Name: Basic Explosive

Rarity: Uncommon

Weight: 3 lb

Cost: 50 gp (materials ~25 gp)

Properties: Thrown (range 20/60), requires an action to arm and throw (or set a timed fuse). An explosion affects an area (see type). Usable once; destroyed on explosion.

How it works (two common play options)

1. Thrown (attack-based): You make a ranged weapon attack vs the AC of a single target. If it hits, the explosive detonates centered on that target.
2. Thrown (save based / easier for groups): You throw and it lands where aimed; creatures in the area make the listed Dexterity save to avoid (DM can require an attack roll vs an unattended target like a door/crate).

Use whichever method your table prefers; stat blocks below give save DCs.

Types (pick one when the explosive is made or bought)

1) Fragmentation Charge (shrapnel)

• Area: 10 ft radius (sphere) centered on blast point
• Save: Dex save DC 13
• Damage: on fail, 3d6 piercing; on success, half.
• Secondary: creatures within the outer 10 20 ft (i.e., between 10 and 20 ft from the center) take 1d6 piercing (no save).
• Special: unattended flammable materials take no extra effect (not incendiary).

2) Incendiary Charge (fire)

• Area: 10 ft radius
• Save: Dex save DC 13
• Damage: on fail, 3d6 fire; on success, half.
• Secondary: flammable unattended objects in the area (paper, cloth, dry wood) catch fire. A creature hit that fails the save is also lit aflame 1d4 fire at the start of its turn until it uses an action to douse (or succeeds on a DC 10 Strength/Athletics check to smother).
• Special: Magical or nonflammable materials are unaffected by ignition.

3) Concussive Charge (blast/knockback)

• Area: 10 ft radius; creatures within 10 ft must make a Dex save, DC 13.
• Damage: on fail, 2d6 bludgeoning; on success, half.
• Effect: on a failed save, creature is also pushed 5 ft and has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the end of its next turn (represents disorientation).
• Special: useful vs constructs or for shoving foes off ledges.

4) Smoke Charge (nonlethal, tactical)

• Area: 10 ft radius cloud of thick smoke ( heavily obscured ) lasting 1 minute or until the wind disperses it.
• Save: Dex save DC 13 to avoid being caught by initial coughing; on a failed save, the creature is coughing (disadvantage on perception checks relying on sight) for 1 round.
• Special: excellent for retreats, stealth, or denying vision. Fire or wind can clear earlier.

Fuse & Timer Rules

• Immediate throw: Light and throw as one action; detonates on impact. No fuse check required.
• Timed fuse: You can set a timed fuse (1d4 rounds delay). To set a timed fuse safely requires Tinker’s Tools or Alchemist’s Supplies and a Dexterity (Tinker’s) or Intelligence (Alchemist) check, DC 12.
  • Failure (by 5 or more): explodes immediately in your space, treat as a normal explosion centered on you (you take damage normally).
  • Failure (<5): fuse is set but unstable, roll a d20 each round; on a 1, it detonates early in the handler's space (DM call).

Disarm / Snuffing

• To pick up or snuff a lit fuse: Tinker’s Tools or Alchemist’s Supplies + Dexterity check DC 15 (quick snuff).
• If you attempt to grab without tools: make a Dex saving throw, DC 12, or the explosive detonates, centered on you (you take full blast). A successful save lets you drop it safely 5 ft away (no detonation).

Crafting

• Proficiency required: Tinker’s Tools or Alchemist’s Supplies.
• Time: 8 hours.
• Material cost: half the listed cost (≈25 gp).
• Crafting check: Intelligence (Alchemist) or Dexterity (Tinker) check, DC 13.
  • Success: item works as above.
  • Failure (<5): item is a dud or unstable (DM may let it misfire later).
• Upgrade: make rare explosive by increasing damage dice by ~1 step (e.g., 3d6 → 4d6) and raising DCs by +2; requires better components and a DC15 craft check.

Misuse & Risk (fun chaos)

• Mishandling: If you fumble while arming (attack roll nat 1 or fail Tinker check badly), roll Dex save DC 12: fail = explosion centered on you (full damage), success = you drop it 5 ft and it explodes there (half damage to you).
• Environmental risk: rain reduces incendiary secondary effects; wind may push the smoke cloud; enclosed spaces increase damage by +1d6 (DM call).

Rarity / Balance notes for DMs

• Uncommon fits for 3d6 area damage with a meaningful risk (matches power level between alchemist’s fire and fireball components).
• If you plan to make these common at low level, reduce damage to 2d6 and/or reduce blast radius to 5 ft.
• Avoid giving too many explosives to players at once. Resource and misfire rules help balance.

Quick reference (cheat-sheet)

• Fragmentation: Dex save DC13, 3d6 piercing (10 ft radius).
• Incendiary: Dex DC13, 3d6 fire, ignites flammable items.
• Concussive: Dex DC13, 2d6 bludgeoning, push 5 ft + disadvantage.
• Smoke: 10 ft heavy obscure cloud, last 1 min (Dex DC13 for coughing 1 round).
• Range: Thrown 20/60 ft.
• Craft DC: 13 (materials half price).
• Fuse set DC: 12 (to set); snuff DC: 15.

Proficiency with a Handaxe allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it.

Notes: Light, Thrown, Vex