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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.

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.

Hunting Trap

Equipment

immobile object, such as a tree or a spike driven into the ground. A creature that steps on the plate must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 Piercing damage and have its Speed reduced

to 0 until the start of its next turn. Thereafter, until the creature breaks free of the trap, its movement is limited by the length of the chain (typically 3 feet). A creature can use its action to

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.

Vampire Umbral Lord

Monsters Monster Manual

vampire takes 20 Acid damage if it ends its turn in running water.Stake to the Heart. If a weapon that deals Piercing damage is driven into the vampire’s heart while the vampire has the

", "rollDamageType":"Necrotic"} Necrotic damage, and the target has the Poisoned condition until the start of the vampire’s next turn. Hunger of Hadar (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType

Vampire

Monsters Monster Manual

water. Stake to the Heart. If a weapon that deals Piercing damage is driven into the vampire’s heart while the vampire has the Incapacitated condition in its resting place, the vampire has the

). Immediately after another creature’s turn, the vampire can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The vampire regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns. Beguile

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

Vampire Infernalist

Monsters Astarion's Book of Hungers

. Running Water. The vampire takes 20 Acid damage if it ends its turn in running water. Stake to the Heart. If a weapon that deals Piercing damage is driven into the vampire’s heart while the

Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature’s turn, the vampire can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The vampire regains all expended uses at the start of each

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

":"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

Amnizu (Summoner Variant)

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

, where it flows through Dis and Stygia. They collect the souls arriving in the form of lemure;lemures (see the Monster Manual). Lemures have no personalities or memories; they’re driven only by the

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.

Grung Elite Warrior

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

itself on a success. Standing Leap. The grung’s long jump is up to 25 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start. Water Dependency. If the grung isn’t

secrete a substance that is harmless to them but poisonous to other creatures, and sometimes that substance has a special effect based on the grung’s color (see “Variant: Grung Poison&rdquo

Grung Wildling

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

itself on a success. Standing Leap. The grung’s long jump is up to 25 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start. Water Dependency. If the grung isn’t

gold. All grungs secrete a substance that is harmless to them but poisonous to other creatures, and sometimes that substance has a special effect based on the grung’s color (see “Variant

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

Grung

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

itself on a success. Standing Leap. The grung’s long jump is up to 25 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start. Water Dependency. If the grung isn’t

effect based on the grung’s color (see “Variant: Grung Poison”). They also use this venom to poison their weapons. Variant: Grung Poison A creature poisoned by a grung can suffer an

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

Kas the Betrayer

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

frightened condition. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Kas fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Regeneration. Kas regains 20 hit points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1

hit point. If he takes radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of his next turn. Special Equipment. Kas wears the Crown of Lies (see the Introduction of Vecna: Eve of Ruin

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

Kobold Vampire Spawn

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Regeneration. The vampire regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn’t in sunlight or running water. If the vampire takes radiant damage or damage from

holy water, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn. Unusual Nature. The vampire doesn’t require air. Vampire Weaknesses. The vampire has the following flaws

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

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society. Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth Tool Proficiencies: One

Guild took over your family business, ran it into the ground, and burned the building for insurance money. You were driven into crime yourself, but you’ll never work for the Guild. You take

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

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

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

Tloques-Popolocas

Monsters Tales from the Yawning Portal

Regeneration. Tloques-Popolocas regains 10 hit points at the start of his turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight or running water. If Tloques-Popolocas takes radiant damage or

damage from holy water, this trait doesn't function at the start of Tloques-Popolocas next turn. Spider Climb. Tloques-Popolocas can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without

Slithering Tracker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

addition, the grappled target takes 16 (3d10);{"diceNotation":"3d10", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Life Leech", "rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage at the start of each of its turns. The

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

Hobgoblin

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Hobgoblins trace their origins to the ancient courts of the Feywild, where they first appeared with their goblin and bugbear kin. Many of them were driven from the Feywild by the conquering god

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

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