Is there a way to alter the total ability score of a PC when creating a home brew magic item?
For instance, I am making a cloak for lower level characters which the PC attunes and which raises their Charisma Ability Score to a total of 16 regardless of what their starting value is if it is lower, but behaves normally above 16.
Hmm... I'm not certain the second stipulation is possible, but the part about setting their ability score is. All you need to do is begin creating a homebrew magic item and use Gauntlets of Ogre's Strength or a similar item as a base item. Change the ability score affected to Charisma and the number to 16, and there you go.
You could also just set their Charisma score to 16 in their character sheet if they have it on and their Charisma Score is below 16. A bit janky, but the result would be the same.
Yeah, I'm trying to simulate a Werebear's perception bonus of a fixed value of 7. Not something you add to your existing skill bonus but something you 'set'.
Not sure that’s possible. But keep in mind that a werebear’s perception isn’t Set at +7 either, it’s a calculation of Wis mod & PB just like every other creature’s.
From what I have been reading up on Lycanthropes this whole thing is a mess. Werebear as a creature or monster has static values (no bonus calculations). Its not true that its a calculation of "Wis mod & PB" because in Werebear form you gain "Keen Sense" which is the ability to "smell" better. That makes sense. Keen Sense is described as a fixed value of 7 to perception. If its not a fixed value, then what is the 'bonus" you add to your already existing perception bonus? As far as I know that isn't documented anywhere...
A werebear’s +7 to Perception checks is the result of its Wis modifier (+1) and expertise in that skill (2× +3) for a total of +7. The “bonus” they get is Twice Proficiency.
They also don’t get the Keen Senses trait, they only get Keen Smell, which grants advantage:
Keen Smell. The werebear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
As I said, nothing is Set at 7, it’s a result of a simple calculation, just like every creature’s Perception bonus in 5e.
Thank you for explaining all that - I guess I should have focused more on the benefits from Keen Smell specifically. For some reason when I add this to my magic item my character's perception bonus becomes +8. Not sure why I have the exact same stats you provided in your example (+1 Wisdom modifier and +3 Perception)
Is there a way to alter the total ability score of a PC when creating a home brew magic item?
For instance, I am making a cloak for lower level characters which the PC attunes and which raises their Charisma Ability Score to a total of 16 regardless of what their starting value is if it is lower, but behaves normally above 16.
Input appreciated!
Hmm... I'm not certain the second stipulation is possible, but the part about setting their ability score is. All you need to do is begin creating a homebrew magic item and use Gauntlets of Ogre's Strength or a similar item as a base item. Change the ability score affected to Charisma and the number to 16, and there you go.
You could also just set their Charisma score to 16 in their character sheet if they have it on and their Charisma Score is below 16. A bit janky, but the result would be the same.
You can hard set the ability to 16 with the following:
Modifier—>Set
Modifier Subtype—>Charisma Score
Fixed Value—>16
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What about a "SET" skill value? I don't want a bonus I need to set it to a fixed value.
What do you mean by “skill value?” You mean the bonus they get to ability checks with that skill?
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Yeah, I'm trying to simulate a Werebear's perception bonus of a fixed value of 7. Not something you add to your existing skill bonus but something you 'set'.
Not sure that’s possible. But keep in mind that a werebear’s perception isn’t Set at +7 either, it’s a calculation of Wis mod & PB just like every other creature’s.
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From what I have been reading up on Lycanthropes this whole thing is a mess. Werebear as a creature or monster has static values (no bonus calculations). Its not true that its a calculation of "Wis mod & PB" because in Werebear form you gain "Keen Sense" which is the ability to "smell" better. That makes sense. Keen Sense is described as a fixed value of 7 to perception. If its not a fixed value, then what is the 'bonus" you add to your already existing perception bonus? As far as I know that isn't documented anywhere...
A werebear’s +7 to Perception checks is the result of its Wis modifier (+1) and expertise in that skill (2× +3) for a total of +7. The “bonus” they get is Twice Proficiency.
They also don’t get the Keen Senses trait, they only get Keen Smell, which grants advantage:
As I said, nothing is Set at 7, it’s a result of a simple calculation, just like every creature’s Perception bonus in 5e.
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Thank you for explaining all that - I guess I should have focused more on the benefits from Keen Smell specifically. For some reason when I add this to my magic item my character's perception bonus becomes +8. Not sure why I have the exact same stats you provided in your example (+1 Wisdom modifier and +3 Perception)
What exactly did you add? And where are you seeing it? Can you link your character sheet for me so I can look at it?
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