Questions tagged [homebrew]
For questions about homebrewing new rules 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].
456
questions
1
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1answer
164 views
How do I deal with metagaming/power-playing as a player? [closed]
I'm in a D&D Homebrew campaign that allows pretty much anything as long as it is written online. We have one player in specific who is frustrating and decided at the end of the campaign, he would ...
-1
votes
1answer
180 views
Ramifications of changing skill check into attack
What changes when I substitute an attack in place of ability check? What mechanics apply to one, but not the other?
Example 1:
Class feature that modifies shove special attack
Eldritch Bash
...
3
votes
2answers
150 views
How many Sorcery Points should it cost to add 1d4 to a spell's save DC? [closed]
I have a homebrew idea to try and add more power to the sorcerer. The idea is that when sorcerer casts a spell that causes a target to make a saving throw, they can spend sorcery points to add 1d4 to ...
20
votes
4answers
3k views
How can I let my PCs create new spells in a balanced and fair way?
Assuming the DM is on board with the premise, are there resources that would provide some guidelines on how a PC may create a spell, and mechanics that should be considered for balancing and fairness ...
8
votes
2answers
204 views
How is the damage required to regurgitate a creature calculated?
As an addition to my previous question "How is CON save DC determined for the Behir?" there is another figure that I'm curious as to how it is determined.
If the behir takes 30 damage or more from ...
3
votes
1answer
229 views
How is CON save DC determined for the Behir?
I am homebrewing a monster that has incorporates the Swallow mechanic used by the Behir (MM, pg. 25). My monster is not at the same CR and I need to adjust its statistics accordingly, but there is one ...
4
votes
2answers
282 views
Is it at all possible to create/homebrew a class with half-subclasses?
Sonny is a great little game starring a zombie who starts out with limited skills (a super-basic attack and a self-healing spell) and gains more skills as he levels up. At two points in the game, you ...
5
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2answers
1k views
For a homebrew class, how can I offset the disadvantage created by not granting proficiency in one of the “big three” / “strong” saving throws?
I made a homebrew class. (I’m happy to share any details anyone deems necessary or even the entire class if it isn’t against the rules.) It’s a Cha-based class which, for flavour reasons, has a ...
1
vote
1answer
101 views
How many character points would a skill to fully manipulate an element cost?
One of the major advantages of GURPS is creating your character the way you want, since the rules let you create anything. And the spell-casting system is arguably too complex or boring.
Putting ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it necessary to have archetypes for a homebrew class?
I'm trying my hand at homebrew. Specifically, I'm making an Alchemist class, but can't think of any archetypes - which prompted this question.
If I need to be a little more specific, a class that ...
2
votes
1answer
246 views
How do you work with spells in homebrew subclasses on D&D Beyond?
I'm trying to create a homebrew subclass on D&D Beyond, but I can't seem to figure out how to make spells work. There are different places for an added list of spells and actually adding spells, ...
13
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4answers
2k views
Is gaining 1 AC in exchange for disadvantage on Perception checks a balanced trade?
Inspired by this answer, and to avoid lengthy back and forth comments, I decided to make this a question in itself.
You can put on your helmet for +1 AC and disadvantage on Perception checks. In ...
14
votes
2answers
394 views
What RAW weirdness would arise from a PC being permanently Tiny? [closed]
Background
Every official playable race in D&D, to the best of my knowledge, is either Medium or Small. Even for creatures that should be Large (meaning where the "monster" versions of such ...
34
votes
7answers
7k views
What is homebrew? Should I use it in normal games? [closed]
I keep on hearing about homebrew in D&D and I was just wondering what it meant.
11
votes
2answers
353 views
Are there fundamental problems with this guideline for estimating the rarity of home-brewed Magic Items?
There are a lot of questions about estimating the appropriate rarity level of a homebrewed Magic Item. In one of those, I came across this answer by Lino Frank Ciaralli suggesting a fairly general ...
5
votes
1answer
122 views
Creating a balanced spell [closed]
I'm currently playing a level 6 warlock (pact of the seeker) in a campaign right now. I want to develop a new spell in game. This is the spell that I'm trying to create:
Name: Xanlin's Secret ...
2
votes
3answers
160 views
How to make an ability to sense vibrations in the ground? [closed]
Am pretty far along on baby's first homebrew race, but I've run into a hiccup: These are grub-people with an uncanny knack for feeling vibrations of the earth, even if they are above ground. (a la ...
7
votes
1answer
289 views
Should I classify the homebrew race I'm working on as a large race?
These are bug-people, who can wield normally-sized weapons (they have 2 sets of small hands). They are typically about 9 feet in height. Should I, and would it be a wise choice to, classify them as a ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I get started creating this homebrew race?
I'm a pretty new player. I have played one campaign to completion and am in the middle of two other ones with two different groups. I've never made any homebrew content, and I only have a pretty basic ...
6
votes
1answer
122 views
How can I implement Yondu's Yaka Arrow? [closed]
I'm a neophyte DM and currently running a homebrew. One player in the group wants to incorporate the Yaka Arrow from Guardians of the Galaxy (as seen here).
How I should implement it and is there any ...
12
votes
8answers
6k views
Is this homebrew CR 12 monster too difficult an encounter for two level 4 characters?
I'm about to lead a raid into an orc camp for a party of two characters. Both are level 4, one is a bard and the other is a barbarian/warlock multiclass.
I found a CR12 homebrew monster, the Orc ...
1
vote
0answers
81 views
Homebrew change to 1/3 and 1/2 casters, does this change too much to be balanced? [closed]
I thought about changing the rule on casters, changing 1/3 casters into half casters and half casters getting cantrips for the sake of multiclassing. Is that too imbalanced? Is there something I'm not ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
How to handle a player wanting to use the (UA) Remote Access spell on an android player character?
This is in my sci-fi D&D 5e campaign. I have a warlock who's using a spell from the Modern Magic unearthed arcana called remote access. I also have another player who is playing a homebrew android ...
2
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0answers
108 views
Does anyone have a good way to allow a Necromancer to summon more powerful undead at the cost of summoning less of them? [closed]
I have a Necromancer that is starting to get a decent size army of undead going. It works great, he mainly uses his other spells to fill the support/buff/debuff role and uses the undead as his main ...
5
votes
1answer
153 views
Calculating CR of monsters that do not deal calculable damage
How do I calculate the challenge rating of monsters that feature abilities that do not directly do damage?
For example, my homebrew monster has the two following abilities:
The target takes a ...
1
vote
0answers
93 views
What is a reasonable stat block for a level 8 party destroying a book of darkness [closed]
I want my party to avert a powerful wizard from becoming a lich. I know this can be done with a tome of darkness, and I'd like the party to destroy the tome of darkness in about three turns if two ...
-4
votes
2answers
316 views
Is there a balanced or allowable trade that would grant Shield proficiency as a starting proficiency for a class which normally would not have it?
Normally a character has to choose between wielding 2 of a shield, an arcane focus (or component pouch), and a weapon OR just a two-handed weapon. As a Warlock, I could choose to wield an arcane ...
2
votes
2answers
79 views
What homebrew dice mechanic can I use for PvP in Amazing Tales?
I've recently started playing Amazing Tales with my children. As a summary of basically all the mechanics of the game (it's pretty simple since it's targeting children), each character has four skills,...
3
votes
0answers
130 views
Polearm, reach homebrew weapon for Kensei Monk balance [closed]
I will be running a campaign and one of my players wants to play specifically a Kensei Monk with a polearm weapon that has reach and is not heavy or special, so he can use it as kensei weapon. He ...
3
votes
2answers
594 views
Is increasing the Primal Savagery spell's damage die to 1d12 unbalanced/unnecessary?
The primal savagery spell (XGtE, p. 163) states:
[...] Make a melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 acid damage...
The spell's damage ...
14
votes
1answer
701 views
What is the statistical difference between “choose either total” or “choose new total” when rerolling damage die?
I am reworking a homebrew class I made a while ago where one class feature stated:
when making a melee attack you can choose to reroll the damage die. The new total must be used.
I wanted to make ...
5
votes
4answers
465 views
How would I design a magic item which allows the wielder to use the Message cantrip?
I'm playing as a currently 4th level wizard with the cantrip message. In pretty much any situation where any of the other party members go ahead alone, to scout or the like, or in situations where ...
2
votes
0answers
65 views
Is it a bad idea to supplement Itras By's freeform style of gameplay with dice?
I'm a pretty experienced TTRPG player planning on running an Itras By campaign with a slightly modified setting. Several of my players are new to RPGs, and a couple are slightly experienced.
While I ...
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votes
1answer
267 views
Would this Point Buy method be unbalanced? [closed]
I’m wanting to create a very unique character based around stat creation. The resulting character would be physically and mentally inept at all stats except one. Which stat is not the question but ...
22
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I decide if my homebrew item should require attunement? [duplicate]
Attunement slots are an important tool for maintaining game balance - especially in high magic settings where magic items are common.
If I've homebrewed a new magic item for my players, how can I ...
1
vote
1answer
230 views
Is there a balancing issue giving a Wizard a wand capable of casting Illusory Script once per day?
Wizard expressed a desire for a magical wand that could cast the ritual spell Illusory Script without burning a spell slot/ritual slot. I though about giving a wand that can cast the spell once per ...
16
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8answers
3k views
How would I as a DM create a smart phone-like spell/device my players could use?
My players are setting up a large nexus of guilds from my empire and one or two they made up themselves across several cities. They are having a hard time sending long messages to and from each other, ...
1
vote
0answers
65 views
What events, tests, and troubles could a party trying to establish a nation expect to face [closed]
My players have decided to establish a new nation which consists of Phandalin, Triboar, Red Larch, and all lands in between (per their own highly unofficial declaration). I'm trying to come up with ...
5
votes
1answer
402 views
What balance issues would arise from a Chaotic Good Paladin?
I have long been annoyed by the inability of Chaotic Good warriors to become empowered by their unwavering faith in freedom and human decency, and so am considering a custom archetype that would allow ...
13
votes
2answers
664 views
Balance Implications of Divine Smite Doing Necrotic Damage?
I have a True Neutral Paladin that is also a Fallen Aasimar. He has fully embraced darkness, letting it into his heart and spurned his celestial heritage. He hasn't gone fully evil purely because he ...
9
votes
1answer
326 views
What would be the balance effects of adding extra Divination spells?
I am playing a Divination wizard at the moment and quite disappointed that there are only 17 Divination spells, so I thought I would look at some homebrew ones to talk to the DM about.
The question ...
18
votes
1answer
2k views
Are skill challenges an official option or homebrewed?
I'm curious about skill challenges and looking for official literature regarding how to implement one but am not finding anything. Are skill challenges in 5e homebrewed?
Note that a skill challenge ...
14
votes
1answer
313 views
How do you determine if a homebrew class is balanced with regards to its multiclassing potential?
When designing and balancing a homebrewed class, I want to avoid features that, while keeping the core class balanced, will cause multiclass builds with WotC classes to be game breaking.
An example ...
2
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0answers
307 views
Custom homebrew Backgrounds? What are some good references? [closed]
I was wondering. Where I would find some good places to find some custom backgrounds in D&D 5e for reference when making my own custom campaign and maybe even contribute to the list with my own ...
12
votes
4answers
529 views
How can I most clearly write a homebrew item that affects the ground below its radius after the initial explosion it creates?
This item, in essence, releases a burning chemical that deals fire damage to and ignites creatures and objects
within its initial sphere radius
everything beneath the explosion of the bomb
It then ...
11
votes
1answer
974 views
Are there rules to make my own warlock pact?
I know there are 3 pacts: blade, tome, and chain, but are there any rules/ guidelines to make one that's none of the above?
8
votes
7answers
644 views
What variables do I have to take into consideration when I homebrew armour?
The variables that are clear to me are shown in the Armor-table (PHB 145):
Type of armour: Light, Medium, Heavy (also limits Dex mods).
Cost, commonly displayed in GP.
Armour Class.
Strength ...
6
votes
1answer
617 views
Are these homebrew weapon attack cantrips balanced? [closed]
I have created some new cantrips which include making a weapon attack as there are only two official ones to choose from. I've tried to follow these principles based on Booming Blade and Green-Flame ...
16
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the mechanical balance issues with a playable race with more than two hands?
Somewhat inspired by this question: Can I use multiple hands for one attack, using this 6-Handed-Ones homebrew race?
As I started to explore with my question about playable Kuo-Toa, I'm interested in ...
6
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2answers
1k views
Can I use multiple hands for one attack, using this 6-Handed-Ones homebrew race?
I am playing D&D 5e, with some homebrew elements.
I happen to have started a character with the 6-Handed Ones homebrew race by monrester. This race has the Multihands feature:
You have 6 hands....
