Homebrew doppelganger Species Details

No one knows where doppelgangers first came from. Some people believe they were created by arcane means, others theorize they escaped the Feywild—what is agreed is that they now span the world, lurking among almost every race, in practically every major settlement.

These devious changelings can alter their appearance at will to almost any person, from human to dwarf, tiefling and beyond. In their true forms they appear as tall, grey humanoids with circular red eyes, no mouth and ears reminiscent of elves. In these true forms their skin is gelatinous to the touch, and they have slim, frail looking builds—yet even this is misleading to their advantage, for a doppelganger is tough and agile no matter what guise they take.

Doppelgangers possess the rare ability to peer into the minds of those around them, focusing on an individual and reading their surface thoughts. They use this to ability to learn as much as they can about their intended target before attempting to assume their identity. They will stalk their targets for hours, days or even weeks, observing their mannerisms and secretly stealing their name, desires, and fears, along with a few scattered memories.

These psychic abilities, in combination with their shapechanging skill, make them unrivaled at impersonating others.

doppelganger Traits

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Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity and Charisma scores each increase by 1

age

Doppelgangers reach maturity at the same age as their parent race, and live for roughly a century after they reach maturity.

Darkvision

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.

Shapechange

You can use an action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid you have seen. Your statistics, other than size, are the same in each form. Any equipment you are wearing or carrying isn't transformed. You revert to your true form if you die.
You can use Shapechanger up to three times, and regain this trait through a short or long rest. Reverting back to your true form takes an action but does not consume a use.

Read Thoughts

You can read the surface thoughts of one creature within 30 feet as an action. While the target is in range, you can continue reading its thoughts, as long as your concentration isn't broken (as if concentrating on a spell).

Psychic Intuition

While reading the target's thoughts with your Read Thoughts trait or a Detect Thoughts spell, you can choose to have advantage on a Wisdom (Insight) or Charisma (Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion) check against the target. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and two languages of your choice.

Greased Mind

You have advantage on saving throws against being Charmed.

Insidious Impostor

You gain proficiency in the Deception skill. Doppelgangers are masters of deceit and subterfuge.