Homebrew Balanced Skaven Species Details

[Creators note: 2.1 update removes subraces and revamps the homebrew to the standard of new race releases from D&D itself, following the Harengon as an example.]

Skaven originated in the underbelly of cities, and ruins of old, where they spoke Undercommon and embodied the plague and ruin. In time, these ratfolk skittered into other regions, bringing the wrath and ruin with them and learning new tactics, technologies and languages as they went.

They have a caste-like society, where the bottom is slaves, then brown furs, with black furs being the strongest, and white being the smartest (often becoming magical Grey Seers). At the very top we have the council of 13, which consists of the 12 representatives of the largest clans, and the 13th seat is for the Horned One (their god of ruin).

Creating Your Character

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 such as the fey or the skaven in this section, follow these additional rules during character creation.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. At this point, you also make a mental note of your fur colour, as generally speaking brown is DEX, black is STR and white is INT.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Undercommon. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.

Creature Type

You are recommended to be humanoid, but can be some fantastical creature type as Skaven or something else. The DM and the player decide together.

Life Span

The typical life span of a player character in the D&D multiverse is about a century, assuming the character doesn’t meet a violent end on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. Skaven have a life span of about a 20-30 years, however stronger members have been known to live for 60+. The most legendary of skaven are undying, seeing as they've filled themselves with magic and warpstone, so they'll last as long as their supply stretches.

Height and Weight

The skaven are humanoid (unless chosen otherwise), though often slightly shorter and lighter as their size is determined by their access to food as they grew up, fur colour and which broodmother they originate from. If you’d like to determine your character’s height or weight randomly, consult the Random Height and Weight table in the Player’s Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best represents the build you imagine for your character.

Balanced Skaven Traits

As a skaven, you have the following racial traits.

Plague Born

You have resistance to disease and poison due to your rat-lineage.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 35 ft.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Keen Smell

The skaven has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Plague

Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the skaven must succeed on a DC 8 + CON modifier + proficiency bonus Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. On a successful saving throw, the creature is immune to the skavens' plague for 24 hours. 

Cowardly

Disadvantage on Frightening saving throws.

Languages

Grants the ability to speak Common and Undercommon.