So I am hoping this the right forum for this kind of thing. I had a cool idea that I wanted to check and see if it was feasible, that idea being a mimic knight. I know it’s probably been done before, but I want to make it original. I’m thinking of maybe home brewing some stuff but I wanted to get some feedback on this one first.
By "mimic", do you mean the classic D&D Mimic or just a general shapeshifter? The former is really outside of the purview of what Mimics are as creatures; a Doppelganger would probably be the easiest base from the MM to use for this concept. Can't really make further suggestions until I know what you want from this.
I was definitely thinking of the classic mimic. My first thought was that they would be somewhat of a beast trainer who tamed mimics or something similar.
Yes, actually my son came up with this idea a while back. It's obviously homebrew, but basically the mimic forms itself to look like a suit of armor. This would be like one that’s for display that’s all welded together so it’s one single item that the mimic could copy (not that it matters because it’s homebrew but whatever). Anyway, the mimic is an intelligent version and decides to be a hero. We made him a champion fighter because we thought that was simple enough to make the most sense for the character. The problem really came with AC because he can’t really wear armor (the armor it looks like he’s wearing is actually his skin). The premise was that people didn’t know he was a mimic so we couldn’t just have him hodge podge metal scraps to stick to him, but you could go that route. We ended up buffing natural armor a bit and had him use a shield. It was a low level one shot so that got us by.
Anyway, it’s a cool concept and hopefully this gives you some more ideas.
Yes, actually my son came up with this idea a while back. It's obviously homebrew, but basically the mimic forms itself to look like a suit of armor. This would be like one that’s for display that’s all welded together so it’s one single item that the mimic could copy (not that it matters because it’s homebrew but whatever). Anyway, the mimic is an intelligent version and decides to be a hero. We made him a champion fighter because we thought that was simple enough to make the most sense for the character. The problem really came with AC because he can’t really wear armor (the armor it looks like he’s wearing is actually his skin). The premise was that people didn’t know he was a mimic so we couldn’t just have him hodge podge metal scraps to stick to him, but you could go that route. We ended up buffing natural armor a bit and had him use a shield. It was a low level one shot so that got us by.
Anyway, it’s a cool concept and hopefully this gives you some more ideas.
As a variation on this, how about if the Mimic imitates a Warforged? Their 'armor' in inherent so nobody will look sideways at them for not eating, drinking, or taking their armor off.
Cool concept btw. I'm in the 'rule of cool' area for stuff like this so as long as it doesn't introduce any game-breaking mechanics, I say have fun with it.
Yes, actually my son came up with this idea a while back. It's obviously homebrew, but basically the mimic forms itself to look like a suit of armor. This would be like one that’s for display that’s all welded together so it’s one single item that the mimic could copy (not that it matters because it’s homebrew but whatever). Anyway, the mimic is an intelligent version and decides to be a hero. We made him a champion fighter because we thought that was simple enough to make the most sense for the character. The problem really came with AC because he can’t really wear armor (the armor it looks like he’s wearing is actually his skin). The premise was that people didn’t know he was a mimic so we couldn’t just have him hodge podge metal scraps to stick to him, but you could go that route. We ended up buffing natural armor a bit and had him use a shield. It was a low level one shot so that got us by.
Anyway, it’s a cool concept and hopefully this gives you some more ideas.
As a variation on this, how about if the Mimic imitates a Warforged? Their 'armor' in inherent so nobody will look sideways at them for not eating, drinking, or taking their armor off.
Cool concept btw. I'm in the 'rule of cool' area for stuff like this so as long as it doesn't introduce any game-breaking mechanics, I say have fun with it.
I had thought of that initally, but a warforged is not an object and therefore cannot be imitated by a mimic (maybe a dead one could be an object?). The concept we were going with is that no one knew he was a mimic (excluding party members). So in that case eating/sleeping/breathing/etc. would bring up questions becase a mimic would need to do those things where a warforged wouldn't. I like to try and make homebrew things work as close to RAW as possible and the warforged just ended up being just outside of that for my taste.
My question would be, could a mimic turn into a statue of a human and then put on armor for this homebrew purpose. Maybe it was affected by a modified Awaken that worked on it (since it isn’t a beast with INT of 3 or less). The stat block says things like “Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.” don’t kind of sounds like it could wear equipment. And it should be able to move as it also says “While the mimic remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary object.”
Anyway, neat idea for a homebrew character
I would make it so the mimics attacks with bite or pseudopod wouldn’t work with extra attack (it shouldn’t anyway but just mentioning it)
So, you basically want to be Venom? If you want to completely avoid homebrew, you could reflavor a Lizardfolk (for the Bite, Hungry Jaws, and Natural Armor) Barbarian (Str based and additional ways to get higher AC). Go Path of the Beast (for obvious reasons). Your Bite can be enhanced, you can gain claws that let you go on a frenzy (you can even Claw, Bite, Claw, Hungry Jaws with this option), or use the tail/tendril to block those attacks from behind.
i agree that reflavoring a current class makes more sense than homebrewing a new one (from balance, effort, and ease-of-use perspectives). my first thought was wearing the mimic as a backpack in the city and then figuring out something more 'flashy' and aggressive out in the field. my only reluctance as a DM is that mimics are ambush predators, not normally known for going on long walks in the woods. I feel like the statblock for mimic doesn't fully convey this nuance. the player would have to be ready for a dm to say no to sending the pet off scouting or such. i was thinking...
arcane trickster rogue has the mage hand legerdemain (and later versatile trickster) which could be camouflaged tentacle assists. spells (and magical ambush, how on-brand!) could be re-themed as this Most Interesting Mimic in the World teaching the rogue magic. or maybe the mimic drains magic (hungers for it!) and the rogue friend learns to borrow that to shape that into new spells. any 'magic drain' could be entirely narrative right up until 17th level spell thief shenanigans.
fathomless warlock with maybe the mimic as a go-between funneling patron power to the warlock while boosting their own accomplishments. tentacle of the deeps (and later guardian coil) has a 1-minute time limit which reflects how i feel about mimics and exhausting easily. and then there's evard's black tentacles. nuff said?
drakewarden ranger (acid) with always-on spider climb (15th level while wearing mimic in backpack form) instead of flying. having a 15ft move speed pet would be off-set by adhesive, false appearance, and grappler abilities. in a fight: drop your backpack, step back, and dare that bugbear to come closer. 30ft acid breath weapon over your shoulder or deployed remotely like a spiteful living claymore mine.
So I am hoping this the right forum for this kind of thing. I had a cool idea that I wanted to check and see if it was feasible, that idea being a mimic knight. I know it’s probably been done before, but I want to make it original. I’m thinking of maybe home brewing some stuff but I wanted to get some feedback on this one first.
All insight is highly appreciated.
By "mimic", do you mean the classic D&D Mimic or just a general shapeshifter? The former is really outside of the purview of what Mimics are as creatures; a Doppelganger would probably be the easiest base from the MM to use for this concept. Can't really make further suggestions until I know what you want from this.
I was definitely thinking of the classic mimic. My first thought was that they would be somewhat of a beast trainer who tamed mimics or something similar.
Yes, actually my son came up with this idea a while back. It's obviously homebrew, but basically the mimic forms itself to look like a suit of armor. This would be like one that’s for display that’s all welded together so it’s one single item that the mimic could copy (not that it matters because it’s homebrew but whatever). Anyway, the mimic is an intelligent version and decides to be a hero. We made him a champion fighter because we thought that was simple enough to make the most sense for the character. The problem really came with AC because he can’t really wear armor (the armor it looks like he’s wearing is actually his skin). The premise was that people didn’t know he was a mimic so we couldn’t just have him hodge podge metal scraps to stick to him, but you could go that route. We ended up buffing natural armor a bit and had him use a shield. It was a low level one shot so that got us by.
Anyway, it’s a cool concept and hopefully this gives you some more ideas.
That actually really helps, thank you very much!
As a variation on this, how about if the Mimic imitates a Warforged? Their 'armor' in inherent so nobody will look sideways at them for not eating, drinking, or taking their armor off.
Cool concept btw. I'm in the 'rule of cool' area for stuff like this so as long as it doesn't introduce any game-breaking mechanics, I say have fun with it.
That’s really interesting. That clears one of the main issues I was facing. Thank you for the feedback!
I had thought of that initally, but a warforged is not an object and therefore cannot be imitated by a mimic (maybe a dead one could be an object?). The concept we were going with is that no one knew he was a mimic (excluding party members). So in that case eating/sleeping/breathing/etc. would bring up questions becase a mimic would need to do those things where a warforged wouldn't. I like to try and make homebrew things work as close to RAW as possible and the warforged just ended up being just outside of that for my taste.
Great idea though!
My question would be, could a mimic turn into a statue of a human and then put on armor for this homebrew purpose. Maybe it was affected by a modified Awaken that worked on it (since it isn’t a beast with INT of 3 or less). The stat block says things like “Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.” don’t kind of sounds like it could wear equipment. And it should be able to move as it also says “While the mimic remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary object.”
Anyway, neat idea for a homebrew character
I would make it so the mimics attacks with bite or pseudopod wouldn’t work with extra attack (it shouldn’t anyway but just mentioning it)
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
i agree that reflavoring a current class makes more sense than homebrewing a new one (from balance, effort, and ease-of-use perspectives). my first thought was wearing the mimic as a backpack in the city and then figuring out something more 'flashy' and aggressive out in the field. my only reluctance as a DM is that mimics are ambush predators, not normally known for going on long walks in the woods. I feel like the statblock for mimic doesn't fully convey this nuance. the player would have to be ready for a dm to say no to sending the pet off scouting or such. i was thinking...
unhappy at the way in which we lost individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
tell them you don't like features disappeared quietly in the night: provide feedback!
I created A mimic that thinks he is a knight protecting some kids in an abandoned house.
The mimic can barely speak and is denial that he is a mimic, and the kids love him.
This gives the players some hard decisions on what to do in that situation.