April 16th, 2018
Greetings fellow adventurers!
This update provides users the ability to create their own Homebrew Character Subclasses!
The homebrew subclasses will not only provide textual data in their own listing and details pages, but will also allow users to select subclasses and have their effects applied in the character builder!
The main homebrew page has been updated with a slot for subclasses:
And now there is a listing page for homebrew subclasses:
Currently, you can filter by name, author, the base class (Fighter, Rogue, Wizard, etc.) of the subclass, and which spell casting ability score (INT, WIS, etc.) that the subclass may use. Additional filtering may be added in the future, based on feedback.
As with other homebrew-able data, you can either create a homebrew subclass from an existing, publicly available subclass to use as a guide, or create one from scratch.
You must first select a base class to build your subclass on top of. Once a base class is selected, you can either create a copy of a subclass that you have access to, or create a new subclass from scratch.
Let's dive in and create a brand new subclass for Rogue, called the "Inquisitor" (think, church assassin).
The starting form is fairly simple, Name, Version, Short Description, Description fields are pretty standard to all our homebrewable data. The next few boxes are interesting, though. Want to make a Barbarian with spellcasting like Arcane Trickster or Eldritch night? Now you can. Buy using the spell casting related fields choose the stat for your spell casting modifier, what list of spells the subclass has access to and if the spells are learned (like a Wizard) or known (like a Cleric). You can check out the tooltips on the fields for more specifics.
Since our Inquisitor works for the church, let's give him access to the Cleric spell list:
With the starting information filled in, we'll save our process, which will now allow us to start entering our class features:
The name and description fields are pretty straight forward, the Multiclass Description field is used if any additional text is needed when multiclassing with this subclass. The actions fields (not currently used in the current character sheet, but will be in the new one), allow us to group data on the new character sheet by Actions / Reactions / Bonus Actions / Other, etc. So, while you won't see any immedaite use of populating these fields, they will be utilized once the new character sheet is launched.
NOTE: If you want to give a subclass access to spells in the character sheet, for a base class that doesn't typically have spell casting access (like Fighter, Rogue, etc), you MUST create a class feature for your subclass named Spellcasting:
Likewise, you can create a class feature called Pact Magic to give your subclass Warlock-type access to spells.
Class Features can also have options that characters can choose from (like Maneuvers for a Battlemaster Fighter.) Once your Class Feature is created you can then enter Options.
Both Class Features and Class Feature Options can have Modifiers, Spells, and Limited Use applied. Let's give our Inquisitor a Class Feature called Vigilant.
And apply the modifier, which adds the character's WIS Mod to their DEX Mod for the character's base initiative:
And now, looking at the character's Initiative on the their character sheet:
We can see the character's base Initiative is +10.
The modifier, spell, and limited use sections are the same as what's used in our other homebrewable data, and James has a bunch of creation guides on building homebrew on DDB, so please reference some of those great guides for guidelines on using those forms. And I'm sure James will be doing a detailed guide for subclasses too :)
One additional sub section for a Class Feature is Level Scaling. This form is used for effects that scale based on class level (like Superiority Dice for Battle Master:)
Also with this release, we have enabled commenting, ratings, and reporting on ALL published homebrew. The homebrew author can control turning commenting on / off for their published homebrew:
Once comments are enabled, a commenting section will be available at the bottom of the details page:
Homebrew Authors will also receive notifications when users comment on their creations.
For Ratings, logged-in users can rate a homebrew up or down, by using the ratings controls at the bottom of detail pages:
A user can undo their vote after voting, but are never allowed to vote more than once:
The rated values are now displayed in a new sortable column on the homebrew listings:
We've also added the ability for logged-in users to send in reports for published homebrew items. Our moderator staff is automatically notified of these reports. So no more trying to PM a mod directly if you see something suspect on a published piece of homebrew. The Report button is located at the bottom of the details page:
We've also added the Add / Remove Collection button on the bottom of the details pages as well.
Hopefully, these quality of life improvements to all homebrew will provide for better community engagement and use of all the fabulous homebrew data being created on DDB.
If you haven't seen any of James' great in-depth guides on creating various types of homebrew on DDB, please check them out!
Races, Backgrounds, Feats, Magic Items, Monsters, and Spells
We're really excited to see all the wonderful subclasses that the community creates!
Next up for part of the dev team - source management for content sharing!
Happy homebrewing!
Do you have Homebrew turned on, on the first page of the sheet?
Yes.
I figured it out. It doesn't show up until you reach third level and can choose it as an archetype.
However, if you created 1st or 2nd level abilities with your subclass, can you swap them out with class traits you don't want so that the class traits don't show up on your character sheet?
Is your character the appropriate level to choose the subclass?
Level 3: Barbarian, Fighter, Rogue, Ranger, Paladin, Bard, Monk
Level 2: Druid, Wizard
Level 1: Cleric, Warlock, Sorcerer
No. There is no precedent in the rules for such an ability, so it is not currently a feature. Should WOTC ever create an option like that, DDB will as well (such as the ala carte Ranger that Jeremy Crawford has tweeted about)
I am currently working on a paladin subclass and a barbarian subclass and I am stuck.
after the initial basic information for the subclass, I can't seem to add anything to it.
You need to save the class before you can add features
I'm trying to recreate the Monster Slayer UA for a friend of mine. Somebody wants to help me with it?
So I have a subclass that relies on "Charges"
Similar to grit points from the gunslinger class or ki points from the monk class. How do I add a counter for that?
Add an "action" to the feature, make it limited use, and then set your number of times it can be used per (short/long rest or special recharge)
Is there going to be a feature later on where we can homebrew not subclasses but an entire new class like a chronomancer or a keyblade master?
I'm not sure this is the right place, but how does one go about creating a homebrew channel-divinity option for a cleric domain that will display properly on the D&D Beyond character sheet?
I've got it all working perfectly except for that....
I do not know who James is or where to find his guides or even what DDB is. Could this article be edited to make these things links?
Article option in the megamenu
I'm having an issue. I can't figure out how to make a subclass's expanded spell list be prepared be default. For example how Hexblade has Shield/Wrathful Smite
Warlock spells are not prepared as a default. Warlocks add their spells from subclasses to the list of spells they CAN learn.
I've been working on a subclass for a little bit now but seem to be stuck on a few issues. I think the biggest one for me is the lack of the ability to use a drop down menu to select options for skills. I wanted the option of 3 choices of expertise but cant seem to find a way to make this work given the current tools. Am I missing something?
I'm making barbarian subclass that lets it use one certain spell per long rest. I have it set to use to give this subclass spellcasting and edited the details of the spell like normal but when i tested it to see if i could use the spell the spell list doesnt show up and neither does the spell. i also have it set to already known and always prepared.
Hello, I have been tinkering a lot with the subclass creation and I love it! Quick question and apologize if this was answered but I didn't see it else where but is there a way to duplicate a custom subclass for editing, testing, ect? For example, I made a subclass with a lot of moving parts and I want to rework it into a different subclass but would prefer not to have to recreate all of the class features. It would save bunch of time if I could make a copy of my subclass and edit it. Thanks for any help !
I want the class to be able to scale with the class list I gave in the beginning. I made a feature for spellcasting but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to give the additional spell slots for when the characters level up since it doesn't seem to work. Please Help!