before barriers diffusing combat role

Druid

Classes Player’s Handbook

regions of unspoiled nature, but when a significant danger arises, Druids take a more active role as adventurers who combat the threat. Becoming a Druid... As a Level 1 Character Gain all the

Doppelganger Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

. Surprise Attack. If the doppelganger surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6","rollType":"roll

magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 feet of it. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead

Earwax

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 0 0 0 An unpleasant truth is that the role of earwax in potion making is more important than people like to discuss. Though earwax is plentiful, it’s not all the same in potion mixing terms, and some varieties come at a steeper price than others.

Rilsa Rael

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Cunning Action. On each of her turns in combat, Rilsa can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Focus. If Rilsa damages a creature with a weapon attack, she gains advantage

headquarters. In addition to hosting regular public forums in her shop, Rael tacitly oversees the Garden of Whispers, a maze of wood-and-paper screens where people from across the city can buy and sell secrets with Guild agents and each other, speaking through the barriers so as to maintain anonymity.

Bronze Sable

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

sable's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. Surprise Attack. If the sable surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the

few were created to emulate beauty found among the animals of the mortal world. Each exhibits abilities suited to its role, with some behaving like companionable creatures or stoic guardians. A few

Tashlyn Yafeera

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

is Master of Arms and Mercenaries for the Waterdeep Zhentarim. In this role, she provides armor, weapons, and training to sellswords on the Black Network's payroll. Tashlyn has established a useful

, Tashlyn has an unfettered sense of superiority. Quick to anger, she hates to back down from a fight. She respects anyone who can best her in melee combat.

Drow Favored Consort

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, including the powerful drow matron mother, takes an attractive drow as consort. Chosen as much for beauty as for magical might, a drow favored consort can hold their own in both conversation and combat

. Combining the roles of advisor, protector, and beloved, some favored consorts are content with a supporting role, while more ambitious consorts aspire to be the power behind the throne—or even to

Combat Robot

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

and are usually programmed to take intruders prisoner before resorting to lethal force. Combat robots signal their pursuit with built-in sirens and flashing lights, warning nearby creatures of their

imminent arrival with an intimidating display. Combat robots display a wide range of voices. Some units are clearly designed to intimidate, while others offer canned, upbeat platitudes in pleasant tones

Goblin Psi Commander

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

of their psionic abilities, goblin psi commanders wield blades of pure psychic energy. They can throw barriers of mental force while toppling foes with a single, mind-splitting burst. Psionic

goblins often struggle to handle the turbulent psychic energy within their minds and bodies. Those psionic goblins who learn how to safely tap into this psychic power are formidable forces in combat

House Tharashk Heir

backgrounds Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

-reliance from an early age. What your young house lacks in resources, it makes up for in spirit and determination. Tharashk has a destiny to fulfill, and you have a part in it. Whether in combat or in social

interaction, you have learned to play the role of the hunter: study your enemies, exploit their weaknesses, and do whatever it takes to achieve victory.

Miirym

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

role as Candlekeep’s defender, Miirym can move anywhere within the library fortress, passing through walls and other solid barriers. She can’t enter extradimensional spaces, since they

Skylla

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

into allowing her to serve as the primary liaison between the League of Malevolence and the Hourglass Coven, claiming her pact with Baba Yaga made her better suited for the role than anyone else

feel beholden to stay on good terms with her vile spawn, the hags of the Hourglass Coven.” Flaw. “I don't have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Skylla is not an

Soldier Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Specialty During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose

from the options in the table below to determine your role: d8 Specialty 1 Officer 2 Scout 3 Infantry 4 Cavalry 5 Healer 6 Quartermaster 7 Standard

Clockwork Stone Defender

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

attacker.The thick plates of stone riveted onto a stone defender give it substantial protection. Its chief role is as a bodyguard. Clockworks Gnomes’ tinkering with magic and mechanical devices has

points or fewer at the start of its turn in combat, roll a d6. If you roll a 1, it retreats from combat if possible. It otherwise keeps fighting. 7 Overheats. Roll a d6 at the start of the

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

5th dominate person Your magic often takes the form of blue or golden runes floating and glowing in the air in circular patterns or of shimmering azure barriers of magical energy. If you

modeled my career after a highly respected lawmage or arrester, but I fear that my role model might be involved in something illegal. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I’m

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

by walls and crowds. They thrive in the wilds of their homelands: the tundra, jungle, or grasslands where their tribes live and hunt. Barbarians come alive in the chaos of combat. They can enter a

sufficient to defeat whatever threats arise. A Life of Danger A barbarian plays an important role as a protector of their people and a leader in times of war. Life in the wild places of the world is

Soldier - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Specialty During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to

determine your role: d8 Specialty 1 Officer 2 Scout 3 Infantry 4 Cavalry 5 Healer 6 Quartermaster 7 Standard bearer 8 Support staff (cook

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

while learning to fight, to survive in the wild, and to fear the gods. The children that can’t endure the rigors of a life of combat are culled from the main body of the tribe, taken into the

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

common apes. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with humans, most are disgusted by the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or

others can be exploited through bribes, favors, or threats. As creatures devoid of emotion, yuan-ti exhibit behavior and use tactics that exemplify that outlook (or lack of one). Whether in combat

Player Assistance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

Player Assistance As described in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, you can streamline your role as Dungeon Master by delegating certain tasks to the other players, especially if this is your first time

behind the DM’s screen. Before play begins, work with the other players to divide any or all of the following tasks among them: Initiative Tracker. In combat, one player tracks Initiative for the

Fighter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Fighter With the Last War in the recent past, the Purple Dragon Knight’s role as a combat leader can apply to any fighter who served in one of Khorvaire’s militaries as an officer. Soldiers from Karrnath, with its strong martial tradition, are especially likely to choose this option.

Use of Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

Use of Magic Magic plays a powerful role on a fantasy battlefield. A wizard armed with fireball or lightning bolt serves as a deadly artillery unit, while clerics can roam the battlefield, using cure

adjudicate such spells outside of combat is to grant an ad-hoc benefit to the party (see “Narrative Combat”). If a spell creates a powerful effect that sways the course of the battle, consider granting the caster’s side an additional victory.

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

dangerous, so it’s often important for their group to include someone who can physically intervene when situations devolve into combat. The Tough’s role might include fighting criminal thugs, kicking

backgrounds such as criminal, sage, soldier, or urchin, regardless of the role they play in a group. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Client. When a routine investigation goes

Doppelganger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Ambusher. In the first round of a combat, the doppelganger has advantage on attack rolls against any creature it surprised. Surprise Attack. If the

doppelganger surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6) damage from the attack. Actions Multiattack. The doppelganger makes two

Large Groups

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

Large Groups The biggest considerations with large groups are maintaining order at the table and keeping combat from becoming too slow. Structured Turns If you find yourself in a situation where

individual players are having trouble getting a chance to do things during exploration or social interaction, have the characters roll Initiative and act in Initiative order, just as you do in combat

House Tharashk Heir

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

, and you have a part in it. Whether in combat or in social interaction, you have learned to play the role of the hunter: study your enemies, exploit their weaknesses, and do whatever it takes to achieve victory.

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

firsthand experience with the creatures, cultures, forces, and histories being investigated, and the best way to get that is in the field. This role is similar to the Scholar, but the Field Researcher is

armed with combat-oriented spells that supplement the knowledge-focused capabilities of the Scholar, preparing them to face those who guard the world’s greatest secrets. Morgrave University

Doppelganger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6) damage from the attack. Actions Multiattack. The doppelganger makes two melee attacks

of it. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the target is within range, the doppelganger can

Small Groups

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

fills out a party with combat-capable characters. It can be difficult for a player to roleplay two characters at once. You might suggest that the player focus on roleplaying one character while relegating the other character to a supporting role.

Small Groups A group that contains fewer than four players might find combat encounters difficult, especially if the party lacks important capabilities (such as armored characters to stand toe-to-toe

Creating a Gold Dragon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. Gold Dragon Personality Traits d8 Trait 1 I prefer to parley before combat. If villains can be reformed without violence, all the better

the motivation to overcome my barriers, then their matter is unworthy of my attention. 8 On a long enough timescale, all actions are meaningless. So why should I deny myself anything? Gold

Breaking the Archetypes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

subtlety and precision over simply busting heads. Add in your knowledge of the more cerebral aspects of combat, including all-important insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy, and it’s

look at the balance sheet. But there’s one exception to that nonrule that can make a big difference in the successful operation of a franchise — the focused, no-frills approach to combat of the champion

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

and know the most about the territory farthest from the tribe’s lair. These individuals hunt game in peaceful times, and in combat they serve as scouts, foot soldiers, and cavalry. Gatherers

; and the word is part of the name they give to any of its practitioners. A goblin with access to booyahg becomes a member of the lashers and can often rise to the role of boss. “Booyahg&rdquo

Creature Roles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

Creature Roles Each creature has a role listed next to their challenge rating. Roles are descriptive and most don’t follow special rules—they simply help you build encounters and use the creature

effectively in combat. Ambusher Ambushers are creatures who hide well—not just before an encounter, but during it. They utilize surprise and stealth to gain the upper hand. Artillery Artillery creatures

A Wide Range of Talents

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

, your specialized combat training as a Hunter ranger makes you a stalwart defender of your franchise and your party. On a mission, you take a lead role in dispensing with threats. In a social

Acquisitions Incorporated campaign, where if you fall in combat, your companion isn’t going to assess the resale value of your gear versus the cost of the potion of healing it’ll take to revive you

Mystery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

awaken him? Who murdered the guildmaster, and how did the killer get into the guild’s locked vault? A mystery-themed campaign puts the characters in the role of investigators, perhaps traveling from

town to town to crack tough cases the local authorities can’t handle. Such a campaign emphasizes puzzles and problem-solving in addition to combat prowess. A larger mystery might even set the stage for

D&D Beyond

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