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Returning 35 results for 'some of rather defense variant'.
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
You have served the community where you grew up, standing as its first line of defense against crime. You aren’t a soldier, directing your gaze outward at possible enemies. Instead, your
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
Physical Restraint. The dabus doesn’t make melee attacks or opportunity attack;opportunity attacks, even in self-defense.
Symbol Speech. A dabus communicates by creating illusory symbols and
cobblestone hands.
When dabus communicate, rather than speaking or signing words, they create esoteric illusory images and symbols in front of themselves. Scholars have yet to determine the origin of
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
, requiring no material components:
1/day each: banishment, detect evil and good
Unarmored Defense. While the leonin is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom
warrior;tribal warriors, but those who hunt the servants of the gods rather than game are known as leonin iconoclasts.
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
Psychic Defense. While the githzerai is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom modifier.Multiattack. The githzerai makes three Unarmed Strike or Psychic Bolt attacks. It
), telekinesisGithzerai uniters espouse wisdom and unity rather than violence. Many uniters are members of the Sha’sal Khou, a group of githyanki and githzerai who band together to reunify the gith
classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
A variety of arcane colleges specialize in training wizards for war. The tradition of War Magic blends principles of evocation and abjuration, rather than specializing in either of those schools. It
often works with evokers, abjurers, and other types of wizards. Evokers, in particular, sometimes tease war mages for splitting their attention between offense and defense. A war mage’s typical
Soldier
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Backgrounds
Basic Rules (2014)
solution is the best path to success.
d6
Ideal
1
Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good)
2
Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just
mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.
4
My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5
I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.
6
I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.
classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
A variety of arcane colleges specialize in training wizards for war. The tradition of War Magic blends principles of evocation and abjuration, rather than specializing in either of those schools. It
often works with evokers, abjurers, and other types of wizards. Evokers, in particular, sometimes tease war mages for splitting their attention between offense and defense. A war mage’s typical
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
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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
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
1
I never raise my voice or lose my temper.
2
I feel the pains and joys of everyone around me, friend or foe.
3
I would rather make a friend than thwart an enemy.
4
I’m
finally know peace. (Any)
Bonds
d6
Bond
1
I would give my life in the defense of the small enclave where I first encountered Mat’Selesnya.
2
I love beasts and
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
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
defense of others. (Good)
2
Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful)
3
Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic
enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5
I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.
6
I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good)
2
Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful)
3
Independence. When people follow orders
keep that mistake secret.
4
My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5
I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.
6
I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.
Yuan-ti Pureblood
Legacy
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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.
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->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Reaching the Tower Lolth’s forces surround the tower, but they are focused on the spyder-fiends below rather than on defense. Hundreds of driders, Humanoids, and demons surround the tower, but 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->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
, but those who hunt the servants of the gods rather than game are known as leonin iconoclasts. Leonin Iconoclast While leonin don’t deny the existence of the gods, most denounce them, believing the
impede on Oreskos and the safety of the leonin prides. Leonin Iconoclast
Medium humanoid (leonin), any alignment
Armor Class 17 (Unarmored Defense)
Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 40 ft.
STR
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hold Back The Dead
. Rather than abandon the fortress, the five cities supporting the reconstruction efforts committed to defending Ironspine Keep against Szass Tam’s horde. When the characters arrive for what they expect to
be a routine guard posting, they learn about the approaching horde and must align themselves with one of the five cities. Defense of Ironspine Keep depends upon them.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Locathah Rising
in her head and pull her tentacles up into the shell protectively, like a strange hermit crab. Whymsee (Kraken Priest Variant)
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor
next turn.
Shell Defense. Whymsee withdraws into her shell. Until she emerges, she gains a +4 bonus to AC and has advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in her shell, Whymsee is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
respect all beings who risk their lives in defense of something greater than themselves.
2 My payment is a matter of principle. Requiring even a small fee for my service allows those I help to
strategy. A quick death in combat is its own kind of courtesy.
6 I trust my gut. I’d rather act on incomplete information than be hamstrung by indecision.
7 I’m fascinated by other species
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Morte’s Planar Parade
Githzerai Uniter Githzerai uniters espouse wisdom and unity rather than violence. Many uniters are members of the Sha’sal Khou, a group of githyanki and githzerai who band together to reunify the
Defense)
Hit Points 123 (19d8 + 38)
Speed 40 ft.
STR
13 (+1)
DEX
17 (+3)
CON
15 (+2)
INT
15 (+2)
WIS
17 (+3)
CHA
16 (+3)
Saving Throws Str +4, Dex +6, Int +5, Wis +6
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->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
in a vicious assault that leaves few survivors. If robbery rather than murder is the goal, a duergar war party might surreptitiously dig for weeks to penetrate a dwarf treasure vault, hoping to seize
a clan’s riches from beneath its noses. For their part, the dwarves keep safety and defense uppermost in their priorities, realizing that there is little to be gained from trying to mount a large
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
, shifting the campaign’s focus to its defense and maintenance; a character could become separated from the rest of the party, trapped in an undetectable and unreachable prison; or characters could instantly
your group. Meanwhile, “The Deck as Narrative” discusses having cards foreshadow future events, rather than triggering instantaneous effects, so you can incorporate the effects into your campaign when
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
the gnomes’ war god, who espouses vigilance and defense. Nature Gods Baervan Wildwanderer is the gnomish god of forests and woodlands, accompanied by his companion Chiktikka Fastpaws, a great raccoon
said to be the wiser of the two. Segojan Earthcaller is god of the wilds beneath the earth, rather than upon it, as well as god of burrows and the plants and animals found therein. Shadow and Stone
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
4. Flumph Cloister Flumphs. Stalactites cling to the roof of this 20-foot-high cavern. Lurking among them are nine flumphs. The flumphs are passive creatures that fight only in self-defense.
Secret
rely on the illithid colony for sustenance. The flumphs would rather feed on the psionic energy of the mind flayers, who couldn’t care less, than the energy of the githyanki, who abhor the flumphs and attack them on sight.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
points. These NPCs are predisposed to aid in their settlement’s defense, but players might try to keep them out of harm’s way instead. Each NPC has an ideal, a bond, and a flaw, and though you should
encourage players to roleplay these traits accurately, players can portray the NPCs as they choose. Rather than have each player roll initiative for a special NPC, assume that the NPC acts on the same
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
faith, making them proficient with the quarterstaff and nothing else. You could give them a benefit to make up for the loss of proficiencies—something like the monk’s Unarmored Defense class feature, but
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
campaigns to overturn it. Rather, her champions’ work often serves her immediate interests or embodies her ire about some recent slight. The Thassa’s Quests table suggests a few adventures the god’s
defense. Some citizens might hail them as heroes, while others are suspicious of them—particularly when one of the disasters they foretell seems likely to be Thassa’s doing. They might get caught up in