both been derived compare rather

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments to compare to others. Goliaths love to win, but they see defeat as a prod to improve their

away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

, and the attack roll -- rely on the six ability scores. The Introduction describes the basic rule behind these rolls: roll a d20, add an ability modifier derived from one of the six ability scores, and compare the total to a target number.

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

, and the attack roll — rely on the six ability scores. The Introduction describes the basic rule behind these rolls: roll a d20, add an ability modifier derived from one of the six ability scores, and

compare the total to a target number. This chapter focuses on how to use ability checks and saving throws, covering the fundamental activities that creatures attempt in the game. Rules for attack rolls appear in chapter 9, “Combat.”

The D20

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

, Wisdom, and Charisma, and they typically range from 3 to 18 for most adventurers. (Monsters might have scores as low as 1 or as high as 30.) These ability scores, and the ability modifiers derived from

the core of the rules of the game. All three follow these simple steps. Roll the die and add a modifier. Roll a d20 and add the relevant modifier. This is typically the modifier derived from one of

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

of the world beyond their home. Barterers of Lore Tabaxi treasure knowledge rather than material things. A chest filled with gold coins might be useful to buy food or a coil of rope, but it’s

, prophecy, clan history, and other esoteric factors. Tabaxi names can apply to both males and females, and most use nicknames derived from or inspired by their full names. Clan names are usually based

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

protocols will lead us toward progress more surely than any belief system. (Lawful) 5 Fun. I love my job! Despite the dangerous working conditions, there’s nothing I’d rather do

same laboratory ran off to join the Selesnya, and we get into a big argument every time we run into each other. 10 I compare notes and techniques with a Simic scientist over lunch sometimes.

Earthquake!

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Earthquake! Rather than halt or slow Stonky’s progress, the theft of Kandlekeep Dekonstruktion has inspired the gnome to accelerate his plan to launch the Barn Door into space. Soon after the book

witnesses and compare their own recollections of the quake can try to ascertain its nature. With a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana or Nature) check, a character is confident that the earthquake wasn’t magically created. As such, it must have been caused by a natural phenomenon.

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

commoner’s clothes, a book of research notes, an ink pen, a bottle of squid ink, a flask of oil (made from blubber), a vial of acid (derived from digestive juices), a vial of fish scales, a vial

Everything I do is an attempt to impress someone I love. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I have a rather embarrassing mutation that I do everything I can to keep hidden. 2 I’m more

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

divination (to find raw materials and foresee threats to the tribe). The main reason why kobolds depend on arcane magic rather than divine is Kurtulmak’s imprisonment, which makes it difficult for

Rangers

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

responded with a whoo, then went off into a complicated series of chattering hoots and whoos. Montolio took it all in, weighing every detail. With the help of his friends, particularly this rather

graves or tombs. Many of these symbols were derived from elven lore or borrowed from groups like the Harpers. While by no means a secret language, these trail marks are often obtuse to non-rangers

Gnome Adventurers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

of better understanding the workings of the multiverse. A Gnome’s Role Gnomes are valuable members of an adventuring party for a number of reasons, derived from both their innate abilities and their

cautious, brings a sense of duty rather than a sense of humor to an adventuring group. With their grit and iron will, deep gnomes meet adversity with hammers, picks, and their dour, dry wit — or no wit at all — as their weapons of choice.

Wreck of the Narwhal

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

covertly, out of curiosity rather than bloodlust. He’d like to meet them and find out what they’re after. He’ll even bring them back to the ship and trade gems for wine, if they have any. Unless the

-beautiful garden palace said to contain treasure beyond compare. (Bwayes can lead the characters to Nangalore but won’t explore it out of respect.) Treasure The weretiger’s cabin contains enough scavenged

How to Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

high as 30.) These ability scores, and the ability modifiers derived from them, are the basis for almost every d20 roll that a player makes on a character’s or monster’s behalf. Ability checks

add the relevant modifier. This is typically the modifier derived from one of the six ability scores, and it sometimes includes a proficiency bonus to reflect a character’s particular skill. (See

Creating a Race or Subrace

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

signature traits? In the case of a new subrace, what sets it apart from the other subraces of the parent race? Compare the race you have in mind with the other race options available to players, to

increasing the diversity of options for a particular race, rather than replacing some options with other ones. The following example walks through the creation of an elf subrace: the eladrin. This

Traps in Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

actively looking for a trap can attempt a Wisdom (Perception) check against the trap's DC. You can also compare the DC to detect the trap with each character's passive Wisdom (Perception) score to

sides, a mechanism inside fires a hail of poison needles toward anyone in front of it. After inspecting the chest and making a few checks, the characters are still unsure if it's trapped. Rather than

Traps in Play

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

actively looking for a trap can attempt a Wisdom (Perception) check against the trap’s DC. You can also compare the DC to detect the trap with each character’s passive Wisdom (Perception) score to

sides, a mechanism inside fires a hail of poison needles toward anyone in front of it. After inspecting the chest and making a few checks, the characters are still unsure if it’s trapped. Rather than

Reaching the Bottom

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

your clothes. But none among us can compare To one wily, swift, and stand-up hare— Scarf that’s glorious, thief notorious, His deeds are truly meritorious! With a wink and a grin, he’ll show

(Intimidation) group check. If the group check succeeds, the brigands are cowed by the characters’ resolve and retreat into the swamp rather than risk getting whomped by the party. On a failed check, the

Tips for New Dungeon Masters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

until circumstances warrant otherwise, as discussed below. Armor Class. When characters make attacks against a creature, you compare those attacks to the creature’s Armor Class to determine whether the

to use one of this adventure’s random encounters, you can have a player roll to determine what the characters encounter, rather than making the roll yourself. Story Information Important information

Other Religious Systems

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

Philosophies Not all divine powers need to be derived from deities. In some campaigns, believers hold enough conviction in their ideas about the universe that they gain magical power from that conviction. In

rather than from a specific nature deity, some clerics devote themselves to ideals rather than to a god. Paladins might serve a philosophy of justice and chivalry rather than a specific deity. Forces and

Specific Spells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

various game features distinguish between the armor you don and a Shield you wield. Take a look at the Monk’s Unarmored Defense feature and compare it to the Barbarian’s version. In the Monk’s version

or class feature explains what it does. Can an object created with Minor Illusion move? For example, a wall sliding down a corridor? An illusory object created by Minor Illusion doesn’t move. Compare

Modifying a Class

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

opportunity to develop the character’s story and that of your world, rather than shutting down possibilities. Substituting Class Features If one or more features of a given class don’t exactly fit the theme

an existing feature that can be used as a model? How does the new class feature compare to other features of the same level? Variant: Spell Points One way to modify how a class feels is to change how

Uthgardt Lands

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

call themselves “children of Uthgar.” Though the Uthgardt each belong to a given tribe, these are markers of identity, rather than coherent populations. In my experience, it is rare outside of

size that near the ancient ancestral mound of the Red Tiger tribe. The settlement was founded some time ago by members of the Black Lion tribe, who put down roots here rather than continuing to live

Barn Door Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

titles that tickled the gnome’s fancy. The books are arranged by color rather than some more useful system, but characters who make a quick survey of the shelves discover three tomes that warrant further

contraptions. Characters who compare those drawings with Stonky’s skitterwidgets can tell where the gnome got the inspiration for his mechanical creations. Navigation Notes. A slip of paper tucked into

Specific Spells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

compare it to the barbarian’s version. In the monk’s version, you must both forgo wearing armor and forgo wielding a shield if you want to benefit from the feature, whereas a barbarian must only forgo

. Compare to spells like major image and mislead, which talk about moving. Could minor illusion create a fog cloud? If so, would shooting an arrow through it cancel the illusion? An illusory object made by

Outer City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

and compare the sizes of an unusually small donkey and an exceptionally large peacock. They ask for a passing party member’s opinion. Table H: Outer City Denizens d10 Interaction 1

visitors might bring with them. Few seek the church’s services on their own. Rather, most who come to dwell at the church either have a room rented for them by concerned family or receive a somewhat

Outer City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

family of refugees he’s helping. 12 A merchant and gate guard argue over how to accurately measure and compare the sizes of an unusually small donkey and an exceptionally large peacock. They ask for a

extol the virtues of meditation and whatever calm faiths visitors might bring with them. Few seek the church’s services on their own. Rather, most who come to dwell at the church either have a room

Cragmaw Castle Areas

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

room. It quietly observes intruders that enter the area before dropping down to strike. Compare the grick’s Dexterity (Stealth) check to the characters’ Wisdom (Perception) checks (or their passive

concealed canvas door. If cornered, the doppelganger fights to the death rather than allow itself to be captured. If Gundren is revived, he thanks the party for coming to his rescue but won’t leave Cragmaw

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