Editing because apparently user needed to put a "how to" on how to even see the details. Now that it's there, I dont know if it's a custom race or subclass. Ruling drifts from official ruling into first person thought point of view. Alot of the abilities an unintuitive versus what the ability itself does.
I dont think is appropriate that with I thought was a site moderator is using contests to promote their entries as something to buy. Consider adding rules that entries need to be on a sheet or remain on DND Beyond. Very disappointed in IamSposta for this, Rules need to be included to keep this from happening again.
Edit: Apparently the user is having a meltdown and making several threads about this entry, apparently, they know this appearance looks bad and they don't like being called out for self-promotion outside of the channels for it. As they put it in the comments: 🖕🏿. Real classy. Judge, Now that I have had a chance to review the submission because someone else had to explain on there behalf on how to read the product listing, I have graded it properly. I also request that the instructor's inappropriate response in the forums be held against their grading.
If you can’t figure out how to use a website without a tutorial that says more about you than it does about me.
If you can’t tell the difference between a species and a subclass, that again, that says more about you than it does about me.
Absolutely nowhere in there did I write anything in the “first person.” Everything was written in the same second person that WotC uses for official content. If you can’t recognize that, or tell the difference between first person and second person writing, that yet again says more about you than it does about me.
Again, I have never asked anyone to purchase a single one of my contest entries. They are free. If you don’t understand the concept of free, that also says more about you than it does about me.
I have made absolutely 0 threads about your feedback. I have made a grand total of 2 posts about your feedback including this one. At the time you wrote this there was only 1 post. If you can’t count to 1, or tell the difference between a single post and a whole thread, then guess what. That’s right, it says more about you than it does about me.
No, I don’t think my publishing on DM’s Guild “looks bad” for me. If I did I wouldn’t do it. And yes, it is self promotion. So what? I’m an independent game designer trying to break into the market. If I didn’t try to get my name out there I wouldn’t be doing it right. The fact that you see a problem with it moreover says more about you than it does about me.
Again, if you needed someone to explain to you how to use a website after I already posted a photo with instructions days ago earlier in this very thread, that still says more about you than it does about me.
Both of your feedback entries are or were riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. This too says more about you than it does about me.
It’s real brave of you to write all of this stuff about me from behind the veil of anonymity provided by the survey. The fact that you’re not willing to post it here so we can all see who you are most of all says more about you than it does about me.
Fun fact! The reason the DC for the Cognitohazardous Zone is the character’s Charisma score is that a character’s strength of presence and sense of surety counteracts their ability to challenge the things they experience and pierce the unreality attempting to seep into their mind.
What about them do you consider weak? I ask so I can improve things in future. Y’know, I usually find myself wishing I had more options to do with my bonus action, so I designed this species to provide more options in that regard. But then again I don’t do “builds,” I make characters. So that might be part of the reason I didn’t see it the way you see it. So thanks for the perspective.
I was the one who gave that feedback :-)
Adding half proficiency to some specific skill checks when other races give one or more skill proficiencies looked rather weak to me; also the restriction of the bonus applying even when you are proficient in History, but not when you are Expertise'd seemed oddly specific and unnecessary. Sensing undead is also rather situational and redundant with a paladin's Divine Sense. Spiritual Medium looks cool, but you can only heal someone with Spare the Dying if you use your action for it and then it only does 1 HP. It is basically not worth doing that unless they are in initiative right after you and can use their action more effectively than you would be able to do if you hadn't healed them.
The ancestral shard also looks quite weak to me. Yes, it can do a bunch of things, bot none of them really stands out. And it uses your bonus action each turn. Any martial character can do more damage with their bonus action attack from PAM/GWM/SS and casters often also have more useful bonus actions with spells like Hex, Spiritual Weapon (which is basically the same thing as the shard but with more damage), Flaming Sphere, Shadow Blade...
A good comparison for the ancestral shard in my opinion is an aasimar's transformation. They only have to use a bonus action or action (depending on whether you use the MPMM or VGM version) once to activate it and then it stays active for a minute. And for that duration, they gain bonus damage on each turn for free - bonus damage that is comparable to the ancestral shard's damage (MPMM aasimar deals slightly less damage, VGM deals considerably more damage). And on top of the damage they gain another benefit with their transformation like dealing even more damage, a flying speed or frightening their foes.
Aasimar in general is a good comparison to your race as they also gain the ability to heal others with Healing Hands and learn a cantrip (Light). But they gain quite a bit more and their features feel more impactful.
Also, Custom Lineage with Magic Initiate: Witherbloom gets Spare the Dying, another cantrip and an 1st level spell like Healing Word or Shield, and they can also be proficient in History if they want.
What about them do you consider weak? I ask so I can improve things in future. Y’know, I usually find myself wishing I had more options to do with my bonus action, so I designed this species to provide more options in that regard. But then again I don’t do “builds,” I make characters. So that might be part of the reason I didn’t see it the way you see it. So thanks for the perspective.
I was the one who gave that feedback :-)
Adding half proficiency to some specific skill checks when other races give one or more skill proficiencies looked rather weak to me; also the restriction of the bonus applying even when you are proficient in History, but not when you are Expertise'd seemed oddly specific and unnecessary. Sensing undead is also rather situational and redundant with a paladin's Divine Sense. Spiritual Medium looks cool, but you can only heal someone with Spare the Dying if you use your action for it and then it only does 1 HP. It is basically not worth doing that unless they are in initiative right after you and can use their action more effectively than you would be able to do if you hadn't healed them.
The ancestral shard also looks quite weak to me. Yes, it can do a bunch of things, bot none of them really stands out. And it uses your bonus action each turn. Any martial character can do more damage with their bonus action attack from PAM/GWM/SS and casters often also have more useful bonus actions with spells like Hex, Spiritual Weapon (which is basically the same thing as the shard but with more damage), Flaming Sphere, Shadow Blade...
A good comparison for the ancestral shard in my opinion is an aasimar's transformation. They only have to use a bonus action or action (depending on whether you use the MPMM or VGM version) once to activate it and then it stays active for a minute. And for that duration, they gain bonus damage on each turn for free - bonus damage that is comparable to the ancestral shard's damage (MPMM aasimar deals slightly less damage, VGM deals considerably more damage). And on top of the damage they gain another benefit with their transformation like dealing even more damage, a flying speed or frightening their foes.
Aasimar in general is a good comparison to your race as they also gain the ability to heal others with Healing Hands and learn a cantrip (Light). But they gain quite a bit more and their features feel more impactful.
Also, Custom Lineage with Magic Initiate: Witherbloom gets Spare the Dying, another cantrip and an 1st level spell like Healing Word or Shield, and they can also be proficient in History if they want.
Ahh, thank you for your constructive feedback. I do genuinely appreciate it.
That half proficiency/half expertise thing is a mechanic I came up with for species a while ago and it always went over well before with people. Think of it kinda like the +1d4 that the Dragonmark races get to certain checks. If you’re not proficient with those skills then you at least get half proficiency, and if you are proficient this stacks with it as half expertise. The restriction is so that it doesn’t stack on top of expertise/twice proficiency so as not to blow bounded accuracy way out of wack. So if you’re playing something that doesn’t get proficiency in those skills then this is at least some bonus, and if you are proficient but playing something that doesn’t get expertise in those skills then it’s something a li’l extra. Plus, in this case the bonus applies to all Wisdom checks, even ones you normally couldn’t apply a skill proficiency to. After all, having expertise in Insight only helps if it’s an Insight check. This trait provides a boost all the time to all Wis checks. Like I said, this mechanic has always gotten positive feedback in the past.
That sensing undead thing is kind of a ribbon trait. Yeah it’s situational, but flavorful. Plus, if your party doesn’t have a paladin in it, then this trait is better than nothing. After all, not all parties have paladins.
As for Medium, I really think you are underestimating it, or haven’t considered it from all angles. For one thing, it gives the player options, and as I frequently say, “options win battles.” You could use it as a bonus action and get the normal results of spare the dying, or you can cast it using its standard action economy and actually pick someone up with it instead of just stabilizing them. Either way you use it it’s still better than casting the spell normally. And the pick-me-up version is just as effective as picking someone up with a goodberry with better action economy since 1) you don’t need to prep it in advance to use it, and 2) it doesn’t require both an item interaction to pull out the berry and an action to feed it to someone. Plus, this is absolutely legal RAW where the goodberry trick is dubiously legal at best, and not valid RAW by the strictest interpretation of the rules. Now, maybe you don’t frequently see situations in which a party member is down to their last death save and crossing their fingers that someone can help them before they get hit again or fail another save, and that’s fair. However, I see it fairly regularly in both the games I play in, and the games I DM. On top of that, Medium also eventually grants access to a 3rd-level spell, something other races/species don’t do.
For Ancestral Shade (not “Shard”), I did compare it to the MotM Aasimar quite extensively when creating the trait. Ancestral Shade provides the exact same benefit of frightening creatures upon activation as the MotM Aasimar does upon activating Necrotic Shroud, only better because the Progeny can choose to exclude friendly creatures from its effect which the Aasimar cannot. And as for the damage and action economy, I was going for something on par with the bonus attack from Two-Weapon Fighting, which this is on par with. Only this one is either Necrotic or Cold damage (your choice) instead of b/p/s. It gives you an option, and “options win battles.” As for comparing it to a GWM/PAM build, or even your Custom Lineage idea, again, not all players do “builds” like that. And some tables don’t allow feats at all. Heck, I’m in a PbP right now in which feats were not allowed until we had hit 10th level. And as for a caster using those spells you mentioned, sometimes you can’t or don’t want to spend that 2nd-level spell slot, so this again gives you an option.
I genuinely value your feedback, and the alternative point of view you provided me. I don’t always consider those “builds” when I design stuff, and your feedback is a stark reminder of that shortcoming. However, I do think you have slightly underestimated the Progeny. Could it be better? Absolutely, I fully admit that. But is it as weak as you make it out to be? I personally don’t think so. What do you think now after reading what I’ve written here? Do you view it in a slightly more favorable light, or still not so much?
> 1. Very cool, but I don't really understand the prerequisite.
1. Thanks :) tried to leave it open-ended enough for DM to decide how it can be granted.
> 2. Putting the feat in the DM's choice to grant it is in the nature of possession, as a PC shouldn't decide if they get something like that. Interesting of the ones I've seen here.
2. Totally what I meant, I think making it against their decision or unknownst to the PC, adds to the possessed concept as storytelling.
> 3. It says they communicate to you in Druidic, but it doesn’t grant you the ability to speak and understand that language.
3. "You can speak with any animal or plant that you can see, and they can speak to you. If they do, you hear and understand it as Druidic, either verbally or telepathically." I tried to be clear, but thanks for the feedback.
> 4. It says you can interact with the spirits but doesn’t explain how.
4. This is accurate, thanks, I should've included that conversations can be held telepathically or verbally, in druid, as I intended for #3.
> 5. It says it’s distracting, but doesn’t explain how to resist the distraction, like a Wis check/save or something.
5. Great note, should added that, and I did for the beckon call to leave but, yep, great feedback.
> 6. Anything that forces a significant compulsion on a PC is a bad idea in my book. Players hate that sort of thing. Minor stuff, like a personality characteristic is one thing, but a compulsion to wander away from the party is too much
6. I'd hate being possessed too, but alas that's in the nature of the topic, by design. Being possessed isn't supposed to be fun.
> 7. All in all I think it just does too many things.
7. You gain the following benefits, 3 things
You gain proficiency in the Nature skill.
You can speak with any animal or plant that you can see, and they can speak to you. If they do, you hear and understand it as Druidic, either verbally or telepathically.
You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened by plantlife, beasts, or magical effects that resemble plantlife or beasts.
> 8.Weird prerequisite for what the feat does and what it gives. Too long for a feat. Also, a feat that can be given or taken away by the DM depending on circumstances is called a “Supernatural Gift.” Later, after describing the saving throw to resist compulsion, you fail to mention how often saving throws are made.
PC irrates nature, nature takes PC to teach them a lesson, and part ways when dm deems lesson is taught. Considering previous contest entries, I thought this was ok. Noted, I did not mention and should have.
Thanks for the feedback, hope this clarifies some stuff.
PC irrates nature, nature takes PC to teach them a lesson, and part ways when dm deems lesson is taught. Considering previous contest entries, I thought this was ok. Noted, I did not mention and should have.
The way that nature takes revenge seems backwards, though. It's kinda weird for nature to respond to being pissed off by... giving you a closer connection to nature and letting you talk with animals.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
PC irrates nature, nature takes PC to teach them a lesson, and part ways when dm deems lesson is taught. Considering previous contest entries, I thought this was ok. Noted, I did not mention and should have.
The way that nature takes revenge seems backwards, though. It's kinda weird for nature to respond to being pissed off by... giving you a closer connection to nature and letting you talk with animals.
I kinda get it. It’s, like, giving them a deeper appreciation for nature so you can regret your previous offenses.
PC irrates nature, nature takes PC to teach them a lesson, and part ways when dm deems lesson is taught. Considering previous contest entries, I thought this was ok. Noted, I did not mention and should have.
The way that nature takes revenge seems backwards, though. It's kinda weird for nature to respond to being pissed off by... giving you a closer connection to nature and letting you talk with animals.
I kinda get it. It’s, like, giving them a deeper appreciation for nature so you can regret your previous offenses.
Or a punishment. Now you can literally hear the crows laughing at you.
PC irrates nature, nature takes PC to teach them a lesson, and part ways when dm deems lesson is taught. Considering previous contest entries, I thought this was ok. Noted, I did not mention and should have.
The way that nature takes revenge seems backwards, though. It's kinda weird for nature to respond to being pissed off by... giving you a closer connection to nature and letting you talk with animals.
I kinda get it. It’s, like, giving them a deeper appreciation for nature so you can regret your previous offenses.
Or a punishment. Now you can literally hear the crows laughing at you.
And the hyenas having dignified conversation.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
I’m genuinely grateful for your feedback, it does help me improve, thank you.
Prayerbook of Divine Service
“Seems cool, but having sentience from the diety and then the create of the master/creator, doesn't describe how far that goes. Backfiring of the book suppressing other abilities doesn't make sense.”
Thank you for your feedback, on the sentience point, that’s probably my language lacking clarity and a work on point for me going forward. If you were referring to this paragraph:
“A Prayerbook of Divine Service contains a fragment of the essence of it's master. It possesses a limited sentience and will communicate with the signatory, through the transmission of emotions, to keep them aligned to the deity's goals.”
By “master” I was referring to the deity themself rather than another party. In essence I envisaged the book containing a small fragment of the will of the deity and that this would allow for an extremely limited form of communication between the book and the PC through emotions. Simply you get a feeling of joy for carrying out the gods will, or sadness when you act counter to it.
On the book suppressing other abilities, this was my attempt at a divine curse. I always envisaged this book being a temporary attunement for a single problem. Something to make my players approach a problem differently or think outside the box, but also something that doesn’t stick to them for longer than one or two sessions rather than a permanent suppression.
“Very interesting. I think you may want to include spells of 4th-level just in case a CR 25 or higher creature attuned to the book. I do think there should be an easier way out of the contract, other than completing the god’s will, and the number of spells you can choose is highly limiting. Otherwise, it seems alright.”
On 4th level spells, very fair, that was an oversight on my part.
On an easier way to exit the contract, as I mentioned above I always saw attuning to this item as a temporary thing and so hadn’t really considered this. I take your point though, as an initial thought, perhaps because the restriction was created as a kind of curse, it could be removed in a similar vein. I will think it over and make an update.
On the number of spells being highly limiting, this was an intentional choice. I wanted an item that was good at an initial glance, but when weighed against the cost was actually less of a certainty. I wanted it to provoke a bit of thought so that it wasn’t as simple as handing it off to the cleric. I could have made it too limiting though, thank you for raising this, i’ll review it going forward.
The Hallucinatory Panic Chamber
“Very cool! You should include some DCs for the checks.”
Thank you, very fair feedback. This was my first attempt at writing out an encounter, I usually treat DCs as subjective depending on what the players are doing vs the scenario, but with hindsight (rereading my submission) I can see how that is not conducive to writing an encounter for others to use. Point taken.
“I have no idea, I dont understand this entry or the submission topic.”
My language lacking clarity seems to be a running theme in my submissions. If you can give me a bit more detail I might be able to address this point.
“You didn’t state that the party was taking damage from the trap at all until the end, and then still didn’t state the amount. Additionally, the player buy-in that you mention is going to be extremely hard to obtain across the board, as not all players like telling a story of confusion and self-destruction of their own making. You have also not stated the DC for the Arcana, Insight, or Perception checks at the end of the passage, or where the Oblex is hiding. Still a creative idea I suppose.”
I think my writing style is lacking clarity here too, this is a work on point for me that I’ll take forward.
On the party taking damage from the trap (this is probably just a misinterpretation due to my poor articulation) but they aren't. The trap is purely illusory, any damage the party would be taking is from the Oblex and its "Eat Memories" action, which is why it’s psychic damage.
On the player buy-in, I agree this is tough. It probably needs a bit more thought, but once the Oblex is using its simulacrum to replace a character, it will become obvious to the players what’s happening, even if their characters wouldn't know. Player buy-in, though not perfect, seemed the simplest work-around, though I am open to suggestions.
On the DCs, This was mentioned above too, fair point, it’s an oversight on my part.
On where the Oblex is hiding, physically I don’t think this matters as they’re obfuscated by the illusion. I would have thought they don’t need to be hidden at all and could happily flatten themselves to the floor and drift amongst the players as the illusory gas and acid conceals them.
Some notes: I'm checking the scores with and without the "troll" vote, although in passing it doesn't look like it will change anything. Also, I've added two 5/5 ratings for The_Summoning_Dark, as it appears they were not able to cast a vote. Finally, I'd appreciate at least one of you checking over the results with me.
Some notes: I'm checking the scores with and without the "troll" vote, although in passing it doesn't look like it will change anything. Also, I've added two 5/5 ratings for The_Summoning_Dark, as it appears they were not able to cast a vote. Finally, I'd appreciate at least one of you checking over the results with me.
Some notes: I'm checking the scores with and without the "troll" vote, although in passing it doesn't look like it will change anything. Also, I've added two 5/5 ratings for The_Summoning_Dark, as it appears they were not able to cast a vote. Finally, I'd appreciate at least one of you checking over the results with me.
If nobody else does it I’ll help, although ideally it should be someone who hasn’t competed.
Congratulations to Dragon_Shark, MilesToGo_24, and ZombiesKlein who are tied for the crown! Will you three be able to jointly decide who judges the next competition? I'd personally like ot see the title go to Dragon_Shark, as they have never judged before.
Also, let me know if anybody finds an error in the scorekeeping.
Ahem.
If you can’t figure out how to use a website without a tutorial that says more about you than it does about me.
If you can’t tell the difference between a species and a subclass, that again, that says more about you than it does about me.
Absolutely nowhere in there did I write anything in the “first person.” Everything was written in the same second person that WotC uses for official content. If you can’t recognize that, or tell the difference between first person and second person writing, that yet again says more about you than it does about me.
Again, I have never asked anyone to purchase a single one of my contest entries. They are free. If you don’t understand the concept of free, that also says more about you than it does about me.
I have made absolutely 0 threads about your feedback. I have made a grand total of 2 posts about your feedback including this one. At the time you wrote this there was only 1 post. If you can’t count to 1, or tell the difference between a single post and a whole thread, then guess what. That’s right, it says more about you than it does about me.
No, I don’t think my publishing on DM’s Guild “looks bad” for me. If I did I wouldn’t do it. And yes, it is self promotion. So what? I’m an independent game designer trying to break into the market. If I didn’t try to get my name out there I wouldn’t be doing it right. The fact that you see a problem with it moreover says more about you than it does about me.
Again, if you needed someone to explain to you how to use a website after I already posted a photo with instructions days ago earlier in this very thread, that still says more about you than it does about me.
Both of your feedback entries are or were riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. This too says more about you than it does about me.
It’s real brave of you to write all of this stuff about me from behind the veil of anonymity provided by the survey. The fact that you’re not willing to post it here so we can all see who you are most of all says more about you than it does about me.
I say “good day“ to you sir, madam, or other.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Fun fact! The reason the DC for the Cognitohazardous Zone is the character’s Charisma score is that a character’s strength of presence and sense of surety counteracts their ability to challenge the things they experience and pierce the unreality attempting to seep into their mind.
Just thought I’d clarify for the person asking.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Folks, this is a
Wendy'sweb forum game that we do for funsies.And I will not be arbitrarily making changes to people's votes.
I was the one who gave that feedback :-)
Adding half proficiency to some specific skill checks when other races give one or more skill proficiencies looked rather weak to me; also the restriction of the bonus applying even when you are proficient in History, but not when you are Expertise'd seemed oddly specific and unnecessary.
Sensing undead is also rather situational and redundant with a paladin's Divine Sense. Spiritual Medium looks cool, but you can only heal someone with Spare the Dying if you use your action for it and then it only does 1 HP. It is basically not worth doing that unless they are in initiative right after you and can use their action more effectively than you would be able to do if you hadn't healed them.
The ancestral shard also looks quite weak to me. Yes, it can do a bunch of things, bot none of them really stands out. And it uses your bonus action each turn. Any martial character can do more damage with their bonus action attack from PAM/GWM/SS and casters often also have more useful bonus actions with spells like Hex, Spiritual Weapon (which is basically the same thing as the shard but with more damage), Flaming Sphere, Shadow Blade...
A good comparison for the ancestral shard in my opinion is an aasimar's transformation. They only have to use a bonus action or action (depending on whether you use the MPMM or VGM version) once to activate it and then it stays active for a minute. And for that duration, they gain bonus damage on each turn for free - bonus damage that is comparable to the ancestral shard's damage (MPMM aasimar deals slightly less damage, VGM deals considerably more damage). And on top of the damage they gain another benefit with their transformation like dealing even more damage, a flying speed or frightening their foes.
Aasimar in general is a good comparison to your race as they also gain the ability to heal others with Healing Hands and learn a cantrip (Light). But they gain quite a bit more and their features feel more impactful.
Also, Custom Lineage with Magic Initiate: Witherbloom gets Spare the Dying, another cantrip and an 1st level spell like Healing Word or Shield, and they can also be proficient in History if they want.
Ahh, thank you for your constructive feedback. I do genuinely appreciate it.
That half proficiency/half expertise thing is a mechanic I came up with for species a while ago and it always went over well before with people. Think of it kinda like the +1d4 that the Dragonmark races get to certain checks. If you’re not proficient with those skills then you at least get half proficiency, and if you are proficient this stacks with it as half expertise. The restriction is so that it doesn’t stack on top of expertise/twice proficiency so as not to blow bounded accuracy way out of wack. So if you’re playing something that doesn’t get proficiency in those skills then this is at least some bonus, and if you are proficient but playing something that doesn’t get expertise in those skills then it’s something a li’l extra. Plus, in this case the bonus applies to all Wisdom checks, even ones you normally couldn’t apply a skill proficiency to. After all, having expertise in Insight only helps if it’s an Insight check. This trait provides a boost all the time to all Wis checks. Like I said, this mechanic has always gotten positive feedback in the past.
That sensing undead thing is kind of a ribbon trait. Yeah it’s situational, but flavorful. Plus, if your party doesn’t have a paladin in it, then this trait is better than nothing. After all, not all parties have paladins.
As for Medium, I really think you are underestimating it, or haven’t considered it from all angles. For one thing, it gives the player options, and as I frequently say, “options win battles.” You could use it as a bonus action and get the normal results of spare the dying, or you can cast it using its standard action economy and actually pick someone up with it instead of just stabilizing them. Either way you use it it’s still better than casting the spell normally. And the pick-me-up version is just as effective as picking someone up with a goodberry with better action economy since 1) you don’t need to prep it in advance to use it, and 2) it doesn’t require both an item interaction to pull out the berry and an action to feed it to someone. Plus, this is absolutely legal RAW where the goodberry trick is dubiously legal at best, and not valid RAW by the strictest interpretation of the rules. Now, maybe you don’t frequently see situations in which a party member is down to their last death save and crossing their fingers that someone can help them before they get hit again or fail another save, and that’s fair. However, I see it fairly regularly in both the games I play in, and the games I DM. On top of that, Medium also eventually grants access to a 3rd-level spell, something other races/species don’t do.
For Ancestral Shade (not “Shard”), I did compare it to the MotM Aasimar quite extensively when creating the trait. Ancestral Shade provides the exact same benefit of frightening creatures upon activation as the MotM Aasimar does upon activating Necrotic Shroud, only better because the Progeny can choose to exclude friendly creatures from its effect which the Aasimar cannot. And as for the damage and action economy, I was going for something on par with the bonus attack from Two-Weapon Fighting, which this is on par with. Only this one is either Necrotic or Cold damage (your choice) instead of b/p/s. It gives you an option, and “options win battles.” As for comparing it to a GWM/PAM build, or even your Custom Lineage idea, again, not all players do “builds” like that. And some tables don’t allow feats at all. Heck, I’m in a PbP right now in which feats were not allowed until we had hit 10th level. And as for a caster using those spells you mentioned, sometimes you can’t or don’t want to spend that 2nd-level spell slot, so this again gives you an option.
I genuinely value your feedback, and the alternative point of view you provided me. I don’t always consider those “builds” when I design stuff, and your feedback is a stark reminder of that shortcoming. However, I do think you have slightly underestimated the Progeny. Could it be better? Absolutely, I fully admit that. But is it as weak as you make it out to be? I personally don’t think so. What do you think now after reading what I’ve written here? Do you view it in a slightly more favorable light, or still not so much?
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
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For my woodsong feat
> 1. Very cool, but I don't really understand the prerequisite.
1. Thanks :) tried to leave it open-ended enough for DM to decide how it can be granted.
> 2. Putting the feat in the DM's choice to grant it is in the nature of possession, as a PC shouldn't decide if they get something like that. Interesting of the ones I've seen here.
2. Totally what I meant, I think making it against their decision or unknownst to the PC, adds to the possessed concept as storytelling.
> 3. It says they communicate to you in Druidic, but it doesn’t grant you the ability to speak and understand that language.
3. "You can speak with any animal or plant that you can see, and they can speak to you. If they do, you hear and understand it as Druidic, either verbally or telepathically." I tried to be clear, but thanks for the feedback.
> 4. It says you can interact with the spirits but doesn’t explain how.
4. This is accurate, thanks, I should've included that conversations can be held telepathically or verbally, in druid, as I intended for #3.
> 5. It says it’s distracting, but doesn’t explain how to resist the distraction, like a Wis check/save or something.
5. Great note, should added that, and I did for the beckon call to leave but, yep, great feedback.
> 6. Anything that forces a significant compulsion on a PC is a bad idea in my book. Players hate that sort of thing. Minor stuff, like a personality characteristic is one thing, but a compulsion to wander away from the party is too much
6. I'd hate being possessed too, but alas that's in the nature of the topic, by design. Being possessed isn't supposed to be fun.
> 7. All in all I think it just does too many things.
7. You gain the following benefits, 3 things
You gain proficiency in the Nature skill.
You can speak with any animal or plant that you can see, and they can speak to you. If they do, you hear and understand it as Druidic, either verbally or telepathically.
You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened by plantlife, beasts, or magical effects that resemble plantlife or beasts.
> 8.Weird prerequisite for what the feat does and what it gives. Too long for a feat. Also, a feat that can be given or taken away by the DM depending on circumstances is called a “Supernatural Gift.” Later, after describing the saving throw to resist compulsion, you fail to mention how often saving throws are made.
PC irrates nature, nature takes PC to teach them a lesson, and part ways when dm deems lesson is taught. Considering previous contest entries, I thought this was ok. Noted, I did not mention and should have.
Thanks for the feedback, hope this clarifies some stuff.
The way that nature takes revenge seems backwards, though. It's kinda weird for nature to respond to being pissed off by... giving you a closer connection to nature and letting you talk with animals.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
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I kinda get it. It’s, like, giving them a deeper appreciation for nature so you can regret your previous offenses.
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Or a punishment. Now you can literally hear the crows laughing at you.
And the hyenas having dignified conversation.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Some responses to the feedback I’ve received.
I’m genuinely grateful for your feedback, it does help me improve, thank you.
Prayerbook of Divine Service
“Seems cool, but having sentience from the diety and then the create of the master/creator, doesn't describe how far that goes. Backfiring of the book suppressing other abilities doesn't make sense.”
Thank you for your feedback, on the sentience point, that’s probably my language lacking clarity and a work on point for me going forward. If you were referring to this paragraph:
“A Prayerbook of Divine Service contains a fragment of the essence of it's master. It possesses a limited sentience and will communicate with the signatory, through the transmission of emotions, to keep them aligned to the deity's goals.”
By “master” I was referring to the deity themself rather than another party. In essence I envisaged the book containing a small fragment of the will of the deity and that this would allow for an extremely limited form of communication between the book and the PC through emotions. Simply you get a feeling of joy for carrying out the gods will, or sadness when you act counter to it.
On the book suppressing other abilities, this was my attempt at a divine curse. I always envisaged this book being a temporary attunement for a single problem. Something to make my players approach a problem differently or think outside the box, but also something that doesn’t stick to them for longer than one or two sessions rather than a permanent suppression.
“Very interesting. I think you may want to include spells of 4th-level just in case a CR 25 or higher creature attuned to the book. I do think there should be an easier way out of the contract, other than completing the god’s will, and the number of spells you can choose is highly limiting. Otherwise, it seems alright.”
On 4th level spells, very fair, that was an oversight on my part.
On an easier way to exit the contract, as I mentioned above I always saw attuning to this item as a temporary thing and so hadn’t really considered this. I take your point though, as an initial thought, perhaps because the restriction was created as a kind of curse, it could be removed in a similar vein. I will think it over and make an update.
On the number of spells being highly limiting, this was an intentional choice. I wanted an item that was good at an initial glance, but when weighed against the cost was actually less of a certainty. I wanted it to provoke a bit of thought so that it wasn’t as simple as handing it off to the cleric. I could have made it too limiting though, thank you for raising this, i’ll review it going forward.
The Hallucinatory Panic Chamber
“Very cool! You should include some DCs for the checks.”
Thank you, very fair feedback. This was my first attempt at writing out an encounter, I usually treat DCs as subjective depending on what the players are doing vs the scenario, but with hindsight (rereading my submission) I can see how that is not conducive to writing an encounter for others to use. Point taken.
“I have no idea, I dont understand this entry or the submission topic.”
My language lacking clarity seems to be a running theme in my submissions. If you can give me a bit more detail I might be able to address this point.
“You didn’t state that the party was taking damage from the trap at all until the end, and then still didn’t state the amount. Additionally, the player buy-in that you mention is going to be extremely hard to obtain across the board, as not all players like telling a story of confusion and self-destruction of their own making. You have also not stated the DC for the Arcana, Insight, or Perception checks at the end of the passage, or where the Oblex is hiding. Still a creative idea I suppose.”
I think my writing style is lacking clarity here too, this is a work on point for me that I’ll take forward.
On the party taking damage from the trap (this is probably just a misinterpretation due to my poor articulation) but they aren't. The trap is purely illusory, any damage the party would be taking is from the Oblex and its "Eat Memories" action, which is why it’s psychic damage.
On the player buy-in, I agree this is tough. It probably needs a bit more thought, but once the Oblex is using its simulacrum to replace a character, it will become obvious to the players what’s happening, even if their characters wouldn't know. Player buy-in, though not perfect, seemed the simplest work-around, though I am open to suggestions.
On the DCs, This was mentioned above too, fair point, it’s an oversight on my part.
On where the Oblex is hiding, physically I don’t think this matters as they’re obfuscated by the illusion. I would have thought they don’t need to be hidden at all and could happily flatten themselves to the floor and drift amongst the players as the illusory gas and acid conceals them.
Polls close tonight, folks! True also for anybody in the U.S., so go vote.
Hey y'all. Sorry but I won't be able to vote in this competition. Life got really messy recently.
Sorry to hear it. If you aren't able to vote 5/5 on your own brews, I'll take that into account.
Results coming real soon!
Some notes: I'm checking the scores with and without the "troll" vote, although in passing it doesn't look like it will change anything. Also, I've added two 5/5 ratings for The_Summoning_Dark, as it appears they were not able to cast a vote. Finally, I'd appreciate at least one of you checking over the results with me.
I can try
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
If nobody else does it I’ll help, although ideally it should be someone who hasn’t competed.
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Sorry for the delay! Looks like winning entries are as follows:
DM Option
Prayerbook of Divine Service - Dragon_Shark (4.0)
PC Option
Will of the Horde - MilesToGo_24 (4.0)
Interactive Option
Mildor - ZombiesKlein (4.0)
Congratulations to Dragon_Shark, MilesToGo_24, and ZombiesKlein who are tied for the crown! Will you three be able to jointly decide who judges the next competition? I'd personally like ot see the title go to Dragon_Shark, as they have never judged before.
Also, let me know if anybody finds an error in the scorekeeping.
Edit: Be sure to knock off two 5/5 ratings from my brew and change them to 4/4s.
That’s why judges were never allowed to compete before. I didn’t think your entry was actually eligible this time either.
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