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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.

Biha Babir

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Amphibious. Biha Babir can breathe air and water. Elemental Restoration. If Biha Babir dies outside the Elemental Plane of Water, her body dissolves into brine, and she gains a new body in 1d4

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

Gnoll Witherling

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

against each other, perhaps to determine who rules a war band or because of extreme starvation. Even under ordinary circumstances, gnolls that are deprived of victims for too long struggle to control

service to Yeenoghu or dedicated to the survival of their kin, gnoll war bands seek to soften up foes with surprise attacks and to leave no survivors alive.PoisonRampage. After the witherling reduces a

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

them into legions. Amnizu (Summoner Variant);Variant: Devil Summoning Some amnizus have an action that allows them to summon other devils: Summon Devil (1/Day). The amnizu summons 2d4

Drow Inquisitor

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. The target dies if its hit point maximum is reduced to 0. Spellcasting. The drow casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability

. Variant: Demon Summoning Drow Inquisitor (Summoner Variant);Variant: Demon Summoning Some drow inquisitors have an action that allows them to summon a yochlol. Summon Demon (1/Day). The drow

Molydeus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. If the target has at least one head and the molydeus rolled a 20 on the attack roll, the target is decapitated and dies if it can’t survive without that head. A target is immune to this effect

foes, and terrify troops into obedience. A molydeus’s demon lord bestows on it a powerful weapon that dissolves if the molydeus dies. The weapon’s form varies depending on the creator, but

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.

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power. Survival of the Fittest Among goliaths, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is expelled. A lone goliath has

single mistake can bring doom to an entire tribe, while an individual’s heroic effort can ensure the entire group’s survival. Goliaths thus place a premium on self-sufficiency and

Drow Shadowblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

-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

summoner, acts as an ally of its summoner, and can’t summon other demons. It remains for 10 minutes, until it or its summoner dies, or until its summoner dismisses it as an action. Shadow Step

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

Cultist (Knights of the Black Sword)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Dark Devotion. The cultist has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened. Icy Doom. When the cultist dies, its corpse freezes for 9 days, during which time it can’t be

Levistus, the archdevil who rules Stygia, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells, from the confines of an ice prison from which he cannot escape. Most of the cultists are Icewind Dale natives who would

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

Cult Fanatic (Knights of the Black Sword)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

flame, thaumaturgy 1st level (4 slots): command, inflict wounds, shield of faith 2nd level (3 slots): hold person, spiritual weapon Icy Doom. When the cultist dies, its corpse freezes for 9 days

","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.The Knights of the Black Sword are a secret society of cultists devoted to Levistus, the archdevil who rules Stygia, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells, from 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

Wildspacer

Backgrounds Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

: Athletics, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s tools, vehicles (space) Equipment: A belaying pin (club), a set of traveler’s clothes, a grappling hook, 50 feet of hempen rope, and a

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

Spitting Mimic

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Adhesive (Object Form Only). The mimic adheres to anything that touches it. A Huge or smaller creature adhered to the mimic is also grappled by it

damage on a successful one.Mimics are shape-shifting monsters described in the Monster Manual. The variant presented here is a particularly large and voracious specimen—the result of Netherese experiments on ordinary mimics—that spits acid.Acid

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

Knight of Solamnia

Backgrounds Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Prerequisite: Dragonlance Campaign You have trained to be a valorous warrior known as a Knight of Solamnia. Strict rules guide your every action, and you work to uphold them as you strive to

defend the weak and oppose evil. Your honor is as important to you as your life. Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: An insignia of rank, a deck of cards

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

long rest. The target’s hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to half the poison damage taken. This reduction lasts until the poisoned condition is removed. The target dies if its hit

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

utility and importance. Nowhere does this come through as strongly as when lizardfolk deal with the dead. To a lizardfolk, a comrade who dies becomes a potential source of food. That companion might have

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

Bel

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

the die is subtracted from the next attack roll made against Bel or an ally of his choice within the next minute. Summon Ice Devil (Costs 3 Actions). Bel magically summons an Ice Devil (Spear Variant

summon other devils if it has such power. The ice devil remains until Bel dies or until he dismisses it as an action.From his bastion, Zariel’s second-in-command and the former lord of Avernus

Smuggler

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

presence (and that of your companions) a secret. Suggested Characteristics In general, smugglers value survival, and then profit, above other things. One could be a part of a larger

’s Code. I uphold the unwritten rules of the smugglers, who do not cheat one another or directly harm innocents. (Lawful) 3 All for a Coin. I’ll do nearly anything if it

Vegepygmy

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

its turn. If it takes cold, fire, or necrotic damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the vegepygmy’s next turn. The vegepygmy dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points

(Survival) check is required to identify it. Effects of the Mold Any creature that comes within 5 feet of russet mold must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw as the mold emits a puff of spores. On

Kruthik Hive Lord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"Acid Spray","rollDamageType":"acid"} acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.A hive lord rules each kruthik hive. When the hive lord dies, the surviving members of the

Nafik

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

"} for every 24 hours that elapse. If the curse reduces the target’s hit point maximum to 0, the target dies and its body turns to dust. The curse lasts until removed by the Remove Curse spell or

by evil, Nafik now rules over the upper halls of Amun Sa’s pyramid and the priests he sentenced to an exanimate eternity.Necrotic, PoisonBludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical AttacksFire

Hag of the Fetid Gaze

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

like another creature of her general size and humanoid shape. The illusion ends if the hag takes a bonus action to end it or if she dies. The changes wrought by this effect fail to hold up to physical

with her.Three Green Hag (Coven Variant);green hags named Dread Morgan, Vile Sazha, and Auntie Greenbones were once rivals who dwelled in an area of the Feywild coterminous with the High Forest. A

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

Geryon Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

. 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

weapon attacks are magical. 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

Thorny Vegepygmy

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

turn. If it takes cold, fire, or necrotic damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the thorny’s next turn. The thorny dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn

+1", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Bite", "rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.If a Beast such as a dog or a bear dies from russet mold, the result is a bestial moldy called a thorny

Vegepygmy Chief

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

its turn. If it takes cold, fire, or necrotic damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the vegepygmy’s next turn. The vegepygmy dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points

dies while infected, its corpse produces vegepygmies the same way russet mold does. Vegepygmies Vegepygmies are fungus creatures that live in simple bands, hunting for sustenance and spreading the

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

Zuggtmoy

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

(Medicine) and Wisdom (Survival) checks have disadvantage. Fungal Infestation. Molds and fungi grow on surfaces within 6 miles of the lair, even where they would normally find no purchase. Mutating

Vegetation. Vegetation within 1 mile of the lair becomes infested with parasitic fungi, slowly mutating as it is overwhelmed. If Zuggtmoy dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10

Amnizu (Summoner Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, until the amnizu dies, or until its summoner dismisses it as an action. Spellcasting. The amnizu casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the

desire to commit evil. The amnizus that patrol here drill the rules of the Nine Hells into the new arrivals’ minds and marshal them into legions.Fire, PoisonCold; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered

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

Scion of Thrym

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

’s Guide for rules on extreme cold). If the climate in the area already features extreme cold, the cold is numbing—creatures in the area without immunity or resistance to cold damage have

rapidly and thrive within 6 miles of the scion. If the scion dies, these effects end immediately. Scions of Giants’ Gods Giants are descended from the All-Father, Annam, and his children. But

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