Hi! I've been copying and modifying the Wolfkind homebrew for a campaign of mine (not to publish), but got kinda stumped by the Frost Wolf subclass' Freezing Howl ability implementation. The ability is described as:
Freezing Howl. As an action, you can unleash a magic-laced howl to debilitate those nearby. Every creature within a 15-foot radius from you must make a Constitution saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus. On a failed save, the target takes 2d8 cold damage and its speed is halved until the end of its next turn. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage, and its speed is not affected. This effect increases in damage by 1d8 when you reach 6th level(3d8), 11th level(4d8), and 16th level(5d8). Once you use your freezing howl, you must complete a short or long rest before you can do so again.
The challenge comes from how the saving throw is calculated by the highest of three modifiers. This would be easy enough with just a snippet {{savedc:int,wis,cha}}, but I'm trying to create an Action for it as well. In the Action form, selecting a Save Type makes selecting the Ability Score Type mandatory, but I need it to be the highest of the three.
I've tried to just make three separate actions for each of the three modifiers, but that looks bad and makes the usage limitation hard to track. Currently I just have the Save Type unassigned completely, but I wanted to ask out of curiosity if there is a neater way of doing this? I've made Freezing Howl a racial trait, containing the three actions and a modifier for the speed effect.
And yes, I probably could have found a ready-made homebrew of the race, but I took it as an introductory challenge to creating one myself.
You want to add three Options to that racial trait, one for each of the three abilities, and add the same Action to each Option, only with the respective ability score designated for the save DC. So you would make an Option labeled “Freezing Howl (Int)” and when you add that Action to that option set Int as the ability score for the Action. Then do it again for Wis & Cha. Then it’ll be up to the player to choose the appropriate Options that matches their highest score. You can learn all about Options in the Homebrew Subclasses & Species FAQ #1: (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/homebrew-house-rules/131411-a-homebrewers-how-to-faq).
Thank you! I actually had this thought a while after making the post but didn't get around to trying it yet (mostly because my programmer brain insisted on coming up with a more automated solution even if that's likely impossible). This does seem like the best way to go about it, and it's certainly better than not seeing the DC on the action.
Love your contributions to the Homebrew tutorials, btw, they've been an invaluable help in this process!
Thanks. I’m glad you found it so useful. If you really want to thank me, please vote “very helpful” in the poll attached to that FAQ I linked in my last post.
As for automating that feature, it might be doable depending on how the rest of the Traits are set up. If there’s another trait that lets them choose between Int, Wis, or Cha, say as a spellcasting ability or something, then you could set the Options for this trait up as a “granted traits” with prerequisites and then the system would automatically apply the Option with the same ability. Now, that’s not a perfect solution since it’s certainly possible that whichever ability they chose wouldn’t necessarily end up as their highest ability score of the three, but the chances of that are very, very slim.
Thanks. I’m glad you found it so useful. If you really want to thank me, please vote “very helpful” in the poll attached to that FAQ I linked in my last post.
As for automating that feature, it might be doable depending on how the rest of the Traits are set up. If there’s another trait that lets them choose between Int, Wis, or Cha, say as a spellcasting ability or something, then you could set the Options for this trait up as a “granted traits” with prerequisites and then the system would automatically apply the Option with the same ability. Now, that’s not a perfect solution since it’s certainly possible that whichever ability they chose wouldn’t necessarily end up as their highest ability score of the three, but the chances of that are very, very slim.
Hi! I've been copying and modifying the Wolfkind homebrew for a campaign of mine (not to publish), but got kinda stumped by the Frost Wolf subclass' Freezing Howl ability implementation. The ability is described as:
The challenge comes from how the saving throw is calculated by the highest of three modifiers. This would be easy enough with just a snippet {{savedc:int,wis,cha}}, but I'm trying to create an Action for it as well. In the Action form, selecting a Save Type makes selecting the Ability Score Type mandatory, but I need it to be the highest of the three.
I've tried to just make three separate actions for each of the three modifiers, but that looks bad and makes the usage limitation hard to track. Currently I just have the Save Type unassigned completely, but I wanted to ask out of curiosity if there is a neater way of doing this? I've made Freezing Howl a racial trait, containing the three actions and a modifier for the speed effect.
And yes, I probably could have found a ready-made homebrew of the race, but I took it as an introductory challenge to creating one myself.
Fresh DM
You want to add three Options to that racial trait, one for each of the three abilities, and add the same Action to each Option, only with the respective ability score designated for the save DC. So you would make an Option labeled “Freezing Howl (Int)” and when you add that Action to that option set Int as the ability score for the Action. Then do it again for Wis & Cha. Then it’ll be up to the player to choose the appropriate Options that matches their highest score. You can learn all about Options in the Homebrew Subclasses & Species FAQ #1: (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/homebrew-house-rules/131411-a-homebrewers-how-to-faq).
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Thank you! I actually had this thought a while after making the post but didn't get around to trying it yet (mostly because my programmer brain insisted on coming up with a more automated solution even if that's likely impossible). This does seem like the best way to go about it, and it's certainly better than not seeing the DC on the action.
Love your contributions to the Homebrew tutorials, btw, they've been an invaluable help in this process!
Fresh DM
Thanks. I’m glad you found it so useful. If you really want to thank me, please vote “very helpful” in the poll attached to that FAQ I linked in my last post.
As for automating that feature, it might be doable depending on how the rest of the Traits are set up. If there’s another trait that lets them choose between Int, Wis, or Cha, say as a spellcasting ability or something, then you could set the Options for this trait up as a “granted traits” with prerequisites and then the system would automatically apply the Option with the same ability. Now, that’s not a perfect solution since it’s certainly possible that whichever ability they chose wouldn’t necessarily end up as their highest ability score of the three, but the chances of that are very, very slim.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Thanks. I’m glad you found it so useful. If you really want to thank me, please vote “very helpful” in the poll attached to that FAQ I linked in my last post.
As for automating that feature, it might be doable depending on how the rest of the Traits are set up. If there’s another trait that lets them choose between Int, Wis, or Cha, say as a spellcasting ability or something, then you could set the Options for this trait up as a “granted traits” with prerequisites and then the system would automatically apply the Option with the same ability. Now, that’s not a perfect solution since it’s certainly possible that whichever ability they chose wouldn’t necessarily end up as their highest ability score of the three, but the chances of that are very, very slim.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting