First off, I love the idea, very Redwall! I like most of what you have here. I would personally keep size to small. The perception Prof. makes sense. Burrowing in loose soil (similar to mold earth cantrip) would make sense. I would then replace the last two items with Nature Prof. and double your proficiency bonus when associated with beasts. Add language/ability to speak with animals and remove toughness.
Small: I am not used to 5e yet, so I am not sure how many things are effected by size. The carrying load doesnt seem to be much of a problem in 5e, as long as you have enough str for the armor it doesnt slow you down either, no changes to AC or ATK, hide.... the only thing I can find right now that changes is that you cant use heavy weapons as a small creature (disadvantage), but you can squeeze through a tiny hole. Is there anything else? I havent read through grapple/STR rules, so maybe there is something. There really doesnt seem to be much of a benefit or disadvantage to beeing small in 5e. Is there really nothing else?
The other 2 changes sound great too, even if I would get talk to animals from the paladin oath anyway, maybe a DM would let me switch that.
The resistances are the only thing left, that I am not sure of. He doesnt really need additional resistances I think. With the improved knw nature maybe I just scrap that part.
I guess in my mind it makes more sense to be Small since it's an awakened badger. Essentially, you're still a badger but you're intelligent. So the small size seems to fit. I wasn't looking at it as a benefit, if anything being small is arguably tougher to play.
However, if you're really set on Medium to avoid the disadvantages of being small, I would make an entire race of Badgers or maybe reskin a Shifter to have badger traits?
I think a badger that's snarky like Rocket Racoon from Guardians of the Galaxy could be a hilarious PC. Small, but swings a Warhammer like a Maul due to his size :)
That's my opinion anyways. I think overall you've done a great job with your Homebrew and the thought process behind the race features!
This sounds excellent! It also reminds me a bit of Rocket from a certain comic book sci-fi series.
What about something like advantage on perception checks that have to do with sense of smell? The downside could be disadvantage on sight-based checks - but that may be too heavy of a penalty? I mean, this is a magic badger.
Badgers typically have poor eye sight but a great sense of smell.
I like the idea of appealing to the badger's tenacity/persistence. This could manifest in a few ways:
Bonus to repeated attacks against the same target
If this is too strong, you could have a bonus on repeat attacks/spells after you miss your target/they succeed on a save
I like the RP opportunities of persistent persuasion attempts. Not sure how to work that out mechanically. Maybe allowing him to repeat any failed persuasion attempt with a penalty on the roll and probably some kind of permanent change in the NPC's disposition toward you.
I would want to give him some kind of bonus on grapples due to this section from the wikipedia article on badgers: "...complete dislocation of the jaw is all but impossible. This enables the badgers to maintain their hold with the utmost tenacity." Maybe any time he grapples, he can bite down as a bonus action for a little damage and a bonus to his strength contest rolls.
Speaking as someone with experience in DMing, I wouldn't mind the sniffing. "I sniff at the solid cell door." "Roll perception." <Rolls 17> "You detect the scent of blood, sweat and filth. You get the impression there are a few humanoids crammed in there, and not in the best condition."
Simple. And I think it's fun! Potentially hilarious with all sorts of odd aromas that the normal races wouldn't have detected.
A small thing I'd note would be that for creature type I'd put maybe either Fey Beast or straight up Fey, as Magical Beast isn't an official type.
Apart from that I am loving it! You've done a fantastic job keeping everything clear and concise and giving it skills that would pertain to it, keep it up!
This is brilliant! I've been considering this for a long while. I tried doing Badgers (Melosians) in 3rd but was still too new to Balance it properly. Thank you!
You could potentially ASI a +1 into Str and Con. The +1 Str bumps you into plate-wearing range, and the Con bumps you up to +3.
As a Feat? I generally feel like there are plenty of feats already! I'd look to Magic Initiate (Druid or Bard?) for what you describe in terms of spells, or stick with Resilient for Con/Con saves.
There are also the new UA Skill feats - http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/feats-skills They are less combat-oriented, and I get the impression that's what you're looking for, but if not perhaps give them a look too? Animal Handler, Naturalist and Survivalist all seem fitting for a creature of the wilds.
First off, I love the idea, very Redwall! I like most of what you have here. I would personally keep size to small. The perception Prof. makes sense. Burrowing in loose soil (similar to mold earth cantrip) would make sense. I would then replace the last two items with Nature Prof. and double your proficiency bonus when associated with beasts. Add language/ability to speak with animals and remove toughness.
That's my take on it, what do you think?
That's almost reskinning. You've done an excellent job and it remains balanced.
This sounds excellent! It also reminds me a bit of Rocket from a certain comic book sci-fi series.
What about something like advantage on perception checks that have to do with sense of smell? The downside could be disadvantage on sight-based checks - but that may be too heavy of a penalty? I mean, this is a magic badger.
Badgers typically have poor eye sight but a great sense of smell.
Site Rules & Guidelines - Please feel free to message a moderator if you have any concerns.
My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
I like the idea of appealing to the badger's tenacity/persistence. This could manifest in a few ways:
That sounds pretty smooth for the biting.
---
Speaking as someone with experience in DMing, I wouldn't mind the sniffing. "I sniff at the solid cell door." "Roll perception." <Rolls 17> "You detect the scent of blood, sweat and filth. You get the impression there are a few humanoids crammed in there, and not in the best condition."
Simple. And I think it's fun! Potentially hilarious with all sorts of odd aromas that the normal races wouldn't have detected.
Site Rules & Guidelines - Please feel free to message a moderator if you have any concerns.
My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
A small thing I'd note would be that for creature type I'd put maybe either Fey Beast or straight up Fey, as Magical Beast isn't an official type.
Apart from that I am loving it! You've done a fantastic job keeping everything clear and concise and giving it skills that would pertain to it, keep it up!
"Roll for kink."
My homebrews - Naturalcrit
This is brilliant! I've been considering this for a long while. I tried doing Badgers (Melosians) in 3rd but was still too new to Balance it properly. Thank you!
DM of a decade and A half.
Founder of GOTK and the Workshop Warriors.
You could potentially ASI a +1 into Str and Con. The +1 Str bumps you into plate-wearing range, and the Con bumps you up to +3.
As a Feat? I generally feel like there are plenty of feats already! I'd look to Magic Initiate (Druid or Bard?) for what you describe in terms of spells, or stick with Resilient for Con/Con saves.
There are also the new UA Skill feats - http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/feats-skills They are less combat-oriented, and I get the impression that's what you're looking for, but if not perhaps give them a look too? Animal Handler, Naturalist and Survivalist all seem fitting for a creature of the wilds.
Site Rules & Guidelines - Please feel free to message a moderator if you have any concerns.
My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
As someone who once played an Imp, I approve of being a badger.
Only I am strange enough to play a non-awakened badger monk/fighter. Awakened is probably the best way to go.