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# Poisons Expanded The 2024 DMG gives some cursory outlines for advanced poisons, meant to be the basis of a DM introducing it into their game. The primary goal of this homebrew is to add Herbal Poisons and build an expansion that completes this outline into a resource that maintains a straightforward and easy to digest (pun intended!) system. Herbal poisons focus more on applying conditions rather than damage, and let creature poisons in the DMG be more damage focused. The resources found here are designed to be standalone or in addition to the Poison section of the DM's Toolbox on page 90 of the 2024 DMG. ## Poison Types* Given their insidious and deadly nature, poisons are a favorite tool among assassins and evil creatures. Poisons come in the following four types: ### Contact Contact poison can be smeared on an object and remains potent until it is touched or washed off. A creature that touches contact poison with exposed skin suffers its effects. ### Ingested A creature must swallow an entire dose of ingested poison to suffer its effects. The dose can be delivered in food or a liquid. You may decide that a partial dose has a reduced effect, such as allowing Advantage on the saving throw or dealing only half as much damage on a failed save. ### Inhaled Poisonous powders and gases take effect when inhaled. Blowing the powder or releasing the gas subjects creatures in a 5-foot Cube to its effect. The resulting cloud dissipates immediately afterward. Holding one’s breath is ineffective against inhaled poisons, as they affect nasal membranes, tear ducts, and other parts of the body. ### Injury Injury poison can be applied as a Bonus Action to a weapon, a piece of ammunition, or similar object. The poison remains potent until delivered through a wound or washed off. A creature that takes Piercing or Slashing damage from an object coated with the poison is exposed to its effects. \column ## Identifying poisons A character can attempt to identify a substance in a container believed to be a poison. The character makes a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check using a Poisoner's Kit or Alchemist's Supplies. Alternatively, a character can attempt to identify an herbal poison by making a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check using an Herbalism Kit. On a successful check, the poison is identified. If the character fails the check by 5 or less, they still correctly identify if it is a type of poison (Creature or Herbal) that could be detected by the tool being used. ## Harvesting Poisons ### Creature Poisons* A character can attempt to harvest poison from a venomous creature that is dead or has the Incapacitated condition. The effort takes 1d6 minutes, after which the character makes a DC 20 Intelligence (Nature) check using a Poisoner’s Kit. On a successful check, the character harvests enough poison for a single dose, and no additional poison can be harvested from that creature. On a failed check, the character is unable to extract any poison. If the character fails the check by 5 or more, the character is subjected to the creature’s poison. ### Herbal Poisons A character can attempt to harvest poisonous herbs from a location where materials may be present. The character makes a DC 15 Intelligence (Nature) check using an Herbalism or Poisoner's Kit to find a specific material. On a successful check, the character harvests 2d4 of that material. A character can attempt this check again to search for additional materials that may be present in this location, increasing the DC by 5 on each succsessive check. On a failed check, the character is unable to find any more materials in this location until that character completes a Long Rest. See the **Herbal Poison Materials** table (Items) for details. {{imageMaskCorner17,--offsetX:55%,--offsetY:-57%,--rotation:0 ![](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/Vials.png){height:400px,right:0px,bottom:-100px} }}

##### Vials [Dall-E 3](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/prompts.txt)

\page ## Crafting Poisons Poisons are not considered magical items and can be created using standard crafting rules. Alternatively, 4 ounces of an herbal poison can be crafted without GP costs over the course of 1 day (8 hours of work) when the following conditions are met: - The required Herbal Poison Materials are directly supplied. - A glass container with at least 4 ounces of space available is supplied to contain the crafted poison. - Proficiency with and use of an Herbalism or Poisoner's Kit. ##### A single dose of poison is 4 ounces. *** ### Glass Containers - 1 Vial can contain 4 ounces - 1 Glass bottle can contain 1.5 pints (24 ounces) #### Container Note Most potions, oils, and similar liquid substances are contained in a 4 ounce vial. If the vial containing a substance is used but the vial is not destroyed, your DM may allow you to save the vial for reuse later. ### Herbal Poison Materials Herbal poison materials can be harvested from certain locations and used to craft herbal poisons. #### Herbal Poison Materials Table |Material Name|Value|Locations Found| |:---|:---|:---| |Datura |50 GP|Desert| |Hellebore |60 GP|Coastal, Forest| |Hemlock |25 GP|Hill, Grassland| |Henbane |15 GP|Grassland, Forest, Mountain| |Hogweed |20 GP|Hill, Mountain| |Lathyrus |90 GP|Coastal, Hill| |Manchineel |10 GP|Swamp, Coastal, Riverbank| |Valeriana |5 GP|Mountain, Swamp, Riverbank, Coastal| ### Herbal Poisons |Poison Name|Materials Required|Value|DC|Type| |:---|:---|:---|:---|:---| |Blister |Manchineel (4) |100 GP |11 |Contact | |Cockatrice Bane |Lathyrus (6),
Cockatrice feather |1100 GP |15 |Injury | |Sightless |Hogweed (6) |250 GP |15 |Injury | |Stillness |Hemlock (6) |350 GP |15 |Injury | |Sting |Hellebore (4) |500 GP |15 |Injury | |Torment |Henbane (4) |150 GP |13 |Ingested | |Tranquilize |Valeriana (4) |50 GP |13 |Injury | |Wither |Datura (4) |400 GP |13 |Ingested | \column ### Creature Poisons* |Poison Name|Value|DC|Type| |:---|:---|:---|:---| |Assassin's Blood |150 GP |10|Ingested| |Burnt Othur Fumes |500 GP |13|Inhaled| |Carrion Crawler Mucus|200 GP |13|Contact| |Essence of Ether |300 GP |15|Inhaled| |Lolth's Sting |200 GP |13|Injury| |Malice |250 GP |15|Inhaled| |Midnight's Tears |1,500 GP|17|Ingested| |Oil of Taggit |400 GP |13|Contact| |Pale Tincture |250 GP |16|Ingested| |Purple Worm Poison |2,000 GP|21|Injury| |Serpent Venom |200 GP |11|Injury| |Torpor |600 GP |15|Ingested| |Truth Serum |150 GP |11|Ingested| |Wyvern Poison |1,200 GP|14|Injury| ## Purchasing Poison* In some settings, laws prohibit the possession and use of poison, but an illicit dealer or unscrupulous apothecary might keep a hidden stash. Characters with criminal contacts might be able to acquire poison easily. Other characters might have to make extensive inquiries and pay bribes before they acquire the poison they seek. ### Tranquilize This poison is more of a sleep aid than anything else and could easily be considered more of a medicine. DMs should consider making this more readily available ## Conditions ### Slow-Petrify This condition can be removed by the Lesser Restoration and Greater Restoration spells, or Soft. While you have the Slow-Petrify condition, you experience the following effects: - Your minimum Exhaustion level is 1 - At the end of each of your turns, make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 15. After three successful saves, this condition is removed. On each successive failed save, your minimum Exhaustion level increases by 1. - If you end your turn with exhaustion level 3 or higher, this condition is removed and replaced with the Petrified condition for 24 hours. This condition can be removed with *Soft* (See Items) {{pageNumber 2}} {{footnote Crafting | Purchasing | Conditions}} \page ## Feats ### Toxicologist *General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+)* You gain Proficiency with the Herbalism or Poisoner's kit (choose when you select this feat) in addition to the following benefits. **Ability Score Increase.** Increase your Dexterity or Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20. **Potent Effect.** Your poisons that apply a condition or non-damaging effect other than the Poisoned condition, ignore any requirement to be "Poisoned in this way" and is affected by that condition or effect for the duration unless the creature is specifically immune to it. **Toxicity.** Creatures that roll a Constitution saving throw to avoid, reduce, or end the effects or damage of your poisons have Disadvantage on that check. ### Poisoner** *General Feat (Prerequisite: Level 4+)* You gain the following benefits. **Ability Score Increase.** Increase your Dexterity or Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20. **Potent Poison.** When you make a damage roll that deals Poison damage, it ignores Resistance to Poison damage. **Brew Poison.** You gain proficiency with the Poisoner’s Kit. With 1 hour of work using such a kit and expending 50 GP worth of materials, you can create a number of **Basic Poison** doses equal to your Proficiency Bonus. As a Bonus Action, you can apply a **Basic Poison** dose to a weapon or piece of ammunition. Once applied, the poison retains its potency for 1 minute or until you hit with the poisoned item, whichever is shorter. When a creature takes damage from the poisoned item, that creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 plus the modifier of the ability increased by this feat and your Proficiency Bonus) or take 2d8 Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition until the end of your next turn \column ## Items ### Assassin’s Blood (150 GP) *Ingested Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Assassin’s Blood makes a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 6 (1d12) Poison damage and has the Poisoned condition for 24 hours. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage only. ### Blister (100 GP) *Contact Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Blister must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. The Poisoned creature repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The creature takes 1d4 Poison damage at the start of it's turn while Poisoned in this way. ### Burnt Othur Fumes (500 GP) *Inhaled Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Burnt Othur Fumes must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) Poison damage, and it must repeat the save at the start of each of its turns. On each successive failed save, the creature takes 3 (1d6) Poison damage. After three successful saves, the poison ends. ### Carrion Crawler Mucus (200 GP) *Contact Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Carrion Crawler Mucus must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. The creature also has the Paralyzed condition while Poisoned in this way. The creature repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. ### Cockatrice Bane (1100 GP) *Injury Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Cockatrice Bane must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Slow-Petrify condition. (See Conditions) ### Essence of Ether (300 GP) *Inhaled Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Essence of Ether must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 8 hours. The creature also has the Unconscious condition while Poisoned in this way. The creature wakes up if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it awake. {{imageMaskCorner20,--offsetX:-44%,--offsetY:-64%,--rotation:0 ![](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/Illegal%20Goods.png){opacity:85%,width:450px,left:0px,bottom:-210px} }}

##### Illegal Goods [Dall-E 3](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/prompts.txt)

{{pageNumber 3}} {{footnote Feats | Items}} \page ### Malice (250 GP) *Inhaled Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Malice must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 hour. The creature also has the Blinded condition while Poisoned in this way. ### Midnight Tears (1,500 GP) *Ingested Creature Poison* A creature that ingests Midnight Tears suffers no effect until the stroke of midnight. Any effect that ends the Poisoned condition neutralizes this poison. If the poison hasn’t been neutralized before midnight, the creature makes a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 31 (9d6) Poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. ### Oil of Taggit (400 GP) *Contact Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Oil of Taggit must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 24 hours. The creature also has the Unconscious condition while Poisoned in this way. It wakes up if it takes damage. ### Lolth’s Sting (200 GP) *Injury Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Lolth’s Sting must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 hour. If the creature fails the save by 5 or more, the creature also has the Unconscious condition while Poisoned in this way. The creature wakes up if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it awake. ### Pale Tincture (250 GP) *Ingested Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Pale Tincture must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 3 (1d6) Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition. The Poisoned creature repeats the save every 24 hours, taking 3 (1d6) Poison damage on a failed save. The damage the poison deals can’t be healed by any means while the creature remains Poisoned. After seven successful saves against the poison, the creature is no longer Poisoned. ### Purple Worm Poison (2,000 GP) *Injury Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Purple Worm Poison makes a DC 21 Constitution saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) Poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. \column ### Serpent Venom (200 GP) *Injury Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Serpent Venom must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) Poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. ### Sightless (250 GP) *Injury Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Sightless must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. The Poisoned creature repeats the save at the end of each of it's turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The creature also has the Blinded condition while Poisoned in this way. ### Soft (100 GP) Made from Roc's feather and other softening agents. As a Bonus Action you can drink or administer a vial of Soft to gain Immunity to the Petrify or Slow-Petrify conditions for 1 hour. This item can be crafted with Alchemist's Supplies. ### Sting (500 GP) *Injury Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Sting must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 13 (3d8) Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage. ### Stillness (350 GP) *Injury Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Stillness must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. The Poisoned creature repeats the save at the end of each of it's turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The creature also has the Paralyzed condition while Poisoned in this way. {{imageMaskCorner20,--offsetX:43%,--offsetY:-62%,--rotation:0 ![](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/Blowgun.png){width:450px,right:-10px,bottom:-50px,opacity:90%,transform:scaleX(-1)} }}

##### Blowgun [Dall-E 3](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/prompts.txt)

{{pageNumber 4}} {{footnote Items }} \page \column ### Torment (150 GP) *Ingested Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Torment must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1d6 hours. The Poisoned creature repeats the save each hour, ending the effect on itself on a success. The creature also has the Unconscious condition while Poisoned in this way. ### Torpor (600 GP) *Ingested Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Torpor poison must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 4d6 hours. The creature’s Speed is halved while the creature is Poisoned in this way. ### Tranquilize (50 GP) *Injury Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Tranquilize must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have the Unconscious condition for 1 minute. The creature repeats the save at the end of each of it's turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The creature wakes up if it takes damage or if another creature take an action to shake it awake. ### Truth Serum (150 GP) *Ingested Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Truth Serum must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 hour. The Poisoned creature can’t knowingly communicate a lie. ### Wither (400 GP) *Ingested Herbal Poison* A creature subjected to Wither must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1d4 days. The Poisoned creature repeats the save each day, ending the effect on itself on a success. The creature also a minimum Exhaustion level of 1 while Poisoned in this way. ### Wyvern Poison (1,200 GP) *Injury Creature Poison* A creature subjected to Wyvern Poison makes a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) Poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. : : : : :

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- (*) This data is simply a reference to the mechanics printed in the DMG for complete evaluation of this homebrew. - (**) The only change from the 2024 PHB is to specify "Basic Poison". This is to better clarify how this feat is intended to be used. - (***) See "Optional Dosage Addendum" for alternate dosage and application mechanics. Currently playtesting.

{{imageMaskEdge7,--offset:5%,--rotation:-270 ![](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/Apothekerin.png){opacity:85%,width:700px,left:-225px,bottom:0px,transform:scaleX(-1)} }}

##### Apothekerin [Dall-E 3](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/prompts.txt)

{{pageNumber 5}} {{footnote Items }} \page ## Optional Dosage Addendum ### Ambiguity There is some ambiguity as to how "1 dose" of injury poison is used regarding weapons and ammunition. Based on how it is used, Basic Poison should be considered an injury poison. For other poison types, it seems to be clear 1 dose = 1 use. {{note PHB (2024) Pg 90; Poison, Basic As a Bonus Action, you can use a vial of Basic Poison to coat one weapon or up to three pieces of ammunition. }} {{note PHB (2024) Pg 206; Poisoner As a Bonus Action, you can apply a [Basic] poison dose to a weapon or piece of ammunition. }} {{note DMG (2024) Pg 227; Poison, Injury Injury poison can be applied as a Bonus Action to a weapon, a piece of ammunition, or similar object. }} Interestingly, the Injury Poison entry doesn't say "1 dose" where as the Poisoner feat does. ### Inconsistency Assuming 4 ounces of a poison is intended to be sufficient to coat 3 pieces of ammunition, then applying it to a melee weapon should apply for more than 1 hit. Implied by this, a full dose of poison shouldn't have to be applied in its entirety. The portion that would be applied to 1 arrow should be all that is required to be removed from the vial, allowing the remaining poison to retain it's potency until needed. Similar to how Rations are sold as a 2 lbs item, but a Medium creature only needs to consume 1 lbs at a time. ### Efficacy Considering the 2024 Monster manual and Poison damage and Poisoned condition, and other comparables, here is some data. |Type|Immune %|Resistant %|Vulnerable %| |:---|:---|:---|:---| |Poison|23%|1.8%|0%| |Cold|4.3%|12.4%|0.8%| |Fire|9.2%|9.6%|1.8%| |Poisoned|23.4%|0%|0%| |Exhaustion|15.5%|0%|0%| |Frightened|15.5%|0%|0%| |Charmed|18.5%|0%|0%| |Paralyzed|11.6%|0%|0%| Poison damage and Poisoned is already the least useful damage type and condition against creatures by a large margin. ### Weapon Application (Optional) One dose (4 ounces) of an Injury poison contains enough uses to subject a creature to its effects up to 4 times. Once applied to a weapon or piece of ammunition, the poison retains it's potency for 1 minute. A creature that takes Piercing or Slashing damage from the poisoned weapon or ammunition is subjected to the effect of the poison applied and one applied use of the poison is expended. As a Bonus Action, you can apply up to 4 ounces of an Injury poison from a single container you are holding to a melee weapon. Alternatively, you can apply 1 ounce of an Injury poison from a single container you are holding to a piece of ammunition or a ranged weapon with the Thrown property, up to 4 times, choosing a different weapon or piece of ammunition each time. {{imageMaskCorner17,--offsetX:52%,--offsetY:-17%,--rotation:0 ![](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/Combat%20Application.png){opacity:85%,width:1000px,right:-350px,bottom:60px,transform:scaleX(-1)} }}

##### Combat Application [Dall-E 3](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IP-DND-Resources/Poisons-Expanded/refs/heads/main/img/prompts.txt)

{{pageNumber 6}} {{footnote Dosage & Application }}

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