23 min read

Homebrew Rules

2000-01-01

Homebrew Rules

Short rest:

5 min per thing being refreshed. The max per person is the max amount rested. 5 hit dice = 25 min. Strategic if you have lots to refresh

I like that actually. Makes you think about time vs utility. Though you’d need a system of random encounters for there to be a reason not to rest up completely each time

Nah you just count up who has the most and go from there.

Take the rest in the meat cave. An hour in there feels like enough time to search the whole place and catch us. I’d have to weigh getting my breath attack back with getting up to full health with getting the hell out of the cave. I think that tension could be cool

My New Favorite House Rule: Flashing Before Your Eyes

This rule came out of discussion with some fellow DMs, and several of us have adopted it to great effect.

Flashing Before Your Eyes

Any time you are incapacitated for your turn, the DM will ask you a question about your character or their history. If you answer the question, you get inspiration.

This has been amazing for reducing the frustration of characters getting stunned or knocked out without reducing the drama or impact. The player gets 30-60 seconds of spotlight time that keeps them emotionally engaged in the battle, and a mechanical reward that will help them shine when they return to the fight.

Here are some examples that have come up so far:

  • Is this the nearest you’ve ever come to death? What are the closest calls you’ve had before?
  • If you die in this battle, what is your proudest accomplishment? What is your biggest regret?
  • What memory do you draw upon as you try to shake off the mind flayer’s influence?

This gives players an avenue for sharing back story that’s memorable and dramatic rather than dry exposition. Anything you introduce will be great fodder for the DM to bring back in subsequent sessions.

This is fantastic! I too will be stealing this, with one little tweak. Calling it Action pauses; record scratch: “So you’re probably wondering how I ended up here…”

Staying up all night:

  • DC 10 Con save or 1 level of exhaustion. DC goes up +5 each consecutive night, and only resets on (either clearing of all levels of exhaustion or 1 long rest; tempted to make it all levels, or maybe the first long rest doesn’t recover any levels of exhaustion, but resets the DC)

Moon Druid Wildshape

  • Wildshape CR goes up every 2.5 levels (rounded down) rather than every 3.
    • T-Rex @ 20!
  • Monstrosities: Moon Druids can wildshape into Monstrosities of 2 CR levels below the level of Beasts they can
Level RAW Moon Druid Wildshape CR (lvl/3, rounded down) Homebrew Moon Druid Wildshape CR (lvl/2.5, rounded down) Homebrew Moon Druid Monstrosity Wildshape CR (2 less than Beast)
1 0 0 0
2 1 1 0
3 1 1 0
4 1 1 0
5 1 2 0
6 2 2 0
7 2 2 0
8 2 3 1
9 3 3 1
10 3 4 2
11 3 4 2
12 4 4 2
13 4 5 3
14 4 5 3
15 5 6 4
16 5 6 4
17 5 6 4
18 6 7 5
19 6 7 5
20 6 8 6

Bard Countercharm

  • Countercharm = Reaction

Polymorph

  • As written, except:
    • On humanoids, the target can be transformed into a beast of CR <= (3 + slot level) so a Polymorph cast on a CR 0 Commoner at 5th level would be eligible for (3+5=8) a CR 8 form.
    • If a humanoid is higher CR/level than would be covered by the homebrew humanoid rules, then monster rules apply.
    • just like written, you don’t have control over the creature. Its INT is that of the thing it polymorphed into, and it’s only as friendly/unfriendly to you as it was.

XP

XP for RP

  • (25 * character level) xp for each cool thing, give or take. (so ~200xp for a lvl 8 character)

Mounted Charge

  • When mounted, if the mount moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and you hits the same creature with an attack on the same turn, the attack does +5 extra damage to the creature.
    • This is in addition to any attacks/damage done by your mount.
    • Your mount can still Disengage, Dash, or Dodge, or, if uncontrolled, Attack.
  • Examples: (when wielding a lance (1d12) with a +3 attack and +3 damage modifier)
    • If you have 1 attack without any charge:
      • “I stab it with my lance”
      • +3 attack and 1d12+3 damage
    • If you have 1 attack with an 20’+ charge:
      • “I charge 20’+, then stab it with my lance”
      • +3 attack and 1d12+8 damage
    • If you have 2 attacks without any charge:
      • “I stab it twice with my lance”
      • First attack: +3 attack and 1d12+3 normal damage
      • Second attack: +3 attack and 1d12+3 normal damage
    • If you have 2 attacks with one 20’+ charge:
      • “I charge 20’+, then stab it with my lance, then stab it again”
      • First attack: +3 attack and 1d12+8 normal damage
      • Second attack: +3 attack and 1d12+3 normal damage
    • If you have 2 attacks, hit a nearby creature with the first attack, then 20’+ charge toward a second creature:
      • “I stab it, then charge 20’+ and stab its friend.”
      • First attack: +3 attack and 1d12+3 normal damage
      • Second attack: +3 attack and 1d12+8 normal damage
    • If you have 2 attacks, and 20’+ charge before the first attack, then 20’+ charge before the second attack:
      • “I charge 20’+, stab it, then charge 20’+ more and stab its friend.”
      • First attack: +3 attack and 1d12+8 normal damage
      • Second attack: +3 attack and 1d12+8 normal damage

Downtime

  • Starting with the DMG/XGtE Downtime Rules
  • For example, a skill proficiency takes 10 weeks (plus a 10% chance of a Complication). The Skilled Feat provides 3 skill proficiencies. So training a feat would require ~30 weeks (with a ~30% chance of a Complication)

Magic Item Crafting (TBD)

Steps

  • Start with Item Purchase Price
  • Get Blueprint
  • Assume 50% Profit
  • Material Components = 25%
    • Spellcasting check (DC?) to successfully create the “template” item for enchanting. A failure consumes 1/2 the components. A success consumes all of the components and creates an “template” item ready for enchanting.
  • “Labor” = 25%
    • See Magic Item Cost Reduction Table
    • Infusing an item with the energy of a spell slot takes 10 x Spell Level number of minutes.
    • 1 spell slot / caster / day infusion.
    • A caster can add additional spell slots on a given day at the cost of a level of exhaustion.

Magic Item Cost Reduction Table:

Spell Level Cost Reduction
Cantrip 1 gp
1st 10 gp
2nd 40 gp
3rd 90 gp
4th 160 gp
5th 250 gp
6th 360 gp
7th 490 gp
8th 640 gp
9th 890 gp

Possible Minor Properties

d100 Property
1 Reflective. Once per day, when a creature you can see deals radiant or fire damage to you, you can force them to make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the start of your next turn.
2 Misty. The item appears to be light and diaphanous, as if made from pure mist. It weighs half as much as it normally would.
3 Sonorous. Whenever you score a critical hit the item emits a ringing noise audible within 300 feet of you.
4 Temporal. At dawn the item looks to be brand new and in pristine condition. At dusk it looks weathered, old and broken.
5 Gluttonous. While the item is on your person you no longer need to eat, but you feel constantly hungry.
6 Mechanical. The item is adorned with moving gears and quietly beeps and whirs at random intervals.
7 Piscine. Part of the item is transparent and filled with water. A tiny immortal fish is present in the water, and counts as part of the item for the purposes of targeting.
8 Steaming. The item is hot to the touch and gives off steam when in use.
9 Clairvoyant. As a bonus action you can focus on the item and gain a +2 bonus to your next attack roll or ability check. You cannot use this ability again until the next dawn.
10 Phoenix. When you drop to 0 hp but aren’t killed outright, you can choose to regain 10 hit points and deal 10 fire damage to all creatures in a 10 foot radius of yourself. The item then permanently loses this property.
11 Tallying. Each time you kill a creature a new mark is added to a tally on this item’s surface.
12 Edible. You can spend 1 minute eating this item. It provides enough nourishment to sustain you for 1 week.
13 Timekeeping. You always know the exact time and date of your current location.
14 Bestial. You gain fur, sharpened teeth and elongated ears while this item is worn or wielded.
15 Avian. You can subtract 10 feet from your total distance fallen when calculating fall damage.
16 Guide. You gain a +1 bonus to all ability checks made to avoid getting lost.
17 Light Eater. This item is pitch black. As an action you can surround yourself with 10 feet of non magical darkness until the start of your next turn. You cannot do so again until the next dusk.
18 Nostalgic. You always know your exact distance from the place you first found this item.
19 Blossoming. Touching this item to a non-magical flower causes the flower to blossom.
20 Colourful. If you have darkvision, you can discern colour in darkness.
21 Menacing. While this item is being worn or wielded your voice becomes deeper and your eyes glow red. Once per short rest you can give yourself advantage on a Charisma (intimidation) check.
22 Ominous. The item constantly whispers indecipherable messages to you and is covered in untranslatable runes.
23 Positive. The item constantly whispers words of encouragement to you. Once per short rest you can give yourself advantage on a saving throw made against being frightened or possessed.
24 Extraplanar Repellent. This object’s presence is repulsive to aberrations, celestials, elementals, fey and fiends. It offends all of their senses.
25 Fiendish. While the object is on your person, you can speak and understand Infernal and Abyssal and abilities and spells that detect or sense creature type detect you as a fiend.
26 Celestial. While the object is on your person, you can speak and understand Celestial and abilities and spells that detect or sense creature type detect you as a celestial.
27 Fey. While the object is on your person, you can speak and understand Sylvan and abilities and spells that detect or sense creature type detect you as a fey.
28 Imaginary. To creatures other than yourself, those with true sight or those with a Wisdom score of 14 or greater, this item is invisible.
29 Heart Breaker. Once per turn you can deal an additional 2d6 psychic against a creature charmed by yourself or an ally when you damage them.
30 Immortal. Each dawn roll a d20. On a 20 your life span increases by 1 year.
31 Fate Tied. If you die this item is completely destroyed.
32 Stoic. Any injuries you sustain are invisible unless you willingly reveal them (no action required) and you barely bleed, even when severely injured.
33 Companion. An illusory tiny animal of the DM’s choice follows you, remaining in your space. You can dismiss it or re-summon it as bonus action.
34 Searing. As an action you can touch this item to a flammable object not being worn or carried to set the object alight.
35 Well Rested. Whenever you finish a long rest you gain 1 temporary hit point and your movement speed increases by 5 feet for 1 hour.
36 Empathetic. Dealing damage while in possession of the item causes harmless pain to course through your body.
37 Clean. This item functions as an endless bar of soap.
38 Armed. As a bonus action you can transform this item into a dagger or a short-sword. The item then loses all properties but this one until you use a bonus action to change it back.
39 Alerting. This item emits a harmless shock every 6 seconds, which wakes you up if you were involuntarily put to sleep.
40 Solemn. Whenever a creature within 30 feet of you dies, this item briefly turns black and emits the sound of tolling bells.
41 Accounting. You can touch this item to a pile of gold, silver or copper coins within a 5 foot cube to convert them to their equivalent value in gold, silver or copper coins.
42 Doubled. When you speak you produce 2 voices, and your movements produce a brief after image.
43 Forecast. As an action you can ask the item for a weather forecast. It then produces an illusory image representing the predicted weather in your area over the next 8 hours.
44 Enlightened Rest. Whenever you fall asleep or spend at least half an hour meditating with this item, you levitate 3 feet off the ground. This effect ends immediately if you wake up or end your meditation.
45 Inspiring Defiance. When you succeed on a death saving throw, a creature of your choice within 30 feet of you that can see you gains 1d4 temporary hit points.
46 Bloodthirst. Whenever you deal damage to a humanoid, beast, monstrosity, giant or dragon they spill copious amounts of blood no matter the severity of the wound. This additional blood spillage does not harm or otherwise effect them.
47 And Everything Nice. This item is covered in and produces magical flakes. You can use these flakes to flavour food, drink or objects to be sweet, salty, or spicy (your choice).
48 Squeaky. Whenever this item strikes an object or creature, or is squeezed, it produces a squeaking noise that can be heard up to 10 feet away.
49 Shadow. Peering into this object causes you to see a twisted reflection of yourself. Its expression is the exact opposite of your own when you look into it.
50 Folded. Multiple seams run across the item’s surface. It can be folded up to be a quarter of its size for compact storage.
51 Handy. This item has a magical compartment containing a 10 foot pole, 50 feet of rope and a single gold piece. This compartment cannot store anything else.
52 Strong Aura. Creatures capable of casting 3rd level spells or above are made instantly aware of the item’s presence, but not exact location, if it’s within 100 feet of them.
53 Breezy. This item emits a perpetual soft breeze.
54 Starry. This item is covered in a pattern of stars. This pattern is the same as the formation of stars in the night sky over your current location.
55 Cloudy. This item has a solid colour surface with images of clouds moving across it. The colour of its surface is the same as the colour of the sky over your current location.
56 Liquid. This item appears to be made almost entirely out of liquid. You have advantage on Dexterity (stealth) checks if you are wearing the item and you are completely submerged.
57 Absorbent. If you place this item in a non-magical liquid it can absorb a volume of the liquid equal to the volume of a 5 foot cube over the course of 1 minute. You can release the stored liquid as an action and can only store 1 liquid at a time.
58 Adhesive. Pressing this item upon a solid surface or object not being worn or carried causes them to stick together.
59 Gravitational. Once per short rest, you can use an action to brandish this item and cause all unrestrained objects with 20 feet of you to be pulled 10 feet closer.
60 Masculine. Wearing, wielding or using this item causes you to instantly grow thick facial hair, even if your race is normally incapable of doing so.
61 Spacial Warp. Once per long rest, you can use a bonus action to choose an unoccupied space within 10 feet of you. Until the end of your turn you can attack, cast spells or interact with objects as if you were standing in that space.
62 Seasonal. This item changes slightly to match the seasons, for example emitting a warm glow in summer or becoming pale and cold in winter.
63 Reforming. If this item is destroyed by taking damage, it reforms in the same space in 1d4 hours.
64 Far Sight. You can use an action to gain the ability to see 5 times as far until the end of your turn.
65 Western. Every so often tumbleweed blows past the bearer of this item then disappears.
66 Chew Toy. Beasts find this item extremely pleasurable to chew on.
67 Eldritch. This item is covered in several writhing tentacles and emits ominous phrases in Deep Speech when used.
68 Mood Sense. This object changes colour depending on its bearer’s mood.
69 Heart. This object pulsates at regular intervals like a beating heart. The rate of beating increases when its bearer successfully charms a creature or if they become charmed or frightened.
70 Heroic. This item’s bearer receives regular thoughts of slaying dragons and protecting innocents.
71 Official. You can use a bonus action to manifest a sheet of paper that declares the item’s bearer as its official owner.
72 Censoring. Whenever the item’s bearer speaks a curse word or insulting phrase, their words are replaced with soft music.
d100 Property
73 Panacea. You can use an action and touch a creature with this item to restore 5 hit points, cure a disease or remove the poisoned condition. You can do each of these only once, then this item loses this property.
74 Dense. This item is inexplicably heavy. It weighs twice as much and causes the area in a 30 foot radius to shake harmlessly when dropped onto the ground.
75 Photosynthetic. While this item is on your person you can sustain yourself by spending 1 hour in natural sunlight rather than eating or drinking.
76 Calculator. This item has a small keypad and illusory screen that can be used to carry out calculations.
77 Oathsworn. An oath is inscribed on this item. The item glows warmly when its bearer abides by it.
78 Orbital. The item’s bearer can choose for this item to orbit around them, in their space. Any other creature that attempts to remove it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength check to do so.
79 Royal. This item bears the crest of the nearest noble or royal family. If none, or multiple, are present it picks one at random.
80 Unstable. Whenever this item or its bearer takes damage it violently shifts in shape and size for several seconds before returning to normal.
81 Planar. This item glows in the presence of portals to or artifacts from other planes.
82 Dream Bound. Whenever this item’s bearer dreams or experiences a vision, the item appears in the dream or vision with them.
83 Pathological. Each dawn this item generates a blatantly false statement somewhere on its surface.
84 Power Word. You can speak a word engraved on the item’s surface as an action, causing all fiends, undead, celestials, fey, aberrations and elementals within 300 feet to be made instantly aware of your exact location. The word then disappears.
85 Recipes. This item’s bearer gains the knowledge of how to cook 3 meals of the DM’s choice.
86 Eloquent. This item can be used as a quill. Words written with it are written with perfect handwriting.
87 Drab. Wearing or wielding this item causes you to see colours as more dull and less saturated.
88 Levitating. When not being worn or carried this item floats 1 foot off the ground.
89 Masterwork. This item looks impossibly well made. You have advantage on all ability checks made to convince people of its worth, quality or power.
90 Forgetful. When left unattended or out of sight for at least an hour this item always ends up about 10 feet from where it was last seen.
91 Birdcall. This item’s bearer can communicate simple ideas and emotions to birds.
92 Fail-Safe. When you are subjected to a spell that allows you to make a saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take half damage if you fail. This property is then lost.
93 Storm Born. Neither this item nor its bearer gets wet when it rains or snows.
94 Ironclad. This item is made from heavy metals. Its bearer has advantage on saving throws made against being pushed, pulled or knocked prone.
95 Pure Evil. Abilities and spells that detect creature type, alignment or magic detect this item as a Chaotic Evil Fiendish creature emanating Necromantic magic.
96 Bastion of Good. Abilities and spells that detect creature type, alignment or magic detect this item as a Lawful Good Celestial creature emanating Abjuration magic.
97 Druidic. This item is made from wood and covered in vines. Its bearer can understand Druidic.
98 Void. This item appears as if it were made from writhing purple energy. Each minute it does 5 force damage to non-magical objects it’s touching that aren’t being worn or carried.
99 Ocular. This item is covered in many constantly shifting, unblinking eyes. While holding or wearing it you gain a +1 bonus to perception checks and initiative rolls.
100 Dual-Featured Roll twice, rerolling any additional 20s. The item has both features.
101 Beckoner If the item is separated from the bearer, the bearer instinctively knows the item’s direction and rough distance. This knowledge lasts for 24 hours or until the item is attuned to someone else, whichever comes first..
102 Brave When the bearer of this item contemplates or undertakes a cowardly act—or even a neutral act, when a more daring option is available—the item enhances feelings of shame and guilt.
103 Bulwark If the item is in the bearer’s possession for the entirety of a long rest, the item grants the bearer 5 temporary hit points at the conclusion of that rest. If not used, these hit points fade in 24 hours.
104 Cowardly When the bearer is presented with an opportunity to act in a cowardly or self-preserving manner, the item heightens the bearers urge to do so, often providing disadvantage to saves against being frightened, etc.
105 Devoted The item fights to remain attuned to its current bearer. The item must be separated from the bearer for 48 hours, rather than the standard 24, to break the attunement. If a new individual attempts to attune the item when a prior attunement is still in effect, the individual must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma check at the end of that short rest. On a failure, the item fails to attune to the new owner, remaining attuned to the old.
106 Enigmatic Neither examination over the course of a short rest, nor identify or similar magics, reveal this item’s properties. The bearer can learn those properties only through attunement or trial and error.
107 Fastidious Once per day, as an action, the bearer can magically clean themselves, their outfit, and the item itself of dirt, grime, sweat, and so forth. This power resets at dawn.
108 Focused The bearer of this item gains a +1 bonus to Constitution saving throws made to avoid losing concentration on an ongoing spell.
109 Gloom-Sight If the bearer of this item possesses darkvision, the effective distance of that darkvision increases by 20 feet while the item is on the bearers person. It does not, however, grant darkvision to a bearer who does not already possess it.
110 Hardy If the item is in the bearers possession for the entirety of a long rest, then at the conclusion of that rest, the item grants the bearer one extra hit die, which can be spent as normal to regain hit points during a short rest. If not used, this extra hit die disappears in 24 hours.
111 Lodestar This item is linked to a specific location or object, determined by the GM. The bearer can use an action to determine the distance and direction to that place or object. The item does not grant the bearer any specific knowledge of what that item or place might be.
112 Restful If the item is in the bearers possession since the beginning of a long rest, the bearer requires only six hours to gain the benefit of that rest, rather than the standard eight. The bearer can still gain the benefits of a long rest only once per day.
113 Resuscitator If the item is in the bearers possession, the bearer gains a +2 bonus to the first death save made that day. This power resets at dawn.
114 Schemer As an action while the item is on the bearers person, the bearer may choose one individual within both sight and earshot. Until the bearer ends the effect (no action required) or a full minute passes, anything the bearer says is heard only by that individual, not by anyone else. (This is a one-way effect only.) This power can be used once a day and resets at dawn.
115 Skillful The bearer gains a +1 bonus to ability checks using one specific skill, of the GM’s choice, while the item is on the bearers person.
116 Speedy As an action while the item is on the bearers person, the bearer may gain a +5 to walking speed. This bonus lasts until the bearer deactivates it (no action required). The item grants this bonus up to a maximum total duration of one minute per day, resetting at dawn.
117 Suppressible As an action, the bearer may suppress the item’s magic, in its entirety, for a preset amount of time (up to 24 hours). During that time, the item behaves as a non-magical item, cannot be attuned by anyone (though existing attunement does not end), and does not register as magical to detect magic, identify, or any other spells or abilities that detect magic. The effect cannot be ended prematurely; it lasts for the duration specified when activated.
118 Unwavering The item grants the bearer an extra sliver of luck to slightly mitigate unfavorable conditions. When the item is created, the GM chooses one of the following: attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks. When the bearer makes a roll of the chosen type with disadvantage, the item grants a +1 bonus on that roll.

Level 1 Feat / Background Modification

  • These rules allow player to choose a 1st level feat instead of the (useless) “Background Feature” provided by the standard backgrounds.

Skills

  • Choose any two skills

Tool proficiencies or languages

  • Choose a total of two tool proficiencies or languages from the sample backgrounds.

Equipment

  • Choose an equipment package from a published background or spend coin on gear as described in the Equipment section. (If you spend coin, you can’t also take the equipment package suggested for your class.)

Background Feature / 1st Level Feat

  • Choose the Background Feature from a published background OR replace background “Feature” section with a Feat:
    • If you take a feat that gives you a +1, it can’t bring that score higher than 17
    • Choose 1 feat except the ones on the list below (NOT list):
      • Alert,
      • Crossbow Expert,
      • Elven Accuracy,
      • Fey Touched,
      • Great Weapon Master,
      • Initiate of High Sorcery,
      • Inspiring Leader,
      • Lucky,
      • Mobile,
      • Moderately Armored,
      • Polearm Master,
      • Resilient,
      • Sentinel,
      • Shadow Touched
      • Sharpshooter,
      • Shield Master,
      • Strixhaven Initiate,
      • Telekinetic,
      • Warcaster,
      • Wood Elf Magic,

Rules Clarifications (for reference)

Hiding in Combat

  • Creature needs to be Heavily Obscured (3/4 cover) to be able to hide.
  • They need to declare their intention to hide to the DM
    • They roll a Stealth check
    • DM compares against the Passive Perception of the target(s)
  • If successful, the creature is hidden from the target.