[Information] Ask A DM

[Hal Hammerhand]

Thank you very much, PurpleRook! I am looking forward to getting into a mess with my new character!

[secretID]

I agree that that's the only reasonable read of the STR score - otherwise an 18 STR goliath would be effectively weaker than an 18 STR elf. I think the rules would explicitly state the kind of issues that you (honorably) suggest if they were intended.

In my experience it's the rare DM that looks at encumbrance, but your character might lead to some exceptions - another reason why monk was a good choice. I really love this character. (Well, maybe I would have gone with a different feat or a different race.)

[Corwin]

Can West Marches use another DM? I'm up to run an adventure if needed.

[secretID]

Yes! Right now we could probably use about four. We can give you a fair amount of help and support if you'd like it, and it's a great way to start online (or all) DMing, because one adventure is only several encounters long, an "adventuring day" in rules terms. I'll PM you.

[GallupsMirror]

I love the concept behind this game: no reliance on a single DM to keep it going. I may be able to contribute to the DM rotation when I have more time but (since it depends on the changing and ongoing state of the pandemic) it's hard to say when that might be.

That said, I'm looking for a DM ruling on how a racial ability score increase option would apply to a Changling in your game.

The entry for the Changling (in E:RftLW) uniquely describes this as: "Your Charisma score increases by 2. In addition, one ability score of your choice increases by 1."

This contrasts with the wording used for other races with floating ability score increases, like the one for a Simic Hybrid (in GGtR), which says: "Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1."

I take the inclusion or omission of the word 'other' to mean that the bonuses may be stacked for a +3 to a Changling's Charisma score--a view supported by game designer Jeremy Crawford--but not for a +3 to a Simic's Constitution score.

But. When you assume you make an--ahem--well, you know. So I'm double-checking before I use my best stat roll (a 17) to make a Changling Pal-war-adin-lock with a 20 Charisma. What say you, DM panel?

[secretID]

Thanks for asking. We the DMs decide rulings by vote, but this one seems pretty clear cut to me, that the +3 is allowed (b/c Changelings weren't already OP...?). If other DMs tell me privately that they disagree, I'll let you know.

[purplerook]

Originally Posted by secretID

Thanks for asking. We the DMs decide rulings by vote, but this one seems pretty clear cut to me, that the +3 is allowed (b/c Changelings weren't already OP...?). If other DMs tell me privately that they disagree, I'll let you know.

As a player who has a 20 Cha Warlock running around, I find it hard to argue that a 20 Cha character is OP. As well, I think that Changelings are no more OP than Half-Elves (+4 ASI and two skills, Darkvision, etc.).

[Dechado]

Hey guys. Hope this is the appropriate place to ask.
A friend and I wanted to join a party with twin Khenra (Khenri? Khenras?), and were wondering if they were allowed as a playable race.
Thanks!

[purplerook]

Originally Posted by Dechado

Hey guys. Hope this is the appropriate place to ask.
A friend and I wanted to join a party with twin Khenra (Khenri? Khenras?), and were wondering if they were allowed as a playable race.
Thanks!

Generally, the GMs allow any official WotC material including UA. Unless they decide that it is just too OP (and this is a generally OP World). The only thing that have specifically ruled out so far are Mystics.

The Khenra race is in the Plane Shift Amonkhet material and so should be a playable race. The Khenra Twins ability (see below) is roughly equivalent to the halfling Lucky ability.

Khenra Twins. If your twin is alive and you can see your twin, whenever you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. If your twin is dead (or if you were born without a twin), you can’t be frightened.

[Trapper]

I disagree, and will move the conversation to the DM lounge. Expect clarification once we reach a consensus.

[purplerook]

Originally Posted by Dechado

Hey guys. Hope this is the appropriate place to ask.
A friend and I wanted to join a party with twin Khenra (Khenri? Khenras?), and were wondering if they were allowed as a playable race.
Thanks!

@Dechado,

I saw SuripiOkami's rolls (and that he is new to the site) and so reached out to him. Based on what he told/asked me, I would suggest that the two of you re-skin an existing race(or two) as Khenra - take all of the attributes of an approved race but have them look like Khenra.

***And a little more clarification.

• Racial re-skinning (e.g., Making a Human look like a Khenri) should not break anything in the game, but it is new and so would need GM approval.
• I understand that you two want to be siblings, but with the different classes may not want to be the same race mechanically. I would suggest using the Universal stand-by Human (or Vhuman), other than that, giving that you are re-skinning I am not sure there is any harm in selecting different base races. You could even do the same mother different fathers (or vice versa) with the same parents looks driving your looks.

[Dechado]

@purplerook

He contacted me already, I thank you for your input and disposition towards our idea.
We decided to go Half Elves. Just to not overcomplicate things for anyone (me included).

[purplerook]

Originally Posted by Dechado

@purplerook

He contacted me already, I thank you for your input and disposition towards our idea.
We decided to go Half Elves. Just to not overcomplicate things for anyone (me included).

Great. If you need anything more, I created a thread for helping players with characters (link below). You can re-purpose God (Cleric) and Patron (Warlock) as long as you stick with the mechanics. My Warlock is running around in the West Marches with a custom Patron, and I have seen a lot of obscure deities come through the West Marches, as long as they are using a WotC approved Domain.



https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthread.php?t=199422

[GallupsMirror]

I'm still mulling over my PC creation and need a DM ruling on a UA fighting style for the Fighter class:

- Interception (UA): When a creature you can see hits a target that is within 5 feet of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by 1d10 + your proficiency bonus (to a minimum of 0 damage). You must be wielding a shield or a simple or martial weapon to use this reaction.

- Question: Am I considered to be "a target that is within 5 feet" of myself? That is, can I reduce damage done to myself or only to a separate target within 5 feet?

It's perfect for the background I have in mind: a warforged originally constructed as a bodyguard for high-profile individuals. It was among the first to become sentient, after which it decided its own life was worth as much as the selfish aristocrat it was supposed to die to defend--so it stepped out of harm's way at the moment of truth, allowing its cruel master to die rather than be destroyed. But I also don't want to spend a signature fighter ability on something that's helpful for others but useless for the character's own odds of survival.

[secretID]

Originally Posted by GallupsMirror

I also don't want to spend a signature fighter ability on something that's helpful for others but useless for the character's own odds of survival.

Oh, it that how it is? (:

I strongly suspect it's a language oversight, but let's see how it compares to protection style, the most similar existing style.

Protection style, when usable, gives you about a -5 to the incoming attack, so about -.25 times damage. Interception, usable at the exact same times, gives you -7.5 damage. An incoming attack would have to be worth about 30 points average damage for the two styles to be equal! Interception is also considerably better in that you don't have to commit to using it until the target has been hit. Finally, you don't need a shield.

I don't know how I overlooked this style - IMO it's OP with this use alone. This looks like an oversight in design and language here, so my vote would be only allowing it to help others.