Questions tagged [homebrew]
For questions about homebrewing new content for an existing system. This tag should be used when locally-created, non-published content is at the heart of the question. (Note that soliciting ideas for creating homebrew is off topic for the site.) Not to be confused with the [house-rules] tag. For creating entire new games, use [game-design]. This tag is not for reviewing already created content; for that use [homebrew-review].
528
questions
9
votes
5answers
2k views
Mini-dash as a general bonus action: what value would be balanced?
I'm considering adding the following homebrew bonus action. It's a general action, so it would be available for free to all players (not enemies):
Stride. You gain extra movement for the current turn....
8
votes
2answers
923 views
How is the flavor text at the beginning of class descriptions in PH organized?
At the beginning of each class description, before getting to the class features, are four sections of flavor text, the first of which is a depiction of three possible class members and a closing ...
6
votes
6answers
846 views
How do I handle my possession mechanic fairly?
In my campaign, the goal is to find ten major god-level artifacts, each linked to a specific god in the setting. Each artifact has a part of the soul of the god it’s linked to, and that soul has the ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
How can I design a boss that shifts between two dimensions to avoid attacks?
This boss character, Omega, is inspired by
Zhylaw, leader of the Necromongers, in the Riddick film series
Tobi, Akatsuki member from the Naruto anime
This boss, meant for a level 16 boss fight (...
5
votes
1answer
129 views
In homebrewing a subclass on D&D Beyond, how do I add a feature that does extra damage based on an ability score modifier?
I'm adding a version of the UA Phoenix Soul sorcerer to my homebrew stuff, and I'm a little perplexed when it comes to adding damage for Mantle of Flame.
The relevant text of the feature reads:
Any ...
4
votes
1answer
284 views
How can I fold Sorcery Points into Spell Points without over- or underpowering the sorcerer class?
I'm working on a homebrew Sorcerer class and was thrilled to run across @user55434's and @Akixkisu's answers to How does the Variant: Spell Points system from the DMG affect game balance?: if the idea ...
-1
votes
3answers
207 views
Are these 5e homebrew Metamagics balanced? [closed]
This is a follow-up to How do I determine appropriate Sorcery Point costs for homebrew Metamagics?, which I asked in preparation for this question.
I'm working on a homebrew version of the Sorcerer ...
3
votes
2answers
402 views
What are good principles for determining whether and at what level a homebrew class feature is balanced?
I'm working on a homebrew revision (and slight buff) of the Sorcerer class in D&D 5e that includes some additional class features. I've read the Unearthed Arcana article about modifying classes, ...
8
votes
1answer
108 views
How do I determine appropriate Sorcery Point costs for homebrew Metamagics?
I'm working on some homebrew Metamagics for the Sorcerer class in D&D 5e and I want to make sure to give them appropriate Sorcery Point costs. I'm having trouble, though, figuring out the logic ...
16
votes
2answers
2k views
Are PC Natural Weapons particularly useful?
At my table, it is generally understood that Dragonborn are mechanically underpowered but flavourwise really cool. For the purpose of this question, I'd like to just take these opinions for granted. ...
1
vote
0answers
92 views
How much damage would a sting from a jellyfish-like creature deal? [closed]
I'm doing some homebrew for a campaign, and theres a jellyfish-like aquatic creature with stinging tentacles, and I'm not sure how much damage it should deal. My players are new to the game, and ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
Does a hierarchy of specificity exist when using "specific beats general" to resolve rules conflicts? [duplicate]
The Introduction (page 7) of the 5e Player's Handbook states
That said, many racial traits, class features, spells, magic items, monster abilities, and other game elements break the general rules in ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the implications of this very short stun ability?
In the process of homebrewing, I came up with this rough outline of an ability:
As an action on your turn, you can speak words of rebuke. Creatures [in the area] must make a Constitution saving throw ...
1
vote
1answer
386 views
How much would a weapon cost that grants advantage on damage rolls?
Given the answers to these questions:
Advantage on damage rolls - is it still balanced?
'Advantage' or 'Disadvantage' on damage rolls
What should a weapon cost that grants advantage on damage rolls, ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
How do you cast Mending on a clockwork character?
I'm playing a DnD campaign (my first real one). My DM is pretty new to it as well and we are unsure of the following rules and how they work together.
I am playing a custom race: Clockwork. I realise ...
6
votes
1answer
774 views
How problematic is this Exhaustion Pulse ability on a ~CR 30 monster?
I'm homebrewing an aberration monster to serve as a major BBEG and endgame threat for the campaign I'm running. The monster theme is "avatar of a sealed elder God". It should be able to, at ...
2
votes
2answers
154 views
Are there any weapon attacks that are not considered to be either melee or ranged?
I'm creating a new cantrip to be used that would allow several targets to be hit in a line, with diminishing damage (half the damage of the target hit before it), and my initial idea was to word it ...
1
vote
0answers
97 views
Homebrew: Divorcing Skills from Attributes in 5e [duplicate]
I was reading this article/post, and wondered about changing the standard 5e attributes to something that makes more sense.
Some hours later, I dug my way out of that rabbit hole with the realization ...
3
votes
1answer
274 views
When homebrewing Warforged, is Integrated Protection more of a benefit or a drawback?
Warforged have a lot of cool, useful abilities that would be nice to have for creatures that aren't strictly "warforged". But one thing I've never been a fan of is their Integrated ...
2
votes
0answers
90 views
Homebrewing tips for multi-table campaigns? [closed]
To be clear, I am not looking for homebrew. I am only looking for tips for running games, with the current requirements I have set.
Anyway, I am going to be running a campaign for some new players. ...
-1
votes
2answers
227 views
Would allowing wizards to use custom spells break the game? [closed]
I'm really fond of the notion of ancient wizards locked up in their towers and conducting innovative research into the arcane arts. Given how vast and ancient the Forgotten Realms are, I get the ...
2
votes
2answers
165 views
Does D&D 5e have an equivalent of 3.5e "Augmented [type]"?
In D&D 3.5 there was a way to change type, like Animal, into a subtype, like Magic Beast (Augmented Animal)
Augmented Subtype
A creature receives this subtype whenever something happens to change ...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
Can I design my own weapons?
I'm a DM in a campaign and I was wondering if I could make my own weapons. I would like to create both mundane and magical weapons. Yes, the ones already in the Dungeon Master's Guide are pretty cool, ...
0
votes
2answers
182 views
Can a homebrew classes starting hit points be higher than it's hit dice? [closed]
So I was wonder if I could make a class that's starting hit points were higher than it's hit dice?
Hit points
Hit Dice: 1d10 per ______ level
Hit Points at 1st level: 12 + your Constitution modifier
...
5
votes
1answer
390 views
Impacts of managing all similar spell like Moonbeam or Flaming sphere
A few things really bothers me in this game, one of them is the fact that static area damage spells can work in many different way for seemingly no reason. What I'd call damage timing : When does an ...
11
votes
5answers
502 views
I need help with distance scaling in a homebrew RPG - from "your body" to "the whole planet" in 10 simple steps
Years ago, I developed and play tested a simple RPG system, in which magic-alike powers were driven by 2 parameters, namely Power and Precision.
With high precision and minimal power you could burn a ...
6
votes
1answer
319 views
Can I have Godzilla and the Titans as gods?
I'm running a homebrew D&D 5e game in which I'd like to use Godzilla and the other Titans from the Godzilla canonical universe as gods. I've looked online about how I can do this but I found ...
4
votes
3answers
279 views
How fast is a Quickling courier?
I would like to implement a "postal service" in my 5e campaign, wherein the fastest deliveries are carried out by Quicklings. Their base speed is 120 ft, but that doesn't seem a good way to ...
8
votes
2answers
498 views
How much HP does a mountain range have?
How much HP does a mountain range have? And I don't mean a mountain, I mean a mountain range. Specifically Kondyor Massif
It's technically a crater, but close enough. Basically I'm homebrewing a ...
3
votes
2answers
715 views
Less-lethal Wild Magic Surge homebrew
I'm playing a (Wild Magic) Sorcerer in a game of D&D 5e. My DM has house-ruled the Wild Magic rules and I am not privy to the details, but here's what I've pieced together:
As usual, a d20 roll ...
3
votes
2answers
242 views
Is there any precedent for doubling the proficiency bonus only if the character has a given skill proficiency?
A number of character classes features that allow them to double their proficiency bonus when using selected skill proficiencies. An example is the Bard's:
[C]hoose two of your skill proficiencies. ...
6
votes
2answers
226 views
Are there rules I should follow to create a non-traditional weapon for one of my players?
One of my Barbarian players created a hat that has a bladed "tail" (like a raccoon hat, but in the shape of a dragon's tail) and I'd like to make this into an improvised martial melee weapon ...
2
votes
1answer
169 views
What would happen if a slab of stone materialized in a spot where a PC is?
My next adventure involves a trapdoor slab of stone (well, marble) dematerializing, and materializing back in place after 2 rounds.
I haven't decided yet what will happen if a PC is holding on to the ...
3
votes
1answer
491 views
Would these changes to the Arcane Archer be imbalanced?
The Arcane Archer seems to be pretty underwhelming, mostly because of its limited uses of the Arcane Shot feature. Would it be imbalanced to increase its number of uses per rest to match the number of ...
6
votes
1answer
208 views
Would it be unbalanced to allow the Darkvision spell to see through magical darkness?
Darkvision is so prevalent among races that the spell Darkvision rarely sees use. Even with casters who do not have darkvision, it still seems unlikely to be taken, as a cantrip is able to provide ...
2
votes
1answer
987 views
Is there a magic item in 5e dnd that increases crit range and if not would it be op? [closed]
I’m very new to 5e but I’ve played pathfinder and 3.5 for quite a while so I was wondering is there an item that increases crit range for melee or ranged weapons and if not how powerful would a magic ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
Can a incorporeal crearure move through walls? [closed]
Helloy,
I´m playing a homebrew character and it states that he can take on a incorporeal form and can move through objects and creatures.
Can I also move through walls?
I know there is do general ...
2
votes
3answers
289 views
Bonus action attack ability score modifier
This may be confusing but currently in the campaign there is a warlock with a magic revolver that allows them to add eldritch invocations related to eldritch blast to the weapon. So agonizing blast ...
5
votes
2answers
442 views
How would optional re-rolling of all hit dice on leveling up affect average hp?
I am considering a homebrew rule that would give players the option on leveling up to re-roll all of their hit dice (excluding their first level) instead of only rolling their new hit die when ...
3
votes
1answer
574 views
How to create a Full Borg Character in Cyberpunk Red?
So I recently got the cyberpunk red core rule book and have been making characters for it. I've been enjoying character creation for it but I do have a question. See I've been wanting to make a solo ...
0
votes
1answer
154 views
Best background for 5e character who is secretly a dragon? [closed]
I'm making a character for an upcoming D&D 5e campaign who is secretly a dragon who permanently polymorphed itself (so, no mechanical advantages, just story background). Wondering what background ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Any good place to review/workshop homebrew for 5e? [closed]
So, I’ve been doing a homebrew campaign for awhile now and some of my players are starting to suggest I look into publishing some of the stuff on places like dmsguild, but I’m not persuaded any of my ...
8
votes
1answer
2k views
Playing a Half-dragon
I am planning on playing a campaign, and I want to play a gold half-dragon. I haven't found any information about how I would create one, and what abilities it would have. Is it canon?
1
vote
0answers
289 views
Installing modifications on Battle Smith's Steel Defender (5e) [closed]
I'm currently playing an artificer in a homebrew campaign and looking at the SD's stat block, as well as other people's opinions. It's pretty much just a tank with its damage being negligible at best,...
4
votes
1answer
600 views
Are the consequences of this Magic drug balanced with its benefits?
I'm planning to have my players deal with a drug ring in a city with a prominent magic university. I wanted to have a drug that would make sense as a drug to be a problem in this particular city and ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the comparative value of armor proficiencies?
Is medium or heavy armor proficiency as racial feature more powerful (in general) than light armor, or is it just favoring different kinds of builds?
The intent is that I want to playtest some racial ...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
How can I advertise a game with a homebrew system? [duplicate]
As a long time gamemaster I have reached a point where I want to create my own system and run players through it but I have noticed that people tend to shy away from systems that are homemade. For ...
4
votes
1answer
289 views
Would a racial feature that lets you learn a low-level spell of your choice be balanced?
Many races give certain low-level spells on a once-per-day basis and there is the high elf who can learn any wizard cantrip. Now consider the following racial feature:
Choose any first or second ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Home brewed and item, and now [closed]
I have made a box that I have allowed my players to find, it is the Mystical Box of locks, Mark 4. They were given one key to the box, let's call this the red key. The Red key opens the red lock. ...
1
vote
3answers
347 views
I need a set of simple steps to make a new subclass [closed]
So I'm a totally inexperienced DM and I want to make my own subclass. I checked the DMG and the instructions were okay but I really don't know what to do still. I need a fairly basic set of steps to ...
