Default Houserules - Revision history

Admiralbenbo: /* Spells */

2025-08-11T03:21:40Z

Spells

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 === Polymorph ===
 Change "The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating)." to "the new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the '''level of the spell.'''"
 == Races ==

Admiralbenbo: /* Exclusions */

2025-05-16T04:35:05Z

Exclusions

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 16 May 2025
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	* Customizing Your Origin. (Tasha's)		* Customizing Your Origin. (Tasha's)
	* Circle of the Stars Druid (Tasha's)		* Circle of the Stars Druid (Tasha's)
			* Circle of the Shepherd (XGtE)
	* Peace Domain (Tasha's)		* Peace Domain (Tasha's)
	* Twilight Domain (Tasha's)		* Twilight Domain (Tasha's)

Admiralbenbo at 20:03, 31 March 2025

2025-03-31T20:03:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 31 March 2025
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	D&D 5e, 2014 version.		D&D 5e, 2014 version.

	Allowed sources are: core books, Xanathar’s Guide, Tasha’s ~~Guide~~, Fizzban’s ~~Guide~~. Other sources not generally allowed.		Allowed sources are: core books, Xanathar’s Guide, Tasha’s Cauldron, Fizzban’s Treasury of Dragons. Other sources not generally allowed.

	External homebrew or 3rd party sources are generally not allowed, but I’m willing to brew something that meets needs.		External homebrew or 3rd party sources are generally not allowed, but I’m willing to brew something that meets needs.

			=== Exclusions ===
			The following list of items are ''not'' allowed, despite their source book being available generally. Some of my concerns are mechanical; most are thematic and aesthetic.

			* Customizing Your Origin. (Tasha's)
			* Circle of the Stars Druid (Tasha's)
			* Peace Domain (Tasha's)
			* Twilight Domain (Tasha's)
			* Order of the Scribes (Tasha's)
			* Aberrant Mind (Tasha's)
			* Clockwork Soul (Tasha's)
			* Bladesinging (Tasha's)
			* Gnomes (PHB) -- they exist in-setting, but I'm not
			* Drow (PHB)
			* Artificer (Tasha's)
			* Circle of the Shepherd (Xanathar's)

			== General Houserules and Persistent Rulings ==
			'''Unseen Targets and Concealment''': Attacking a target you cannot see is always at disadvantage (unless you have a feature that explicitly says otherwise), even if the target cannot see you. E.g. An archer shoots at a target in a ''fog cloud''. Neither attacker nor target can see the other. Default rules would impose disadvantage (attacker cannot see target) and advantage (target cannot see attacker), canceling out. Under this houserule, the advantage does not apply and the attack is made at disadvantage.

			'''Bloodied Status''': I've imported the Bloodied pseudo-status effect from the 2024 rules. It has no consequences of its own, but other effects and abilities may be modified by it. A creature is bloodied if it has less than half its maximum hit points remaining.

			''Side note about inquiries as to monster health''. I don't care if players use precise terms with each other (e.g. "I'm down to 5 hp"). On the flip side, I will not communicate precise HP numbers for NPCs. Any question about their health will be answered with one of the following (or equivalent terms):

			* Unhurt. They are at their maximum HP.
			* Been hit. 50% <= HP < 100%
			* Bloodied. ~10-ish HP (if normally they'd have a lot more) or ~10-20% < HP < 50%.
			* Really hurting. 0 < HP < ~10-20%.
			* In death saves. 0 HP and the target (named NPCs only) is making death saves.
			* Dead/Down. 0 HP and either not making death saves or has failed enough that they are dead dead.

	== Class Changes ==		== Class Changes ==
	UA and homebrew are available on a case-by-case basis except where noted.		UA and homebrew are available on a case-by-case basis except where noted.

			=== Optional Class Features (Tasha's) ===
			These are in play by default.

	=== Barbarian (Path of the Berserker) ===		=== Barbarian (Path of the Berserker) ===
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	=== Fighting Styles ===		=== Fighting Styles ===
	* Protection : Can be used after seeing the roll.		* Protection: Can be used after seeing the roll.

	== Spells ==		== Spells ==

	=== Summoning ===		=== Summoning ===
	All spells that summon, create, or animate creatures have the following addition: "Creatures created (or summoned or animated) by this spell cannot use any ability that would allow them to summon, create, or animate other creatures." This is categorical--no summon chains.		All spells that summon, create, or animate creatures have the following addition: "Creatures created (or summoned or animated) by this spell cannot use any ability that would allow them to summon, create, or animate other creatures." This is categorical--no summon chains are allowed.

	I strongly encourage use of Tasha's ''Summon X'' spells over the PHB (and other) ''Conjure X''. If you choose to use the mass-conjure spells, please restrict yourself to either 1 or two creatures. I'll generally let you pick what you get, but please be prepared to run them quickly.		I strongly encourage use of Tasha's ''Summon X'' spells over the PHB (and other) ''Conjure X''. If you choose to use the mass-conjure spells, please restrict yourself to either 1 or two creatures. I'll generally let you pick what you get, but please be prepared to run them quickly.

			Note: pixies do not exist. So don't try to summon them.

	=== Counterspell ===		=== Counterspell ===
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	=== Force Barriers ===		=== Force Barriers ===
	~~<blockquote>These are experimental and not often in use.</blockquote>''Tiny Hut,~~ Wall of ~~Force,'' and ''Forcecage'' have additional language~~: "~~The barrier created by this spell is an object with (10+spell level)~~ AC and a damage threshold ~~of 5+(spell level/2~~)~~, resistance to non-magical attacks~~, and immunity to ~~fire, cold, poison~~, ~~lightning~~, ~~radiant~~, ~~psychic~~, and ~~necrotic damage~~. ~~If the barrier takes damage in excess of its threshold, the caster must make a Constitution saving throw as if they had taken the damage while concentrating on the spell~~ (~~even~~ if it ~~does not require concentration), except that the minimum DC increases by 2 for every time it is triggered for the duration of the spell. On~~ a failure, the spell ends. Note: if the spell does not require concentration normally, this does ''not'' occupy your concentration, and does not benefit from things like War Caster (or other sources of advantage on Concentration saves). ''Disintegrate'' still automatically ends the spells as well.		Wall of force: It loses the "immune to all damage" line. It does not have hit points, but has AC 18 and threshold 8 (ie ignores any source of damage under that threshold), and immunity to all damage other than thunder, force, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing. A single panel (10x10) breaks if it takes more than 40 damage during a single turn.

	Forcecage ~~specifically~~: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.		Forcecage: It loses the "immune to all damage" line. It does not have hit points, but has AC 20 and threshold 10 (ie ignores any source of damage under that threshold), and immunity to all damage other than thunder, force, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing. It breaks and the spell ends if it takes more than 50 damage during a single turn.

	=== Polymorph ===		=== Polymorph ===

Admiralbenbo: /* Force Barriers */

2025-03-30T17:18:04Z

Force Barriers

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 30 March 2025
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	Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.		Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.

	=== Polymorph ~~(for campaigns starting on/after 7/31/2022)~~ ===		=== Polymorph ===
	Change "The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating)." to "the new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the '''level of the spell.'''"		Change "The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating)." to "the new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the '''level of the spell.'''"

Admiralbenbo at 17:04, 30 March 2025

2025-03-30T17:04:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 30 March 2025
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	These are the changes I usually make when DM'ing. Other than the racial restrictions these are not setting specific.		These are the changes I usually make when DM'ing. Other than the racial restrictions these are not setting specific.

			== Game System & Sources ==
			D&D 5e, 2014 version.

			Allowed sources are: core books, Xanathar’s Guide, Tasha’s Guide, Fizzban’s Guide. Other sources not generally allowed.

			External homebrew or 3rd party sources are generally not allowed, but I’m willing to brew something that meets needs.

	== Class Changes ==		== Class Changes ==

Admiralbenbo: /* Force Barriers */

2024-07-05T23:07:11Z

Force Barriers

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:07, 5 July 2024
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	=== Force Barriers ===		=== Force Barriers ===
	''Tiny Hut, Wall of Force,'' and ''Forcecage'' have additional language: "The barrier created by this spell is an object with (10+spell level) AC and a damage threshold of 5+(spell level/2), resistance to non-magical attacks, and immunity to fire, cold, poison, lightning, radiant, psychic, and necrotic damage. If the barrier takes damage in excess of its threshold, the caster must make a Constitution saving throw as if they had taken the damage while concentrating on the spell (even if it does not require concentration), except that the minimum DC increases by 2 for every time it is triggered for the duration of the spell. On a failure, the spell ends. Note: if the spell does not require concentration normally, this does ''not'' occupy your concentration, and does not benefit from things like War Caster (or other sources of advantage on Concentration saves). ''Disintegrate'' still automatically ends the spells as well.		<blockquote>These are experimental and not often in use.</blockquote>''Tiny Hut, Wall of Force,'' and ''Forcecage'' have additional language: "The barrier created by this spell is an object with (10+spell level) AC and a damage threshold of 5+(spell level/2), resistance to non-magical attacks, and immunity to fire, cold, poison, lightning, radiant, psychic, and necrotic damage. If the barrier takes damage in excess of its threshold, the caster must make a Constitution saving throw as if they had taken the damage while concentrating on the spell (even if it does not require concentration), except that the minimum DC increases by 2 for every time it is triggered for the duration of the spell. On a failure, the spell ends. Note: if the spell does not require concentration normally, this does ''not'' occupy your concentration, and does not benefit from things like War Caster (or other sources of advantage on Concentration saves). ''Disintegrate'' still automatically ends the spells as well.

	Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.		Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.
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	At your option, you can use the [[Player Option--Variant Races]] and [[Player Option--Regional Backgrounds]]. This is not required, but you can only use the Regional Backgrounds if you use the Variant Race that matches (for those with variant races).		At your option, you can use the [[Player Option--Variant Races]] and [[Player Option--Regional Backgrounds]]. This is not required, but you can only use the Regional Backgrounds if you use the Variant Race that matches (for those with variant races).

	== Inspiration ~~(optional)~~ ==		== Inspiration ==
	~~Each player will start with~~ a ~~single Inspiration point. This can be used in one~~ of ~~three ways:~~		The party has a number of inspiration points equal to the number of players. These reset at the beginning of each session.
	* Inspiration can be used to ~~re-roll any dice roll that affects you directly. This could be one of your attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks or that~~ of ~~another character who is directly affecting you or affected by one of your abilities (this is basically a luck point)~~.
	* Inspiration can be donated to another player, as long as they do not already have a point of Inspiration.
	* Inspiration can be used to establish a fact about the situation or setting that must be taken as true. The DM can veto this use--if he does so, the Inspiration is not expended. This new fact cannot contradict anything that has been directly stated at the table already, but can add a wrinkle. For example, you might spend a point to establish that a particular guard is corrupt and can be bribed easily or that a wall is crumbly and can be pulled down to block pursuers.

	~~Inspiration is regained the following ways, but cannot exceed one point at any specific time:~~
	* When the group votes that an action was awesome or very in-character (especially if it was non-optimal and caused issues for your character).
	* When the party takes a long rest in a safe area such as a home base or protected city (no more than once per session).
	* When the player accepts a complication suggested by another player or the DM based on their character's Bond, Flaw, or Ideal. This should produce a notable worsening of the situation (or at least add a wrinkle that requires some maneuvering around).

	The Lucky feat now gives three limited inspiration uses per long rest--these can only be used to re-roll a dice roll. A character with the Lucky feat can store up to 4 points: 1 regular and 3 limited Inspiration.

			No player can use inspiration on themselves. Any ''other'' player may choose to use a point for someone else, allowing them to re-roll any d20-based check, attack, or saving throw. This can be done after the roll, and inherits any advantage/disadvantage from the first roll (ie if you had advantage before, roll again with advantage). You must use the second roll and no more than one inspiration can be used on any check.
	== Variant Rules ==		== Variant Rules ==
	* Encumbrance is used normally (NO variant encumbrance)		* Encumbrance is used normally (NO variant encumbrance)
	* Alignment is not in use.		* Alignment is not in use.
	* Combat Maneuvers (Climb onto a bigger creature, Disarm, Overrun, and Shove Aside) are in use.		* Combat Maneuvers (Climb onto a bigger creature, Disarm, Overrun, and Shove Aside) are in use.
	* Feats and Multiclassing are available without restriction.		* Feats and Multiclassing are available without restriction, subject to source restrictions.
	* XP is off--see below for level advancement.		* XP is off--see below for level advancement.
	* Resting is normal (1 hr short rests/8 hr long rests), although certain occasions may call for modified rest schedules.		* Resting is normal (1 hr short rests/8 hr long rests), although certain occasions may call for modified rest schedules.

Admiralbenbo: /* Spells */

2022-08-01T01:55:26Z

Spells

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:55, 1 August 2022
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	Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.		Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.

			=== Polymorph (for campaigns starting on/after 7/31/2022) ===
			Change "The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level, if it doesn't have a challenge rating)." to "the new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the '''level of the spell.'''"

	== Races ==		== Races ==

Admiralbenbo at 03:29, 27 July 2022

2022-07-27T03:29:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:29, 27 July 2022
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	=== Fighting Styles ===		=== Fighting Styles ===
	* Protection : Can be used after seeing the roll.		* Protection : Can be used after seeing the roll.

			== Spells ==

			=== Summoning ===
			All spells that summon, create, or animate creatures have the following addition: "Creatures created (or summoned or animated) by this spell cannot use any ability that would allow them to summon, create, or animate other creatures." This is categorical--no summon chains.

			I strongly encourage use of Tasha's ''Summon X'' spells over the PHB (and other) ''Conjure X''. If you choose to use the mass-conjure spells, please restrict yourself to either 1 or two creatures. I'll generally let you pick what you get, but please be prepared to run them quickly.

			=== Counterspell ===
			Xanathar's identification rules (requiring a reaction and an Intelligence (Arcana) check to identify a spell) are in effect. You cannot, generally, hide a spell-casting that has verbal or somatic components--the volume is at least that of a normal speaking voice and is uniquely identifiable as "arcane words". If a monster is casting a spell, I will say "The <X> begins casting a spell...."--that's your opportunity to counterspell. Monsters with counterspell will (in the main, with very few exceptions) counterspell the first N spells they can counterspell. I won't metagame the fact that you're telling me what spell you're casting.

			=== Force Barriers ===
			''Tiny Hut, Wall of Force,'' and ''Forcecage'' have additional language: "The barrier created by this spell is an object with (10+spell level) AC and a damage threshold of 5+(spell level/2), resistance to non-magical attacks, and immunity to fire, cold, poison, lightning, radiant, psychic, and necrotic damage. If the barrier takes damage in excess of its threshold, the caster must make a Constitution saving throw as if they had taken the damage while concentrating on the spell (even if it does not require concentration), except that the minimum DC increases by 2 for every time it is triggered for the duration of the spell. On a failure, the spell ends. Note: if the spell does not require concentration normally, this does ''not'' occupy your concentration, and does not benefit from things like War Caster (or other sources of advantage on Concentration saves). ''Disintegrate'' still automatically ends the spells as well.

			Forcecage specifically: It loses the "immune to all damage" line.

	== Races ==		== Races ==
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	== Inspiration (optional) ==		== Inspiration (optional) ==
	Each player will start with a single Inspiration point. This can be used in one of three ways:		Each player will start with a single Inspiration point. This can be used in one of three ways:
	* Inspiration can be used to re-roll any dice roll that affects you directly. This could be one of your attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks or that of another character who is directly affecting you or affected by one of your abilities.		* Inspiration can be used to re-roll any dice roll that affects you directly. This could be one of your attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks or that of another character who is directly affecting you or affected by one of your abilities (this is basically a luck point).
	* Inspiration can be donated to another player, as long as they do not already have a point of Inspiration.		* Inspiration can be donated to another player, as long as they do not already have a point of Inspiration.
	* Inspiration can be used to establish a fact about the situation or setting that must be taken as true. The DM can veto this use--if he does so, the Inspiration is not expended. This new fact cannot contradict anything that has been directly stated at the table already, but can add a wrinkle. For example, you might spend a point to establish that a particular guard is corrupt and can be bribed easily or that a wall is crumbly and can be pulled down to block pursuers.		* Inspiration can be used to establish a fact about the situation or setting that must be taken as true. The DM can veto this use--if he does so, the Inspiration is not expended. This new fact cannot contradict anything that has been directly stated at the table already, but can add a wrinkle. For example, you might spend a point to establish that a particular guard is corrupt and can be bribed easily or that a wall is crumbly and can be pulled down to block pursuers.

Admiralbenbo: /* Inspiration */

2021-09-29T03:24:17Z

Inspiration

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:24, 29 September 2021
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	At your option, you can use the [[Player Option--Variant Races]] and [[Player Option--Regional Backgrounds]]. This is not required, but you can only use the Regional Backgrounds if you use the Variant Race that matches (for those with variant races).		At your option, you can use the [[Player Option--Variant Races]] and [[Player Option--Regional Backgrounds]]. This is not required, but you can only use the Regional Backgrounds if you use the Variant Race that matches (for those with variant races).

	== Inspiration ==		== Inspiration (optional) ==
	Each player will start with a single Inspiration point. This can be used in one of three ways:		Each player will start with a single Inspiration point. This can be used in one of three ways:
	* Inspiration can be used to re-roll any dice roll that affects you directly. This could be one of your attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks or that of another character who is directly affecting you or affected by one of your abilities.		* Inspiration can be used to re-roll any dice roll that affects you directly. This could be one of your attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks or that of another character who is directly affecting you or affected by one of your abilities.
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	Instead of using XP (in any fashion), you will advance in levels in the following manner.		Instead of using XP (in any fashion), you will advance in levels in the following manner.

	Each session where the table feels something meaningful happened, each player present will mark one tic under the XP portion of their sheet. When a character has accumulated a number of tics equal to their current level (or 3, whichever is smaller), they will advance in levels.		Each session where the table feels something meaningful happened, each player present will mark one tic under the XP portion of their sheet. When a character has accumulated a number of tics equal to their current level (or 4, whichever is smaller), they will advance in levels.

	So, for example, if Bob is level 4, he needs to attend 3 meaningful sessions to reach level 5. A meaningful session may involve combat (or not), exploration, social interaction with other characters, etc.		So, for example, if Bob is level 4, he needs to attend 4 meaningful sessions to reach level 5. A meaningful session may involve combat (or not), exploration, social interaction with other characters, etc.

	[[Category:Dawn of Hope]]		[[Category:Dawn of Hope]]
	[[Category:Player's Guide]]		[[Category:Player's Guide]]

Admiralbenbo: /* Fighting Styles */

2021-03-29T04:01:19Z

Fighting Styles

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:01, 29 March 2021
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	=== Fighting Styles ===		=== Fighting Styles ===
	; Protection : Can be used after seeing the roll.		* Protection : Can be used after seeing the roll.

	== Races ==		== Races ==