House rules
This is an overview of house rules used in my roleplaying campaigns.
Dice Rules
- Don't roll d20s unless you intend to use them. The worst rolls I see will count for next checks/attacks.
- If a die drops off the table: Reroll.
- If a die is cocked (tilted on some table item to the point you can't position a d6 on top of it without falling off): Reroll.
- A player is generally trusted to not fudge any dice and trusted to use digital randomisers off screen at times.
DnD 5e
House rules used in DnD 5e.
Basics
- Books: All official (if anything 2021+, please just inform first)
- 3rd party: Ask
- Optional features: All valid
- Unearthed Arcana: Not used
- Abilities: Use point buy
- Hit Point Rolls: Use standard progression
- Potion drinking: Bonus Action
- Diagonal move & Square shape: Standard 5e (5ft/square meaning "spheres" are actually cubes)
Same Initiative
If two combatants have the same initiative:
- The one with higher Initiative bonus goes first
- If same; opposed flat check; highest get highest Initiative.
Shift numbers up/down as conveniently as possible.
Initiative Cascade
If many enemies of the same kind appears, their initiatives may be "cascaded" as in one roll is made, and the rest of them continue to have one less initiative number in order to spread actions out. If one such reduction overlaps with a PC, skip another point down in order.
Example: If the party is attacked by 5 zombies, one initiative roll is made and the result is "7", the following three zombies will have 6, 5, 4 and 3. IF a player got "5", one zombie is pushed down (as it has terrible +Init) so the zombies instead get 6, 4, 3 and 2 with a PC on 5.
Delay Initiative
Despite earlier versions of DnD having Delay as an option, DnD 5e does not. I am evaluating if this can be used but for right now I'll allow anyone to lower their initiative to any lower number at the beginning of combat.
Ready Action
A readied action counts as if it was done during "your turn" for a number of effects such as the Extra Attack feature or for Spellcasting. I.e. this allows a creature to use the Extra Attack during a readied action and a caster "holding" a spell isn't forced to retain concentration if injured before the spell goes off.
If the event stated in the Ready doesn't trigger, the Action is still void.
Clarification: A character can always elect to NOT use a Reaction that is available to them, including the one Ready Action grants.
Help Action
When a character performs the help action, other than aiding an attack, add the character's proficiency to the roll rather than give it advantage.
Small 5e Specifics
- Small creatures do not suffer Disadvantage when using heavy weapons if adequately (at all) roleplayed. The topic of Longbows may need some solution but otherwise this is the case.
- Telekinetic feat
- Assumes the character habitually casts Mage Hand. Unless otherwise specified, when rolling initiative also roll a D10 and that is how many rounds are left until it expires.
- Update feat language:
be moved 5 feet toward or away from you- be moved 5 feet in the direction the hand pushes
- Galder's Tower
- Can be cast as a ritual: 2 floors 10ft tall, 100sqf each (10x10 square)
- If 3rd lvl spell slot is used: 3 floors, 100-225sqf (15x15 square) and protection similar to Leomund's Tiny Hut. Choose between two options.
- Tiny Hut protections always:
- Immobile walls of force line the walls, windows and doors and remain embedded in the building's structure for the duration.
- Nine creatures of Medium size or smaller can fit inside with you (10 total).
- Spells and other magical effects can't extend through the walls or be cast through it.
- The atmosphere inside is comfortable and dry, regardless of the weather outside.
- Until the spell ends, you can command the interior to become dimly lit or dark.
- Openings are opaque from the outside, of any color you choose, but it is transparent from the inside.
- Tiny Hut protections option one:
- Create the tower centered on you. Other occupants need to be present for at least the last minute of casting.
- If a large creature or more than 10 including you are in the area when the casting ends, the spell fails.
- Creatures and objects within when you cast this spell can move through doors and windows freely. All other creatures and objects are barred from passing through it.
- The spell ends if you leave its area.
- Tiny Hut protections option two:
- Create the tower within 30 feet of you.
- After you enter the building, the first 9 additional medium or smaller creatures that enter become residents for the spell's duration, then it locks up.
- If a large or larger creature tries to enter, it locks up and bars passage like option 1.
Old IPO
[ edit ]
- Traits - Maximum 2.
- Drawbacks - Maximum 1. Gives a Trait.
- Flaws - Maximum 1. Almost all of them are ok (including third party stuff), but you have to check with me first. That link is just one (good) example.
- Damage Conversion (AC) - Armoured characters converts some lethal damage to nonlethal as in Unearthed Arcana (with a small fix).
- Hero Points are introduced at lvl 3.
- Damage and healing - Increased detail to go with wounds, primarily. There's now also an incentive to sleep comfortably.
- ALL MAGIC IS x2 COST. That includes enhancements on items, scrolls, potions, services, ALL! It also means that the material cost in crafting magical items is higher.
- Masterwork - Partly added to make up for a lack of magical weapons. These non-magical items packs a punch!
- Environment - Rules for sleep deprivation and hunger/thirst.
- Starting above lvl 1: Max 50% of wealth on 1 item.
- Recommend: Weapon 25% - Armour 25% - Other magic 25% - Consumables 15% - Ordinary/coins 10%
Extra reading
- Hit Points - My thoughts about traditional roleplaying Hit Points.
- Pazio GM stuff
If Anything is Unclear
- Ask
Other, Unused or WIP
- Skill bonus - Primarily needed for 3.5. Not used: Dead
- Skill training - Allowing characters to do stuff during downtime. Not used: Fix and add.
- Wounds - Mainly for RP, but also to make the world more gritty. Not used: May be fixed and added.
- Death - Death, Shock and damage. Not used: Dead
- Magic - In this low magic campaign setting, some magical features are unique. Some used: Will be fixed and added.
- New Spells - Some to do with the above some to do with the world or with functions in it. Mostly used: Rest will be polished and added.
- Residue time and DC tables - Entirely to do with detecting cast spells. Not used: Will be fixed and added.
- Feats - Magic and others. Mostly used: Rest will be fixed and added.
- Death Attack - Attempt to make it better. Not used: Dead