We continue the "Bloody Mary" series of my concoctions with a first: a Wizard subclass.
I admit I am not an expert on the Wizard class in this edition, but I think I got it mostly right.
School of Blood
Blood Study
Starting at 2nd level you are able to gather infomration on a creature by studiying its blood. Spending at least one minute studying the blood of any living creature, you are able to know their race or kind, their age, any poison or desease resistance or immunity they might have and the kind of environment it lives in. Additionally, if you have access to at least 1 small vial of a creature's blood, after studying it for one minute you can create a bond between the vial and the main body. If the creature the blood pertains to is still alive and within 500 feet from you, for the next hour you get a general idea of the direction you can find it, and should you be in an area within 80 feet of the target, the enchantment will convey a sense of the creature being "somewhere around here". The blood used is consumed as part of the study.
Puncture
Starting at 2nd level you learn to the Puncture cantrip.
Blood Scrutiny
Starting at 6th level you know how to gather even more information from the blood of others. As an action in your turn, if you have access to at least 1 small vial of a creature's blood, you can make the creature always visible to you, regardless of hiding, cover or invisibility, and you have advantage on all attack rolls against it. These effects last a number of turns equal to your INT modifier and you can use it once every short rest. The blood used is consumed as part of the action.
Blood Research
Starting at 10th level, if you have access to at least 2 vials of a creature's blood and study it for at least one minute, you can create a stronger bond than the one of your Blood Study feature. If the creature the blood pertains to is still alive and within 1 mile from you, for the next hour you know the exact direction and distance from the creature, and when within 100 feet of the creature you know its exact location. The blood used is consumed as part of the research.
Blood Understanding
Starting at 10th level, if you have access to at least 2 vials of a creature's blood, as a bonus action you can impose disadvantage on its saving throws against your spells and magical effects for a number of turns equal to your INT modifier once every short rest. The blood used is consumed as part of the bonus action.
Blood Knowledge
Starting at 14th level you are able to discern the inner workings of a creature by studying their blood, and mess with them at the right moment. If you have access to at least 3 vials of a creature's blood and spend at least 5 minutes studying it, in the next 24 hours when, you are within 100 feet from the creature and as a reaction, you can negate any one action the creature is about to perform, including casting a spell or using a legendary action. Alternatively, having access to the same amount of blood from the creature, you can gain the same benefits spending one action on your turn and being affected by two levels of Exhaustion. Using this method, the creature's action needs to be negated within the following minute instead of 24 hours. You can use this feature once each long rest. The blood used is consumed as part of the study or action.
Puncture is now a published homebrew, link added to the mention in the subclass description
I'd say that your "Puncture" cantrip sound more like necromancy than evocation. Also, wizards do not get an arcane tradition feature at 3rd level.
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Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
I'd say that your "Puncture" cantrip sound more like necromancy than evocation. Also, wizards do not get an arcane tradition feature at 3rd level.
Thank you DungeonLord58!
You are correct on both accounts. Puncture indeed feels more Necromancy, and the 3rd level in Puncture was a mistake dictate by custom with other subclasses ^^" it should be 2nd level, I'll fix that
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Does this need to be a wizard? I just mean, there is nothing in this subclass which actually interfaces with the main feature of the class itself, being spellcasting. When I think of blood magic I think of curses powered by blood, draining your own or others' blood to gain power, using an opponents blood to better target your spells at them - I feel a ceremonial blade should be involved. This set of skills just feels a bit more like a ranger or other hunter-type.
Does this need to be a wizard? I just mean, there is nothing in this subclass which actually interfaces with the main feature of the class itself, being spellcasting. When I think of blood magic I think of curses powered by blood, draining your own or others' blood to gain power, using an opponents blood to better target your spells at them - I feel a ceremonial blade should be involved. This set of skills just feels a bit more like a ranger or other hunter-type.
Yeah I feel the same way. But that would kind of step on the Blood Hunter's turf.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Does this need to be a wizard? I just mean, there is nothing in this subclass which actually interfaces with the main feature of the class itself, being spellcasting. When I think of blood magic I think of curses powered by blood, draining your own or others' blood to gain power, using an opponents blood to better target your spells at them - I feel a ceremonial blade should be involved. This set of skills just feels a bit more like a ranger or other hunter-type.
Yeah I feel the same way. But that would kind of step on the Blood Hunter's turf.
Thank you both for raising this point.
It indeed feels this would be right at home with the Ranger, but the ranger already has quite a few features or spells that cover similar effects. On the other jand, I wanted to give a distinctly different feeling between this and the Sorcerer subclass of the same "line". Wizards are the studious type, they are the scholars and the researchers, for them knowledge (most of the times) is more important than raw power, otherwise instead of wasting years of study they could have "just" struck a bargain with some powerful being (i.e. become Warlocks instead). I also, personally, feel cursed and the like are more the Warlock domain (I am not really familiar with the Blood Hunter tbh).
So, in the end, I thought of making this more of a subtle subclasses one that is not so flashy, but that can offer extremely powerful tracking and blackmailing capabilities. I'll probably add something on knowing a secret connected to the owner of the blood in the lvl 10 feature, and probably something on giving disadvantage on spell saved on either a new feature at lvl 10 or as an addendum at level 6 (which might be OP, but itsi still a once every short rest thing).
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Yeah, if something gave advantage on spell attack rolls, and something else gave disadvantage on saves based on the blood, then that could tie it in with a wizard.
Yeah, if something gave advantage on spell attack rolls, and something else gave disadvantage on saves based on the blood, then that could tie it in with a wizard.
Just to clarify (and be obnoxious) Blood Scrutiny would grant advantage to all types of attacks, even if it does not specify "spell attack" (... or at least this is how I've seen it worded in other feature/spell effects)
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Reworded Blood Scrutiny and added Blood Understanding as lvl 10 feature.
Blood Scrutiny
Starting at 6th level you know how to gather even more information from the blood of others. As an action in your turn, if you have access to at least 1 small vial of a creature's blood, you can make the creature always visible to you, regardless of hiding, cover or invisibility, and you have advantage on all attack rolls against it. These effects last a number of turns equal to your INT modifier and you can use it once every short rest. After the duration expires, the same blood cannot be used again for any of your School of Blood features.
Blood Understanding
Starting at 10th level, if you have access to at least 2 vials of a creature's blood, you can impose disadvantage on its saving throws against your spells and magical effects for a number of turns equal to your INT modifier once every short rest.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
" After the duration expires, the same blood cannot be used again for any of your School of Blood features." Alternative wording and subtle flavour change, would be to have the blood 'consumed' (as per material component) in the use of the feature. Bit gross, but painting the blood over the eyelids and under the eyes to allow Blood Scrutiny, or painting a rune on the back of your hand for Blood Knowledge.
As with many of your subclass offerings, the need to keep them balanced with other sub-classes limits how much could be done with them - perhaps there should be a class of sub-class (!!!) that is more like the old prestige classes. I suppose a whole new range of Blood Spells would be a compromise.
" After the duration expires, the same blood cannot be used again for any of your School of Blood features." Alternative wording and subtle flavour change, would be to have the blood 'consumed' (as per material component) in the use of the feature. Bit gross, but painting the blood over the eyelids and under the eyes to allow Blood Scrutiny, or painting a rune on the back of your hand for Blood Knowledge.
Good point! I will not suggest ways in which, but I will rephrase to make it so that the blood is actually consumed in the process.
As with many of your subclass offerings, the need to keep them balanced with other sub-classes limits how much could be done with them - perhaps there should be a class of sub-class (!!!) that is more like the old prestige classes. I suppose a whole new range of Blood Spells would be a compromise.
General balance is always needed, otherwise the risk to overshadow other classes is too great. I am not the best one in doing that, as the amount of changes most of my subclasses need testifies, but I do my best :P
A mechanic to further improve a subclass would be nice, but would overcomplicate the game, which imho is currently striking a good balance betwen complexity and ease of use/approach.
Good work as always.
As always, thank you kindly :)
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
We continue the "Bloody Mary" series of my concoctions with a first: a Wizard subclass.
I admit I am not an expert on the Wizard class in this edition, but I think I got it mostly right.
School of Blood
Blood Study
Starting at 2nd level you are able to gather infomration on a creature by studiying its blood.
Spending at least one minute studying the blood of any living creature, you are able to know their race or kind, their age, any poison or desease resistance or immunity they might have and the kind of environment it lives in.
Additionally, if you have access to at least 1 small vial of a creature's blood, after studying it for one minute you can create a bond between the vial and the main body. If the creature the blood pertains to is still alive and within 500 feet from you, for the next hour you get a general idea of the direction you can find it, and should you be in an area within 80 feet of the target, the enchantment will convey a sense of the creature being "somewhere around here".
The blood used is consumed as part of the study.
Puncture
Starting at 2nd level you learn to the Puncture cantrip.
Blood Scrutiny
Starting at 6th level you know how to gather even more information from the blood of others.
As an action in your turn, if you have access to at least 1 small vial of a creature's blood, you can make the creature always visible to you, regardless of hiding, cover or invisibility, and you have advantage on all attack rolls against it.
These effects last a number of turns equal to your INT modifier and you can use it once every short rest.
The blood used is consumed as part of the action.
Blood Research
Starting at 10th level, if you have access to at least 2 vials of a creature's blood and study it for at least one minute, you can create a stronger bond than the one of your Blood Study feature. If the creature the blood pertains to is still alive and within 1 mile from you, for the next hour you know the exact direction and distance from the creature, and when within 100 feet of the creature you know its exact location.
The blood used is consumed as part of the research.
Blood Understanding
Starting at 10th level, if you have access to at least 2 vials of a creature's blood, as a bonus action you can impose disadvantage on its saving throws against your spells and magical effects for a number of turns equal to your INT modifier once every short rest.
The blood used is consumed as part of the bonus action.
Blood Knowledge
Starting at 14th level you are able to discern the inner workings of a creature by studying their blood, and mess with them at the right moment.
If you have access to at least 3 vials of a creature's blood and spend at least 5 minutes studying it, in the next 24 hours when, you are within 100 feet from the creature and as a reaction, you can negate any one action the creature is about to perform, including casting a spell or using a legendary action.
Alternatively, having access to the same amount of blood from the creature, you can gain the same benefits spending one action on your turn and being affected by two levels of Exhaustion. Using this method, the creature's action needs to be negated within the following minute instead of 24 hours. You can use this feature once each long rest.
The blood used is consumed as part of the study or action.
Puncture is now a published homebrew, link added to the mention in the subclass description
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I'd say that your "Puncture" cantrip sound more like necromancy than evocation. Also, wizards do not get an arcane tradition feature at 3rd level.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Does this need to be a wizard? I just mean, there is nothing in this subclass which actually interfaces with the main feature of the class itself, being spellcasting. When I think of blood magic I think of curses powered by blood, draining your own or others' blood to gain power, using an opponents blood to better target your spells at them - I feel a ceremonial blade should be involved. This set of skills just feels a bit more like a ranger or other hunter-type.
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Yeah, if something gave advantage on spell attack rolls, and something else gave disadvantage on saves based on the blood, then that could tie it in with a wizard.
(... or at least this is how I've seen it worded in other feature/spell effects)
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Reworded Blood Scrutiny and added Blood Understanding as lvl 10 feature.
Blood Scrutiny
Starting at 6th level you know how to gather even more information from the blood of others.
As an action in your turn, if you have access to at least 1 small vial of a creature's blood, you can make the creature always visible to you, regardless of hiding, cover or invisibility, and you have advantage on all attack rolls against it.
These effects last a number of turns equal to your INT modifier and you can use it once every short rest. After the duration expires, the same blood cannot be used again for any of your School of Blood features.
Blood Understanding
Starting at 10th level, if you have access to at least 2 vials of a creature's blood, you can impose disadvantage on its saving throws against your spells and magical effects for a number of turns equal to your INT modifier once every short rest.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
" After the duration expires, the same blood cannot be used again for any of your School of Blood features."
Alternative wording and subtle flavour change, would be to have the blood 'consumed' (as per material component) in the use of the feature. Bit gross, but painting the blood over the eyelids and under the eyes to allow Blood Scrutiny, or painting a rune on the back of your hand for Blood Knowledge.
As with many of your subclass offerings, the need to keep them balanced with other sub-classes limits how much could be done with them - perhaps there should be a class of sub-class (!!!) that is more like the old prestige classes. I suppose a whole new range of Blood Spells would be a compromise.
Good work as always.
Roleplaying since Runequest.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Puncture is now a published homebrew, link added to the mention in the subclass description
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games