I created a Homebrew spell (for fun) based on a popular anime. I was originally surprised that no one had done it before. However, when I went to share with the community, the link for DDB's Homebrew Rules came up. After reading through them, now I'm not even sure if I am allowed to share the spell with the community. My questions is, can I share Homebrew with the community if is blatantly based on well known intellectual properties. I mean, I'm not making a profit on them and I would really like to get feed back from the community on the viability of using my Homebrew in actual game play. I was actually thinking of making a lot more spells this way. Leave a comment to let me know; I would really appreciate it.
If a DDB Moderator find this, I would love direct feedback on this.
As far as the name goes, I would be willing to change it. However, there is no way for me to go through every licensed spellbook and remember if the spell I'm creating has the same effect (though in some cases, that's exactly what I'm doing). I mean it's for fun. If I do share my homebrew spells, will I at least get to plead my case if DDB decides I've 'crossed a line'?
You post the effect here and I (or a passing mod) can tell you if the effect is too similar to a licensed spell. But it is unlikely to be too similar accidentally without copying.
If you publish it and it violates the rules it will be taken down. But first offense is just a warning I think (I'm sure it says clearly in the site guidelines somewhere).
We've tried to keep the rules fairly simple, rather than detailing every possibility - thank you for taking the time to read them and engage with us to ask! :)
We can't allow a situation where published homebrew involves trademarked/copyright characters or other elements from media.
As an example, if you decided it would be really cool for your D&D fighter to have a shield they can throw like captain america, that's awesome. Make a homebrew magical item called, "Unbreakable shield of returning" or similar and describe the properties. What you aren't allowed to do though is name it "Captain America's Shield", reference Captain America in the description or use imagery from Marvel comics.
Your anime spell is totally ok, but don't reference the show name, characters or the name of the ability from the show.
I don't need to go through and reject more Dragonball content. :)
You hit the nail on the head. I was going for the following. So as long as I don't call it 'Solar Flare', I should be good?:
When a creature in melee range makes an attack against the caster, the caster can use their reaction to cast this spell. The caster closes their eyes and holds their hands in front of their face. A bright light flashes in front of the creature making the attack. The creature must make a constitution saving throw. If it fails, the creature is blinded until the end of its next turn. On a success, the spell fails.
This spell is only effective against creatures that use visual means of sight. If the creature does not have optical sight, the spell will have no effect.
PREREQUISITE: The caster must know the Light Cantrip
* - When a creature is in melee range of the caster and makes an attack against the caster
I created a Homebrew spell (for fun) based on a popular anime. I was originally surprised that no one had done it before. However, when I went to share with the community, the link for DDB's Homebrew Rules came up. After reading through them, now I'm not even sure if I am allowed to share the spell with the community. My questions is, can I share Homebrew with the community if is blatantly based on well known intellectual properties. I mean, I'm not making a profit on them and I would really like to get feed back from the community on the viability of using my Homebrew in actual game play. I was actually thinking of making a lot more spells this way. Leave a comment to let me know; I would really appreciate it.
If a DDB Moderator find this, I would love direct feedback on this.
If the name isn't trademarked and the effect doesn't copy the effect of a licenced spellbook you should be fine.
As far as the name goes, I would be willing to change it. However, there is no way for me to go through every licensed spellbook and remember if the spell I'm creating has the same effect (though in some cases, that's exactly what I'm doing). I mean it's for fun. If I do share my homebrew spells, will I at least get to plead my case if DDB decides I've 'crossed a line'?
You post the effect here and I (or a passing mod) can tell you if the effect is too similar to a licensed spell. But it is unlikely to be too similar accidentally without copying.
If you publish it and it violates the rules it will be taken down. But first offense is just a warning I think (I'm sure it says clearly in the site guidelines somewhere).
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D&D Beyond FoundersWe've tried to keep the rules fairly simple, rather than detailing every possibility - thank you for taking the time to read them and engage with us to ask! :)
We can't allow a situation where published homebrew involves trademarked/copyright characters or other elements from media.
As an example, if you decided it would be really cool for your D&D fighter to have a shield they can throw like captain america, that's awesome. Make a homebrew magical item called, "Unbreakable shield of returning" or similar and describe the properties. What you aren't allowed to do though is name it "Captain America's Shield", reference Captain America in the description or use imagery from Marvel comics.
Your anime spell is totally ok, but don't reference the show name, characters or the name of the ability from the show.
I don't need to go through and reject more Dragonball content. :)
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
You hit the nail on the head. I was going for the following. So as long as I don't call it 'Solar Flare', I should be good?:
When a creature in melee range makes an attack against the caster, the caster can use their reaction to cast this spell. The caster closes their eyes and holds their hands in front of their face. A bright light flashes in front of the creature making the attack. The creature must make a constitution saving throw. If it fails, the creature is blinded until the end of its next turn. On a success, the spell fails.
This spell is only effective against creatures that use visual means of sight. If the creature does not have optical sight, the spell will have no effect.
PREREQUISITE: The caster must know the Light Cantrip
* - When a creature is in melee range of the caster and makes an attack against the caster
Solar Flare might be generic enough of a name (it's no kamehameha), but a name like Shining Flare or Shining Flash might be safer.
And as a free feedback, don't prerequisite the light cantrip.
Thank you, I'll take that into consideration.