sense of rules despite variant - Search

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.

Amnizu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

have no personalities or memories; they’re driven only by the desire to commit evil. The amnizus that patrol here drill the rules of the Nine Hells into the new arrivals’ minds and marshal

them into legions. Amnizu (Summoner Variant);Variant: Devil Summoning Some amnizus have an action that allows them to summon other devils: Summon Devil (1/Day). The amnizu summons 2d4

Gazer

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

kill. Gazer (Familiar Variant);Variant: Gazer Familiar Spellcasters who are interested in unusual familiars find that gazers are eager to serve someone who has magical power. Unless its master is

familiar, forming a telepathic bond with its willing master, provided that the master is at least a 3rd-level spellcaster. While the two are bonded, the master can sense what the gazer senses as long as

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.

Clapperclaw the Scarecrow

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Despite the loss of its original head, this child-sized scarecrow retains an upbeat demeanor characterized by its affinity for gallows humor. With its long claws and rattling gourd head, Clapperclaw

nervous or sense tension in the air.” Ideal. “I prefer to keep moving from place to place.” Bond. “My original head. It was perfect every way. I hope to get it back one day

Anvilwrought Raptor

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

sands of time or are guarded by ancient monsters. Constructed Nature. An anvilwrought doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep. VARIANT: ANVILWROUGHT RAPTOR FAMILIAR Some anvilwrought raptors are

. While the two are bonded, the master can sense what the anvilwrought senses, as long as they are within 1 mile of each other. Fire, Poison

High Fae Kindguard

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be spoken (though misdirection and riddles are always welcome). To

, the Kindly Lord. Talion is as strange, ancient, and fickle as the wilds of Eldraine, and the Kindly Lord demands fealty and respect from their followers. But despite their austere demeanor, the Kindly

High Fae Impostor

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be

followers. Despite having an austere demeanor, the Kindly Lord is also known for following mysterious whims, journeying to the farthest reaches of Eldraine out of an insatiable curiosity.Bludgeoning

High Fae Mage

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

, embodying the natural splendor and danger of the wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must

the wilds of Eldraine, and the Kindly Lord demands fealty and respect from followers. Despite having an austere demeanor, the Kindly Lord is also known for following mysterious whims, journeying to

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

Kruthik Hive Lord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"Acid Spray","rollDamageType":"acid"} acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.A hive lord rules each kruthik hive. When the hive lord dies, the surviving members of the

floor with their sharp legs. In addition to having an acute sense of smell, kruthiks can see in the dark and can detect vibrations in the earth around them. They take the scent of their own dead as a

Ulder Ravengard

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

struggled in performing his duties, finding his hands tied at every turn by both overt and invisible bureaucracy. Despite this, he's been a voice of reason and common sense on the Council of Four — if

Gazer (Familiar Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, the master can sense what the gazer senses as long as they are within 1 mile of each other. If its master causes it physical harm, the gazer will end its service as a familiar, breaking the

’t kill. Variant: Gazer Familiar Spellcasters who are interested in unusual familiars find that gazers are eager to serve someone who has magical power. Unless its master is strict, a gazer

Sailor - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

the Gray Wavers—the Flaming Fist harbor guards—and have a sense of how to operate the city’s mechanized cranes. Variant Sailor: Pirate You spent your youth under the sway of a

during the voyage. Baldur’s Gate Feature: Smuggler’s Sense You’re familiar with the docks of Baldur’s Gate, the movement of inspectors and tax collectors, the way cargo and

Returned Drifter

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Turn Resistance. The Returned has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead. Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its

. Despite this, even the most languorous Returned defend themselves if threatened and might be pressed into the service of their more willful brethren. Returned have escaped the Underworld and dwell among

Donaar Blit'zen

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

come to realize that reinforcing Donaar's self-congratulating sense of draconic entitlement makes it remarkably easy to win his favor. Despite his easily massaged vanity, the dragonborn sometimes shows

Ythryn Mythallar

Magic Items Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

rest within 30 feet of it, meditating on the mythallar. Up to eight creatures can be attuned to it at one time; otherwise, the Ythryn mythallar follows the attunement rules in the Dungeon Master&rsquo

;s Guide. If a ninth creature tries to attune to the mythallar, nothing happens. All creatures attuned to the Ythryn mythallar can sense when the device is being used. A creature attuned to the device

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

liking to you. Variant Entertainer: Gladiator A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can

likely repeat. 5 I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. 6 Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends.

Shapechange Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

so. You can't use any special senses you have (for example, darkvision) unless your new form also has that sense. You can only speak if the creature can normally speak. When you transform, you

rules for the original form, with one exception: if your new form has more hit points than your current one, your hit points remain at their current value.

Noble Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working

. Variant Noble: Knight A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar

High Fae Noble

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

untamed wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored

Lord demands fealty and respect from their followers. But despite their austere demeanor, the Kindly Lord is also known for following their own mysterious whims, journeying to the farthest reaches of Eldraine to satiate their curiosity.Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Bugbear

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

lurking just out of sight, and many of them have sneaked away from that god’s influence. They are long of limb and covered in coarse hair, with wedge-shaped ears and pointed teeth. Despite their

character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining

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

Young Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

’t always appreciate the dragon’s sense of humor. 5 A young crystal dragon finds some manticore;manticores' bluster hilarious and befriends them despite their fear. But the dragon is

. (Chaotic) 6 Control. Everyone is welcome, as long as they follow my rules. (Lawful) Crystal Dragon Adventures The Crystal Dragon Adventure Hooks table offers suggestions for stories

Minotaur

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Minotaurs are barrel-chested humanoids with heads resembling those of bulls. Blessed with a supernaturally strong sense of direction, minotaurs make great navigators. Some sages believe minotaurs

choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases

City Watch / Investigator

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

easily pick out the dens of criminal activity in a community, although you’re more likely to be welcome in the former locations rather than the latter. Variant: Investigator Rarer

hell hound without flinching. 6 I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. 7 I have a crude sense of humor. 8 I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

throws against any effect that turns undead. Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks to ascertain the

. They think and speak and even feel emotions based on their new experiences, but given their circumstances, those emotions tend to be muted. VARIANT: RETURNED KAKOMANTIS Although the dead typically

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the depths revealed that krakens, sahuagin, and far worse foes had fled the Plane of Water for the Material Plane. The tritons, driven by a sense of duty and responsibility, would not allow their foes

extended their stewardship over the sea floor from their initial settlements and built outposts to create trade with other races. Despite this expansion, few folk know of them. Their settlements are so

Tortle

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

’t have a unified story of how they were created, but they all have a sense of being mystically connected to the natural world. Carrying their shelter on their backs gives tortles a special

select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and

Hexblood Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

creating a hexblood, ask your DM if it makes sense for your character to have ties to one of the following Domains of Dread (detailed in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft): Hazlan. The bizarre magic

player, unless the DM rules otherwise. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of one of the game’s fantastical races

Noble - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working

; without question, and any corruption among guards or government officials tends to work in your favor, not against you—at least until you make some effort to expose it. Variant Noble: Knight A

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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 1 I speak slowly and deliberately

Dhampir Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

experiment changed your body, making you reliant on others for vital fluids. Dhampirs in the Domains of Dread When creating a dhampir, ask your DM if it makes sense for your character to have ties

lineage option, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining your ability scores, you increase one of those scores by 2 and increase a different

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

lend help. 3 When I set my mind to something, I follow through no matter what gets in my way. 4 I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to

. d6 Flaw 1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of

Search Results