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Variant Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Variant Rules A shared campaign might use some variant rules to handle certain aspects of the game. The Adventurers League, for instance, has variant systems for gaining levels and acquiring treasure

. These “house rules,” presented below, serve as a sort of common language, ensuring that the rewards all characters receive are equivalent no matter what kind of adventure a character experienced.

Sphinx of Valor

Monsters Monster Manual

":"Slashing"} Slashing damage. Roar (3/Day). The sphinx emits a magical roar. Whenever it roars, the roar has a different effect, as detailed below (the sequence resets when it takes a Long Rest): First

actions. The sphinx regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns. Arcane Prowl. The sphinx can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, and it makes one Claw attack

Magic Mouth

Spells Player’s Handbook

You implant a message within an object in range—a message that is uttered when a trigger condition is met. Choose an object that you can see and that isn’t being worn or carried by

spell end after it delivers its message, or it can remain and repeat its message whenever the trigger occurs. The trigger can be as general or as detailed as you like, though it must be based on visual

Programmed Illusion

Spells Player’s Handbook

can be activated again. The trigger can be as general or as detailed as you like, though it must be based on visual or audible phenomena that occur within 30 feet of the area. For example, you could

illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image, and any noise it makes sounds hollow to the creature.

Rod of Lordly Might

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

are set in a row along the haft. It has three other properties as well, detailed below. Buttons. You can press one of the following buttons as a Bonus Action; a button’s effect lasts until you

to force each creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself to make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a target has the Frightened condition for 1 minute. A Frightened target repeats the

Find Steed

Spells Player’s Handbook

Initiative count, and it functions as a controlled mount while you ride it (as defined in the rules on mounted combat). If you have the Incapacitated condition, the steed takes its turn immediately

can see. Failure: The target has the Frightened condition until the end of your next turn. Fey Step (Fey Only; Recharges after a Long Rest). The steed teleports, along with its rider, to an unoccupied

Desert Clothing

Equipment

Clothing and not wearing Medium or Heavy armor, you automatically succeed on saving throws against the effects of extreme heat. See chapter 3 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for rules on extreme heat.

Warm Fungal Clothing

Equipment

Fungal Clothing, you automatically succeed on saving throws against the effects of extreme cold. See chapter 3 of the Dungeon Master's Guide for rules on extreme cold. One pound of fungus is sewn into

Biha Babir

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

following actions. Biha Babir regains all expended uses at the start of each of her turns. Misty Burst. Biha Babir teleports to an unoccupied space she can see within 30 feet of herself and makes one

again until the start of her next turn.Scheming Marid Ruler The calculating Biha Babir rules the pelagic city of Maran Saya in Calimshan. Though her physical form is as fluid as the ocean itself, she

Amnizu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

it can see within 60 feet of it. Each target must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or take 26 (4d12);{"diceNotation":"4d12", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Blinding Rot", "rollDamageType

amnizu targets one creature it can see within 60 feet of it. That creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence saving throw or take 26 (4d12);{"diceNotation":"4d12", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction

Devastation Orb

Magic Items Princes of the Apocalypse

batter it. The wind is strong enough to uproot weak trees and destroy light structures after at least 10 minutes of exposure. Otherwise, the rules for strong wind apply, as detailed in chapter 5 of the

the area of effect, the rules for heavy precipitation apply, as detailed in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. If there is a substantial body of water in the area, it floods after 2d10 hours

Drow Inquisitor

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Variant: Demon Summoning Drow Inquisitor (Summoner Variant);Variant: Demon Summoning Some drow inquisitors have an action that allows them to summon a yochlol. Summon Demon (1/Day). The drow

attempts to magically summon a yochlol (see the Monster Manual), with a 50 percent chance of success. If the attempt fails, the drow takes 5 (1d10);{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"damage

Variant Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from the Player’s Handbook, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human’s Ability Score Increase trait.

Drow Shadowblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

moment they attack—and then they are the last thing their victims see. A shadowblade gains their powers over shadow via a ritual in which they kill a shadow demon and mystically prevent it from re

-forming in the Abyss, siphoning its essence into themselves. drow shadowblade (summoner variant);Variant: Demon Summoning Some drow shadowblades have an action that allows them to summon a demon

Psi Crystal

Magic Items Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

This crystal grants you telepathy for as long as you remain attuned to it. See the introduction of the Monster Manual for rules on how this telepathy works. The crystal also glows with a purplish

inner light while you are attuned to it. The higher your intelligence, the greater the light’s intensity and the greater the range of the telepathy (see the Psi Crystal Properties table). Psi

Fraternity of Order Law Bender

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

"} force damage. Power of Authority. The law bender targets a creature it can see within 60 feet of itself. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Intelligence saving throw or take 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation

armor, mage hand, prestidigitationProbability Loophole (3/Day). When the law bender or a creature it can see makes an attack roll, a saving throw, or an ability check, the law bender can cause the roll

Gazer

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

magical eye rays at random (roll two d4s;{"diceNotation":"1d4","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Eye Rays"}, and reroll duplicates), choosing one or two targets it can see within 60 feet of it: 1: Dazing

beholders with wizard minions insist they take a gazer as a familiar because the beholders can see through the eyes of these creatures. A wild gazer (one living separately from a beholder) is

Grung Elite Warrior

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

secrete a substance that is harmless to them but poisonous to other creatures, and sometimes that substance has a special effect based on the grung’s color (see “Variant: Grung Poison&rdquo

;). They also use this venom to poison their weapons. Variant: Grung Poison A creature poisoned by a grung can suffer an additional effect that depends on the grung’s color, as described below

Grung Wildling

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

gold. All grungs secrete a substance that is harmless to them but poisonous to other creatures, and sometimes that substance has a special effect based on the grung’s color (see “Variant

: Grung Poison”). They also use this venom to poison their weapons. Variant: Grung Poison A creature poisoned by a grung can suffer an additional effect that depends on the grung’s color, as

Erinyes (Rope Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

poisoned. The poison lasts until it is removed by the lesser restoration spell or similar magic. Rope of Entanglement. Some erinyes carry a rope of entanglement (detailed in the Dungeon Master’s

, the erinyes must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.Fire, PoisonCold; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered

Molydeus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target transforms into a manes (see the Monster Manual) if this reduces its hit

bipedal body has a slavering wolf’s head and a fanged serpent’s head. Its demon lord can speak and see through the serpent head; this master also uses the molydeus to guard treasures, slay

Young Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply those rules to these aquatic dragons.) Dragon Turtle Personality Traits d8

Grung

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

effect based on the grung’s color (see “Variant: Grung Poison”). They also use this venom to poison their weapons. Variant: Grung Poison A creature poisoned by a grung can suffer an

Dragon Turtle Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

characters, and use the Dragon Turtle Spellcasting table to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. (Though the Monster Manual doesn’t explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for

making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply those rules to these aquatic dragons.) Dragon Turtle Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait

Criminal / Spy Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society

; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you. Variant Criminal: Spy Although your capabilities are not much different

Cultist (Knights of the Black Sword)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Levistus, the archdevil who rules Stygia, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells, from the confines of an ice prison from which he cannot escape. Most of the cultists are Icewind Dale natives who would

wearer reaches Ten-Towns, the talisman loses its inner radiance, yet the cultists keep their amulets as signs of their devotion to the archduke of Stygia (see the “Chardalyn Amulets” sidebar).

Madcap

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. Ironbound Pursuit. The madcap moves up to its speed to a creature it can see and kicks with its iron boots. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 20 (3d10 + 4);{"diceNotation

been. A redcap’s desire to slay is rooted in its will to survive. VARIANT: MADCAPS A madcap is a redcap that soaks its hat in demon ichor instead of blood. Contact with demon ichor makes the

Animated Coffin

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

sardines 3 A groaning mummy 4 A patch of yellow mold (see the Dungeon Master’s Guide) 5 A slumbering vampire spawn 6 A portal to the Path of Graves (detailed in Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary) Poison, Psychic

Shemeshka

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

of arcane energy to burst around one creature she can see within 120 feet of herself. The target must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 45 (7d12);{"diceNotation

action), mind blankFell Counterspell (3/Day). Shemeshka utters a magical word to interrupt a creature she can see that is casting a spell. If the spell is 5th level or lower, it fails and has no effect

Vargouille Reflection

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Humanoid the vargouille can see within 120 feet of itself. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or take 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Horrific

disembodied Humanoid heads with wings. While most vargouilles roam the planes to curse Humanoids and create more vargouilles, a variant known as the vargouille reflection resides in Undersigil. When a

Reborn Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

itchy straw stuffing inside you. Reborn in the Domains of Dread When creating a reborn, consult with your DM to see if it’s appropriate to tie your origins to one of the following

Domains of Dread (detailed in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft): Har’Akir. You died and endured the burial rites of this desert realm, yet somehow a soul—yours or another’s&mdash

Scissors of Shadow Snipping

Magic Items The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

As an action, you make a few snips with these iron shears and cause the shadow of a Humanoid creature you can see within 5 feet of you to detach from its source. If the creature is unwilling to give

next dawn. The shadow (variant);detached shadow is rooted to the spot where it was snipped until you use a bonus action to cause it to behave in one of the following ways, either of which is possible

Geryon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

can see within 60 feet of him. The target must succeed on a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of Geryon until the end of its next turn. Teleport. Geryon uses Teleport. Swift Sting

at a point he can see within 120 feet of him. The cold fills a cube, 10 feet on each side, centered on that point. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving throw or take

Raezil

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

on the politics of Prismeer. Once she is no longer petrified, Raezil is bound by the rule of reciprocity (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2) to help the characters complete any

Deathless Rider

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

disadvantage if it can see the rider, ending the condition on itself on a success.Legends told in the courts of Eldraine suggest that the deathless riders serve a warlock-queen, known simply as the Shadow

Queen, who rules from a castle called Dynnistan. It isn’t known whether these legends are based on any true experience or are simply the result of imagination trying to account for a terrifying and

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