# Daggers and Darkness ___ #### Rule Variants for D&D 5E Campaigns

Welcome! This homebrew contains 5E rule changes for campaigns that want to emphasize weapon, armor, feats, and skills as core components of character creation. There are also rule variants for general gameplay, such as death saving throws that use exhaustion levels, expanded encumbrance, and addtional/tweaked feats that provides interesting player decisions. ### Weapon Proficiencies Anyone can put on a suit of armor, strap a shield to an arm, or swing a sword; however, only those proficient in the armor or weapon’s use know how to use it effectively. Each character gains a number of equipment proficiency points based on their class (see the table below). If the character gains additional weapon or armor proficiencies from a class ability, feat, multi-classing, or background, they instead gain 2 additional equipment proficiency point. ##### Class Proficiency Points ``` ``` | | Equipment | Skills | |:--------|:-----:|:--:| | Artificer | 8 | 6 | | Barbarian | 11 | 4 | | Bard | 5 | 7 | | Cleric | 8 | 4 | | Druid | 8 | 4 | | Fighter | 14 | 4 | | Monk † | 5 | 5 | | Paladin | 11 | 4 | | Ranger | 10 | 6 | | Rogue | 5 | 7 | | Sorcerer | 2 | 4 | | Warlock | 4 | 4 | | Wizard | 2 | 4 | A character can choose to gain proficiency in any weapon, shields, or armor. Each weapon, including unarmed strikes or natural weapons (such as claws), counts a number of proficiency points based on the chart below. ##### Equipment Point Cost | | Point Cost | |:--------|:-----:| | Simple Weapons (each) | 2 | | Martial Weapons (each) | 3 | | Unarmed strikes, natural weapons (each) | 1 | | Light Armor | 1 | | Medium Armor | 2 | | Heavy Armor | 2 | | Shields | 3 | If a character wears armor that they lack proficiency with, they have disadvantage on any ability check, saving throw, or attack roll that involves Strength or Dexterity, and they can't cast spells. If a character doesn’t have proficiency with a weapon, they have disadvantage on attack rolls but still add their proficiency bonus. Class abilities that require a specific weapon group (e.g. simple or martial) can be ignored, but any required weapon properties is still relevant. As an example, monk weapons still cannot be two-handed or heavy but they may be either simple or martial. ### Ability Checks and Skills Each ability covers a broad range of capabilities, including skills that a character or a monster can be proficient in. A skill represents a specific aspect of an ability score, and an individual's proficiency in a skill demonstrates a focus on that aspect. Players may choose their skill proficiencies as described below. ***Proficiency Points.*** Characters gain a number of skill proficiency points based on their class (see the table above) plus their Intelligence modifier upon character creation. This starting proficiency point total disregards any proficiencies obtained from player background. Multiclassing provides two additional skill proficiency points; additionally, any class, subclass, or racial feature that provides proficiency in skills or tools instead adds half a proficiency point for each skill or tool, rounding up the sum of all. ***Using Points.*** Characters may choose to use one proficiency point to gain proficiency in a new skill or tool. Alternatively, they may opt to use 2 skill proficiency points to gain expertise with a skill or tool they are already proficient with. This means their proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check they make with it. The choosen proficiency must be one that isn't already benefiting from a feature that doubles their proficiency bonus. ___ † - *Monks are proficient with unarmed strikes without affecting equipment proficiencies. *

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\page

The skills related to each ability score are shown in the following list.

| Strength | Dexterity | Intelligence | |:---|:--|:--| | *Athletics* | *Acrobatics* | *Academia*| | *Brute Force* | *Sleight of Hand* | *Arcana*| | *Wrestling* | *Stealth* | *Investigation* |

| Wisdom | Charisma | |:---|:--| | *Insight* | *Deception* | | *Medicine* | *Intimidation* | | *Survival* | *Persuasion* | | *Perception* | |

Below there is a description of the skills that underwent some change from the PHB. ***Athletics.*** Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations you encounter while climbing, jumping. or swimming. Examples include the following activities: * You attempt to climb a sheer or slippery cliff, avoid hazards while scaling a wall, or cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you off. * You try to jump an unusually long distance or pull off a stunt midjump. * You struggle to swim or stay afloat in treacherous currents, storm-tossed waves, or areas of thick seaweed. ***Brute Force.*** Your Strength (Brute Force) check covers situations in which you use weight training, pure force of muscle, or lifting technique to accomplish a goal. Examples include the following activities: * You attempt to force open a stuck, locked, or barred door. * You struggle to keep a portcullis ajar as your companions escape a castle. * You try to win a tugging contest or an arm wrestling bet. ***Wrestling.*** Your Strength (Wrestling) check handles grappling, shoving, tripping, and pinning an enemy (or avoid those actions). Examples include: * You attempt to hold onto the shirt of an escaping thief. * You try to shove a goblin to the ground. * You struggle to escape being constrained by the tentacles of a Kraken. ***Academia.*** Your Intelligence (Academia) check measures your ability to recall relevant facts or figures about geography, flora and fauna, weather, historical events, legendary people, ancient kingdoms, past disputes, recent wars, and lost civilizations. ***Arcana.*** Your Intelligence (Arcana) check measures your ability to recall details about spells, magic items, eldritch symbols, magical traditions, the planes of existence, deities, rites and prayers, religious hierarchies, holy symbols, and the practices of secret cults. ### Encumbrance A traveler’s carry weight is split into two parts: **Combat Weight** and **Stowed Weight**. Combat weight handles all weapons, armor, wardrobe, and quick access items that are equipped in combat. Stowed weight represents your traveling gear, including food, water, and non-combat equipment. ***Light Encumbrance:*** If your combat weight is in excess of 2 times your Strength score, you are lightly encumbered, which decreases your movement speed by 5ft. ***Medium Encumbrance:*** If your combat weight is in excess of 4 times your Strength score, you are moderately encumbered, which decreases your movement speed by 10 feet. ***Heavy Encumbrance:*** If your combat weight is in excess of 8 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are heavily encumbered. Your speed drops by 20 feet, and you have disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution ability checks and saving throws. ***Carrying Capacity:*** Your carrying capacity (stowed weight and combat weight combined) is your Strength score multiplied by 10. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don't usually have to worry about it. ***Heavy Armor.*** Ignore the Strength column on the Armor table (PHB p.145), as any reduction in speed due to heavy armor is already accounted for. ### Prone Cover Whenever a creature is prone, it is considered that the creature has **prone cover**. Prone cover provides +5 bonus to a creature's AC against ranged attacks but gives disadvantage to the creature on Dexterity saving throws of any kind.

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\page Other prone effects still apply as stated in the PHB. For example, a creature with prone cover has diadvantage on melee attack rolls, and melee attack rolls against a creature with prone cover have advantage. ### Dropping to 0 Hit Points When you drop to 0 hit points, you fall prone, lose concentration, and gain a level of exhaustion. You may perform actions, but doing so brings you closer to death. After any action, bonus action, reaction, movement, or ability check you must make a special saving throw, called a death saving throw, to determine whether you creep closer to death or hang onto life. Unlike other saving throws, this one isn’t tied to any ability score and cannot be aided by Spells or features that improve your chances of succeeding on a saving throw. ***Rolling d20.*** When you make a death saving throw, if the roll is 10 or higher, you succeed and nothing happens. Otherwise, you fail and gain another level of exhaustion. ***Damage at 0 Hit Points.*** If you take any damage while you have 0 hit points, you suffer another level of exhaustion. If the damage is from a critical hit, you suffer two levels of exhaustion instead. lf the damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum, you suffer instant death. ### Providing First Aid The best way to help a creature with 0 hit points is to heal it. If potions or magical healing is unavailable, the creature can be given first aid. ___ ___

##### Exhaustion Levels | Level | Effect | |:--------:|:-------------| | 1 | Disadvantage on ability checks | | 2 | Speed halved | | 3 | Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws | | 4 | Hit point maximum halved | | 5 | Speed reduced to 0 | | 6 | Death |

``` ``` You can use your action to administer first aid to a creature (or yourself) with 0 hit points and attempt to tend to their wounds, which requires a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check. A creature given first aid successfully regains 1 hit point. The creature is no longer required to make additional death saving throws when taking actions unless it drops to 0 hit points again. If the creature succesfully performs first aid to themselves, they do not need to roll a death saving throw for that action. ### Knocking a Creature Out Sometimes an attacker wants to incapacitate a foe, rather than deal a killing blow. Dealing non-lethal damage in order to knock out an opponent requires the attack to be performed at disadvantage with a bludgeoning weapon. The attacker must make this choice before the attack roll is made. If the creature drops to fewer than 0 hit points, they fall unconscious and do not need to make death saving throws. ### Short Rest and Exhaustion During a short rest, a character can spend one or more Hit Dice at the end of a short rest, up to half the character's maximum number of Hit Dice, which is equal to the character's level. In addition to environmental factors or special abilities, characters can obtain an exhaustion level by spending a full day without performing a long rest.

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\page # Feats ___ ## Weapons Feats ___ ### Bow Expert You have developed special skills while holding a bow and arrow. You gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature doesn't impose disadvantage on ranged attack rolls from a shortbow or longbow. * When you score a critical hit with a shortbow or longbow to a creature of large size or smaller, you can choose to have the creature drop an item that is worn or held (not including armor) and have it scatter 10 feet away in a random direction. ### Crossbow Expert You have begun your training with crossbows and can now operate them in tight quarters. You gain the following benefits: * Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature doesn't impose disadvantage on ranged attack rolls from crossbow weapons. * You ignore the loading quality of crossbow weapons with which you are proficient. * When you use the Attack action and attack with a one-handed weapon, you can use a bonus action to attack with a hand crossbow you are holding. ### Crusher You are practiced in the art of crushing your enemies, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an attack that deals bludgeoning damage, you can move it 5 feet to an unoccupied space, provided the target is no more than one size larger than you. * When you score a critical hit that deals bludgeoning damage to a creature, attack rolls against that creature are made with advantage until the start of your next turn. ### Defensive Duelist When you are wielding a finesse weapon with which you are proficient and another creature hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to your AC for that attack, potentially causing the attack to miss you. ``` ``` ### Dual Wielder You master fighting with two weapons, gaining the following benefits: * You gain a +1 bonus to AC while you are wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand. * You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one-handed melee weapons you are wielding aren't light. * You can draw or stow two one-handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one. ### Great Weapon Master You've learned to put the weight of a specific weapon to your advantage, letting its momentum empower your strikes. You gain the following benefits: * On your turn, when you score a critical hit or reduce a creature to 0 hit points with a heavy melee weapon, you can make one melee weapon attack as a bonus action. * Once per turn and before you make a melee attack with a heavy weapon, you can choose to take a penalty equal to your proficiency bonus to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add double your proficiency bonus to the attack's damage. ### Piercer You have achieved a penetrating precision in combat, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an attack that deals piercing damage, you can reroll one of the attack's damage dice, and you must use the new roll. * When you score a critical hit that deals piercing damage to a creature, you can roll one additional damage die when determining the extra piercing damage the target takes. ### Polearm Master You can keep your enemies at bay with reach weapons. You gain the following benefits: * When you take the Attack action and attack with only a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a bonus action to make a melee attack with the opposite end of the weapon; this attack uses the same ability modifier as the primary attack. The weapon's damage die for this attack is a d4, and the attack deals bludgeoning damage. * While you are wielding a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, other creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter your reach.

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\page ### Sharpshooter You have mastered ranged weapons and can make shots that others find impossible with it. You gain the following benefits: * Attacking at long range doesn't impose disadvantage on your ranged weapon attack rolls. * When making a ranged weapon attack, you ignore half cover and treat three-quarters cover and prone cover as half cover. * Once per turn and before you make a ranged weapon attack, you can choose to take a penalty equal to your proficiency bonus to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add double your proficiency bonus to the attack's damage. ### Slasher You've learned where to cut to have the greatest results, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. * When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. ``` ``` ### Spear Master * When you hit a creature with a javelin, spear, or trident, its damage die changes from a d6 to a d8, and from a d8 to a d10 when wielded with two hands. This benefit has no effect if another feature has already improved the weapon’s die. * When you score a critical hit agaisnt a medium-sized creature or smaller with a javelin, spear, or trident, you make the creature fall prone. ___ ## Armor Feats ___ ### Heavy Armor Master You can use your armor to deflect strikes that would seriously harm others. You gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * While you are wearing heavy armor, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage is reduced by your proficiency bonus. ### Medium Armor Master You have practiced moving in medium armor to gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * Wearing medium armor doesn't impose disadvantage on your Dexterity (Stealth) checks. * When you wear medium armor, you can add 3, rather than 2, to your AC if you have a Dexterity of 16 or higher. ### Shield Master You use shields for advanced protection. You gain the following benefits while you are wielding a shield: * Once per turn, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to AC for a single ranged attack, potentially causing it to miss you. * If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. * If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. ### Unarmored Specialist You have mastered combat tactics without armor, using your smarts, instincts, or body language against enemy strikes. * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * While wearing no armor, you can add +1 to your AC and gain proficiency in one of Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity saving throws.

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\page ## Combat Feats ___ ### Alert Always on the lookout for danger, you gain the following benefits: * You gain a +5 bonus to initiative. * You can't be surprised while you are conscious. * Other creatures don't gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you. ### Charger You have training in using your movement to deal charging blows to enemies. You gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * When you use your action to Dash, you can use a bonus action to make one melee weapon attack or to shove a creature. * If you move at least 15 feet in a straight line before you perform a melee attack or shove against a creature, you gain +5 on your first attack roll or Strength (Wrestling) check, respectively. ### Fighting Initiate Your martial training has helped you develop a particular style of fighting. You gain the following: * You learn one Fighting Style option of your choice from the fighter class. If you already have a style, the one you choose must be different. * Whenever you reach a level that grants the Ability Score Improvement feature, you can replace this feat's fighting style with another one from the fighter class that you don't have. ### Focused caster ___ *Prerequisites: The ability to cast at least one spell*

You have trained in maintaining your concentration in the midst of combat. You gain the folllowing benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You have advantage on Constitution saving throws that you make to maintain your concentration on a spell when you take damage. * You can continue to concentrate while petrified, paralyzed, or stunned and spells that require creatures to make a Constitution saving throw in order to maintain concentration can be ignored. ### Grappler You've developed the skills necessary to hold your own in close-quarters grappling. You gain the following benefits: * You have advantage on attack rolls against a creature you are grappling. * If a creature attempts to grapple you, you may use your reaction to initiate a grapple against them. This grapple automatically succeeds. * When you hit a creature with melee weapon or unarmed strike on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to grapple the target. ### Mage Slayer You have practiced techniques useful in combat against spellcasters, gaining the following benefits: * When a creature within 5 feet of you casts a spell, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against that creature. * When you damage a creature that is concentrating on a spell, that creature has disadvantage on the saving throw it makes to maintain its concentration. * You have advantage on saving throws against spells cast by creatures within 20 feet of you. ### Martial Adept You have martial training that allows you to perform special combat maneuvers. You gain the following benefits: * You learn two maneuvers of your choice from among those available to the Battle Master archetype in the fighter class. If a maneuver you use requires your target to make a saving throw to resist the maneuver's effects, the saving throw DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice). * You gain one superiority die, which is a d6 (this die is added to any superiority dice you have from another source). This die is used to fuel your maneuvers. A superiority die is expended when you use it. You regain your expended superiority dice when you finish a short or long rest. ### Mobile You are exceptionally speedy and agile. You gain the following benefits: * Your speed increases by 10 feet. * When you use the Dash action, difficult terrain doesn't cost you extra movement on that turn. * When you make a melee attack against a creature, you don't provoke opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of the turn, whether you hit or not. ### Tavern Brawler Accustomed to rough-and-tumble fighting using whatever weapons happen to be at hand, you gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You are proficient with improvised weapons and unarmed strikes. * Your unarmed strike uses a d4 for damage. * Once per turn, you have advantage on a melee attack roll against a humanoid target if an ally is within 5 feet of the target and the ally is not incapacitated.

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\page ### Sentinel You have mastered techniques to take advantage of every drop in any enemy's guard, gaining the following benefits: * When you successfully attack a creature that is one size larger than you or smaller with an opportunity attack, the creature's speed becomes 0 for the rest of their turn. * Creatures provoke opportunity attacks from you even if they take the Disengage action before leaving your reach. * When a creature within 5 feet of you makes an attack against a target other than you (and that target doesn't have this feat), you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against the attacking creature. ### Skulker You are an expert at slinking through shadows. You gain the following benefits: * You can try to hide when you are lightly obscured from the creature from which you are hiding. * When you are hidden from a creature and miss it with a ranged weapon attack, making the attack doesn't reveal your position. * Dim light doesn't impose disadvantage on your Wisdom (Perception) checks relying on sight. ### Spell Sniper ___ *Prerequisites: The ability to cast at least one spell* ___ You have learned techniques to enhance your attacks with certain kinds of spells, gaining the following benefits: * When you cast a spell that requires you to make an attack roll, the spell's range is doubled. * Your ranged spell attacks ignore half cover and treat three-quarters cover and prone cover as half cover. * You learn one cantrip that requires an attack roll. Choose the cantrip from the bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard spell list. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip depends on the spell list you chose from: Charisma for bard, sorcerer, or warlock; Wisdom for cleric or druid; or Intelligence for wizard. ### War caster ___ *Prerequisites: The ability to cast at least one spell* ___ You have practiced casting spells in the midst of combat, learning techniques that grant you the following benefits: * Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature doesn't impose disadvantage on ranged attack rolls from your spells. * You can perform the somatic components of spells even when you have weapons, a shield, or any item in one or both hands. * When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action, and you may only target that creature. ``` ``` ## Skill Feats ___ ### Athlete You have undergone extensive physical training to gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * When you are prone, standing up uses only 5 feet of your movement. * Climbing and swimming does not cost you extra movement. * You can make a running long jump or a running high jump after moving only 5 feet on foot, rather than 10 feet. ### Chef You have mastered culinary arts. You gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You gain proficiency with cook's utensils if you don't already have it. * As part of a short rest, you can cook special food, provided you have ingredients and cook's utensils on hand. You can prepare enough of this food for a number of creatures equal to 4 + your proficiency bonus. At the end of the short rest, any creature who eats the food regains a number of hit points equal to their maximum number of hit dice plus your Wisdom modifier. ### Dungeon Delver Alert to the hidden traps and secret doors found in many dungeons, you gain the following benefits: * You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Intelligence (Investigation) checks made to detect the presence of secret doors. * Traveling at a fast pace doesn't impose the normal -5 penalty on your passive Wisdom (Perception) score. * You have advantage on saving throws made to avoid or resist traps. * You have resistance to the damage dealt by traps. ### Healer You are an able physician, allowing you to mend wounds quickly and get your allies back in the fight. You gain the following benefits: * When you use a healer's kit to provide first aid to a creature with 0 hit points, that creature regains hit points equal to the creature's maximum number of Hit Dice. * You can spend 10 minutes to tend to a creature and restore hit points equal to the creature's maximum number of Hit Dice plus your Wisdom modifier. The creature can't regain hit points from this feat again until it finishes a long rest. * As part of a long rest, you can choose a number of creatures equal to your proficiency bonus to recover an additional level of exhaustion.

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\page ### Lucky You have inexplicable luck that seems to kick in at just the right moment. You have 3 luck points with the following benefits: * Whenever you make an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can spend one luck point to roll an additional d20. You can choose to spend one of your luck points after you roll the die, but before the outcome is determined. You choose which of the d20s is used for the attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. * You can also spend one luck point when an attack roll is made against you. Roll a d20, and then choose whether the attack uses the attacker's roll or yours. If more than one creature spends a luck point to influence the outcome of a roll, the points cancel each other out; no additional dice are rolled. * You regain your expended luck points when you finish a long rest. ### Observant Quick to notice details of your environment, you gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * If you can see a creature's mouth while it is speaking a language you understand, you can interpret what it's saying by reading its lips. * You have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Wisdom (Insight) scores. ### Prodigy You have honed your proficiency with particular skills, granting you the following benefits: * You gain proficiency in any combination of three skills, languages, or tools of your choice. * Choose one skill or tool in which you have proficiency. You gain expertise with that skill or tool, which means your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make with it. The skill or tool you choose must be one that isn't already benefiting from a feature, such as Expertise, that doubles your proficiency bonus. ### Resilient You have become a more well-rounded indivudal. You gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You gain proficiency in saving throws for the ability score chosen. * You gain a new skill that uses the ability score chosen. ### Tough Hardy and resilient, you gain the following benefits: * Your hit point maximum increases by an amount equal to twice your level when you gain this feat. Whenever you gain a level thereafter, your hit point maximum increases by an additional 2 hit points. * When you roll a Hit Die to regain hit points, the minimum number of hit points you regain from the roll equals twice your Constitution modifier (minimum of 2). ## Magic Initiation ___ ### Artificer Initiative You've learned some of an artificer's inventiveness: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You learn one cantrip of your choice from the artificer spell list, and you learn one 1st-level spell of your choice from that list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells. * You can cast this feat's 1st-level spell without a spell slot, and you must finish a long rest before you can cast it in this way again. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have. * You gain proficiency with one type of artisan's tools of your choice, and you can use that type of tool as a spellcasting focus for any spell you cast that uses Intelligence as its spellcasting ability. ### Fey Touched Your exposure to the Feywild's magic has changed you, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You learn the misty step spell and one 1st-level spell of your choice. The 1st-level spell must be from the divination or enchantment school of magic. You can cast each of these spells without expending a spell slot. Once you cast either of these spells in this way, you can't cast that spell in this way again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spell slots you have of the appropriate level. The spells' spellcasting ability is the ability increased by this feat. ### Magic Initiate Choose a class: bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard. You learn two cantrips of your choice from that class's spell list. In addition, choose one 1st-level spell from that same list. You learn that spell and can cast it at its lowest level. Once you cast it, you must finish a long rest before you can cast it again using this feat. Your spellcasting ability for these spells depends on the class you chose: Charisma for bard, sorcerer, or warlock; Wisdom for cleric or druid; or Intelligence for wizard.

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\page ### Shadow Touched Your exposure to the Shadowfell's magic has changed you, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You learn the invisibility spell and one 1st-level spell of your choice. The 1st-level spell must be from the illusion or necromancy school of magic. You can cast each of these spells without expending a spell slot. Once you cast either of these spells in this way, you can't cast that spell in this way again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spell slots you have of the appropriate level. The spells' spellcasting ability is the ability increased by this feat. ### Telekinetic You learn to move things with your mind, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You learn the mage hand cantrip. You can cast it without verbal or somatic components, and you can make the spectral hand invisible. If you already know this spell, its range increases by 30 feet when you cast it. Its spellcasting ability is the ability increased by this feat. * As a bonus action, you can try to telekinetically shove one creature you can see within 30 feet of you. When you do so, the target must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + the ability modifier of the score increased by this feat) or be moved 5 feet toward you or away from you. A creature can willingly fail this save. ### Telepathic You awaken the ability to mentally connect with others, granting you the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You can speak telepathically to any creature you can see within 60 feet of you. Your telepathic utterances are in a language you know, and the creature understands you only if it knows that language. Your communication doesn't give the creature the ability to respond to you telepathically. * You can cast the detect thoughts spell, requiring no spell slot or components, and you must finish a long rest before you can cast it this way again. Your spellcasting ability for the spell is the ability increased by this feat. If you have spell slots of 2nd level or higher, you can cast this spell with them. ## Magic Adepts ### Aberrant Dragonmark ___ *Prerequisites: No other dragonmark* ___ You have manifested an aberrant dragonmark. Determine its appearance and the flaw associated with it. You gain the following benefits: * Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20. * You learn a cantrip of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. In addition, choose a 1st-level spell from the sorcerer spell list. You learn that spell and can cast it through your mark. Once you cast it, you must finish a short or long rest before you can cast it again through the mark. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells. * When you cast the 1st-level spell through your mark, you can expend one of your Hit Dice and roll it. If you roll an even number, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal to the number rolled. If you roll an odd number, one random creature within 30 feet of you (not including you) takes force damage equal to the number rolled. If no other creatures are in range, you take the damage. You also develop a random flaw from the Aberrant Dragonmark Flaws table. ##### Aberrant Dragonmark Flaws | d8 | Flaw | |:----:|:-------------| | 1 | Your mark is a source of constant physical pain. | | 2 | Your mark whispers to you. Its meaning can be unclear. | | 3 | When you're stressed, the mark hisses audibly. | | 4 | The skin around the mark is burned, scaly, or withered. | | 5 | Animals are uneasy around you | | 6 | You have a mood swing any time you use your mark. | | 7 | Your looks change slightly whenever you use the mark. | | 8 | You have horrific nightmares after you use your mark. | #### Option: Greater Aberrant Powers At the DM's option, a character who has the Aberrant Dragonmark feat has a chance of manifesting greater power. Upon reaching 10th level, such a character has a 10 percent chance of gaining an epic boon from among the options in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master's Guide. If the character fails to gain a boon, they have a 10 percent chance the next time they gain a level. If the character gains a boon, the DM chooses it or determines it randomly. The character also permanently loses one of their Hit Dice, and their hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to a roll of that die plus their Constitution modifier (minimum reduction of 1). This reduction can't be reversed by any means. ### Eldritch Adept ___ *Prerequisites: No other dragonmark* ___ Studying occult lore, you have unlocked eldritch power within yourself: you learn one Eldritch Invocation option of your choice from the warlock class. If the invocation has a prerequisite of any kind, you can choose that invocation only if you're a warlock who meets the prerequisite. Whenever you gain a level, you can replace the invocation with another one from the warlock class.

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\page ### Elemental Adept ___ *Prerequisites: The ability to cast at least one spell* ___ When you gain this feat, choose one of the following damage types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. Spells you cast ignore resistance to damage of the chosen type. In addition, when you roll damage for a spell you cast that deals damage of that type, you can treat any 1 on a damage die as a 2. You can select this feat multiple times. Each time you do so, you must choose a different damage type. ### Metamagic Adept ___ *Prerequisites: Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature* ___ You've learned how to exert your will on your spells to alter how they function: * You learn two Metamagic options of your choice from the sorcerer class. You can use only one Metamagic option on a spell when you cast it, unless the option says otherwise. Whenever you reach a level that grants the Ability Score Improvement feature, you can replace one of these Metamagic options with another one from the sorcerer class. * You gain 2 sorcery points to spend on Metamagic (these points are added to any sorcery points you have from another source but can be used only on Metamagic). You regain all spent sorcery points when you finish a long rest. ### Ritual Caster ___ *Prerequisites: Intelligence or Wisdom 13 or higher* ___ You have learned a number of spells that you can cast as rituals. These spells are written in a ritual book, which you must have in hand while casting one of them. When you choose this feat, you acquire a ritual book holding two 1st-level spells of your choice. Choose one of the following classes: bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard. You must choose your spells from that class's spell list, and the spells you choose must have the ritual tag. The class you choose also determines your spellcasting ability for these spells: Charisma for bard, sorcerer, or warlock; Wisdom for cleric or druid; or Intelligence for wizard. If you come across a spell in written form, such as a magical spell scroll or a wizard's spellbook, you might be able to add it to your ritual book. The spell must be on the spell list for the class you chose, the spell's level can be no higher than half your level (rounded up), and it must have the ritual tag. The process of copying the spell into your ritual book takes 2 hours per level of the spell, and costs 50 gp per level. The cost represents material components you expend as you experiment with the spell to master it, as well as the fine inks you need to record it. ``` ``` ## Credits #### Art The art and illustrations credited below were used in good faith to provide visual aesthetics to this document and without express permission from their owners unless otherwise stated. * ** Page 1: ** *The Armory*, by [Andantonius](https://www.deviantart.com/andantonius) * ** Page 2: ** Environmental concept art by [Christian Dimitrov](https://www.christiandimitrov.com/) * ** Page 3: ** *Dying Wish*, by [Pindurski](https://www.deviantart.com/pindurski) * ** Page 6: ** "*Blood of the ancients lie setiawan*", by [LieSetiawan](https://www.deviantart.com/liesetiawan) #### Resources This homebrew wouldn't have been possible without the incredible content and tools made available by the incredible community online. Here are the most relevant ones: * **[Dungeons and Dragons](https://dnd.wizards.com/):** 5th Edition by Wizards of the Coast, LLC * **[Unearthed Arcana](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnearthedArcana/):** A subreddit for D&D 5E homebrew * **[The Homebrewery](https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/):** An amazing tool for creating your own homebrews (including this one) by Scott Tolksdorf. * **[Watercoloring in Homebrewing](https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/HyWImuH06x):** An incredibly helpful guide for adding images to homebrews created using Homebrewery, by [QalarValar](https://www.reddit.com/user/qalarvalar/posts). * **[Formatting on the Homebrewery](https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/B1Hju_QaTx):** Another great resource with the best brushes for blending images, by [Aeron Drake](http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/user/draco). #### Acknowledgement Special thanks to [Krythan](https://www.reddit.com/user/SaddestCatEver/) for being a helpful listener, reviewer, and game tester for this homebrew (and many other rules that didn't make the cut). ___ Thanks to [SamuraiHealer](https://www.reddit.com/user/SamuraiHealer/) for giving great feedback and, even when we disagreed, partaking in my crazy ideas. ___ Thank you to Commander Fayne, aka Veritoss43 on Reddit for putting together a really comprehensive [homebrew](https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/rkvBDfQlE) that served as inspiration for this. ___ Lastly, I want to thank Cody from [taking20](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCly0Thn_yZouwdJtg7Am62A) and all the YouTubers out there creating great content that inspires homebrew rules.

Submitted to [Unearthed Arcana subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnearthedArcana/).

*Daggers & Darkness* is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. ___ #### Written by [daggerNoir](https://www.reddit.com/user/daggerNoir)

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\page # Discussion ### Feat Sources ##### Weapon Feats * Bludgeon Initiate: TCE Crusher, page 79 * Blade initiate: Source: TCE, page 81 Slasher * Battleaxe initiate: homebrew * Pick initiate: Source: TCE, page 80 Piercer * Polearm Initiate: PHB Polearm Master PHB p 168 * Spear initiate: homebrew * Great weapon master: Source: PHB, page 167 * Thrown Master: Homebrew, source https://thinkdm.org/2019/09/14/thrown-weapon-master/ * Crossbow initiate: mix of homebrews Source: PHB, page 165 * Bow initiate: homebrew * Ranged weapon Master: homebrew ##### Combat Feats * Dual wielding initiate: dual wielder PHB p 165 * Grappler: Source: PHB, page 167 + homebrew + dealing 20 * Charger: Source: PHB, page 165 + homebrew * Tavern Brawler: Source: PHB, page 170 * Defensive duelist: PHB, page 165 * Sentinel: Source: PHB, page 169 * Mage Slayer: Source: PHB, page 168 * Mobile: Source: PHB, page 168 * Alert: Source: PHB, page 165 * Spell sniper: Source: PHB, page 170 * War caster: Source: PHB, page 170 ##### Armor Feats * Unarmored Specialist: homebrew * Medium armor expert: PHB pg 168 * Heavy armor expert: Source: PHB, page 167 * Shield master: Source: PHB, page 170 + homebrew ##### Skill Feats * Grappler - Source: PHB, page 167. Available in the SRD - Homebrew * Brawny - UA Brawny with variance * Athlete - Source: PHB, page 165 * Steady: homebrew * Covert: homebrew * Empathic: UA * Healer: UA * Observant: Source: PHB, page 168, 166, Perceptive (UA), homebrew * Camper: homebrew * Researcher: Source: PHB, page 167, naturalist (UA) * Runologist: homebrew * Detective: homebrew * Actor: PHB a165 * Menacing: UA * Inspiring leader: Source: PHB, page 167 * Medic: Healer PHB * Chef: Source: TCE, page 79 - Homebrew * Keen Mind: Source: PHB, page 167 * Lucky: Source: PHB, page 167, Homebrew * Tough: Source: PHB, page 170, Homebrew * Skulker: Source: PHB page 170 * Resilient: Source: PHB page 168 * Prodigy: Homebrew mix of a bunch of skill feats ##### Magic Initiation * Magic initiate: Source: PHB, page 168 * Artificer Initiate: Source: TCE, page 79 * Fey Touched: TCE pg 79 * Shadow Touched: TCE, page 80 * Telekinetic: TCE pg 81 * Telepathic: TCEpg 81 ##### Magic Adepts * Aberrant Dragonmark: Source: ERLW, page 52. Also found in WGE, page 112. * Eldritch Adept: TCE Page 79 * Elemental Adept: Source: PHB, page 166 * Metamagic Adept: Source: TCE, page 80 * Ritual Caster: PHB 169 ##### Removed Feats * Moderately Armored: because it no longer is needed due to the proficiency flexibility. * Lightly Armored: same as above * Skillful skills (2x) * Endurance: joined with Tough. They are too similar, so joining them made sense. #### Ideas for Using this Homebrew While the variant rules presented here should be balanced enough to generally work with any party setup or campaign setting, these rules were inspired by a low-magic campaign. Below are a set of guidelines for creating a campaign that could benefit from these rules. *** Potions and magic items: *** A low-magic world that has little alchemy and few magical items, make for healing feats and Wisdom (Medicine) checks more relevant. This also works if potions of healing, wands, enchanted gear, and cursed items are rare, if at all available. *** Armor and Weapons: *** In lieu of commonly available armor and weapons embedded with magical properties, modifiers can be treated as non-magical and described by the metal-type. 5E already has mithral and adamantine metal types, and adding bronze, steel, and others can easily match what used to be magical modifiers. I've come up with a system to utilize this below. *** Damage Resistances:*** Slashing, bludgeoning, and piercing resistances are relatively rare amongst monsters. Limited weapon proficiencies can become more relevant when monsters have these resistances added to their stat blocks. Also, magical resistance can be removed from some or all creatures by the DM to ensure that encounters are balanced if magical weapons and classes are rare.

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\page *** Weapon Mastery and Unarmed Combat:*** Because of the emphasis on weapon proficiencies and the addition of *Wrestling* as a combat-heavy skill, sessions would benefit from well-timed grapples in fights, NPCs with specific weapon mastery, and encounters with enemies that forgo instant death and have death saving throws. ### Equipment Proficiencies Giving characters the ability to choose armor and weapon proficiencies creates interesting decisions upon character creation. These decisions can also lead to more character traits or backstory. Can a wizard wear light armor? Sure! But they don’t have proficiency in any weapon and are left fending off with only magic. Do you want your rogue or bard to have a shield? Sure! But their weapon options will be more limited. From a mechanical standpoint, disadvantage on weapons without proficiency is more effective than a lack of proficiency bonus, which at lower levels can be offset by weapon modifiers (e.g. a +2 weapon negates the lack of a proficiency bonus). From a role-playing perspective, players may feel more joy when loot matches the limited equipment proficiencies of their characters. Proficiency can then seem more like an intimate, personal concept. #### Effect on Feats This rule downgrades the strength of feats centered around proficiencies (e.g. Moderately Armored). It’s a low price to pay, and it allows players to place their attention towards other feats that provide more character flavor. #### Value of Thrown Weapons While dagger-wielding rogues are a common archetype, the thrown property seem rarely, if ever, used. In my experience, it is more beneficial to switch to a ranged weapon than use a thrown weapon. With the limitations on weapon proficiencies, players may find that they can create interesting thrown weapon builds that can compete with other builds in terms of damage output and also the "badass" factor. ### Skill List Changes *Athletics* is a bit overpowered. Not only is it the only Strength-based skill that covers all physically skillful activities, but it also has combat implications with grapple, shove, and disarm attack actions. Splitting *Athletics* into three parts, solves this. *Brute Force* takes care of most, non-athletic activities. *Wrestling* takes care of most combat situations and escaping any entanglement. And *Athletics* is left to be what it’s name insinuates: a mix of climbing, swimming, and jumping. *Performance* isn’t necessary because tool proficiencies in musical instruments also can extend to acting and signing. Same can be said about *Animal Handling* when it comes horse riding. Merging *History* and *Nature* into *Academia* made sense since both are scholarly activities and create a single, more encompassing skill. It also removed any chance for future confusion between *Nature* and *Survival*. *Arcana* and *Religion* follows similar logic. In a game that ties magical phenomena with living and breathing deities and planes of existence, it isn’t game-breaking to have a single skill that deals with all myths, lore, and symbolism. My hope is that, by expanding physical skills, and merging some of the less action-centric ones, players and DMs can place more emphasis on them. Moslty, because, these haven't drawn as much power as other skills. ### OPTIONAL: Removing Active Perception Removing active *Perception* rolls and depending on a *Passive Perception* score, while scary at first, works out quite elegantly. Per RAW, a character’s conditions or decisions that provide advantage or disadvantage to an ability check give a +/- 5 modifier to passive checks. This means that role playing wouldn’t change much, as players are still rewarded or harmed by their choices. It then becomes a matter of ensuring that the DM rolls for the enemies (in the event they are hiding in shaows). Let's say that a party is made up of Kamik, a Sorcerer, and Flint, a Cleric. Kamik and Flint have Passive Perceptions of 16 and 18 respectively. Here are some sample cases: #### Enemy Ambush The party decides to travel at a fast pace between their current location and a nearby city. The PHB notes that this leads to a -5 in Passive Perception. A group of bandits, hiding behind some trees on a bend in the road. Their Passive Perception DC is 15. Because they are in a hurried pace, they don’t spot the robbers and get ambushed! #### Spotting a monster in the dark The party makes their way into the underground sewers of the city. They carry a torch that provides dim light in a 60ft radius. Kamik has darkvision but Flint doesn’t. There is a large monster 100ft away with a DC 10 to spot. Flint can’t see past 60ft so no need to worry about his Passive Perception. Kamik has Darkvision, which allows her to “see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.” Dim light gives disadvantage to Wisdom (Perception) checks, which means a -5 to Passive Perception for the monster 100ft away. Kamik then has a Passive Perception score of 11 for spotting the monster 100ft away, which is higher than the DC of 10. Only Kamik spots the large monster! #### Stealth and Combat In the middle of combat against a sneaky monster, Kamik and Flint are suddenly blinded by a nearby explosion, at which time the monster hides in the shadows. Kamik, in her turn, says that she is alert and going to help Flint look for the monster. This would normally provide advantage to Flint’s search checks. But without active Perception, players simply are left to use their Passive Perception, adding +5 to the number given the advantage. A DM might remove initiative altogether and use the action to represent the search for the monster over some period of time.

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\page Flint decides to use Kamik’s help and look around for the monster for some time, moving through the boulders. With a Passive Perception during his turn of 23, the monster rolls 20 for a Dexterity (Stealth) check, and Flint spots the monster’s claw behind a big rock. Combat continues! #### The trap and the door The party enters a room in a nearby dungeon. The room is well lit by torches, and they immediately spot this large door trap that has been poorly concealed (DC 10). Kamik says he wants to investigate the trap. He rolls an Intelligence (Investigation) check (DC 15) to try to discern how the trap triggers and how to disarm it. Flint wants to look around for any hidden doors or compartments. Under RAW, this would often mean an active *Perception* check, but we will simply use Passive Perception. Flint gets a +5 modifier because he is carefully checking the room (granting him advantage). #### Conclusion As part of research I did for this homebrew, I came across this great [article](https://chaoticneutraldm.com/2019/05/18/using-the-rules-better-fixing-contested-checks/) by Chaotic Neutral. I tend to agree with the writer in that the "Roll vs DC" dynamic is much more elegant than a contested roll in most cases. Passive ability scores solve the problem of the stealth-perception roll dynamic without fundamentally changing any part of the RAW. The only tricky dynamic is the searching *Perception* check. Using a passive perception score for an active search may feel awkward, but I think it works better than active rolls by the players. Here is how a player rolling would work: * I am a player and wish to search the room for a hidden door (much like Flint did in the example above). * I roll a 1 and my Wisdom (Perception) check modifier is +0; so, I know that it was unlikely I found anything. * I ask to do another search roll, and this time I roll a 20. The DM tells me I found nothing; so, I stop my search. The problem seen above happens because active skill checks without consequences (falling off a cliff I'm climbing) or without intrigue (being unaware if the guard saw through my lies as I try to sneak into the castle) do not force a player to properly role-play. Instead, players naturally maximize. This is where passive skill scores can be better at speeding the adventure for things like searching a room. A passive *Perception* check allows the players to know that if they carefully search a room and find nothing, there is little they can do unless they get new information that would change their search modifiers. It also speeds up the game and allows the DM to dictate the pace. One last note, I think that this dynamic of using a character's passive score against a DC is most relevant for *Perception* checks, which can overwhelm a table at times. Other than knowledge checks (*Lore* or *Academia*) or *Insight*, most ability checks are active. In those cases, players are rolling agaisnt an external DC. In those cases where the character is unaware of their degree of success, the DM should roll for the player and describe what happens or doesn't happen. ``` ``` ### Death By Exhaustion I have always felt a sour taste in my mouth when talking about death saving throws. First off, there is a lack of carryover consequences. A player can go down to 0 hit points, lose 2 death saving throws, receive 1 hit point of magical healing, get up, go down again, lose 2 death saving throws, over and over again. Cody from rolling20 has talked about this at lenght. This is fixed with exhaustion levels, which naturally stack, diminish the player’s abilities, and persist until long rests. Secondly, being incapacitated creates unnecessary tension between party members. I think anyone having played long enough has heard this conversation: * Player 1: “Stabilize me! I'm going to die in a turn.” * Player 2: “I can’t! I’m low health and need to kill this orc before healing you.” * Player 1: “I freaking died! Thanks a lot...” The beauty of this variant is that a player can control their own destiny. They can choose to take actions and get closer to death or not to take actions at all: * A downed player is safe behind cover and decides not to take actions as the rest of the party finishes off the remaining monsters. * A player downed in the midst of a battle wants to scurry back to their friends; so, they scramble to run back and risk suffering another level of exhaustion. * A downed player notices that the last enemy is in their last ropes and vulnerable, they attempt to make one last attack. The goal here is that, even on the brink of death, players still have tough choices and the ability to role play. One side-effect of the variant is that characters are merely forced to go prone and not incapacitated. This affects some abilities (such as Sneak Attack) that are negated when a character is incapacitated. I think this is not a balance-breaking effect in most tables. As a DM, death saving throws being tied to exhaustion may actually provide easier narration than the RAW. As the rule books highlight, hit points are not solely health, but luck. So going down to 0 hit points can be represented as a unlucky break and a serious injury. If a small rock deals 2 damage and downs a player, it may mean the rock was sharp and made a large cut on the players forehead. For a player, doing anything during their turn keeps them from the steady state (i.e. holding the wounds closed, keeping blood from running, holding a rock from totally crushing you). Whenever the player takes damage, they are simply unable to avoid aggravating that deadly status or getting another potentially lethal hit. The beauty of this is that it doesn't break the game per se. Sure the player can still perform actions, but to truly be engaged in combat, they would need to stand and then do an attack action. Each could add another level of exhaustion. At that point, exhaustion self-corrects, cause the player slowly becomes worse at doing anything (less speed, disadvantage on attack rolls, etc).

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Options