Dhampir should also get sunlight sensitivity to balance them out a bit more. Blade didn't have Sunlight Hypersensitivity (that Vampires have), but he definitely didn't like full sunlight.
Blade had no problem with sunlight and performed just fine in it. The same with Vampire hunter D. Sunlight sensitivity is a real nuisance and I'd prefer to get powerful bonus that only work in the dark or dim light as opposed being disadvantaged in the sunlight which is everywhere in most campaigns.
I still like the idea that being in direct sunlight just removes your Dhampir features like Spider Climb and Bite, meaning they're only useful inside, underground, or at night. No real penalties in direct sunlight, like disad on attacks or skill checks, just a removal of your already-existing racial/lineage advantages. Instead of Sunlight Sensitivity, give them "Darkness Adaptation: You get the below features (Spider Climb, Bite, etc) only when not in direct sunlight." or something like that. But in direct sunlight, you have all the stats of a vanilla human or whatever base race you were (whenever tf Wizards figures that out) before becoming a Dhampir.
Dhampir should also get sunlight sensitivity to balance them out a bit more. Blade didn't have Sunlight Hypersensitivity (that Vampires have), but he definitely didn't like full sunlight.
Blade had no problem with sunlight and performed just fine in it. The same with Vampire hunter D. Sunlight sensitivity is a real nuisance and I'd prefer to get powerful bonus that only work in the dark or dim light as opposed being disadvantaged in the sunlight which is everywhere in most campaigns.
On the other hand, I don't recall biting people being a major part of either of their shticks. Blade pretty much just has high stats and good saves. Vampire Hunter D has multiple superhuman abilities that you'd want to treat as class features.
I figure I’d offer an opinion on Sunlight Sensitivity...
From a lore standpoint, I’m “okay” with dhampir functioning uninhibited in sunlight...but that’s a certain kind of half breed. The outcast, the wanderer, the “Witcher-esque” hunter of monsters who draws from their strengths without their inherent weaknesses...feared by the mortal races out of their instinctual “fight or flight” response to being in the presence of what is essentially an apex predator (and probably that “hungry” look the bloke keeps shooting them)...and looked down upon by actual “superior” vampires for not being “pure”...despite not having their weaknesses.
(...I actually do see why real vampires frown upon dhampirs...they still have souls. Vampires don’t; so they aren’t held back by silly things like morality or guilt...they pretend at times; but that’s just a game. Dhampirs hunger and feel remorse for it...hence the “tormented” outcast)
Mechanically, I like that dhampirs don’t get Sunlight Sensitivity...personally, it’s the thing that turns me away from races that have it...makes me pick a half-drow over regular drow...or shy away from deep gnomes or kobolds.
I know, I know...the role play suits the weakness; and I could power-through such disadvantage.
I just prefer not to. I respect those who do.
I like this sort of dhampir for being the practically functional result of being “touched” by vampirism...and not having to be crippled by the weakness.
And, since this “sort” of dhampir does not have to be a traditional vampire...their hunger can come from mind-flayer infection, or some kind of psychic predator...not including “Sunlight Sensitivity” liberates the character to explore other concepts.
If you want to role play it; just have them wince whenever they step out into the sun; or describe that they’re mildly uncomfortable...
I figure I’d offer an opinion on Sunlight Sensitivity...
From a lore standpoint, I’m “okay” with dhampir functioning uninhibited in sunlight...but that’s a certain kind of half breed. The outcast, the wanderer, the “Witcher-esque” hunter of monsters who draws from their strengths without their inherent weaknesses...feared by the mortal races out of their instinctual “fight or flight” response to being in the presence of what is essentially an apex predator (and probably that “hungry” look the bloke keeps shooting them)...and looked down upon by actual “superior” vampires for not being “pure”...despite not having their weaknesses.
(...I actually do see why real vampires frown upon dhampirs...they still have souls. Vampires don’t; so they aren’t held back by silly things like morality or guilt...they pretend at times; but that’s just a game. Dhampirs hunger and feel remorse for it...hence the “tormented” outcast)
Mechanically, I like that dhampirs don’t get Sunlight Sensitivity...personally, it’s the thing that turns me away from races that have it...makes me pick a half-drow over regular drow...or shy away from deep gnomes or kobolds.
I know, I know...the role play suits the weakness; and I could power-through such disadvantage.
I just prefer not to. I respect those who do.
I like this sort of dhampir for being the practically functional result of being “touched” by vampirism...and not having to be crippled by the weakness.
And, since this “sort” of dhampir does not have to be a traditional vampire...their hunger can come from mind-flayer infection, or some kind of psychic predator...not including “Sunlight Sensitivity” liberates the character to explore other concepts.
If you want to role play it; just have them wince whenever they step out into the sun; or describe that they’re mildly uncomfortable...
This a good point I had not considered. I appreciate the information!!
Do you all think it's best to ... let's say "regulate" the Dhamphyr by imposing the above discussed a sunlight exhaustion or disadvantage mechanic, or tie the regulation into the hunger presented as fluff but could become a mechanical feeding obligation. Since hunger and not light sensitivity is in the lineage presented, I'd opt for the hunger. Blood or life force is not just empowerment in combat, or a proficiency boost shortly after a combat "juice up", it can be the need that separates the lineage from its purely humanoid kin more so than the nocturnal comfort zone.
I'm not entirely against sunlight sensitivity, and there's good precedent there for Drow, but really I don't think as a stricture it's thematically "dark" enough, so to speak. I'm more interested in pushing the hunger as the thing. Maybe it's to get something truly different (and a possible moral quandary for the party) than what we already see in Drow limiters. Or maybe it's the taste I walked away with after chewing over the Gothlines.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Do you all think it's best to ... let's say "regulate" the Dhamphyr by imposing the above discussed a sunlight exhaustion or disadvantage mechanic, or tie the regulation into the hunger presented as fluff but could become a mechanical feeding obligation. Since hunger and not light sensitivity is in the lineage presented, I'd opt for the hunger. Blood or life force is not just empowerment in combat, or a proficiency boost shortly after a combat "juice up", it can be the need that separates the lineage from its purely humanoid kin more so than the nocturnal comfort zone.
I'm not entirely against sunlight sensitivity, and there's good precedent there for Drow, but really I don't think as a stricture it's thematically "dark" enough, so to speak. I'm more interested in pushing the hunger as the thing. Maybe it's to get something truly different (and a possible moral quandary for the party) than what we already see in Drow limiters. Or maybe it's the taste I walked away with after chewing over the Gothlines.
Yeah I guess it depends on how much they draw from vampires...if its like how Goliaths are related to Giants I could see it being a long forgotten trait that has been removed via time or some other magical piece. If they are like Gnome ceremorphs were its some kind of corruption of the transformation that did not completely take hold I could see some sunlight sensitivity being part of the package.
Can’t wait for the Innistrad sourcebook to come out with all this. Yes, it’s Innistrad. Look, when they did Ravnica and Theros, they released an MTG set rebooting it at almost the exact same time. They’re releasing a new Innistrad MTG set this year, and the others are new settings (including the Forgotten Realms- they’re doing the crossover the other way, too). Except Zendikar, which is also a possibility.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
They said we've got established, non-MtG settings coming, and with the gothic horror stuff we've been getting, Ravenloft feels possible, but I almost wonder if it isn't going to be a "Domains of Dread" setting that includes more than just Ravenloft, maybe with a bit on Innistrad being one of those Domains.
They said we've got established, non-MtG settings coming, and with the gothic horror stuff we've been getting, Ravenloft feels possible, but I almost wonder if it isn't going to be a "Domains of Dread" setting that includes more than just Ravenloft, maybe with a bit on Innistrad being one of those Domains.
Innistrad being a domain of dread! It makes sense now!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
Also, when the result comes in, reply to this post. Then look at what we thought vs. what it actually was, and have fun pointing out the flaws in our arguments.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
They said we've got established, non-MtG settings coming, and with the gothic horror stuff we've been getting, Ravenloft feels possible, but I almost wonder if it isn't going to be a "Domains of Dread" setting that includes more than just Ravenloft, maybe with a bit on Innistrad being one of those Domains.
When the Innistrad Plane Shift was released (Plane Shifts were fairly short pdf's of ways to use M:tG settings in D&D), it mentioned how to play Curse of Strahd in Innistrad. I wouldn't be surprised if a setting book for Ravenloft mentioned how to play in Innistrad, or vice-versa.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A fool pulls the leaves. A brute chops the trunk. A sage digs the roots.
I think there's enough in the Strahd book that a whole campaign setting book for Ravenloft would either feel stretched or be smaller than most campaign books, which is why I'm leaning towards "Domains of Dread" as an overhead catch-all.
(Plus, it kinda conceptually opens things for Planescape shenanigans down the line by drawing attention to multiple planes and demiplanes rather than a singular place like Ravenloft)
Imagine: “Monster Hunter’s Guide to the Domains of Dread"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
I'd go with something like "Van Richten's Diary of the Dread Domains."
Or that.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
Wouldn't Domains of Dread be pockets of the Shadowfell? I think a Shadowfell book, with attention to how to design Domains of Dread, as well as playing D&D with varieities of dreadful atmosphere and other mechanics would be cool. A Feywild book following in short order.
But my wants aside, I have to admit the Innistrad argument also has a logic to it too. Are there non-MTG D&D publications that actually make mention of the MTG worlds? I'm not sure where I got the notion, maybe it's just the toggle here in DDB, but I thought for some reason MTG was kept separate from the "traditional" D&D multiverse. I mean clearly Theros and Ravinica can occur with the multiverse, but it's never actually said for some WOTC keeping properties close but also distinct reasons, if that makes sense.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Blade had no problem with sunlight and performed just fine in it. The same with Vampire hunter D. Sunlight sensitivity is a real nuisance and I'd prefer to get powerful bonus that only work in the dark or dim light as opposed being disadvantaged in the sunlight which is everywhere in most campaigns.
I still like the idea that being in direct sunlight just removes your Dhampir features like Spider Climb and Bite, meaning they're only useful inside, underground, or at night. No real penalties in direct sunlight, like disad on attacks or skill checks, just a removal of your already-existing racial/lineage advantages. Instead of Sunlight Sensitivity, give them "Darkness Adaptation: You get the below features (Spider Climb, Bite, etc) only when not in direct sunlight." or something like that. But in direct sunlight, you have all the stats of a vanilla human or whatever base race you were (whenever tf Wizards figures that out) before becoming a Dhampir.
I think they need a stronger penalty for sunlight IMO...you are part vampire after all.
You should get a level of exhaustion for every hour you spend in daylight. (maybe shorter time frame)
On the other hand, I don't recall biting people being a major part of either of their shticks. Blade pretty much just has high stats and good saves. Vampire Hunter D has multiple superhuman abilities that you'd want to treat as class features.
I figure I’d offer an opinion on Sunlight Sensitivity...
From a lore standpoint, I’m “okay” with dhampir functioning uninhibited in sunlight...but that’s a certain kind of half breed. The outcast, the wanderer, the “Witcher-esque” hunter of monsters who draws from their strengths without their inherent weaknesses...feared by the mortal races out of their instinctual “fight or flight” response to being in the presence of what is essentially an apex predator (and probably that “hungry” look the bloke keeps shooting them)...and looked down upon by actual “superior” vampires for not being “pure”...despite not having their weaknesses.
(...I actually do see why real vampires frown upon dhampirs...they still have souls. Vampires don’t; so they aren’t held back by silly things like morality or guilt...they pretend at times; but that’s just a game. Dhampirs hunger and feel remorse for it...hence the “tormented” outcast)
Mechanically, I like that dhampirs don’t get Sunlight Sensitivity...personally, it’s the thing that turns me away from races that have it...makes me pick a half-drow over regular drow...or shy away from deep gnomes or kobolds.
I know, I know...the role play suits the weakness; and I could power-through such disadvantage.
I just prefer not to. I respect those who do.
I like this sort of dhampir for being the practically functional result of being “touched” by vampirism...and not having to be crippled by the weakness.
And, since this “sort” of dhampir does not have to be a traditional vampire...their hunger can come from mind-flayer infection, or some kind of psychic predator...not including “Sunlight Sensitivity” liberates the character to explore other concepts.
If you want to role play it; just have them wince whenever they step out into the sun; or describe that they’re mildly uncomfortable...
This a good point I had not considered. I appreciate the information!!
Do you all think it's best to ... let's say "regulate" the Dhamphyr by imposing the above discussed a sunlight exhaustion or disadvantage mechanic, or tie the regulation into the hunger presented as fluff but could become a mechanical feeding obligation. Since hunger and not light sensitivity is in the lineage presented, I'd opt for the hunger. Blood or life force is not just empowerment in combat, or a proficiency boost shortly after a combat "juice up", it can be the need that separates the lineage from its purely humanoid kin more so than the nocturnal comfort zone.
I'm not entirely against sunlight sensitivity, and there's good precedent there for Drow, but really I don't think as a stricture it's thematically "dark" enough, so to speak. I'm more interested in pushing the hunger as the thing. Maybe it's to get something truly different (and a possible moral quandary for the party) than what we already see in Drow limiters. Or maybe it's the taste I walked away with after chewing over the Gothlines.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Yeah I guess it depends on how much they draw from vampires...if its like how Goliaths are related to Giants I could see it being a long forgotten trait that has been removed via time or some other magical piece. If they are like Gnome ceremorphs were its some kind of corruption of the transformation that did not completely take hold I could see some sunlight sensitivity being part of the package.
Can’t wait for the Innistrad sourcebook to come out with all this.
Yes, it’s Innistrad. Look, when they did Ravnica and Theros, they released an MTG set rebooting it at almost the exact same time. They’re releasing a new Innistrad MTG set this year, and the others are new settings (including the Forgotten Realms- they’re doing the crossover the other way, too). Except Zendikar, which is also a possibility.
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
I'd suspect either Innistrad of Ravenloft.
A fool pulls the leaves. A brute chops the trunk. A sage digs the roots.
My Improved Lineage System
They said we've got established, non-MtG settings coming, and with the gothic horror stuff we've been getting, Ravenloft feels possible, but I almost wonder if it isn't going to be a "Domains of Dread" setting that includes more than just Ravenloft, maybe with a bit on Innistrad being one of those Domains.
Innistrad being a domain of dread! It makes sense now!
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
Also, when the result comes in, reply to this post. Then look at what we thought vs. what it actually was, and have fun pointing out the flaws in our arguments.
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
When the Innistrad Plane Shift was released (Plane Shifts were fairly short pdf's of ways to use M:tG settings in D&D), it mentioned how to play Curse of Strahd in Innistrad. I wouldn't be surprised if a setting book for Ravenloft mentioned how to play in Innistrad, or vice-versa.
A fool pulls the leaves. A brute chops the trunk. A sage digs the roots.
My Improved Lineage System
I think there's enough in the Strahd book that a whole campaign setting book for Ravenloft would either feel stretched or be smaller than most campaign books, which is why I'm leaning towards "Domains of Dread" as an overhead catch-all.
(Plus, it kinda conceptually opens things for Planescape shenanigans down the line by drawing attention to multiple planes and demiplanes rather than a singular place like Ravenloft)
Imagine: “Monster Hunter’s Guide to the Domains of Dread"
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
I'd go with something like "Van Richten's Diary of the Dread Domains."
Or that.
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
Wouldn't Domains of Dread be pockets of the Shadowfell? I think a Shadowfell book, with attention to how to design Domains of Dread, as well as playing D&D with varieities of dreadful atmosphere and other mechanics would be cool. A Feywild book following in short order.
But my wants aside, I have to admit the Innistrad argument also has a logic to it too. Are there non-MTG D&D publications that actually make mention of the MTG worlds? I'm not sure where I got the notion, maybe it's just the toggle here in DDB, but I thought for some reason MTG was kept separate from the "traditional" D&D multiverse. I mean clearly Theros and Ravinica can occur with the multiverse, but it's never actually said for some WOTC keeping properties close but also distinct reasons, if that makes sense.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but the survey is out.
https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/survey-gothic-lineages
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills