I am building a character around the fear mechanic (His name is Dennis) and I essentially want to use the "Dragon Fear" feat, which has a Dragonborn prerequisite, but as a Human. Dragonborn actually works great ability-wise for my character but it doesn't really fit Dennis' story so I would rather keep him as a human.
For reference, this is the Dragon Fear feat:
Prerequisite: Dragonborn When angered, you radiate menace. You gain the following benefits: • Increase your Strength, Constitution or Charisma score by 1, up to a maximum of 20. • Instead of exhaling destructive energy, you can expend a use of your Breath Weapon trait to roar, forcing each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier). A target automatically succeeds if it can’t hear or see you. On a failed save, a target becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. If the frightened target takes any damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Here is what I am planning on Proposing to my DM:
When angered, you radiate menace. You gain the following benefits: • Increase your Charisma score by 1, up to a maximum of 20. • Once per short rest you can use an action to reveal your menacing appearance (my character wears a mask to hide his disfigured face), forcing each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier). A target automatically succeeds if it can’t see you. On a failed save, a target becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on itself on a success.
If this seems too strong I could potentially tone it down by decreasing the range and/or requiring a long rest to recharge.
What do you guys think? To the DMs out there, would you let me add this feat to my character?
I might allow it. I don’t think it’s op, really just re-skins the Dragonborn feat, which I suppose is what you were going for. Though if you are basing it on people seeing you I might want to make it only work on line of sight. Like an: creature you can see, type of mechanic. Since the person around the corner wouldn’t get a look at your unmasked face.
The part that makes it slightly more OP than the Dragon Fear one is the resource - they have to use their dragon breath, whilst your character is gaining a free resource. Maybe go with changing to a long rest or add a limiter on it that it only works on humanoids? Orrr it works on all creatures within 30 feet, including allies (although your party might not appreciate that!).
Hi Soleg. I'm a working DM who tried to come up with a solution to this issue which turned out not to be as smooth as what you have suggested here.
Also, I love it that you came up with a solution and presented it your DM. Very cool. As a DM it's not usually a prudent use of my time to act as an editor to someone else's written content. As far as the solution itself, the only thing I would add is
"A target automatically succeeds if it can’t see or hear you."
I don't think the short rest is an issue. I think I am going to feature your solution on my YouTube channel. If you would like to check that out here is the link to my channel and games.
I am building a character around the fear mechanic (His name is Dennis) and I essentially want to use the "Dragon Fear" feat, which has a Dragonborn prerequisite, but as a Human. Dragonborn actually works great ability-wise for my character but it doesn't really fit Dennis' story so I would rather keep him as a human.
For reference, this is the Dragon Fear feat:
Prerequisite: Dragonborn
When angered, you radiate menace. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Strength, Constitution or Charisma score by 1, up to a maximum of 20.
• Instead of exhaling destructive energy, you can expend a use of your Breath Weapon trait to roar, forcing each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier). A target automatically succeeds if it can’t hear or see you. On a failed save, a target becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. If the frightened target takes any damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Here is what I am planning on Proposing to my DM:
When angered, you radiate menace. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Charisma score by 1, up to a maximum of 20.
• Once per short rest you can use an action to reveal your menacing appearance (my character wears a mask to hide his disfigured face), forcing each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier). A target automatically succeeds if it can’t see you. On a failed save, a target becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on itself on a success.
If this seems too strong I could potentially tone it down by decreasing the range and/or requiring a long rest to recharge.
What do you guys think? To the DMs out there, would you let me add this feat to my character?
I might allow it. I don’t think it’s op, really just re-skins the Dragonborn feat, which I suppose is what you were going for. Though if you are basing it on people seeing you I might want to make it only work on line of sight. Like an: creature you can see, type of mechanic. Since the person around the corner wouldn’t get a look at your unmasked face.
Yeah, that's why I added the "A target automatically succeeds if it can’t see you" clause. (Similar to Dragon Fear)
Oh, yeah. Odd I didn’t see that part. Sorry
The part that makes it slightly more OP than the Dragon Fear one is the resource - they have to use their dragon breath, whilst your character is gaining a free resource. Maybe go with changing to a long rest or add a limiter on it that it only works on humanoids? Orrr it works on all creatures within 30 feet, including allies (although your party might not appreciate that!).
Thanks for the input! That's a great point, I think once per LR will be a good way to tone it down.
Hi Soleg. I'm a working DM who tried to come up with a solution to this issue which turned out not to be as smooth as what you have suggested here.
Also, I love it that you came up with a solution and presented it your DM. Very cool. As a DM it's not usually a prudent use of my time to act as an editor to someone else's written content. As far as the solution itself, the only thing I would add is
"A target automatically succeeds if it can’t see or hear you."
I don't think the short rest is an issue. I think I am going to feature your solution on my YouTube channel. If you would like to check that out here is the link to my channel and games.
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@Drakeen965
StartPlaying
https://startplaying.games/gm/drakeen
“Good luck storming the castle!” — Miracle Max