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.
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Does the Shadow Magic sorcerer's Eyes of the Dark feature negate Sunlight Sensitivity for creatures like drow?
The Shadow Magic sorcerer's 1st-level feature Eyes of the Dark reads (XGtE, p. 51):
Starting at 1st level, you have darkvision with a range of 120 feet.
I would like to play a Drow character. Does ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
Are there ways Changelings can overcome their shape-shifting limitations?
While the changeling's shapeshifting ability does provide the player with quite a variety of creatures (both pc and npc) to choose from, the rules do limit it to medium human-like (as humanoid is a ...
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2answers
136 views
Do racial features which benefit specific ability/skill checks provide a benefit for skill checks made with different abilities?
The rules for making skill checks are usually cut and dried. If a character is making a check to see if they can swim against a current, this would usually be a Strength (Athletics) check.
But the ...
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0answers
164 views
In Pathfinder's Race builder, can you give the race you create two racial qualities? (i.e. Fey and Humanoid.)
I was wondering when creating a race in Pathfinder 1e, are you able to give them two racial type qualities like Fey and Humanoids for example or is it just one type only? I ask because I was looking ...
14
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1answer
868 views
Do Tabaxi regain the use of their Feline Agility trait if they get up from being knocked prone but don't move to a different space?
If a Tabaxi PC is knocked prone and then uses their turn to get up without moving anywhere else, does that let them refresh their Feline Agility racial ability?
Getting up uses half their movement ...
6
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1answer
129 views
If a spellcaster's racial trait grants a spell that requires material components, can they use their class' focus to cast that spell?
Based on the answer to this question about non-spellcasters, spells granted by racial traits don't waive the need for material components. However, can spellcasters use their class' allowed focuses ...
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2answers
82 views
What racial features can a Kalashtar use while wildshaped?
As the title states, I want to know which racial features, if any, of the kalashtar are usable in wildshaped form.
The traits are named as follows: Dual Mind, Mental Discipline, Mind Link, Severed ...
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1answer
263 views
Is Mirthful Leaps affected by jump multipliers?
In the new sourcebook Mythic Odysseys of Theros, the Satyr gains the ability Mirthful Leaps:
Whenever you make a long or high jump, you can roll a d8 and add the number rolled to the number of feet ...
3
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1answer
97 views
I am looking for information and the physical description of Deep Halflings
I am looking for the physical description and information on the Deep Halflings race in 3.5 D&D. Can anyone fill me in or direct me to a source?
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0answers
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Can you cast racial spells with a spell slot? [duplicate]
Take for instance, a level 5 (standard) tiefling warlock. Would you be able to cast your Darkness and Hellish Rebuke spells with a spell slot? Both spells appear on the warlock spell list and could be ...
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5answers
988 views
Can the shove from the Minotaur race's Hammering Horns trait knock an enemy prone?
The minotaur playable race has the Hammering Horns trait, which says (Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica, p. 19):
Immediately after you hit a creature with a melee attack as part of the Attack action ...
5
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1answer
144 views
Does a Warforged receive all the benefits of a long rest while wearing armor?
In Eberron: Rising From The Last War (p. 36), the Warforged's Integrated Protection trait states that you can take a rest while donning or doffing armor. The Sentry's Rest trait also states that you ...
5
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1answer
111 views
Do a creature's special abilities still function after the creature dies?
Do a creature's special abilities still function after the creature dies?
I know that, for example, the paladin's class feature Aura of Courage specifies that it doesn't function if the paladin is ...
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0answers
40 views
Do racial spells need spell slots? [duplicate]
Do the spells from Drow Magic need slots to cast? Or can they be used by characters without spell slots, like a fighter?
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1answer
227 views
Between the half-orc's Savage Attacks trait and the Elven Accuracy racial feat, which is better?
In a mathematical comparison of the Half-Orc Savage Attacks trait and the Elf/Half-Elf feat Elven Accuracy (XGtE, p. 74), which one increases average damage more at level 10 for a Fighter-Champion 5 / ...
2
votes
2answers
141 views
How much can changelings alter the length of specific body parts?
Like with disguise self, changelings can alter their total height by 1 foot. So they could make both their legs 1 foot shorter, and that would work. In theory, they could even turn both their legs ...
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1answer
192 views
Is there any mechanical support for aarakocra flying continuously for days?
The description of the aarakocra includes a section called Sky Wardens containing interesting sentences such as:
They can spend hours in the air, and some go as long as days, locking their wings in ...
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3answers
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When does the kobold racial trait “Grovel, Cower, and Beg” take effect?
The kobold racial trait Grovel, Cower, and Beg is described as follows (VGtM, p. 119):
As an action on your turn, you can cower pathetically to distract nearby foes. Until the end of your next turn,...
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2answers
1k views
How does the size of the Gold Dragonborn fire breath weapon work?
I know that the gold dragonborn in D&D 5e have a 15ft cone as breath weapon, but is that 15ft radius cone or 15ft diameter cone?
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1answer
70 views
Are augmented creatures considered their previous type?
For the simplest example, take a vampire, whose type is undead (augmented humanoid). Is it affected by hold person?
If the augmented subtype doesn't cause a creature to have its other subtype as a "...
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1answer
113 views
What are the balance implications of the Ixalan Vampire using bloodthirst on downed opponents?
For reference, from the Plane Shift: Ixalan PDF:
Bloodthirst
You can drain blood and life energy from a willing creature, or one that is grappled by you, incapacitated, or restrained. Make a melee ...
6
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1answer
347 views
Can a changeling player character look like a skeleton?
I have an for a changeling character, but instead of appearing in a human form or stuff like that, I want them to look like a skeleton. I'm thinking a grim reaper-type character, but I know I can't ...
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1answer
143 views
Does a Shifter Druid lose its racial Shifting benefit if its Wildshape is dropped to zero HP?
This is a follow up to my other question: Can a Shifter Druid use its racial Shifting feature in Wildshape?. The answer to that question states that a character which is a Shifter (race) and is also a ...
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3answers
605 views
Can a Shifter Druid use its racial Shifting feature in Wildshape?
The Shifter race from Eberron Rising from the Last War has the Shifting ability:
Once per short rest as a bonus action, you can assume a more bestial appearance. This transformation lasts for 1 ...
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3answers
898 views
In Eberron: Rising from the Last War, can warforged become exhausted if they decide not to take a long rest?
In Eberron: Rising from the Last War (p. 36), the warforged's Constructed Resilience trait includes the following benefit:
You don’t need to sleep, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
The Sentry's ...
9
votes
1answer
107 views
Can the Coerce action be used on a PC?
While this is a way to take away player agency, the second part of the Haughty Obstinacy feat says: "If a creature rolls a failure on a check to Coerce you using Intimidation, it gets a critical ...
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1answer
195 views
Magic jar's interaction with ability increases and racial feats
Magic Jar p. 257 of the Player's Handbook states:
Once you possess a creature's body, you control it. Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the creature, though you retain your ...
15
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1answer
1k views
Does the Grung's racial-trait poison work on all bolts when using a crossbow?
With the Grung's racial trait Poisonous Skin, you can apply poison to your weapon as part an an attack:
You can also apply this poison to any piercing weapon as part of an
attack with that weapon, ...
16
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3answers
3k views
Can the Half-Orc's Relentless Endurance trait protect them from things that would normally kill someone instantly?
In our campaign, we have a Half-Orc Barbarian. Very original. We are going along this cliff-side fortress and are worried about falling off. The Half-Orc's player jokingly says that he'll be fine, due ...
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1answer
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Can a Loxodon PC wield a 2-handed sword and a shield with one hand and their trunk?
Could a Loxodon in full plate armor with tower shield in one hand, wield a greatsword with the other hand and their trunk?
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1answer
303 views
How do the Elven Sub-races work? [closed]
Though I have approached this in a few ways before, I am left confused on the sub-races elves have. Referencing The PHB (P.23/24), DndBeyond, SCAG (P.106) and an Unearthed Arcana from WotC (Knowing it'...
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1answer
246 views
To what extent should DMs let players modify their racial traits? [closed]
I'm working on a party and one of my players wants to be a tiefling with an air genasi mother and a tiefling father. They want to Look like a tiefling but have the race bonuses of an air genasi.
In ...
4
votes
1answer
693 views
Are Simic Hybrids no longer able to access the features of their original race?
I am creating a drow monk character who, to oversimplify things, was altered by an ex-member of the Simic Combine in order to put them in a sort of Witness Protection. For this question, the only two ...
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1answer
1k views
What does an Aquatic Half-Elf Variant mean?
Though I know this has been addressed somewhat here, here, and here, I am still getting a little confused on what changes come to half-elf variants when it comes to looks, ability differences, and ...
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1answer
244 views
Does the target keep racial ability score bonuses after casting Reincarnate?
When casting the spell Reincarnate (PHB pg.271), does the target retain the ability score bonuses of their previous race?
6
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1answer
819 views
Does the Githyanki's racial spellcasting ignore all spell components, or only the material components?
The githyanki playable racial option has the Githyanki Psionics trait, which permits limited casting of a few spells. It is similar to the spellcasting granted to several other racial options, but ...
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1answer
219 views
Could a goliath grapple huge creatures because of his Powerful Build?
Goliaths have feature Powerful Build, which says
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Does it mean that ...
7
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1answer
323 views
Can a Firbolg using the Hidden Step trait remain invisible when casting a spell?
The Firbolg's Hidden Step trait (Volo's Guide to Monsters, p. 107) reads:
As a bonus action, you can magically turn invisible until the start of your next turn or until you attack, make a damage ...
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2answers
216 views
Do racial/feat/non-Spellcasting classes' spellcasting abilities count as a spellcasting ability for Staff of Power?
DMG p. 141 states the following (bolded for emphasis):
A magic item, such as certain staffs, may require you to use your own spellcasting ability when you cast spell from the item. If you have more ...
3
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1answer
388 views
Can racial spell slots work with Sorcerer's Font of Magic & Flexible Magic?
Can racial spell slots work with Sorcerer's Font of Magic & Flexible Magic?
EX: Can you use a tiefling's once a day Burning Hands Lv2 and convert it to 2 Sorcery Points? Can This work the other ...
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vote
1answer
64 views
Can non-lycanthropes with specific alternate forms appear as hybrids?
Say a succubus from Savage Species chooses to look like a country's queen as her alternate form. But she also wants to use her demonic claws and wings. Can she just take the queen's appearance as her ...
12
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1answer
262 views
What spellcasting ability is used for the Githzerai race's version of the Detect Thoughts spell?
The Detect Thoughts spell states:
[...] the creature can use its action on its turn to make an Intelligence check contested by your Intelligence check if it succeeds, the spell ends.
This spell is ...
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vote
2answers
707 views
Can Infernal Tiefling Always Fly?
Swords of The Coast lists the flying ability for the Winged Tiefling. One player in a group I DM created a "Tiefling (Infernal) Warlock (Undying)" which he has been very specific and detailed about ...
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2answers
1k views
How well can a Changeling copy voices?
A Changeling's shapechanger feature allows them to change their voice as an action. But unlike Kenku, the actor feat, and Rogue(Assassin)'s impostor feature, "mimicry" isn't mentioned.
Are ...
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1answer
315 views
Can a Kenku Swashbuckler use the Panache feature?
I am the DM for a player character that is a Kenku Swashbuckler that is currently level 8 and will be level 9 within the next few sessions. The player has been following the advice in the sidebar of ...
5
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1answer
642 views
Is it balanced to give a Simic Hybrid extra Animal Enhancements?
It's my turn to DM, and the previous DM wants to play a Simic Hybrid, but they want to use three of the animal enhancements available, instead of two. Specifically, they want Underwater Adaptation, ...
6
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2answers
310 views
Can a Changeling shift directly from one temporary form to another?
In the Eberron: Rising from the Last War book the Changeling "Shapechanger" ability (page 18) begins by stating that:
As an action, you can change your appearance and your voice.
However it ends ...
6
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1answer
2k views
How do the different seasons work for Eladrin?
In Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, the Eladrin race has Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall seasons. I know it affects the Fey Step, but how?
Also, could you make an eladrin without choosing a season?
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5answers
908 views
Can Forest Gnomes secretly converse (like Thieves' Cant) with other Forest Gnomes/Firbolgs/Speak with Animals users via Speak with Small Beasts?
My party has two Forest Gnomes and a Firbolg and they want to use their racial features to secretly communicate.
Forest Gnomes have
Speak with Small Beasts: Through sound and gestures, you may
...
3
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1answer
1k views
Can a changeling transform into races with a tail/horns?
I have read that a changeling can transform into any creature they have seen, unless it's larger/smaller then their size and they can't change into something that has a different body shape than them. ...
