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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

feet of you. While Restrained in this way, the target takes 3d6 Psychic damage at the start of each of its turns. At the end of each of its turns, the target repeats the save, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Revolver

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

following mastery property. To use this property, you must have a feature that lets you use it. Sap. If you hit a creature with this weapon, that creature has Disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of your next turn.

Antimatter 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

following mastery property. To use this property, you must have a feature that lets you use it. Sap. If you hit a creature with this weapon, that creature has Disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of your next turn.

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.

Flaming Sphere

Spells Player’s Handbook

the sphere into a creature’s space, that creature makes the save against the sphere, and the sphere stops moving for the turn. When you move the sphere, you can direct it over barriers up to 5

feet tall and jump it across pits up to 10 feet wide. Flammable objects that aren’t being worn or carried start burning if touched by the sphere, and it sheds Bright Light in a 20-foot radius and

Control Water

Spells Player’s Handbook

, the wave repeats on the start of your next turn while the flood effect lasts. Part Water. You part water in the area and create a trench. The trench extends across the spell’s area, and the

directions. The water in the area moves as you direct it, but once it moves beyond the spell’s area, it resumes its flow based on the terrain. The water continues to move in the direction you

Phaerimm Elder

Monsters Netheril’s Fall

’s Speed is reduced to 0 feet until the start of the phaerimm’s next turn. Siphon Magic (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Siphon Magic"}. The phaerimm

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

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

can’t take this action again until the start of its next turn.Scheming Lich in a Monstrous, Frozen Form Zlan is a horrid, icy amalgamation of the seven liches who created the Artifact

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

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

Grung Elite Warrior

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned creature no longer in direct contact with the grung can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on

Grung Wildling

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned creature no longer in direct contact with the grung can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on

Grung

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned creature no longer in direct contact with the grung can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on

Amnizu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"necrotic"} necrotic damage and be blinded until the start of the amnizu’s next turn. Forgetfulness (Recharge 6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Forgetfulness"}. The

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

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

fae kindguards are in direct service to Talion, the Kindly Lord. Nine times nine have these high fae sworn a binding oath to protect the Kindly Lord, each time pricking their hand on a hawthorn

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.

Leprechaun

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

", "rollDamageType":"force"} force damage. If the target is a creature, its speed is halved until the start of the leprechaun’s next turn. Gift of Luck (1/Day). The leprechaun touches a creature and

roll to use, potentially turning the failure into a success.Leprechauns are manifestations of the Feywild rules of hospitality and reciprocity. These rules infuse leprechauns with a deep connection to

Gazer

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Ray. The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the start of the gazer’s next turn. While the target is charmed in this way, its speed is halved, and it

has disadvantage on attack rolls. 2: Fear Ray. The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the start of the gazer’s next turn. 3: Frost Ray. The

Molydeus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

spent legendary actions at the start of its turn. Attack. The molydeus makes one Demonic Weapon or Snakebite attack. Move. The molydeus moves without provoking opportunity attack;opportunity attacks

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

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

Living Doll

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

False Appearance. If the doll is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the doll move or act, that creature must

succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the doll is animate. Regeneration. The doll regains 5 hit points at the start of its turn. If the doll takes fire or psychic damage

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

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

"} poison damage.Delour the wererat is a sly trickster and consummate thief who rules the Moonstalkers alongside his friend Boss Augustus;Augustus. Delour’s honeyed words and calculating mind make

Bel

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature’s saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to Bel’s Fear Aura for the next 24 hours. Innate Spellcasting. Bel’s

at the start of his turn. Fireball. Bel casts fireball. Tactical Edge (Costs 2 Actions). Roll a d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Tactical Edge"} for Bel. The number rolled on

Banderhobb Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

Resonant Connection. If the banderhobb has even a tiny piece of a creature or an object in its possession, such as a lock of hair or a splinter of wood, it knows the most direct route to that

takes 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Swallow","rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage at the start of each of the banderhobb's turns. A creature reduced to 0 hit

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

action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Geryon regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn. Infernal Glare. Geryon targets one creature he

Air Genasi

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Planes, each genasi can tap into the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct

At 1st level, you 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

Water Genasi

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct descendants of a genie, while

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 When

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

end of another creature's turn. The dragon turtle regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn. Attack. The dragon turtle makes one Claw or Tail attack. Move. The dragon turtle moves

Inquisitor of the Mind Fire Legacy

monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

throw or take 17 (3d8 + 4);{"diceNotation":"3d8+4","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Mind Fire","rollDamageType":"psychic"} psychic damage and be stunned until the start of the inquisitor’s next

the start of the inquisitor’s next turn. On the charmed target’s turn, the inquisitor can telepathically control the target’s move, action, or both. When controlled in this way, the

Wereraven Legacy

monsters Curse of Strahd

successful DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check. Regeneration. The wereraven regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the wereraven takes damage from a silvered weapon or a spell, this trait

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

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

Inquisitor of the Sword Legacy

monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Metabolic Control. At the start of each of its turns, the inquisitor regains 10 hit points and can end one condition on itself, provided the inquisitor has at least 1 hit point.Multiattack. The

by a tome. Today the inquisition rules the city of Malitain, a vast city-state to the north of Barovia’s original site, and the inquisition sends its members throughout the multiverse, seeking

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