Questions tagged [racial-traits]
For questions primarily about racial traits, the quantifiable capabilities or limitations specific to a race, such as Dwarves, Orcs, Romulans, et. al.
215
questions
5
votes
1answer
156 views
Does a PC cursed by Lycanthropy still retain racial bonuses to the same ability score?
This is mainly about a player who was bit by a Werebear recently. He wants to embrace being a Werebear and he's a Human Variant Fighter (GWM Feat) with 17 Strength. Being a Werebear he gains a ...
1
vote
0answers
66 views
How to use skill versatility? [closed]
I'm new to D&D and am making my first character. As she is a half-elf bard, I'm given 'skill versatility, which gives proficiency in any two skills. Where and when does this get added and how is ...
5
votes
1answer
82 views
Does Yuan-Ti Magic Resistance provide advantage for concentration saving throws, where spell damage was the cause?
The Yuan-ti Pureblood's Magic Resistance racial trait (VGtM, p. 120) provides:
advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects
I'm clear on that.
If I'm concentrating on a ...
6
votes
1answer
223 views
How does the Duergar Magic shrink/enlarge ability work with rage?
Is the Duergar's ability to shrink/enlarge considered a spell?
How does that combo off with the barbarian's "Rage" ability?
Am I able to do this after I go into a rage?
Does it cancel before I go ...
5
votes
1answer
365 views
Is this alternate Draconic Ancestry trait (that grants flight) a balanced replacement for the dragonborn's Breath Weapon trait? [closed]
A player with a Dragonborn PC recently requested that he be allowed to grow wings and gain a fly speed in our game. I didn't really like any of the alternate Dragonborn options that allow flight, so ...
7
votes
2answers
299 views
Can a Warforged suffer from magical exhaustion?
Can a Warforged suffer from magical exhaustion?
The Warforged Resilience trait (WGtE, p. 68) states:
You were created to have remarkable fortitude, represented by the following benefits.
...
12
votes
2answers
403 views
If a Variant Human is Reincarnated, would they lose the feat and skill proficiency they started with?
The reincarnate spell states that you lose racial traits, but do feats and skill proficiencies count as racial traits? For example, would a half-elf lose the skills they had when the character was ...
17
votes
1answer
803 views
Does Sunlight Sensitivity affect special melee attacks (such as grappling)?
I'm currently playing a Duergar Barbarian who I'm playing as a grappler, great fun, but neither me or the DM are entirely sure how the Duergar's sunlight sensitivity affects a special melee attack. It ...
9
votes
5answers
2k views
Can an Aarakocra use a shield while flying?
Another PC in a new campaign is an Aarakocra druid, with a (wooden) shield and a free hand for spellcasting (or throwing javelins). At first, the DM and some PCs (myself included) thought the wings ...
4
votes
2answers
300 views
How do Human Traits Work?
I'm a relatively new player to the D&D scene. I'm creating a human ranger and was puzzled at the logistics of human traits, and I can't seem to find the answer anywhere, although I might just be ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
What are the consequences of a player race not being humanoid? [duplicate]
Part of the reason I'm asking this is because the UA centuar and minotaur both have a feature that says the type is both humanoid and monstrosity. This implies that having a non-humanoid race would ...
28
votes
4answers
3k views
What is a Centaur Thief's climbing speed?
The Thief archetype Rogue's Second-Story Work (PHB, p. 97) feature states:
[...] you gain the ability to climb faster than normal; climbing no longer costs you extra movement.
However, the ...
4
votes
1answer
233 views
Does a disease trigger a saving throw vs. poison?
In What happened to disease in D&D 5e? we see that disease may not be a specific mechanic. However, it seems to be conflated quite a bit with poison, for example:
Here's an example of an ...
10
votes
1answer
404 views
How does the racial feature Mask of the Wild apply in practice (how is it beneficial?)
My interpretation of Mask of the Wild is that players with this feature are able to hide in situations that other players are unable to. For example, a wood elf can attempt a stealth roll in heavy ...
13
votes
1answer
304 views
Would Dwarves have advantage on saving throws against the Contagion spell?
Contagion (PHB, p. 227) has always been a powerful spell.
It used to be unclear, by RAW, what happened during the three (or more) turns a target was making saving throws. The original spell ...
6
votes
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....
4
votes
1answer
199 views
Feature given by class is already given by race. What to do RAW? [duplicate]
I have a player in my game with an Aasimar Warlock with a Celestial Patron. At 6th level, Celestial Patron grants "... resistance to radiant damage, and when you cast a spell that deals radiant or ...
8
votes
1answer
284 views
Can the Changeling race change specific body parts?
Can a changeling say they want to transform their arms into one race, change their legs into another, and then change their face into a different race or person. Can that be done? Does their ...
6
votes
2answers
434 views
Would increasing a Dragonborn's breath weapon damage help to balance them?
Dragonborn are arguably considered one of the weakest playable races, as supported by the answers to my other recent question: How would adding a darkvision racial trait to Dragonborn affect balance?
...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
How would adding a darkvision racial trait to Dragonborn affect balance?
Dragonborn, as I understand it, are considered to be one of the weakest, if not the weakest, playable race. Their flavour is cool, especially for people who like dragons, but their being sub-par in ...
6
votes
1answer
185 views
Can kenku repeat things they heard without interference?
Imagine a kenku is listening to someone talking. It’s on a loud, crowded street, but the kenku can still (relatively clearly) hear what their friend is saying.
Afterward, someone else asks them what ...
11
votes
1answer
358 views
Does the Rock Gnome trait Artificer's Lore apply when you aren't proficient in History?
Rock Gnomes have the following racial trait (PHB, p. 37):
Artificer’s Lore
Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological ...
16
votes
4answers
3k views
Can the DM override racial traits?
In our two-week old campaign, the DM is trying to say I need food or water, or otherwise I'll suffer from exhaustion.
But I am a Warforged Juggernaut, and the Warforged Resilience trait says I don't ...
1
vote
1answer
491 views
How do I apply the Mark of Making dragonmark to a variant human in Eberron?
I am confused on how to apply the dragonmark variant on a human in Eberron, specifically the Mark of Making from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron.
Do the dragonmark features (from p. 101) completely ...
3
votes
2answers
413 views
Can a grung druid use their Poisonous Skin trait during Wild Shape?
The Grung player race (from the One Grung Above supplement, released to raise funds for Extra Life) has the Poisonous Skin trait:
Any creature that grapples you or otherwise comes into direct ...
7
votes
1answer
140 views
Does the racial trait “Slow Speed” negate all armor penalties?
In the book "Advanced race guide", the racial trait "Slow Speed" says:
If the race is Medium, its members’ speed is never modified by armor
or encumbrance.
Does that negate heavy armors' penalty ...
22
votes
2answers
2k views
If a centaur druid Wild Shapes into a Giant Elk, do their Charge features stack?
The Centaur player race has a "Charge" feature (GGtR, p. 16): If they move 30 feet, the Centaur can attack against the target with its hooves as a Bonus Action.
The Giant Elk beast has a similar "...
-5
votes
1answer
281 views
Is this homebrew race with a day/night-dependent racial trait balanced? [closed]
I want to create a homebrew race for D&D, so that I may use it when I'll find a group (with the DM's approval, of course). The race is wolf related, so what I want to do is give them a night ...
3
votes
2answers
626 views
Can you replace a racial trait cantrip when leveling up?
The Tiefling has the Infernal Legacy racial trait, which grants them the Thaumaturgy cantrip.
In the PHB, it says (emphasis mine):
[...] when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of ...
2
votes
3answers
160 views
Can a Dhampir use the spell or effects of Cure Wounds on him/herself and bypass their Negative Energy Affinity?
Can a good aligned Dhampir use the spell or effects of Cure Wounds on him/herself and bypass their Negative Energy Affinity or would you still need the Life-Dominant Soul feat to at least heal for ...
8
votes
1answer
188 views
Does the Warforged Resilience racial trait apply to saving throws against poison damage?
The Warforged Resilience racial trait (WGtE, p. 68) states:
You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
If an attack deals poison damage ...
65
votes
2answers
6k views
Do Bugbears' arms literally get longer when it's their turn?
The Bugbear's Long-Limbed trait (VGtM, p. 119) says:
When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet
greater than normal.
This means that when it is not a Bugbear's turn, ...
6
votes
3answers
513 views
What are the practical Opportunity Attack values for a bugbear, holding a reach weapon, with the Polearm Master feat?
I have crafted a Barbarian bugbear that uses a halberd weapon, and will take Polearm Master as a feat.
Bugbears have the Long-Limbed trait:
When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach ...
17
votes
2answers
1k views
Do natural melee weapons (from racial traits) trigger Improved Divine Smite?
Following up on
Does Improved Divine Smite trigger when a paladin makes an unarmed strike?
Improved Divine Smite will not trigger on an unarmed strike.
Context
The paladin in my campaign – ...
7
votes
3answers
452 views
Can a Longtooth Shifter druid attack with a bonus action in Wild Shape?
The Longtooth Shifter has the following Shifting feature:
While shifted, you can use your elongated fangs to make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. (Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron, p66)
If a ...
5
votes
3answers
284 views
Would giving dwarves specific racial proficiencies instead of Weapon Familiarity be unbalanced?
I have a player that wants to play a dwarven druid. He’s flavoring the class as a loner that wander the tunnels protecting his settlement from the monsters that lurk in caves. However he is slightly ...
4
votes
2answers
178 views
Permanent Enlarge Person and Kitsune Shape
The subject of this question is a Kitsune character under a permanent Enlarge Person spell. I have some difficulties to figure out how it will react with the two shape features of this character, ...
2
votes
2answers
126 views
Do bloodlines not increase your ECL?
Bloodlines, in all their weird but flavorful glory. For those who don't know, bloodlines are kind of like a racial template that gives you more abilities as you level up. Instead of having a level ...
5
votes
1answer
137 views
Does a human still get more feats and skill points when he acquires a template?
A feature of the human race is that they get an extra feat and extra skill points.
If a player decides to play human with a half-troll template (Fiend Folio p.93), does he still get his extra feat ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Do all Half-Elf subraces forgo the Skill Versatility feature?
On D&D Beyond, the Half-Elf page has this structure, and roughly the following content:
Half-Elf variants (saying that some variants forego Skill Versatility)
Half-Elf traits (showing all ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Does the kobold player race feature, Pack Tactics, give ranged attacks advantage?
On page 119 of VGtM, the description of the Kobold playable race's trait, Pack Tactics, reads:
Pack Tactics. You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies ...
10
votes
2answers
182 views
Does a warforged benefit from composite plating when it uses alter self to assume a different form?
The spell alter self mentions nothing about the affected creature losing its racial traits that are natural abilities, like the warforged racial trait composite plating.
With this in mind, if a ...
6
votes
3answers
534 views
Can a PC cast cantrips without being in a spellcasting class?
I am a new player creating a rogue tiefling which gives me the thaumaturgy cantrip. From my understanding you can't cast spells or cantrips without being something like a wizard.
Can I cast this ...
3
votes
1answer
134 views
How does Light Blindness interact with artificial light sources?
Question
How does the Light Blindness weakness (found, for example, as a weakness racial trait for Drow) interact with artificial light sources like torches, campfire, oil lamps, Light Spell, other ...
4
votes
2answers
296 views
Does repairing the gnome's clockwork device require no materials and make it functional for another 24 hours?
I am thinking about roleplaying a Rock Gnome, and was wondering whether my interpretation of the Tinker trait was correct.
The rock gnome's tinker Trait (PHB pg. 37) says:
Using those [tinker's] ...
4
votes
1answer
911 views
Can a Changeling shapeshifted into a mind flayer read Deep Speech?
Can a Changeling (Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron, p. 61) shapeshifted into a Mindflayer read the Qualith language?
The ability to read Deep Speech is dependent on tentacles, so could a Changeling use ...
0
votes
1answer
947 views
How does a Doppelganger monster's Shapechanger trait differ from the Changeling playable race's Change Appearance trait?
In D&D Beyond, I compared the Doppelganger monster's Shapechanger trait to the Changeling playable race's Change Appearance trait. While I think the two are very similar, some differences stood ...
4
votes
1answer
320 views
Could a kenku talk with thaumaturgy?
I was reading this question about kenku communicating using sign language, and was wondering about the other ways a kenku could communicate.
For example, the thaumaturgy cantrip states:
You create ...
6
votes
2answers
582 views
Can a Kenku communicate using sign language?
The description for the Kenku race (VGtM, p. 109-111) includes this statement:
You can read and write Common and Auran, but you can speak only by using your Mimicry trait.
In the Kenku origin tale,...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Does the Warforged Envoy's Integrated Tool feature give you a free tool?
The Envoy subrace of Warforged (Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron, p. 69) gives you the Integrated Tool feature, which states:
Choose one tool you’re proficient with. This tool is integrated into your ...
