The Stack Overflow podcast is back! Listen to an interview with our new CEO.
Role-playing Games

Questions tagged [homebrew]

Ask Question

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].

626 questions
Newest
Active
Bountied
Unanswered
Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
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
75 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
votes
0answers
95 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
137 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
87 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
293 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
59 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
115 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
317 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
628 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
384 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
62 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 ...
-5
votes
1answer
240 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?

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
222 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
votes
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
60 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 ...
10
votes
5answers
442 views

How can I help my players to better immerse into my game world?

Obligatory: I am playing in a campaign I made myself using homebrewed rules based on a German pen-and-paper RPG called Das Schwarze Auge (DSA; The Dark Eye in English). Introduction I am a GM for a ...
3
votes
1answer
357 views

How do I as a player encourage the DM to add better drama?

My DM is running the Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage campaign, which is notoriously catering to murder-hoboism. We have currently went from level 1 to level 9 over 12 weeks. This quickly went off ...
5
votes
1answer
330 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
473 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
206 views

Is my idea for handling space combat in my setting any good?

I've been using a homebrewed system and hard sci-fi setting (not originally designed for tabletop RPGs, but for writing stories and as my worldbuilding project) with a group of friends for a while now ...
9
votes
1answer
224 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
277 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
votes
0answers
250 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
520 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
843 views

How powerful is a “Breathe Air” spell?

Land-dwelling druids can figure out a way to use magic in order to breathe underwater (, provided that they are able to cast 3rd-level spells). But what about druids that are already able to breathe ...
11
votes
1answer
827 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?
-5
votes
2answers
318 views

Is my Homebrew Race, the Dragonewt, too Overpowered?

I've been working hours on top of hours on a race I'd like to call, a dragonewt. The problem is that I don't know if its traits are to overpowered, especially "infinite genius." I'm wondering if you ...
15
votes
3answers
4k views

Is this homebrew “Cactus Grenade” cantrip balanced?

I am currently homebrewing a set of "brawler" races, modeled after the nonhuman, humanoid characters in Brawl Stars. For one race, I've made a homebrew cantrip, Cactus Grenade. Is it balanced? ...
8
votes
7answers
622 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
733 views

Is this Magister homebrew warlock patron balanced?

In D&D 5e's Warlock flavor, it would make sense that incredibly powerful (i.e. > level 20) spellcasters could become the patrons. So, in preparation for a new campaign (with my DM's permission), I ...
7
votes
1answer
461 views

Are these low-level passive abilities balanced against each other?

Context I am working on a homebrew corruption system for my upcoming Diablo themed campaign. You can read more about the system in this chat thread. The complete system is too large and complex for ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views

Is my homebrew Awakened Bear race balanced?

I wanted to play an awakened bear, and decided to create my own race. I used JamesMusicus' Basic Race Feature Analysis sheet to create it, but I'd like to know how it would stack up in game. Is the ...
4
votes
1answer
349 views

Is this homebrew Energy Shield spell balanced? [closed]

Is this homebrew spell extension to the shield spell balanced? The spell is supposed to be a more powerful version of the shield spell that produces a shockwave back to the attacker when the enemy ...
3
votes
3answers
193 views

Are there any potential problems with this home-brew “Dueling Cape” as a substitute for a shield?

I play a swashbuckling rapier-wielding warblade named Vesuvio Monteverdi. He refuses to use a shield, as there is no honor in that. With DM permission, are there any potential mechanical and ...
3
votes
2answers
189 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Viper Strike' balanced?

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 ...
4
votes
4answers
338 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Vampiric Assault' balanced?

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 ...
4
votes
1answer
177 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Caustic Cleave' balanced?

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 ...
7
votes
2answers
214 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Blizzard Blow' balanced?

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 ...
6
votes
1answer
196 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Blade of Hate' balanced?

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 ...
4
votes
2answers
261 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Battery' balanced?

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 ...
4
votes
2answers
168 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Astral Smash' balanced?

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 ...
6
votes
3answers
520 views

Is the homebrew weapon attack cantrip 'Arcane Strike' balanced?

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 ...
6
votes
1answer
412 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
315 views

Is this Druid homebrew Circle of Chaos (3.0) balanced?

This is the 3rd iteration of my original homebrew. The last version was said to be a bit underpowered and the flavor was off, so I revamped a couple abilities. Here is the new version: Circle of ...
2
votes
1answer
258 views

Is this homebrew druid Circle of Chaos (2.0) balanced?

This is the second iteration of my homebrew Circle of Chaos druid. I debuffed and buffed in (hopefully) all the right places, and added an expanded spell list as per popular demand. The original ...
1
vote
1answer
136 views

How much gold is this DM-created Mask of Three Faces magic item worth?

Here's the DM-created magic item in question: Mask of Three Faces When worn, the mask attaches to the wearer's face and cannot be removed by normal means. At next sundown, the mask falls ...

1 2 3 4 5 … 13