I just introduced my best friend into the world of dnd, and while making her first character, she became absolutely obsessed with playing a drow character. I have to be honest, drows are super cool and really edgy, but a major downside is the sunlight sensitivity feature.
We talked to our dm, who said that there will be a good portion of our new campaign that will have to be in broad daylight. I want to make sure her first campaign is the best it can be, she might have to sacrifice her desire to play a drow, but as a last effort to help her play this character I wanted to ask if anyone had any ideas.
One idea I had was that she could play a half-drow, and have sunlight sensitivity be less severe? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated, and I will probably suggest them to my dm. Thx ^_^
Spellcaster focused on saving throw abilities, Darkness combined with shadow sorcerer or devil's sight, if the DM cooperates and you can get to a high enough level to start picking up rares Knave's Eye Patch will solve it completely.
Perhaps some goggles that eliminate the disadvantage to attack at cost of an AC (only dex mod, not armor) and perhaps -1 to hit. The idea being that they reduce the glare, but still hamper the vision (perception doesn't get an uptick because of it) enough that it's still a little hard to see where things are in relation to you, which affects your dodging ability. This could be a simple -1 to your dex modifier, which would hit stealth, acrobatics, & sleight of hand, plus the dex save, initiative, AC, and damage and hit rolls for dex characters. For other characters, that wouldn't work and it might be a bit much for a dex character anyway. But it's at least something to think about.
Yeah the sunlight sensitivity is a little hard to work around or weaken. It may take some homebrewing akin to the half-drow you mentioned. Perhaps you could say it doesn't have disadvantage on attacks but can't get advantage while in sunlight. Though this is a quick idea and may not balance well in game. Of course a Drow's sensitivity is a big part of their character and could provide for some fun roleplay aspects. Maybe talk with your DM about a magic item the party could find or purchase for their new Drow friend to help them in sunlight.
It’s not always bad having a weakness though. I’m playing a character right now who is a wizard who hates fire and won’t use fire spells because it can damage “his” books. She just might have a ton of fun with that weakness in sunlight as long as she understands it up front.
Easiest fix is to eliminate the sensitivity and reduce darkvision from 120' to 60'. This particular drow had to spend time above ground and although it now it is better in the sun, it loses it's keen darkvision compared to other drow.
It’s not always bad having a weakness though. I’m playing a character right now who is a wizard who hates fire and won’t use fire spells because it can damage “his” books. She just might have a ton of fun with that weakness in sunlight as long as she understands it up front.
This right here.
This gives her a great aspect to do a lot of role-playing with - by which I mean making choices from the perspective of the character - especially for a new Player. It's a lot harder to ignore, or forget, that some vague goal scribbled down in a forgotten backstory write up.
Don't forget that the Drow weaknesses are written in as a game balance for some of their abilities. Would you give her a Berserker Barbarian, but then petition the DM to make her immune to Exhaustion?
Plus, finding the means of mitigating or eliminating that weakness, over time, can be the source of future adventure: finding the underground caverns in which the plant grows that can be brewed into a ( limited supply ) of a "Drow sunscreen" might be an adventure all it's own; being given a magical item which helps her deal with her vulnerability could be an awesome reward for her ( which could never happen if she was immune ). Having to take her vulnerabilities into consideration could definitely change the Party tactics in interesting ways - and become an source of character-to-character interactions.
It's up to her and your DM, but I wouldn't rush to eliminate the story possibilities of running with that vulnerability, so quickly.
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I play a Drow in Dragon Heist where my DM and I came up with a bit of a work around that gives a nod to the Sunlight Sensitivity and a nod to having been a surface dweller for a while:
Darkvision is still 120'
I still retain the disadvantage on Perception rolls, however I'm much better at my attacks and do not suffer disadvantage on my attacks. Instead I have a static -2 modifier to indicate that my eyes are getting better at handling the piercing light. To compensate for this I have found a way to acquire a Familiar which can work as a helper to increase my chances of success.
Having a limitation like Sunlight Sensitivity is an interesting RP tool, and mechanically can be daunting at first. Fortunately, with creativity, it is possible to mitigate that limitation and turn it into a part of your character that makes them very unique.
The reason for the sensitivity is just because drow are 'super cool and super edgy' and the entire fricking D&D world would be about 50% drow if they didn't have a significant limitation. Everyone wants to be the dark brooding magical type with the secret heart of gold.
Keep the sensitivity, it's balance, and it's part of what makes drow 'cool'. Just play it like it is, and she can find ways in character to work around it.
One option is to take 3 levels of warlock to have darkness+devils sight for those times when you have fight in daylight. The magic item from Dragon Heist is another option.
I'm playing a Circle of the Moon Druid right now and I'm using Fog Cloud and changing into either a Giant Spider or Giant Crayfish to get Blindsight and while it's great, it also strands me because none of my party members can work with me in the Fog Cloud since they're blinded in there too. Fog Cloud is one way to block Devil's Sight by the way.
The reason for the sensitivity is just because drow are 'super cool and super edgy' and the entire fricking D&D world would be about 50% drow if they didn't have a significant limitation. Everyone wants to be the dark brooding magical type with the secret heart of gold.
Keep the sensitivity, it's balance, and it's part of what makes drow 'cool'. Just play it like it is, and she can find ways in character to work around it.
I'm with you. If you're going to play a race with significant mechanical or lore-based downsides in the world your DM is using, own it. Building your character to try and mitigate the disadvantage is one thing, everyone looks for ways in their life to mitigate their own weaknesses. But if your instinct is to "special case" your way around the issue, especially in a way that forces the DM to homebrew rules, maybe rethink your choice.
The reason for the sensitivity is just because drow are 'super cool and super edgy' and the entire fricking D&D world would be about 50% drow if they didn't have a significant limitation. Everyone wants to be the dark brooding magical type with the secret heart of gold.
Keep the sensitivity, it's balance, and it's part of what makes drow 'cool'. Just play it like it is, and she can find ways in character to work around it.
I'm with you. If you're going to play a race with significant mechanical or lore-based downsides in the world your DM is using, own it. Building your character to try and mitigate the disadvantage is one thing, everyone looks for ways in their life to mitigate their own weaknesses. But if your instinct is to "special case" your way around the issue, especially in a way that forces the DM to homebrew rules, maybe rethink your choice.
Exactly. If you're looking for edgy and cool, you could easily just play a normal elf who did and thought all the edgy and cool stuff you'd have your drow do and think.
Regular elf + black leather + edgy attitude = Drow without drawbacks :)
Darkness combined with shadow sorcerer or devil's sight
Shadow Sorcerer won't work. Eyes of the Dark says you see through the Darkness spell, so it's the same as the spell not being there as far as your vision is concerned. At least Devil's Sight says you "see normally in darkness."
But you could put the darkness up against a cave entrance or the like for a blackout curtain effect and see through it. It doesn't help the clause about the target being in direct sunlight. Of course, the drow could have some great utility cantrips to use when the creatures resist the saving throw damage cantrips that they possess (ie toll the dead).
But you could put the darkness up against a cave entrance or the like for a blackout curtain effect and see through it.
If there's sunlight outside and you see through the darkness spell, you're still staring at sunlight.
Is the drow sensitivity from being in sunlight, or having the sunlight in their eyes? I.E. is it just a physiological thing--been underground, can't take this light! Or is it a magical thing--their bodies don't react well to sunlight? Has that been Crawforded...or ReCrawforded...at some point? Devil's Sight just says that you 'see normally'. That doesn't mean you can't see the darkness, that what's in the darkness isn't slightly dimmer, etc. When I put on sunglasses in bright sunlight, I still consider myself to be 'seeing normally', right? :)
I just introduced my best friend into the world of dnd, and while making her first character, she became absolutely obsessed with playing a drow character. I have to be honest, drows are super cool and really edgy, but a major downside is the sunlight sensitivity feature.
We talked to our dm, who said that there will be a good portion of our new campaign that will have to be in broad daylight. I want to make sure her first campaign is the best it can be, she might have to sacrifice her desire to play a drow, but as a last effort to help her play this character I wanted to ask if anyone had any ideas.
One idea I had was that she could play a half-drow, and have sunlight sensitivity be less severe? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated, and I will probably suggest them to my dm. Thx ^_^
Spellcaster focused on saving throw abilities, Darkness combined with shadow sorcerer or devil's sight, if the DM cooperates and you can get to a high enough level to start picking up rares Knave's Eye Patch will solve it completely.
Perhaps some goggles that eliminate the disadvantage to attack at cost of an AC (only dex mod, not armor) and perhaps -1 to hit. The idea being that they reduce the glare, but still hamper the vision (perception doesn't get an uptick because of it) enough that it's still a little hard to see where things are in relation to you, which affects your dodging ability. This could be a simple -1 to your dex modifier, which would hit stealth, acrobatics, & sleight of hand, plus the dex save, initiative, AC, and damage and hit rolls for dex characters. For other characters, that wouldn't work and it might be a bit much for a dex character anyway. But it's at least something to think about.
Yeah the sunlight sensitivity is a little hard to work around or weaken. It may take some homebrewing akin to the half-drow you mentioned. Perhaps you could say it doesn't have disadvantage on attacks but can't get advantage while in sunlight. Though this is a quick idea and may not balance well in game. Of course a Drow's sensitivity is a big part of their character and could provide for some fun roleplay aspects. Maybe talk with your DM about a magic item the party could find or purchase for their new Drow friend to help them in sunlight.
Half Drow is the most reasonable solution IMO.
As I understand it the sunlight issue is as much mental as physical, so "ze goggles, they do nothing". As always it is ultimately the DM's call.
Perpetually annoyed that Eldritch Knights can't use Eldritch Blast, Eldritch Smite, and Eldritch Sight.
It’s not always bad having a weakness though. I’m playing a character right now who is a wizard who hates fire and won’t use fire spells because it can damage “his” books. She just might have a ton of fun with that weakness in sunlight as long as she understands it up front.
Professional computer geek
Easiest fix is to eliminate the sensitivity and reduce darkvision from 120' to 60'. This particular drow had to spend time above ground and although it now it is better in the sun, it loses it's keen darkvision compared to other drow.
This right here.
This gives her a great aspect to do a lot of role-playing with - by which I mean making choices from the perspective of the character - especially for a new Player. It's a lot harder to ignore, or forget, that some vague goal scribbled down in a forgotten backstory write up.
Don't forget that the Drow weaknesses are written in as a game balance for some of their abilities. Would you give her a Berserker Barbarian, but then petition the DM to make her immune to Exhaustion?
Plus, finding the means of mitigating or eliminating that weakness, over time, can be the source of future adventure: finding the underground caverns in which the plant grows that can be brewed into a ( limited supply ) of a "Drow sunscreen" might be an adventure all it's own; being given a magical item which helps her deal with her vulnerability could be an awesome reward for her ( which could never happen if she was immune ). Having to take her vulnerabilities into consideration could definitely change the Party tactics in interesting ways - and become an source of character-to-character interactions.
It's up to her and your DM, but I wouldn't rush to eliminate the story possibilities of running with that vulnerability, so quickly.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I play a Drow in Dragon Heist where my DM and I came up with a bit of a work around that gives a nod to the Sunlight Sensitivity and a nod to having been a surface dweller for a while:
Darkvision is still 120'
I still retain the disadvantage on Perception rolls, however I'm much better at my attacks and do not suffer disadvantage on my attacks. Instead I have a static -2 modifier to indicate that my eyes are getting better at handling the piercing light. To compensate for this I have found a way to acquire a Familiar which can work as a helper to increase my chances of success.
Having a limitation like Sunlight Sensitivity is an interesting RP tool, and mechanically can be daunting at first. Fortunately, with creativity, it is possible to mitigate that limitation and turn it into a part of your character that makes them very unique.
The reason for the sensitivity is just because drow are 'super cool and super edgy' and the entire fricking D&D world would be about 50% drow if they didn't have a significant limitation. Everyone wants to be the dark brooding magical type with the secret heart of gold.
Keep the sensitivity, it's balance, and it's part of what makes drow 'cool'. Just play it like it is, and she can find ways in character to work around it.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
One option is to take 3 levels of warlock to have darkness+devils sight for those times when you have fight in daylight. The magic item from Dragon Heist is another option.
I'm playing a Circle of the Moon Druid right now and I'm using Fog Cloud and changing into either a Giant Spider or Giant Crayfish to get Blindsight and while it's great, it also strands me because none of my party members can work with me in the Fog Cloud since they're blinded in there too. Fog Cloud is one way to block Devil's Sight by the way.
Professional computer geek
I'm with you. If you're going to play a race with significant mechanical or lore-based downsides in the world your DM is using, own it. Building your character to try and mitigate the disadvantage is one thing, everyone looks for ways in their life to mitigate their own weaknesses. But if your instinct is to "special case" your way around the issue, especially in a way that forces the DM to homebrew rules, maybe rethink your choice.
Depending on what exactly drew her to Drow, she could potentially be interested in Shadar-kai or House of Shadow Elves if your DM allows those.
Exactly. If you're looking for edgy and cool, you could easily just play a normal elf who did and thought all the edgy and cool stuff you'd have your drow do and think.
Regular elf + black leather + edgy attitude = Drow without drawbacks :)
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
Half Drow or ask the DM if you can ignore the sunlight sensitivity
Shadow Sorcerer won't work. Eyes of the Dark says you see through the Darkness spell, so it's the same as the spell not being there as far as your vision is concerned. At least Devil's Sight says you "see normally in darkness."
But you could put the darkness up against a cave entrance or the like for a blackout curtain effect and see through it. It doesn't help the clause about the target being in direct sunlight. Of course, the drow could have some great utility cantrips to use when the creatures resist the saving throw damage cantrips that they possess (ie toll the dead).
If there's sunlight outside and you see through the darkness spell, you're still staring at sunlight.
Is the drow sensitivity from being in sunlight, or having the sunlight in their eyes? I.E. is it just a physiological thing--been underground, can't take this light! Or is it a magical thing--their bodies don't react well to sunlight? Has that been Crawforded...or ReCrawforded...at some point? Devil's Sight just says that you 'see normally'. That doesn't mean you can't see the darkness, that what's in the darkness isn't slightly dimmer, etc. When I put on sunglasses in bright sunlight, I still consider myself to be 'seeing normally', right? :)
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)