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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.

Forcecage

Spells Player’s Handbook

in the shape of a cage can be up to 20 feet on a side and is made from 1/2-inch diameter bars spaced 1/2 inch apart. A prison in the shape of a box can be up to 10 feet on a side, creating a solid

that magic to exit the cage. On a failed save, the creature doesn’t exit the cage and wastes the spell or effect. The cage also extends into the Ethereal Plane, blocking ethereal travel. This spell can’t be dispelled by Dispel Magic.

Daern's Instant Fortress

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

in the area that aren’t being worn or carried are also pushed clear of the tower. The tower is 20 feet on a side and 30 feet high, with arrow slits on all sides and a battlement atop it. Its

a single door at ground level on the side facing you. The door opens only at your command, which you can issue as a Bonus Action. It is immune to the Knock spell and similar magic. Magic prevents the

Rifle, Hunting

Equipment

the training rules in the Player’s Handbook to acquire proficiency, assuming that they have enough ammunition to keep the weapons working while mastering their use. This weapon has the

the start of your next turn. If the creature is hit more than once by weapons that have this property, the Speed reduction doesn’t exceed 10 feet.

Rifle, Automatic

Equipment

the training rules in the Player’s Handbook to acquire proficiency, assuming that they have enough ammunition to keep the weapons working while mastering their use. This weapon has the

the start of your next turn. If the creature is hit more than once by weapons that have this property, the Speed reduction doesn’t exceed 10 feet.

Laser Rifle

Equipment

the training rules in the Player’s Handbook to acquire proficiency, assuming that they have enough ammunition to keep the weapons working while mastering their use. This weapon has the

the start of your next turn. If the creature is hit more than once by weapons that have this property, the Speed reduction doesn’t exceed 10 feet.

Wall of Stone

Spells Player’s Handbook

one side of the wall (you choose which side). If a creature would be surrounded on all sides by the wall (or the wall and another solid surface), that creature can make a Dexterity saving throw. On a

creature or object. The wall doesn’t need to be vertical or rest on a firm foundation. It must, however, merge with and be solidly supported by existing stone. Thus, you can use this spell to bridge a

Gate

Spells Player’s Handbook

speak the name of a specific creature (a pseudonym, title, or nickname doesn’t work). If that creature is on a plane other than the one you are on, the portal opens next to the named creature and

transports it to the nearest unoccupied space on your side of the portal. You gain no special power over the creature, and it is free to act as the DM deems appropriate. It might leave, attack you, or help you.

Move Earth

Spells Player’s Handbook

Choose an area of terrain no larger than 40 feet on a side within range. You can reshape dirt, sand, or clay in the area in any manner you choose for the duration. You can raise or lower the area

structures shift to accommodate the new terrain. If the way you shape the terrain would make a structure unstable, it might collapse. Similarly, this spell doesn’t directly affect plant growth. The moved earth carries any plants along with it.

Biha Babir

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

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

a cunning mind. Biha Babir is politically savvy and prefers to outsmart her opponents rather than battle them, though she doesn’t shy from combat if necessary. Biha Babir covets opulence, but

Amnizu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Devil’s Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede the amnizu’s darkvision. Magic Resistance. The amnizu has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical

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

Handy Haversack Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

This backpack has a central pouch and two side pouches, each of which is an extradimensional space. Each side pouch can hold up to 20 pounds of material, not exceeding a volume of 2 cubic feet. The

large central pouch can hold up to 8 cubic feet or 80 pounds of material. The backpack always weighs 5 pounds, regardless of its contents. Placing an object in the haversack follows the normal rules

Heward's Handy Haversack Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

This backpack has a central pouch and two side pouches, each of which is an extradimensional space. Each side pouch can hold up to 20 pounds of material, not exceeding a volume of 2 cubic feet. The

large central pouch can hold up to 8 cubic feet or 80 pounds of material. The backpack always weighs 5 pounds, regardless of its contents. Placing an object in the haversack follows the normal rules

Geryon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Regeneration. Geryon regains 20 hit points at the start of his turn. If he takes radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of his next turn. Geryon dies only if he starts his turn

with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.Multiattack. Geryon makes one Claw attack and one Stinger attack. Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +16;{"diceNotation":"1d20+16","rollType":"to hit

Drow Shadowblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Devil’s Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede the drow’s darkvision. Fey Ancestry. The drow has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put the

-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

Titivilus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Regeneration. Titivilus regains 10 hit points at the start of his turn. If he takes cold or radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of his next turn. Titivilus dies only if

he starts his turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate. Ventriloquism. Whenever Titivilus speaks, he can choose a point within 60 feet of him; his voice emanates from that point.Multiattack

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.

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

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

to inspire your portrayal of distinctive dragon turtle characters, and use the Dragon Turtle Spellcasting table to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. (Though the Monster Manual doesn’t

Wildspacer

Backgrounds Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

gravity isn’t present, the following rules apply: Impeded Melee. When making a melee attack with a weapon, a creature that doesn’t have a flying or swimming speed (either naturally or

to adapt to zero gravity. Being weightless doesn’t give you disadvantage on any of your melee attack rolls (see “Weightlessness” below). WEIGHTLESSNESS In any location where

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

Boss Delour

Monsters The Book of Many Things

damage if he fails, provided he doesn’t have the incapacitated condition. Nimbleness. Delour can move through the space of a Medium or larger creature. Regeneration. Delour regains 10 hit points

at the start of his turn. If he takes damage from a silver weapon, this trait doesn’t function at the start of his next turn. Delour dies only if he starts his turn with 0 hit points and doesn

Molydeus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

that doesn’t affect the weapon’s capabilities. Molydeus (Summoner Variant);Variant: Demon Summoning You can give a molydeus the ability to summon other demons. Summon Demon (1/Day

Madcap

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Iron Boots. While moving, the madcap has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. Outsize Strength. While grappling, the madcap is considered to be Medium. Also, wielding a heavy weapon doesn

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

Vargouille Reflection

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

can’t increase. The curse doesn’t advance while the target is in sunlight or the area of a daylight spell. When the cursed target’s Charisma becomes 2, the target dies, and its head

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

Second Skin

feats

Dark Gift Feat (Prerequisite: Ravenloft Campaign) There is another side of you that most people never see: a beast, a terrifying avenger, or a walking nightmare. You gain the following features

Alter Self without a spell slot using this feature, it doesn’t require Concentration. Involuntary Change. Certain circumstances can involuntarily trigger your transformation. When you select this

High Fae Kindguard

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

half damage if it fails, provided it doesn’t have the incapacitated condition. Magic Resistance. The high fae has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.Multiattack

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

Young Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

suspicion, and rippling in side-to-side waves with amusement or joy. Visions in Starlight Many crystal dragons study the stars, recording their observations of the night sky and tracking the signs written

. (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

Abracadabrus

Magic Items Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

An abracadabrus is an ornate, gemstone-studded wooden chest that weighs 25 pounds while empty. Its interior compartment is a cube measuring 1½ feet on a side. The chest has 20 charges. A

) worth a total of 1 gp or less. The named objects magically appear in the chest, provided they can all fit inside it and the chest doesn’t contain anything else. For example, the chest can conjure a

Wereraven Legacy

monsters Curse of Strahd

doesn’t function at the start of the wereraven’s next turn. The wereraven dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.Multiattack (Human or Hybrid Form

, modestly give money to charity. They take steps to keep magic items out of evil hands by stashing them in secret hiding places. Characters as Wereravens. The Monster Manual has rules for characters

Geryon Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

from the ground 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

. If Geryon dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll"} days. VARIANT: SOUND THE HORN Geryon can have an action that allows him to summon enslaved

Crystal Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

in side-to-side waves with amusement or joy. Visions in Starlight Many crystal dragons study the stars, recording their observations of the night sky and tracking the signs written in starlight

) 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 and adventures

Scissors of Shadow Snipping

Magic Items The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

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

vertical surfaces), provided it remains within your sight at all times. The shadow is harmless and unable to be harmed, and it is invisible in darkness. It can’t speak, and it doesn’t require

Juiblex

monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Regeneration. Juiblex regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn. If it takes fire or radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn. Juiblex dies only if it

starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate. Spider Climb. Juiblex can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.Multiattack

Noble Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

authority that title carries. A noble title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it down to your own children. Not only do

. 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

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