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Returning 35 results for 'some of rather decreases variant'.
Monsters
Dungeon Masters: Ravenloft Play-Along Pack
Meltable. If the waxwork takes Fire damage, until the end of its next turn, its Speed decreases by 20 feet and it has Disadvantage on saving throws.Multiattack. The waxwork makes two Sculpting Knife
ft. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3);{"diceNotation":"2d4+3", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Wax Lob", "rollDamageType":"Bludgeoning"} Bludgeoning damage, and the target’s Speed decreases by 10 feet until
monsters
Meltable. If the waxwork takes Fire damage, until the end of its next turn, its Speed decreases by 20 feet and it has Disadvantage on saving throws.Multiattack. The waxwork makes two Sculpting Knife
ft. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3);{"diceNotation":"2d4+3", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Wax Lob", "rollDamageType":"Bludgeoning"} Bludgeoning damage, and the target’s Speed decreases by 10 feet until
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
condition. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Charisma saving throw or become cursed. The cursed target’s Charisma decreases by 1 after each hour, as its head takes on fiendish aspects, and its Charisma
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
monsters
Exhaustion level. The target’s Hit Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the Psychic damage taken, and the mind flayer regains Hit Points equal to that amount.
Mind Burst (Recharge 5–6
their psychic abilities. Rather than focused mind blasts, they unleash waves of nauseating, mentally disruptive sensations. They use their viciously barbed tentacles to drain their victims&rsquo
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
Investigation rather than Athletics.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the soldier background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to
monsters
Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the Psychic damage taken, and Cthulhu regains Hit Points equal to that amount.Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Domain). Immediately after another creature
thwarted ambitions. Rather, this ageless terror remains physically bound and can exert only a fraction of its terrible might. Nevertheless, Cthulhu’s dreams slip beyond its prison, manipulating minds
monsters
start of each of its turns, and its Speed decreases by 10 feet.
Deadly Serum. The target takes 11 (2d10);{"diceNotation":"2d10", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Deadly Serum", "rollDamageType
create horrors and wonders. All manner of undead and constructs march from her laboratory, but such flawed creations don’t satisfy Mordenheim. Rather, she seeks to re-create or reclaim her greatest
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
wish to use the background’s standard feature might have gained their standing in Baldur’s Gate from business rather than inheritance.
Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion
Tool
; 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
Criminal / Spy
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Backgrounds
Basic Rules (2014)
; 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
new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden.
4
I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.
5
I am incredibly slow to trust. Those
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
often difficult because I’m so easily distr… oh my goodness, is that circlet made of silver?
7
I find the waking world tedious and mundane and would much rather spend my time asleep
a night hag (coven variant);night hag coven are determined to prevent an adult moonstone dragon from contacting creatures in the dream realm, and the dragon has no idea why.
7
An adult
Yuan-ti Pureblood
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
can more easily pronounce the name in this altered form. An adopted name of this sort is recognized as a variant of the birth name, rather than a unique name unto itself. A yuan-ti might refer to
of evil that calls for them to butcher or eradicate all who oppose them. In keeping with their goal of domination, the yuan-ti would rather capture potentially useful opponents than kill them. They use
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Sleight of Hand with Intelligence, rather than Dexterity. This is an example of how to apply the rule in the “Variant: Skills with Different Abilities” section in chapter 7 of the Player’s Handbook.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Masters: Ravenloft Play-Along Pack
creatures typically believe they’re the original living beings rather than duplicates. Any waxwork confronted with evidence of its true nature flies into a rage until it or its double is destroyed. In
Fire damage, until the end of its next turn, its Speed decreases by 20 feet and it has Disadvantage on saving throws.
Actions
Multiattack. The waxwork makes two Sculpting Knife attacks.
Sculpting
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
always occur in shady venues.
Variant Criminal: Spy
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very
could be hidden.
4
I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.
5
I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.
6
I don’t pay
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
within an inch of their lives, yet still be ready to fight again the next day. If this approach doesn’t fit your campaign, consider the following variants. Epic Heroism This variant uses a short rest
to regain spell slots of 6th level or higher. Gritty Realism This variant uses a short rest of 8 hours and a long rest of 7 days. This puts the brakes on the campaign, requiring the players to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Inspiration for the DM Another way to use the inspiration deck is to make its effects available to monsters and villains. In this variant, each time a player expends inspiration, the DM also draws a
card from the deck. Rather than adding it to the communal hand, you keep that card secret until you play it on behalf of one of the characters’ opponents. You can play your inspiration cards soon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
creatures typically believe they’re the original living beings rather than duplicates. Any waxwork confronted with evidence of its true nature flies into a rage until it or its double is destroyed. In
waxwork takes Fire damage, until the end of its next turn, its Speed decreases by 20 feet and it has Disadvantage on saving throws.
Actions
Multiattack. The waxwork makes two Sculpting Knife attacks
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
) piercing damage.
VARIANT: DISEASED GIANT RATS
Some giant rats carry vile diseases that they spread with their bites. A diseased giant rat has a challenge rating of 1/8 (25 XP) and the following
Constitution saving throw or contract a disease. Until the disease is cured, the target can’t regain hit points except by magical means, and the target’s hit point maximum decreases by 3 (1d6) every 24 hours. If the target’s hit point maximum drops to 0 as a result of this disease, the target dies.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Morte’s Planar Parade
variant known as the vargouille reflection resides in Undersigil. When a vargouille reflection spots a Humanoid target, it takes on that creature’s visage, terrifying that creature by appearing as its own
cursed. The cursed target’s Charisma decreases by 1 after each hour, as its head takes on fiendish aspects, and its Charisma can’t increase. The curse doesn’t advance while the target is in sunlight or the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
sort is recognized as a variant of the birth name, rather than a unique name unto itself. A yuan-ti might refer to itself by its birth name, by its adopted name, or (especially among purebloods) by a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
Variant Abilities When a beholder’s dream-imagination runs wild, the result can be an offspring that has an unusual or unique set of abilities. Rather than the standard powers of a beholder’s central
eye and eyestalks, the creature has one or more variant abilities — guaranteed to surprise any enemies who thought they knew what they were getting themselves into. This section provides several
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
nalfeshnee named Slaughtertusk to watch over the crevasse and prevent any creature from approaching the device. Slaughtertusk would rather be helping the Horned King track down and kill Yeenoghu. The
nalfeshnee is bored with its assigned task, although it knows better than to disobey the Horned King. Still, rather than immediately destroying any intruders, it toys with them for as long as possible
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
adventure, the first time a character dies, invite all the players to create two variant versions of their character using the guidance in this section, then continue the adventure. Prepared Incarnations
“Running Glitch Characters” section. Let players discover that dead characters return in new incarnations during play rather than revealing this outright. When an incarnation appears, they are attuned to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
. Melee Attack Roll: +8, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) Piercing damage plus 11 (2d10) Necrotic damage. The target’s Hit Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the Necrotic damage taken, and the
are bestial creatures that lack control over their psychic abilities. Rather than focused mind blasts, they unleash waves of nauseating, mentally disruptive sensations. They use their viciously
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
rolls and Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against the creature have advantage while it's in the smaller space. VARIANT: PLAYING ON A GRID If you play out a combat using a square grid and
miniatures or other tokens, follow these rules.
Squares. Each square on the grid represents 5 feet.
Speed. Rather than moving foot by foot, move square by square on the grid. This means you use your speed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
(Stealth) check. An effective distraction might lower the DC or even bypass this check entirely. At night, the DC of this check decreases to 9. Interior Security Characters who learned the guard
rotation in the “Preparation” section know two guards are posted in the lobby, seven guards patrol the first floor of the vault, and no guards patrol upstairs. Rather than requiring you to track each
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
way to Yestabrod’s garden, attacking only if the characters stand in their way. Any character reduced to 0 hit points in this encounter is knocked unconscious rather than killed. If all the characters
decreases by 1, and each character is infested with Zuggtmoy’s spores (see the “Neverlight Grove: General Features” sidebar). Development If left alone, the thralls enact a mock wedding, with a chamberlain
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
Mordenheim. Rather, she seeks to re-create or reclaim her greatest creation, the Unbreakable Heart, a miraculous device that grants life to Mordenheim’s elusive reanimated victim, Elise. Viktra
effect on itself on a success. The target succeeds automatically after 1 minute:
Corrosive Serum. The target takes 10 (4d4) Acid damage at the start of each of its turns, and its Speed decreases by 10
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
tier 2 adventure. 1 treasure point is awarded for every 1 hour played in a tier 3 or tier 4 adventure. As with the variant rules for gaining levels, this award is based on the adventure’s projected
playing time, rather than the actual time a group spent at the table. If a character completes an adventure of a tier higher than that character’s tier, the character receives 1 additional treasure point
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
emphasize action-packed heroics. For such campaigns, consider allowing inspiration to be spent after a d20 roll, rather than before. This approach turns inspiration into a cushion against failure — and
your campaign is one where you let the dice fall where they may. It’s a good option for gritty campaigns or ones where the DM focuses on playing an impartial role as a rules arbiter. Variant: Only
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within
ambitions. Rather, this ageless terror remains physically bound and can exert only a fraction of its terrible might. Nevertheless, Cthulhu’s dreams slip beyond its prison, manipulating minds and
: Half damage. Failure or Success: The target’s Hit Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the Psychic damage taken, and Cthulhu regains Hit Points equal to that amount.
Bonus Actions
Warp
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
could be hidden. 4 I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. 5 I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. 6 I don’t pay attention to the risks in a
prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. Variant Criminal: Spy Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
: DC 19, one creature the demilich can see within 120 feet. Failure: The target’s Hit Point maximum decreases by 14 (4d6). Failure or Success: The demilich can’t take this action again until the start
will. These immortal messengers adopt the shapes of mystical beasts or idealized, winged mortals. As with all angels, their true forms are known only to the gods they serve.
Rather than literal
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
could be hidden. 4 I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. 5 I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. 6 I don’t pay attention to the risks in a
prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. Variant Criminal: Spy Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a