the bonds, the result of the creature's ability checks (degrees of success), or the environment. During combat, you can normally attempt to escape bounds as an action on each of your turns, emboldened by a sudden adrenaline rush.
BURNING [HAZARD]
A burning creature or object takes Fire damage at the start of each of its turns. To keep burning a credible threat for all creatures, the Fire damage from a Burning hazard scales based on the burning creature's level or Challenge Rating: 1d4 (level or CR 1-4), 1d6 (5-10), 2d6 (11-16), or 3d6 (17+). As an action, you can extinguish fire on yourself by giving yourself the Prone condition and rolling on the ground. The fire also goes out if it is doused, submerged, or suffocated. You or another creature can use the Utilize action to empty a full waterskin (4 pints) and douze the flames. A waterskin is considered full if you haven't taken a Short Rest or if you specified filling it up during the day.
BURIED [HAZARD] ᴮᴹ
While you are Buried, you experience the following effects. Sight and Mobility Affected.You have the Blinded, Prone, and Restrained conditions. Possible Suffocation.You must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a successful save, you have a lungful of air and can hold your breath for a number of minutes equal to 1 + your Constitution modifier (minimum 30 seconds) before suffocation begins. On a failed save, you can only hold your breath a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round). When you run out of breath, you gain 1 Exhaustion level at the end of each of your turns. If you reach 6 Exhaustion levels, you fall to 0 Hit Points and start making Death Saving Throws (instead of dying outright). Escape.As an action, you can make a Strength (Athletics) check to attempt to escape. A creature that isn't Buried can also use their action to make the check or assist you with the Help action. The DC equals 15 or the DC of the spell or effect that caused the condition. If you are freed and can breathe again, you remove all levels of Exhaustion you gained from suffocating, unless a spell or effect tells you otherwise.
CHARMED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Charmed condition, you experience the following effects. Can't Harm the Charmer. You can't attack the charmer or target the charmer with harmful abilities or magical effects. Social Advantage.The charmer has Advantage on any ability check to interact socially with you.
Charm effects from specific monsters and spells may have additional benefits, as specified in the stats block or spell description. For example, a vampire might be able to force a Charmed target to attack an ally.
If another creature charms a Charmed creature with the same spell or effect, only the most powerful charm effect applies while the durations overlap (XGTE). This will be determined by comparing the spell slots used to cast the spells, or by the save DCs if spells were cast at the same level or if the charm effect doesn't have a spell level. If both "charms" are of equal strength, the most recent one takes effect while the durations overlap.
CONCENTRATION
Some spells and other effects require Concentration to remain active, as specified in their descriptions. If the effect’s creator loses Concentration, the effect ends. If the effect has a maximum duration, the effect’s description specifies how long the creator can concentrate on it: up to 1 minute, 1 hour, or some other duration. The creator can end Concentration at any time (no action required). The following factors break Concentration.
Another Concentration Effect. You lose Concentration on an effect the moment you start casting a spell that requires Concentration or activate another effect that requires Concentration, unless the spell or effect has the Dual Concentration feature specified in its description. Damage. If you take damage, you must succeed on a Constitution saving throw to maintain Concentration. The DC equals 10 or half the damage taken (round down), whichever number is higher, up to a maximum DC of 30. ᴮᴹDazed. If you are Dazed by a spell or effect but take no damage, you must succeed on a DC 5 Constitution save to maintain Concentration. ᴮᴹEnvironmental Disturbance. The DM can decide that some environmental phenomena, such as a violent earthquake or a wave crashing over you while you’re on a storm-tossed ship, requires you to succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to maintain Concentration, even if you take no damage. Incapacitated or Dead. Your Concentration ends if you have the Incapacitated condition or you die.
DAZED [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
While Dazed, you experience the following effect:
Limited Activity.You can Move or take one Action on your turn, not both. You also can’t take a Bonus Action or a Reaction.
A creature immune to the Stunned condition is also immune to the Dazed condition. If you are Dazed by a spell or effect but take no damage, you must succeed on a DC 5 Constitution save to maintain Concentration.
DEAFENED [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
While you have the Deafened condition, you experience the following effects. Can't Hear. You can't hear and automatically fail any ability check that requires hearing. ᴮᴹThunder Damage Threshold. You gain a Thunder damage threshold equal to 5 + half your level or Challenge Rating. ᴮᴹSpellcasting Affected. If you cast a spell with a Verbal component, there is a 15 percent chance the spell fails as a result of misuttering the mystic words and sounds. If that failed spell was cast with a spell slot, the slot isn't expended.
Thunder damage is mainly concussive, like a shockwave, but being Deafened should still provide minimal protection. As for spells with Verbal components, the chanting of mystic words require a particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance (2014 PHB). Being Deafened should make it harder to pronounce these sounds. At the DM's option, the Scroll Mishap table in the 2014 DMG could be used if the d100 result is 01-05.
EXHAUSTION [CONDITION]
While you are subjected to the Exhaustion Condition, you experience the following effects. Levels of Exhaustion. This Condition is cumulative. Each time you receive it, you gain 1 level of exhaustion. You die if your exhaustion level exceeds 5. d20 Rolls Affected.When you make a d20 Test, you subtract twice your Exhaustion level from the d20 roll. Speed Affected. Each exhaustion level reduces your Speed by 5. ᴮᴹ Spell DC Affected. You suffer a -2 penalty to your spell save DC (no matter the Exhaustion level). Ending the Condition. Finishing a Long Rest in a Safe Haven removes 1 level of Exhaustion. When your exhaustion level reaches 0, you are no longer Exhausted.
The playtest version affected spell save DCs as well (-1 per level, 10 levels). My revision applies a static -2 spell save DC penalty.
FASCINATED [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
While you are subjected to the Fascinated Condition, you are entranced by a supernatural or spell effect. You experience the following effects. Entranced. You stand or sit quietly, taking no actions other than to pay attention to the fascinating effect. The spell or effect specifies if you can move. Attention Affected.You have Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks. Limited Speech. Your speech becomes fragmented and incoherent. You can only speak in brief, vague sentences or phrases, often unrelated to the current situation. Communication is limited to simple words, sounds, or repeated phrases, making it difficult to convey complex thoughts or ideas. Ending the Trance.The condition ends if you take any damage, or an ally or other creature uses an action to shake you out of your stupor.
FRIGHTENED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Frightened condition, you experience the following effects. Ability Checks and Attacks Affected.You have Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of fear is within line of sight. Can't Approach. You can't willingly move closer to the source of fear.
GRAPPLED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Grappled condition, you experience the following effects. Speed 0. Your Speed is 0 and can't increase. Attacks Affected. You have Disadvantage on attack rolls against any target other than the grappler. Movable.The grappler can drag or carry you when it moves, but every foot of movement costs 1 extra foot, unless you are Tiny or two or more Sizes smaller than the grappler.
Escaping a Grapple. A Grappled creature can use its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check against the grapple’s escape DC, ending the Condition on itself on a success. The Condition also ends if the grappler has the Incapacitated condition or if the distance between the Grappled target and the grappler exceeds the grapple's range. (Some spells and effects can require a different check or saving throw to escape a grapple.) ᴮᴹ : If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can replace one of your attacks when you use your action to escape the grapple, instead of using your full action to do so, unless you are also Restrained.
HIDE [ACTION]
With the Hide action, you try to conceal yourself and make yourself silent. To do so, you must make Dexterity (Stealth) check while you are Heavily Obscured or behind Three-Quarters Cover or Total Cover, and you must be out of any enemy's line of sight. You can't hide behind a creature that is only one size larger than you, unless you have a trait like the Halfling's Naturally Stealthy that allows it. If you can see a creature, you can discern whether it can see you (DM adjudication).
Make note of your check's total, which is your DC for a creature to find you with a Wisdom (Perception) check. The DM can also use a creature's Passive Perception score. ᴮᴹ If your Stealth check result is lower than 15 and you have a decent Wisdom score, you know your concealment is mediocre at best.
ᴮᴹ The DM may ask or allow you to make another Dexterity (Stealth) check if there's a change of scene, environment, or situation. You must use the new roll. Unless you are in an empty room, you can suggest hiding spots to the DM in most environments. Ultimately, the DM decides when circumstances are appropriate for hiding.
HIDDEN [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
Replaces the Invisible condition when hiding.
While Hidden, you are unheard as well as unseen. You experience the following effects: Surprise.If you are Hidden when you roll Initiative, you have Advantage on the roll. Concealed. You aren’t affected by any effect that requires its target to be seen unless the effect's creator can somehow see you. Any equipment you are wearing or carrying is also concealed. Attacks Affected.Attack Rolls against you have Disadvantage, and your Attack Rolls have Advantage. (Your first attack normally ends the Condition.)
The Condition ends on you immediately after any of the following occurrences: you make a sound louder than a whisper, an enemy finds you, you make an Attack Roll, you cast a Spell with a verbal component, or you are no longer Heavily Obscured or behind any Cover.
In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger all around, so if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain circumstances, the DM might allow you to stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted, allowing you to gain Advantage on an attack roll before you are seen.
INCAPACITATED [CONDITION]
While you have the Incapacitated condition, you experience the following effects. Inactive. You can't take any action, Bonus Action, or Reaction. No Concentration.Your Concentration is broken. ᴮᴹSpeechless. You can't speak or use telepathy. Surprised. If you're Incapacitated when you roll Initiative, you have Disadvantage on the roll.
INVISIBLE [CONDITION]
While you have the Invisible condition, you experience the following effects: Concealed. You aren’t affected by any effect that requires its target to be seen unless the effect's creator can somehow see you. If you become Invisible as part of a spell or other magical effect, any equipment you are wearing or carrying when you become invisible is also invisible. ᴮᴹAdaptive Illusion.Tiny objects that you pick up become invisible. Nonmagical substances that come in contact with you such as blood or flour become invisible, but can momentarily reveal your current location. Attacks Affected.Attack rolls against you have Disadvantage, and your attack rolls have Advantage. If a creature can somehow see you, you don't gain this benefit against that creature. ᴮᴹ Limited Stealth. A creature within 30 feet of you that doesn't have the Deafened condition knows your approximate location and can move to attack you. If you want to make sure you are unheard as well as unseen, you must take the Hide action.
A creature in melee combat with you can usually determine your approximate location; it might not see you, but you are making noise as you move around, breathing, shuffling, clipping bushes, hitting the cobblestone, stirring up dust, leaving footprints, stepping in a puddle, bumping into furniture, or swinging your weapon.
The DM can decide that an invisible creature's location is unknown to combatants because of the environment, the combatants' attentiveness, or the distance separating the creature and the other combatants. They might be distracted or simply just not paying attention.
If a creature is Hidden as well as Invisible, the DM can impose Disadvantage on a creature's Wisdom (Perception) check to find its location when taking the Search action, especially if the Invisible creature is more than 30 feet away.
PARALYZED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Paralyzed condition, you experience the following effects. Incapacitated. You have the Incapacitated condition. Speed 0.Your Speed is O and can't increase. Saving Throws Affected. You automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws. Attacks Affected.Attack rolls against you have Advantage. Automatic Critical Hits.Any attack roll that hits you is a Critical Hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of you.
PETRIFIED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Petrified condition, you experience the following effects. Turned to Inanimate Substance. You are transformed, along with any nonmagical objects you are wearing and carrying, into a solid inanimate substance (usually stone). Your weight increases by a factor of ten and you cease aging. Incapacitated. You have the Incapacitated condition. Speed 0.Your Speed is O and can't increase. Attacks Affected. Attack rolls against you have Advantage. Saving Throws Affected.You automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws. Resist Damage. You have Resistance to all damage. Poison Immunity.You have Immunity to the Poisoned condition.
ᴮᴹIf you are Petrified for more than 7 days, you become Unconscious. When the Petrified condition ends, you gain 1 Exhaustion level and you are Blinded for 1 minute. You can make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of each of your turns. On a success, you are no longer Blinded.
POISONED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Poisoned condition, you experience the foIlowing effect. Ability Checks and Attacks Affected. You have Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
PRONE [CONDITION]
While you have the Prone condition, you experience the following effects. Restricted Movement. Your only movement options are to crawl or to spend an amount of movement equal to half your Speed (rounded down) to right yourself and thereby end the condition. If your Speed is 0, you can't right yourself. If you crawl, each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet in Difficult Terrain). Attacks Affected. You have Disadvantage on attack rolls. An attack roll against you has Advantage if the attacker is within 5 feet of you. Otherwise, that attack roll has Disadvantage, ᴮᴹ unless you are Huge or Gargantuan.
RESTRAINED [CONDITION] ᴿᴬᵂ
While you have the Restrained condition, you experience the following effects. Speed 0. Your Speed is O and can't increase. Attacks Affected. Attack rolls against you have Advantage, and your attack rolls have Disadvantage. Saving Throws Affected. You have Disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
SLOWED [CONDITION] ᴮᴹ
While you have the Slowed condition, you experience the following effects: Speed Affected. Your Speed is halved. Defense Affected. -2 penalty to AC and Dexterity saving throws. Limited Actions. On your turns, you can take either an action or a Bonus Action, not both, and you can't take Reactions. Number of Attacks Affected. If you take the Attack action, you can make only one attack, or one fewer attack if you have the Extra Attack feature or Multiattack.
STUNNED [CONDITION]
While you have the Stunned condition, you experience the following effects. Incapacitated. You have the lncapacitated condition. ᴮᴹStupefied. Your Speed is Halved and you can speak only falteringly. Saving Throws Affected.You automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws. Attacks Affected.Attack rolls against you have Advantage.
The 5.24 PHB nerfed the Stunned condition by removing the "you can't move and can speak only falteringly" effect. For verisimilitude, my version limits the creature's Speed but does not prevent movement entirely.
SURPRISED [CONDITION]
If you are caught unaware by the start of combat, you are Surprised and experience the following effects. Unprepared. When you roll Initiative, you have Disadvantage on the roll. ᴮᴹFlat-footed. You can't take a Reaction until the start of your turn.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they usually notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side (-5 Passive Perception score in Dim Light). Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't. When an unseen attacker makes an attack, it gives away its location whether the attack hits or misses.
SWALLOWED [HAZARD] ᴮᴹ
While you are Swallowed by a creature, you experience the following effects: Blinded and Restrained. Unless the swallowing creature is Gargantuan or its stat block says otherwise, you are Blinded and Restrained. However, if you attack with a Light weapon that deals Piercing damage, you are considered neither Blinded or Restrained for that attack. Total Cover. You have Total Cover against attacks and other effects originating outside the creature that swallowed you. You also have Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to hear. Digestive Damage.At the start of each of your turns, you take damage as specified in the swallowing creature's stat block, or 1d6 Acid damage if the stat block doesn't specify it. Escaping. The stat block provide rules for escaping the creature. If not, the following applies: if the creature takes 20 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, or the first time it becomes Bloodied, it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it regurgitates all swallowed creatures, which fall Prone in a space within 10 feet of the creature. If the creature dies, a swallowed creature can escape from the corpse by using half their movement, exiting Prone.
UNCONSCIOUS [CONDITION]
While you have the Unconscious condition, you experience the following effects. Inert. You have the Incapacitated and Prone conditions, and you drop whatever you're holding. When this condition ends, you remain Prone. Speed 0. Your Speed is O and can't increase. Attacks Affected. Attack rolls against you have Advantage. Saving Throws Affected.You automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws. Automatic Critical Hits. Any attack roll that hits you is a Critical Hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of you. Unaware.You're unaware of your surroundings. ᴮᴹ If you are Unsconscious because you are sleeping, decrease your Passive Perception score by 10.
UPDATE (2024-08-24) : I have updated these house rules... See my 2024 Updated rules post in the discussion thread below.
Though I'd share my house rules with the community.
Note: I don't use all these house rules for every campaign or every group I play with. I adapt the number of rules to each table. I also don't expect the players to know all these rules by heart. I have created a "magic item" that lists the rules; the players can add the item to their inventory and read them whenever they want. I try to integrate the rules progressively. Heck, I sometimes forget some of them myself during play!
I've been playing D&D since 86 (1st edition), so there are what some might consider some "grognard" rules in the list. :P
25 House Rules
1. Ability Scores
Use standard array or point buy.
You get a racial feat appropriate to your lineage if you used point-buy or the standard array for your ability scores, and are willing to lower a score by 2.
If using the One D&D playtest rules, you get a Level 1 feat from your background. You can choose a Level 1 racial feat instead. Level of feats that aren't part of the playtest is determined by the DM.
If you create a character for a one shot adventure that last only a couple of sessions, you can choose to roll dice in the character builder, choosing among 3 different sets of 6 x 4d6, drop lowest die method. If that character is later used for a long term campaign or adventure, the DM might ask to set back your default scores using point buy.
Bear in mind House Rule 3 when determining Strength score.
2. Variant Encumbrance - aka Strength not an automatic dump stat
In the Character Preferences, choose "variant encumbrance" from the drop down menu, but toggle ON Ignore Coin Weight.
3. Multiclassing
Multiclassing is an optional rule in 5E. Any multiclassing must make sense from a roleplaying perspective (i.e. fit the character's personality, take into account its background, and follow the current story narrative). Feats can be used to diversify a character's abilities rather than multiclassing. A number of interesting homebrew feats are available to increase characterization options.
Some multiclassing options open the door to play complexity, combos with rule particularities, or shenanigans that can unbalance or bog down the game. If you do multiclass, you must meet the necessary prerequisites and follow these house rules :
That being said, there might be a good story reason for an exception to any of these multiclassing house rules. In which case, you are encouraged to discuss your character ideas with the DM.
4. Alignment and Background
Player characters are expected to be the "heroes" and the "good guys". If you want to play an "evil" character, keep these guidelines in mind:
5. (Relatively) Low-Magic Campaign
In small urban areas, magic abilities are feared or frowned upon. Creatures with arcane spellcasting abilities are uncommon, and high-level spellcasters are very rare. Larger urban areas like Waterdeep, Mulmaster or Calimport may have more creatures with magic abilities (and common magic items), but there are laws that regulate magic use in public. In certain areas, public spellcasting might attract the attention of witch/warlock hunters and religious inquisitors.
Characters with divine spellcasting abilities (i.e. clerics, paladins) are very rare. Most priests, monks, and clerics of religious orders and associations have no divine powers. For this reason, divine spellcasters are often admired by the common folk but shun by envious or fearful coreligionists. When roleplaying your character, try to think about their sense of awe and wonderment when they discover their magical abilities -- or when witnessing the magical abilities of their allies for the first time.
To help you define your background and backstory, see This is Your Life in Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
6. Average Hit Points
You don't roll for hit points when gaining a level. In Character Preferences, choose "Hit Point Type : Fixed". If you really want to roll the die, set the option to "Manual", and you must roll in front of the DM. If you roll a 1, it becomes a 2.
7. Languages
In the Forgotten Realms, the Common tongue is divided in four main dialects : Chondathan (Sword Coast, Cormyr, Sembia, northern Faerun), Alzhedo (Calimshan, southern Faerûn), Shou (Kara-Tur), and Chultan (jungles of Chult, Maztica). Nomadic tribes such as the Reghed or the Uthgardt also have their own language.
I assume you speak Common: Chondathan, unless you specify otherwise because of your backstory. On the digital character sheet, you can customize (add) a language.
My improved Linguist feat is a cool way to know more languages.
8. Improved / Revised Subclasses, Feats, Spells, etc.
The game has evolved over the years, and knowledgeable members of the D&D community voice their opinions about which class or subclass is weaker or stronger, and which features, feats, or spells should be improved, revised, or added. I'm always looking for ways to improve the game based on feedback and analysis from these nerdy DMs and players in D&D forums, articles, and podcasts. If a feat or spell is generally considered weak, poor, or lackluster by the community, I will try to improve it. If it is generally considered overly powerful or "broken", I will try to balance it while maintaining its usefulness. In effect, we are playing a homebrew version of D&D 5.5. A "revised" version of a spell often includes Rule As Intended ruling (Sage Advice) by lead rule designer Jeremy Crawford, or is revised for game balance.
After creating your character, open your digital character sheet and go to Feats > Manage Feats > and choose the Improved Class Features feat relevant to your chosen class. This "feat" will give you additional or variant features, and tell you which Optional Features (from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything) you can toggle on in the character builder.
If you're not sure about any of this, the DM will do it for you :)
8b. Reskinning
As long as you aren't changing the actual mechanics of a class, of a spell, or "how things work", we are lenient in allowing reskinning and reflavoring some abilities and spells.
Example: fire is an easily countered damage type. Most of the elemental types (cold, fire, lightning, and thunder) are very commonly resisted, as is poison, so it’s fine to modify fireball and create a similar spell that uses one of these damage types. However, force, necrotic, psychic, and radiant damage are all dangerous options because few creatures are resistant to them. Talk to your DM for reskinning ideas.
See also Personalizing Spells in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.
9. The Breather (10-Minute Break)
Introducing the Breather (10-Minute Break). There is no limit to the number of breathers you can take in a day.
10. New Conditions
Bloodied
A creature is bloodied when its hit points are equal to or less than one-half of its maximum hit points, rounded down. One-half of its maximum hit points, rounded down, is referred to as its "bloodied value".
During combat, a bloodied creature can use a bonus action to burn Hit Dice (sacrificing two of them), drawing upon inner strength and adrenaline to suppress the bloodied condition until the end of the encounter. If the party is facing a particularly deadly encounter, the DM may adjudicate that the bloodied condition is suppressed for all player characters in a dire situation without spending any Hit Dice, reflecting the survival instinct.
As an action, someone with proficiency in the Medicine skill can expend one use of a healer's kit to help a creature that is bloodied (including themselves). When they do so, the temporary level of exhaustion caused by the bloodied condition is suppressed for 1 minute (or 10 minutes if the healer is also proficient in the herbalism kit and has it readily available). If the character has the Healer's feat or the Fast Hands rogue feature, it can do this as a bonus action.
Undead, construct, oozes, and legendary creatures are immune to the bloodied condition.
Bound
After three failed ability check escape attempts, a creature cannot usually try to escape again until a certain amount of time has elapsed. The DM can adjudicate based on the DC to escape the bonds, the result of the creature's ability checks (degrees of success), or the environment. In a combat situation, a creature can normally attempt to escape bounds once per turn, emboldened by a sudden adrenaline rush.
Surprised
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they usually notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side (-5 to the passive score in dim light). Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't. When an unseen attacker makes an attack, it gives away its location whether the attack hits or misses (PHB ch.9 : "Unseen Attackers and Targets").
Staggered
11. Dropping to 0 Hit Points
To avoid metagaming, death saving throws are rolled secretly by the DM.
When regaining hit points after falling to 0 hit points, you suffer the staggered condition (see rule # 11).
12. Familiars
13. Spell Focus
Divine casters with shields (clerics, paladins) are assumed to use a shield emblazoned with their holy symbol or sacred oath symbol as divine focus. They can perform the somatic components of spells even when they are wielding a weapon and a shield. (HR) To use a simple or martial weapon as a spellcasting focus, a spellcaster can also shop around for a ruby of the war mage (50 gp). Sorcerers can eschew material components (don't need them), unless a material component's value is over 100 gp. See Improved Sorcerer Features "feat" for details.
14. Healer's Kit & Medicine Proficiency
If you have proficiency in the Medicine skill, you gain extra benefits when using a healer’s kit. The Healer feat has also been improved.
15. Identifying an Item / Attunement
Proficiency with the Arcana, Nature or Religion skill (depending on the item; usually Arcana)-- or the identify spell, is required to learn a magical item's properties and the way to use it during a short rest.
Becoming attuned to an item requires 10 minutes (instead of 1 hour), which can be done during the same short rest you use to identify the item. Without becoming attuned to an item that requires attunement, a creature gains only its nonmagical benefits, unless its description states otherwise. If a character dies, even for less than 1 minute, attunement to a magic item is instantly broken. As RAW, you can voluntarily end attunement by spending another short rest focused on the item, unless the item is cursed. A creature's attunement to an item also ends if the creature no longer satisfies the prerequisites for attunement, if the item has been more than 100 feet away for at least 24 hours, if the creature dies, or if another creature attunes to the item.
16. Monster Knowledge
There is player knowledge and character knowledge. With regards to monstrous creatures, characters know about the tales and legends of popular creatures such as lycanthropes, vampires, trolls, and zombies, but might not know about specific abilities, vulnerabilities or immunities.
Passive Intelligence scores (Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion) will be used by the DM to determine character knowledge about a specific creature. During combat, you must spend an action to roll a relevant check and try to beat your passive score.
17. Object Interactions
On your turn, you can interact with two objects or features of the environment for free, during either your move or your action (RAW = one object interaction). Example, on your turn: you can draw two swords instead of just one. You can draw one sword and kick open a door. You can drink your ale and grab your knife on the table. Whatever makes sense in a 6 seconds round.
Potions are assumed to be readily available during combat, stored using a potion belt or other accessible pockets. However, the DM might require you to use an action for any activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door, turn a crank to lower a drawbridge, or unsling your backpack, open it, and retrieve an object.
You can use a bonus action to quaff a potion of healing. Administering a potion of healing to another character still takes an action, as does drinking any other magic potions. This is a game balance thing, as many potions are bottled spells that momentarily "daze" the drinker upon consumption.
18. Resistance and Immunity to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage
19. Skill Checks
Simply describe your character's actions. The DM will ask if a skill check -- if any-- is required for a given situation. Never roll in anticipation, because it slows the game down, and a skill's passive score might be enough while a low number on the die will always count as a failure. Some actions might require proficiency in a given skill, tool, or instrument (DM's call).
Your character's Passive Perception score is used for general detection of "things that are out there" including monsters and traps. No need to specify you are using your perception skill unless you are trying to beat your passive score. Reminder: there's a -5 penalty on your Passive Perception score when your are in a lightly obscured or in dim light (darkness for creatures with darkvision). A skill's passive score may also be used by the DM if you try to do something repeatedly : e.g. open a stuck door, pick a lock, look for secret doors.
Rule of thumb: if you don't succeed at first, you can try again (if possible with someone's help to give advantage on the roll). After two attempts, passive scores are used.
19b. Helping Another Character
20. Swimming
You need to be proficient in Athletics to know how to swim efficiently; without proficiency, you can "float" and swim (dog paddle) 5 feet per round in calm water on a successful DC 10 Strength check. (DC 15 in agitated waters). If the Armor table shows "Disadvantage" in the Stealth column, the wearer has disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to swim. (Exception: padded armor).
21. Athletics / Perception Skills
As written, only a handful of creatures have the Athletics and Perception skills. That’s great for simplicity, but weak for game balance. For the purpose of the grappling and pushing/shoving rules, many fighting type creatures (e.g. orcs, hobgoblins, giants) will be considered proficient in the Athletics skill (DM's call). Creatures and NPCs that have "guarding" duties might get an ad hoc Perception skill proficiency, or even the Alert or Observant feat.
21b. Escaping a (nonmagical) Grapple
It normally takes an action (Athletics or Acrobatics check) to escape a grapple. If you have the Extra Attack feature (or Multiattack action in the case of monsters and NPCs), you can take the Attack action and replace one of your attacks to attempt to break out of the grapple (instead of using your full action to do so). This doesn't apply if you are also restrained or if you are grappled by a magical effect (such as the entangle spell or Bigby's grasping hand). Using the One D&D playtest rule, the DM might allow a DEX or STR save at the end of a creature's turn to break a grapple.
22. Lingering Injuries by Damage Type
We use my Lingering Injuries by Damage Type document on the DMs Guild. There is a roll on the relevant lingering injuries table in the following situations:
23. Tool Proficiency
If you are proficient in a set of tools, make sure you add to your equipment the tool kit that includes the gp cost in the title; example Cartographer's Tools (15 p). This revised version that I created using the D&D Beyond magic item builder includes optional rules from Xanathar's Guide to Everything on how to use them.
24. Milestone/ Story-Based Level Advancement
The DM tells you when you go up a level. Might require a long rest and some downtime (training).
25. On Your Turn in combat...
My Homebrew: Magic Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | My house rules
Currently playing: Penelope - CG Human Bard, College of Whispers (Ravenloft) ; Lora - NG Firbolg Ranger, Fey Wanderer (Critical Role)
Playing D&D since 1st edition. DMs Guild Author: B.A. Morrier (4-5⭐products! Please check them out.) Twitter: @benmorrier he/him
Really great list.
Whilst not every one of these suits my games, I like a lot of them and will be using some in my own games.
Same. Really good job. Keep up the good work
Here's a Revised version following the 2024 rules change.
My house rules include revised elements from the 2024 PHB and elements borrowed from Level Up 5e and Tales of the Valiant (Kobold Press).
1. Ability Scores, Background, and Origin Feat
For ability scores, use standard array or point buy. Keep in mind House Rule #4 Variant Encumbrance rules when determining your Strength score.
For your background, choose an option from the Homebrew section of the drop down menu (tagged ₅․₂₄)
You get a Level 1 feat from your background called an Origin feat (identified as such in the character builder).
If the Ability Score Modifiers drop down table doesn't appear in the Abilities section of the character builder, customize your +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 ASI using the "Other Modifier" boxes.
2. Species
The DM decides at session 0 which species are available for the campaign. Species from theme-specific campaigns, such as the Leonin (Mythic Odysseys), the Harengon (Strixhaven), the Grung (Chult), the Astral Elf (Spelljammer), and the Autognome (Spelljammer), are normally unavailable. However, feel free to discuss any special idea or potential exception with your DM.
If a race/species has been recreated for the 2024 rules, you must use the 2024 version of that species.
Dwarves, gnomes, and characters with an Intelligence score of 13+ are considered Proficient in the Engineering skill (Level Up 5e skill), unless you choose otherwise.
3. New Skills
Allure (Charisma skill)
Specialties: charm, seduction, romance, temptation, distraction, arousal.
Allure measures your physical beauty and abilities of seduction. You know how to attract, manipulate, or command the attention of others in a sexual manner. Your target must be attracted, at least minimally, to persons of your species and gender.
The DM might call for a Charisma (Allure) check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
If you have proficiency or expertise in Allure and you also have Experise in the Persuasion skill, you have Advantage on the check.
Engineering (Intelligence skill)
Specialties: architecture, chemistry, explosives, gadgetry, mathematics, mechanical traps, siegecraft.
An Engineering check allows a character to know a fact or advance a project involving building, invention, or mathematics.
The DM might also call for an Engineering check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
4. Variant Encumbrance
In the Character Preferences of the Character Builder / Settings, choose "Variant Encumbrance" from the drop down menu, but toggle ON Ignore Coin Weight.
5. Third Party Options, Gaining Levels, and Multiclassing
If you wish using a subclass or character option taken from a popular third party company such as Critical Role, Kobold Press or Ghostfire Gaming (Grim Hollow, Drakkenheim) that hasn't already been incorporated to my homebrew subclass options, discuss it with me for potential balance adjustments.
The DM tells you when you go up a level. Might require a Long Rest and some downtime (training).
You don't roll for Hit Points when gaining a level. In Character Preferences on D&D Beyond, choose "Hit Point Type : Fixed". Okay, if you really want to roll the die, set the option to "Manual", but you must roll in front of the DM.
Multiclassing. Some multiclassing options open the door to play complexity, combos with rule particularities, or shenanigans that can unbalance or bog down the game. Any multiclassing must make sense from a roleplaying perspective (i.e. fit the character's personality, take into account the PC's background, and follow the current story narrative). Often, feats can be used to diversify a character's abilities rather than multiclassing. A number of interesting homebrew feats are available to increase characterization options.
Discouraged combos. For the 2024 Player's Handbook, known balance issues when multiclassing include the Monk/Ranger combo using the Nick weapon mastery and Hunter's Mark. I also discourage multiclassing a spellcasting class with another spellcasting class (e.g. Sorcerer/Paladin, Sorcerer/Warlock), as if othen creates its own balance issues. If you have the multiclassing itch, consider multiclassing your spellcaster with the Fighter, the Rogue, or the Barbarian. Multiclassing as a Cleric should also be fine.
6. Evil Alignment
Player characters are expected to be the "heroes" and the "good guys". If you want to play an Evil character, keep these guidelines in mind:
7. (Relatively) Low-Magic Campaign
In small urban areas, magic abilities are feared or frowned upon. Creatures with arcane spellcasting abilities are uncommon, and high-level spellcasters are very rare. Larger urban areas like Waterdeep, Mulmaster or Calimport may have more creatures with magic abilities (and common magic items), but there are laws that regulate magic use in public. In certain areas, public spellcasting might attract the attention of witch/warlock hunters, religious inquisitors, or a group of wizards in charge of peacekeeping.
Characters with divine spellcasting abilities (i.e. clerics, paladins) are rare. Most priests, monks, and clerics of religious orders and associations have no divine powers. For this reason, divine spellcasters are often admired by the common folk but shun by envious or fearful coreligionists. When roleplaying your character, try to think about their sense of awe and wonderment when they discover their magical abilities -- or when witnessing the magical abilities of their allies for the first time.
8. Languages
In the Forgotten Realms, the Common tongue is divided in four main dialects : Chondathan (Sword Coast, Cormyr, Sembia, northern Faerun), Alzhedo (Calimshan, southern Faerûn), Shou (Kara-Tur), and Chultan (jungles of Chult, Maztica). Nomadic tribes such as the Reghed or the Uthgardt also have their own language.
Your character speaks Common: Chondathan, unless you specify otherwise because of your backstory. On the digital character sheet, you can customize (add) a language.
9. Improved or Revised Subclasses, Feats, Spells, Items, etc.
The 2024 core books fixed many of the balance issues that affected some of the 2014 options, but there are still some outliers that need attention. If you come across a feat, spell, subclass, or item with the "BM" (Ben Morrier) tag, you must use that version when playing with me instead of the regular one. (Check with other DMs). Any option with the "IMP" (Improved) or "LU" (Level UP 5e) tag is optional. You can use that version or the regular one.
10. Resting and Safe Havens
While on a journey, adventurers are only able to recover from Exhaustion and recover their full Hit Dice after a Long Rest when they have access to a Safe Haven. A Safe Haven is a place to get a meal and a full night’s sleep without the reasonable risk of attack or harm from the elements. For example, an inn is considered a Safe Haven, but a campsite or dungeon environment where adventurers must take turns keeping watch through the night is not. Some spells (such as Tiny Hut) and class features may create safe havens.
The Breather (10-Minute rest)
A creature can take a Breather (a 10-minute rest) to spend one Hit Die. When you do so, you don't regain any features that reset on a Short Rest.
11. Conditions
I'm using a few homebrew conditions as well as revised conditions. Revised conditions supersede the conditions found in the 2014 and the 2024 PHB Rules Glossary. See the "magic item" * Conditions ᴮᴹ for details.
12. Dropping to 0 Hit Points
To avoid metagaming, I usually roll Death Saving Throws secretly, unless I decide otherwise. See Death Saving Throws rules here.
13. Death and Resurrection (Critical Role)
The magic pulls you from beyond the dark veil of death, taking its toll on your body and psyche each time, leaving you less and less the person you were.
When you are brought back to life via magic with the exception of Revivify, you must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to 20 - the level of the spell used to return the character to life. A failure on this save inflicts a Long-Term Madness (2014 DMG p. 260), except that the duration is measured in days rather than hours. If the player rolls a natural 1 on this save, the character instead suffers a permanent Indefinite Madness.
A Greater Restoration, Lesser Restoration, or Remove Curse can alleviate the madness, though it returns any time that character drops to 0 Hit Points or finishes a Long Rest, until its full duration has expired.
14. Spell Focus
Divine casters with shields (clerics, paladins) are assumed to use a shield emblazoned with their holy symbol or sacred oath symbol as divine focus. They can perform the somatic components of spells even when they are wielding a weapon and a shield. To use a simple or martial weapon as a spellcasting focus, a spellcaster can also shop around for a Ruby of the War Mage (50 gp).
Eschew Materials (2nd level Sorcerer feature)
Sorcerers can eschew material components (don't need them), unless a material component's value exceeds 50 gp.
15. Healer's Kit & Medicine Proficiency
If you have proficiency in the Medicine skill, you gain extra benefits when using a healer’s kit. See Healer's Kit (revised) in the equipment section of your digital character sheet, or the Medicine Proficiency "feat". The 2024 PHB has also improved the Healer feat.
16. Identifying an Item / Attunement
A successful Arcana, Nature or Religion check (depending on the item; usually Arcana)-- or the Identify spell, is required to learn a magical item's properties and the way to use it during a Short Rest. The DM sets the DC for the check based on the item's rarity or the character's potential familiarity with it based on the PC's background.
Becoming attuned to an item requires 10 minutes (instead of 1 hour), which can be done during the same Short Rest you use to identify the item. Without becoming attuned to an item that requires attunement, a creature gains only its nonmagical benefits, unless its description states otherwise. If a character dies, even for less than 1 minute, attunement to a magic item is instantly broken. As RAW, you can voluntarily end attunement by spending another Short Rest focused on the item, unless the item is cursed. A creature's attunement to an item also ends if the creature no longer satisfies the prerequisites for attunement, if the item has been more than 100 feet away for at least 24 hours, if the creature dies, or if another creature attunes to the item.
17. Monster Knowledge
There is player knowledge and character knowledge. With regards to monstrous creatures, characters know about the tales and legends of popular creatures such as lycanthropes, vampires, trolls, and zombies, but might not know about specific abilities, vulnerabilities or immunities.
Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion checks can be used to determine character knowledge about a specific creature. During combat, you must take the Study action (5.24 rules).
18. Object Interactions / Weapon Swapping
On your turn, you can interact with two objects or features of the environment for free, during either your move or your action (RAW = one object interaction). Example, on your turn: you can draw two swords instead of just one. You can draw one sword and kick open a door. You can drink your ale and grab your knife on the table. You can shield your sword and ready your bow. Whatever makes sense in 6 seconds. No excessive weapon swapping will be allowed. (See rule 25d.)
19. Potions
Potions are assumed to be readily available during combat, stored using a potion belt or other accessible pockets. However, the DM might require you to use an action for any activity that needs special care or presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door, turn a crank to lower a drawbridge, or unsling your backpack, open it, and retrieve an object.
You can use a Bonus Action to drink a Potion of Healing (RAW in 5.24 rules). However, administering this potion to another character or drinking any other potion will still take an action. This is a game balance thing, as many potions are bottled spells.
20. Ability Checks
Some actions might require proficiency in a given skill, tool, or instrument (DM's call). I can ask that only characters with a relevant proficiency make a particular check. This allows PCs from the Expert classes and other skill-based characters to shine in these non-combat situations.
Your character's Passive Perception score is used for general detection of "things that are out there" including monsters and traps. No need to specify you are using your perception skill unless you are trying to beat your passive score. A skill's passive score may also be used by the DM if you try to do something repeatedly : e.g. open a stuck door, pick a lock, look for secret doors. Reminder: there's a -5 penalty on your Passive Perception score when your are in a lightly obscured area or in dim light (darkness = dim light within darkvision range).
Rule of thumb: if you don't succeed at first, you can try again (if possible with someone's help to give Advantage on the roll; see Help action below). After two attempts, passive scores are used.
21. Swimming
You need to be proficient in Athletics, Acrobatics, or Survival to know how to swim efficiently (at half your Speed); without one of these proficiencies, unless you have a Swim Speed, you can "float" and swim (dog paddle) 5 feet per round in calm water on a successful DC 10 Strength check, or DC 15 in agitated waters. If the Armor table shows "Disadvantage" in the Stealth column, the wearer has Disadvantage on ability checks made to swim, with the exception of padded armor.
21b. Casting a spell underwater
Casting verbal component spells while submerged can be difficult for those who cannot breathe underwater. A spellcaster that holds its breath can cast one spell with a Verbal component, but once it does, it's out of breath and starts suffocating. Creatures that can breathe water are unaffected and can cast spells normally.
Some spells might function differently underwater, subject to DM discretion. For example, creatures within 5 feet of a creature or object that takes lightning damage might have to make a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 lightning damage, and thunder effects might emit sound at four times the regular distance.
See also Underwater Combat.
22. Athletics / Perception Skills for Monsters and NPCs
As written, only a handful of creatures have the Athletics and Perception skills. That’s great for simplicity, but weak for game balance. For the purpose of the grappling and pushing/shoving rules, many fighting type creatures (e.g. orcs, hobgoblins, giants) will be considered proficient in the Athletics skill (DM's call). Creatures and NPCs that have "guarding" duties might get an extra Perception skill proficiency, or even the Alert or Observant feat.
22a. Burning a Hit Die to Move an Extra 5 feet (When you really need to reach that one extra square on a grid...)
A character with the the Athletics skill proficiency, can burn (sacrifice) a Hit Die to move an extra 5 feet on its turn.
23. Dice Fudging / Cheating
The game expects players to be honest with their dice roll results, and to diligently keep track of ressources like spell slots and hit points. Similarly, the DM enters a trust agreement when running an adventure that dice results and monster Hit Points won't be arbitrarily changed in the course of a combat encounter, only adjusting things occasionally for the sake of game pacing or fun of the adventure.
Randomness should be the key to turning UP monster's hit points during combat. I will sometimes roll the monster's Hit Points Dice when it's about to drop to 0 HP, especially for an important monster, legendary creature, or BBEG. If the result is higher than the average HP, I recalculate remaining Hit Points appropriately based on the increase. For the fun of the game, I can always turn DOWN a monster's hit points if its better for the story and pacing of the encounter, especially if the combat is dragging on and it's time for it to end.becomes shrouded with necrotic energy and deals an extra d8 necrotic damage.
24. Intentionally inflicting less damage
You can intentionally inflict less damage when making an attack roll with a weapon or a spell. For a weapon, the damage becomes 1 + modifiers instead of the weapon's normal damage. If you're making a Ranged attack, the attack is made with Disadvantage. For a spell attack, you must make a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check. On a success, you deal the minimal damage (for example, 3 Force damage for 3 rays of Eldritch Blast). This rule can be useful for characters that want to deal with Commoners and other low CR NPCs without killing them outright.
25. Other rules from the 5.24 edition of the game I'm changing or ignoring
5.24 rule : you can target allies with Opportunity Attacks
My rule: Allies can't target each other with Opportunity Attacks, as per the 2014 rules, unless they are engaged in PvP and wish to attack them.
5.24 rule: you can willingly fail a saving throw
My rule: you can willingly fail a saving throw once per round.
5.24 rule : You can either equip or unequip one weapon when you make an attack as part of the Attack action. You do so either before or after the attack.
My rule: no excessive weapon swapping.
No excessive stowing and drawing weapons to gain different weapon mastery benefits every turn or before each attack. Swap of weapon options should follow the "verisimilitude" unspoken rule... It's fine to change weapons a few times during combat, especially if you’re stowing a Ranged weapon and drawing a Melee weapon to enter melee (or the other way around), but no weapon-swapping that abuse the Weapon Mastery feature or ignore common sense.
If you dual wield two Light weapons, I allow you to draw both weapons before you make your attacks on your turn without the Dual Wielder feat. Here's how it can be done RAW, as an example: You're using a Longbow. After your ranged attack, you stow your Longbow (equiping/unequiping rule), and you draw your Light weapon as your free object interaction ("Interacting with Things" rule). At the start of your next turn, you draw your second Light weapon before your attack(s).
5. 24 rule: Clerics with the 10th-level Divine Intervention feature can cast the Hallow spell as an action.
My rule: Hallow is not an option. Planar Binding is an option only if the CR of the creature is equal or lower than 5. (You won't bind a Glabrezu demon or the Demogorgon to do your bidding with a Divine Intervention). Other spells with a long casting time or expensive Material component will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Most will be fine, such as Awaken, Commune, Contact Other Planes, Creation, and Raise Dead.
5.24 rule : While a time-span spell that you cast is ongoing, you can dismiss it (no action required) if you don’t have the Incapacitated condition.
My rule: You know how to swiftly dispel the magic of your own spells. As a Bonus Action, make an Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC 10 plus that spell’s level). On a successful check, the spell ends.
Note: some spells -- including third party, homebrew, or older 2014 spells -- are not balanced to end before the full duration expires, which can create issues. If ending a non-Concentration spell without the use of Dispel Magic would be too potent, I will make a ruling on the spot that that particular spell can't be interrupted with an Arcana check and must run for its full duration.
My Homebrew: Magic Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | My house rules
Currently playing: Penelope - CG Human Bard, College of Whispers (Ravenloft) ; Lora - NG Firbolg Ranger, Fey Wanderer (Critical Role)
Playing D&D since 1st edition. DMs Guild Author: B.A. Morrier (4-5⭐products! Please check them out.) Twitter: @benmorrier he/him
I'm quite late to see your reply, but I hope some of the rules you've adapted from mine have been useful and enjoyed at your table.
My Homebrew: Magic Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | My house rules
Currently playing: Penelope - CG Human Bard, College of Whispers (Ravenloft) ; Lora - NG Firbolg Ranger, Fey Wanderer (Critical Role)
Playing D&D since 1st edition. DMs Guild Author: B.A. Morrier (4-5⭐products! Please check them out.) Twitter: @benmorrier he/him
REVISED AND NEW CONDITIONS (2024)
Homebrew conditions ᴮᴹ: Bound, Buried (Hazard), Dazed, Fascinated, Hidden, Slowed, Surprised, Swallowed (Hazard)
5.24 PHB Conditions with added house rules: Bloodied, Deafened; also, revised Burning hazard, Concentration, and Hide action rules
5.24 PHB Conditions with minor house rules : Exhaustion (static -2 to spell save DC), Grappled (creature can use part of Extra attack to attempt escape unless Restrained), Incapacitated (can't use telepathy), Invisible (no auto Surprise, not equal to Hidden), Petrified (become Unconscious after 7 days), Prone, Stunned (half Speed), Unconscious (-10 PP if sleeping).
Unchanged from the 5.24 PHB (RAW) : Blinded, Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Restrained
Homebrew conditions and changes to official conditions are marked with the ᴮᴹ tag.
This condition is loosely enforced. For verisimilitude, it's up to the player to impose their character the Bloodied condition when appropriate. A Bloodied condition "magic item" can be added to your Equipment, and checked ("in use") when you are Bloodied. Your stats will be modified on the digital character sheet accordingly.
If another creature charms a Charmed creature with the same spell or effect, only the most powerful charm effect applies while the durations overlap (XGTE). This will be determined by comparing the spell slots used to cast the spells, or by the save DCs if spells were cast at the same level or if the charm effect doesn't have a spell level. If both "charms" are of equal strength, the most recent one takes effect while the durations overlap.
Thunder damage is mainly concussive, like a shockwave, but being Deafened should still provide minimal protection. As for spells with Verbal components, the chanting of mystic words require a particular combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance (2014 PHB). Being Deafened should make it harder to pronounce these sounds. At the DM's option, the Scroll Mishap table in the 2014 DMG could be used if the d100 result is 01-05.
The playtest version affected spell save DCs as well (-1 per level, 10 levels). My revision applies a static -2 spell save DC penalty.
In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger all around, so if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain circumstances, the DM might allow you to stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted, allowing you to gain Advantage on an attack roll before you are seen.
A creature in melee combat with you can usually determine your approximate location; it might not see you, but you are making noise as you move around, breathing, shuffling, clipping bushes, hitting the cobblestone, stirring up dust, leaving footprints, stepping in a puddle, bumping into furniture, or swinging your weapon.
The DM can decide that an invisible creature's location is unknown to combatants because of the environment, the combatants' attentiveness, or the distance separating the creature and the other combatants. They might be distracted or simply just not paying attention.
If a creature is Hidden as well as Invisible, the DM can impose Disadvantage on a creature's Wisdom (Perception) check to find its location when taking the Search action, especially if the Invisible creature is more than 30 feet away.
The 5.24 PHB nerfed the Stunned condition by removing the "you can't move and can speak only falteringly" effect. For verisimilitude, my version limits the creature's Speed but does not prevent movement entirely.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they usually notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side (-5 Passive Perception score in Dim Light). Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't. When an unseen attacker makes an attack, it gives away its location whether the attack hits or misses.
My Homebrew: Magic Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | My house rules
Currently playing: Penelope - CG Human Bard, College of Whispers (Ravenloft) ; Lora - NG Firbolg Ranger, Fey Wanderer (Critical Role)
Playing D&D since 1st edition. DMs Guild Author: B.A. Morrier (4-5⭐products! Please check them out.) Twitter: @benmorrier he/him