Hi there! The following not really being posted because i'm looking for or wanting feedback. Its just letting other know how I slightly modify lycanthropes in my game. If people want to take something away from it, then great, if they dislike it, D&D is mixed bag of preferences and playstyles after all, but I'm not looking for criticism so don't bother. Lycanthropes as they were just never felt quite right, and small things that people, especially if they're the type to overly worry about being consistent and/or following RAW, were unsure about: like how lycanthropes react to harm from a normal dagger when in humanoid form, how they are missing features of the beast their curse is based on, how beast form is typically worthless in comparison to hybrid, how PC lycanthropy can be broken early game, or how a lycanthrope's own attacks aren't magical, etc. This kind of stuff just keep slowing down the flow of a game. That's why I came up with the following, some small adjustment to help the mechanics sync with the lore & RP.
Lycanthropy: After contracting the curse by a bite, an afflicted creature does not display any symptoms or features until the next full moon, they can even be killed by mortal means. Each morning after a transformation a DC15 wisdom save is made to see if the afflicted remembers the events of the previous night. Creatures that are unaware of their lycanthropy, assume beast form on a full moon, those that are aware, having recalled their nightmares and have chosen to fight it, assume hybrid form, and those that embraceit, can choose hybrid or beast form. For detecting Lycanthropes with silver, there is no reaction with the skin, they can pick up silver without issue as silver just reacts with blood to prevent their healing factor. The worst case scenario when handling silver is maybe a rash after a few hours like a mild allergy (which about 12% of people are allergic to anyway, a surprisingly high statistic), or poisoned condition if it was somehow ingested. Consider having their primal misadventures last over three nights instead of the one, encompassing the nights immediately before and after the night of the full moon: Full Moon Rising & Full Moon Risen. Adding further death and danger to a lycanthrope's presence in a community, even if they are unaware of their curse. I recommend Fantasy Calendar if you need a resource for tracking in game days and lunar cycles https://fantasy-calendar.com/
In addition, the Lycanthrope stat blocks have been changed in the following ways: - NPC lycanthropes have had their base health adjusted; their hit die count is now equal to their CR x 3 + con mod. Additionally, if their beast form is a Large size creature, their hit die is now a D10 instead of a D8. (This is to balance the changes below). - All lycanthropes are now resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks that aren't silvered, instead of immune. (Just makes a lot of mechanic interactions easier this way, and with the No mortal weapon feature below, the lore for requiring silver to kill a lycanthrope holds true just as well, if not better, than before) - All lycanthropes are now vulnerable to damage from silvered weapons. (Feel more rewarding to silver your weapons now, as once you get a couple magic weapons the concept of silvering becomes useless, but this keeps it relevant). -All lycanthrope’s speeds in human form are 30 ft, and their speeds in Hybrid & Beast form match the beast they turn into (just common sense and give them an important feature of predators chasing prey). - All lycanthropes now have a feature only usable in their beast form called “Beast’s Nature” This feature differs depending on the lycanthrope, being a feature typically belonging to a non-lycanthrope version of their beast form, such as a giant rat’s pact tactics. (Much needed buffs to beast form, after all, a lycan shouldn't have worse features then a Non-lycanthrope version of the beast they turn into). Lycanthrope (Beast/Hybrid Size) Beast’s Nature (Beast Form) Werebear (Large) Alternate Multiattack: they can switch one of their claws attacks for a bite attack (Normally can only make one bite attack or two claw attacks). Wereboar (Medium) Relentless: Now Boar Form only, can still be used after rolling the result of “No Mortal Weapon”. (technically a Nerf, I know) Wererat (Small/Medium) Pact Tactics. Weretiger (Large/Medium) Hidden Hunter: Gains expertise in stealth. Werewolf (Medium) Vicious Take Down: When a creature is hit by the werewolf's bite attack, it must succeed on a DC13 strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- All lycanthropes gain a new feature called "No Mortal Weapon". The idea is more folklore "no mortal weapon deal”, so not including advanced warfare like a Bazooka. Hence fall damage, drowning, 1000 rounds of a minigun, or any general excessive damage without silver has a chance to kill them. No Mortal Weapon. If damage reduces the lycanthrope to 0 Hit Points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to half the damage taken, unless the damage is from a silvered weapon. On a success, the lycanthrope drops to 1 hit point instead. (However, when a lycanthrope in humanoid form, that is unaware of their curse, succeeds a saving throw, they still regain 1hp, but also still fall unconscious, and can easily be mistaken for dead. They regain consciousness after 1d4 hours, or after regaining more hit points. If they are still unconscious by the strike of midnight during a full moon, they must attempt to regain as much health as possible from rolling hit dice, as if they had just taken a short rest). (This lets the character and those around not realize a thing, especially if the DM rolls death saves instead of the players). (This way PC's who failed to get silver weapons still have a chance of success, especially if lycanthropes appeared without warning, but their is still a large incentive to fight using silver, and you don't have to deal with the bull of "technically the ancient dragon toppling a mountain on top of the werewolf dosnt kill him"
- The feature Shapechanger has been changed to the following below: Shapechanger. Lycanthropes that have embraced the curse, can use their Bonus action to polymorph into a beast-humanoid hybrid or into a Beast form or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than its AC, speed & size, are the same in hybrid and humanoid form, but in its beast form, its mental ability scores become the same as the beast. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. (Was dumb that a lycanthrope who embraced their curse has to change as an action, its just not worthwhile action economy). - A creature that has not embraced their curse is unable to use shapechanger at will and instead of a bonus action, their forced transformation on a full moon takes a full 1 minute the first time they transform, and 1 turn every forced transformation after. (Lets you play out horrific transformation the first time, and but shortens it to a smaller frame of vulnerability for ease later, and shortens even furthur if the curse is embraced, giving those afraid of the vulnerability of transforming more incentive to give in to the curse) However, while in their humanoid form, they do otherwise retain the features, damage immunities, resistances and vulnerabilities of their hybrid/beast forms, but their ability scores and skills remain the same as their original humanoid form. (Now with non-magical damage being resistant instead of immune, this becomes a lot easier to sneak in without people noticing, no more "I prick their finger and see if it instantly heals" , the only traits that really will stand out as a give away, that's usable in humanoid form, is keen senses)
A lycanthrope only while in their hybrid or beast form, or after they embrace their curse, gains the: alignment, ability scores, speeds, & skills of the lycanthrope stat block if they are a low CR NPC, and a high CR NPC or a PC, gains the alignment, speeds, and benefits below.
Werebear. The character gains a Strength of 19 if their score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in bear or hybrid form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength. They also gain expertise in the Perception skill if they do not have it already.
Wereboar. The character gains a Strength of 17 if his or her score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in boar or hybrid form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the tusks are based on Strength. For the Charge trait, the DC is 8 + the character’s proficiency bonus + Strength modifier.
Wererat. The character gains a Dexterity of 15 if his or her score isn’t already higher. Attack and damage rolls for the bite are based on whichever is higher of the character’s Strength and Dexterity. They also gain proficiency in the stealth skill if they do not have it already.
Weretiger. The character gains a Strength of 17 if his or her score isn’t already higher. Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength. For the Pounce trait, the DC is 8 + the character’s proficiency bonus + Strength modifier. They also gain proficiency in the stealth & perception skills, if they do not have it already.
Werewolf. The character gains a Strength of 15 if his or her score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in wolf or hybrid form (from natural armour). Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength. They also gain proficiency in the stealth & perception skills, if they do not have it already.
The Curse DC of their Bite: DC 8 + the lycanthrope’s proficiency bonus + the lycanthrope’s Constitution modifier or be cursed.
When a creature unaware of their curse transforms into their beast form, that beast form is consumed with impulse, instinct, and primal savagery, unable to implement the knowledge or sense of the afflicted soul. Once the curse is discovered, and/or their memories of their alter ego the morning after, (with a successful DC15 wisdom saving throw), then they instead transform into a hybrid form, which admittedly is still compelled by impulse and desire to kill, but can utilize the intelligence and wisdom of the original humanoid persona into their decision making. However, neither share the accumulated knowledge of the other. I.e how to forge a sword for instance, as such a Hybrid form, that has not been embraced, still cannot do things like use spells or unique features of the afflicted, but could use their intelligence to solve a puzzle.
Hi there!
The following not really being posted because i'm looking for or wanting feedback. Its just letting other know how I slightly modify lycanthropes in my game. If people want to take something away from it, then great, if they dislike it, D&D is mixed bag of preferences and playstyles after all, but I'm not looking for criticism so don't bother. Lycanthropes as they were just never felt quite right, and small things that people, especially if they're the type to overly worry about being consistent and/or following RAW, were unsure about: like how lycanthropes react to harm from a normal dagger when in humanoid form, how they are missing features of the beast their curse is based on, how beast form is typically worthless in comparison to hybrid, how PC lycanthropy can be broken early game, or how a lycanthrope's own attacks aren't magical, etc. This kind of stuff just keep slowing down the flow of a game. That's why I came up with the following, some small adjustment to help the mechanics sync with the lore & RP.
Lycanthropy:
After contracting the curse by a bite, an afflicted creature does not display any symptoms or features until the next full moon, they can even be killed by mortal means. Each morning after a transformation a DC15 wisdom save is made to see if the afflicted remembers the events of the previous night. Creatures that are unaware of their lycanthropy, assume beast form on a full moon, those that are aware, having recalled their nightmares and have chosen to fight it, assume hybrid form, and those that embraceit, can choose hybrid or beast form. For detecting Lycanthropes with silver, there is no reaction with the skin, they can pick up silver without issue as silver just reacts with blood to prevent their healing factor. The worst case scenario when handling silver is maybe a rash after a few hours like a mild allergy (which about 12% of people are allergic to anyway, a surprisingly high statistic), or poisoned condition if it was somehow ingested.
Consider having their primal misadventures last over three nights instead of the one, encompassing the nights immediately before and after the night of the full moon: Full Moon Rising & Full Moon Risen. Adding further death and danger to a lycanthrope's presence in a community, even if they are unaware of their curse.
I recommend Fantasy Calendar if you need a resource for tracking in game days and lunar cycles https://fantasy-calendar.com/
In addition, the Lycanthrope stat blocks have been changed in the following ways:
- NPC lycanthropes have had their base health adjusted; their hit die count is now equal to their CR x 3 + con mod. Additionally, if their beast form is a Large size creature, their hit die is now a D10 instead of a D8. (This is to balance the changes below).
- All lycanthropes are now resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks that aren't silvered, instead of immune. (Just makes a lot of mechanic interactions easier this way, and with the No mortal weapon feature below, the lore for requiring silver to kill a lycanthrope holds true just as well, if not better, than before)
- All lycanthropes are now vulnerable to damage from silvered weapons. (Feel more rewarding to silver your weapons now, as once you get a couple magic weapons the concept of silvering becomes useless, but this keeps it relevant).
-All lycanthrope’s speeds in human form are 30 ft, and their speeds in Hybrid & Beast form match the beast they turn into (just common sense and give them an important feature of predators chasing prey).
- All lycanthropes now have a feature only usable in their beast form called “Beast’s Nature” This feature differs depending on the lycanthrope, being a feature typically belonging to a non-lycanthrope version of their beast form, such as a giant rat’s pact tactics. (Much needed buffs to beast form, after all, a lycan shouldn't have worse features then a Non-lycanthrope version of the beast they turn into).
Lycanthrope (Beast/Hybrid Size) Beast’s Nature (Beast Form)
Werebear (Large) Alternate Multiattack: they can switch one of their claws attacks for a bite attack (Normally can only make one bite attack or two claw attacks).
Wereboar (Medium) Relentless: Now Boar Form only, can still be used after rolling the result of “No Mortal Weapon”. (technically a Nerf, I know)
Wererat (Small/Medium) Pact Tactics.
Weretiger (Large/Medium) Hidden Hunter: Gains expertise in stealth.
Werewolf (Medium) Vicious Take Down: When a creature is hit by the werewolf's bite attack, it must succeed on a DC13 strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- All lycanthropes gain a new feature called "No Mortal Weapon". The idea is more folklore "no mortal weapon deal”, so not including advanced warfare like a Bazooka. Hence fall damage, drowning, 1000 rounds of a minigun, or any general excessive damage without silver has a chance to kill them.
No Mortal Weapon. If damage reduces the lycanthrope to 0 Hit Points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to half the damage taken, unless the damage is from a silvered weapon. On a success, the lycanthrope drops to 1 hit point instead.
(However, when a lycanthrope in humanoid form, that is unaware of their curse, succeeds a saving throw, they still regain 1hp, but also still fall unconscious, and can easily be mistaken for dead. They regain consciousness after 1d4 hours, or after regaining more hit points. If they are still unconscious by the strike of midnight during a full moon, they must attempt to regain as much health as possible from rolling hit dice, as if they had just taken a short rest). (This lets the character and those around not realize a thing, especially if the DM rolls death saves instead of the players).
(This way PC's who failed to get silver weapons still have a chance of success, especially if lycanthropes appeared without warning, but their is still a large incentive to fight using silver, and you don't have to deal with the bull of "technically the ancient dragon toppling a mountain on top of the werewolf dosnt kill him"
- The feature Shapechanger has been changed to the following below:
Shapechanger. Lycanthropes that have embraced the curse, can use their Bonus action to polymorph into a beast-humanoid hybrid or into a Beast form or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than its AC, speed & size, are the same in hybrid and humanoid form, but in its beast form, its mental ability scores become the same as the beast. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. (Was dumb that a lycanthrope who embraced their curse has to change as an action, its just not worthwhile action economy).
- A creature that has not embraced their curse is unable to use shapechanger at will and instead of a bonus action, their forced transformation on a full moon takes a full 1 minute the first time they transform, and 1 turn every forced transformation after. (Lets you play out horrific transformation the first time, and but shortens it to a smaller frame of vulnerability for ease later, and shortens even furthur if the curse is embraced, giving those afraid of the vulnerability of transforming more incentive to give in to the curse)
However, while in their humanoid form, they do otherwise retain the features, damage immunities, resistances and vulnerabilities of their hybrid/beast forms, but their ability scores and skills remain the same as their original humanoid form.
(Now with non-magical damage being resistant instead of immune, this becomes a lot easier to sneak in without people noticing, no more "I prick their finger and see if it instantly heals" , the only traits that really will stand out as a give away, that's usable in humanoid form, is keen senses)
A lycanthrope only while in their hybrid or beast form, or after they embrace their curse, gains the: alignment, ability scores, speeds, & skills of the lycanthrope stat block if they are a low CR NPC, and a high CR NPC or a PC, gains the alignment, speeds, and benefits below.
The Curse DC of their Bite: DC 8 + the lycanthrope’s proficiency bonus + the lycanthrope’s Constitution modifier or be cursed.
When a creature unaware of their curse transforms into their beast form, that beast form is consumed with impulse, instinct, and primal savagery, unable to implement the knowledge or sense of the afflicted soul. Once the curse is discovered, and/or their memories of their alter ego the morning after, (with a successful DC15 wisdom saving throw), then they instead transform into a hybrid form, which admittedly is still compelled by impulse and desire to kill, but can utilize the intelligence and wisdom of the original humanoid persona into their decision making. However, neither share the accumulated knowledge of the other. I.e how to forge a sword for instance, as such a Hybrid form, that has not been embraced, still cannot do things like use spells or unique features of the afflicted, but could use their intelligence to solve a puzzle.