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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.

Tentacle Rod

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

This rod ends in three rubbery tentacles. While holding the rod, you can take a Magic action to direct the tentacles to stretch outward, each one attacking a creature you can see within 15 feet of

Magic Missile

Spells Player’s Handbook

You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart strikes a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 Force damage to its target. The darts all strike

simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several. Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The spell creates one more dart for each spell slot level above 1.

Boon of Energy Resistance

Feats Player’s Handbook

. Energy Redirection. When you take damage of one of the types chosen for the Energy Resistances benefit, you can take a Reaction to direct damage of the same type toward another creature you can see

Command

Spells Player’s Handbook

You speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next turn. Choose the command from these options

: Approach. The target moves toward you by the shortest and most direct route, ending its turn if it moves within 5 feet of you. Drop. The target drops whatever it is holding and then ends its turn

Orb of Dragonkind

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

(see the Dungeon Master’s Guide): 2 minor beneficial properties 1 minor detrimental property 1 major detrimental property Spells. The orb has 7 charges and regains 1d4 + 3 expended

action to cause the orb to issue a telepathic call that extends in all directions for 40 miles. Chromatic dragons in range feel compelled to come to the orb as soon as possible by the most direct

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

Phaerimm Elder

Monsters Netheril’s Fall

focuses on a magic item it can see within 10 feet. When it does, the phaerimm drains the magic item of any charges. Regardless of whether charges are drained, the phaerimm can cast Clairvoyance, Geas

casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell’s trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.Phaerimm elders are generals of phaerimm forces, directing covert and direct

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

Zlan

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

all expended uses at the start of each of its turns. Retaliation. Zlan makes one Slam or Bewildering Bolt attack. Stoke Paranoia. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 19, one creature Zlan can see within 30 feet

direct action when an oblique or hidden action will suffice. Its plans always contain fallbacks and contingencies. One of these contingencies—one the other liches who constitute its new form failed

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

Amphibious. The grung can breathe air and water. Poisonous Skin. Any creature that grapples the grung or otherwise comes into direct contact with the grung’s skin must succeed on a DC 12

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

Amphibious. The grung can breathe air and water. Poisonous Skin. Any creature that grapples the grung or otherwise comes into direct contact with the grung’s skin must succeed on a DC 12

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

Amphibious. The grung can breathe air and water. Poisonous Skin. Any creature that grapples the grung or otherwise comes into direct contact with the grung’s skin must succeed on a DC 12

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

High Fae Kindguard

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

feet, to a minimum speed of 5 feet. The reduction lasts until the start of the high fae’s next turn. Tripping Feint. The high fae targets one Large or smaller creature it can see within 10 feet

, provided it can see the attacker. After the attack hits or misses, the high fae then makes one Fae Claymore attack against the attacker.High fae kindguards have spent centuries perfecting their martial

Grasping Vine Legacy

Spells Player’s Handbook (2014)

You conjure a vine that sprouts from the ground in an unoccupied space of your choice that you can see within range. When you cast this spell, you can direct the vine to lash out at a creature within

30 feet of it that you can see. That creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be pulled 20 feet directly toward the vine.Until the spell ends, you can direct the vine to lash out at the same creature or another one as a bonus action on each of your turns.

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

Tentacle Rod Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

Made by the drow, this rod is a magic weapon that ends in three rubbery tentacles. While holding the rod, you can use an action to direct each tentacle to attack a creature you can see within 15 feet

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

Magic Missile Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target. The darts all strike

simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one more dart for each slot level above 1st.

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

Myconid Adult Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

rolls, and saving throws. The myconid dies if it spends more than 1 hour in direct sunlight.Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +2;{"diceNotation":"1d20+2","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Fist"} to hit, reach

","rollAction":"Fist","rollDamageType":"poison"} poison damage. Pacifying Spores (3/Day). The myconid ejects spores at one creature it can see within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 11

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

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

Sinensa

Monsters Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

rolls, and saving throws. The myconid dies if it spends more than 1 hour in direct sunlight.Multiattack. The myconid makes one Fist attack and uses its Hallucination Spores. Fist. Melee Weapon Attack

ejects spores at one creature it can see within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned target is incapacitated while it

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

Kelpie

Monsters Tales from the Yawning Portal

Hypnosis. The kelpie chooses one humanoid it can see within 150 feet of it. If the target can see the kelpie, the target must succeed on a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed while the kelpie

immediately runs out of breath, unless it can breathe water. If the charmed target is more than 5 feet away from the kelpie, the target must move on its turn toward the kelpie by the most direct route

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