Counterspells If a character uses their reaction to identify a spell being cast and succeeds at their Arcana check, they can immediately counterspell in the same reaction. Added to House Rules in 2023.
Author: kleonard
Basher You can use your action (or an Extra Attack if you have that class feature) to make an attack with an equipped shield. As long as you are proficient with the shield, you apply your proficiency bonus to the attack roll. If you are not proficient with a shield, you can still attempt to bash with a shield as an Improvised Weapon and it will still deal the damage noted on the chart, but you cannot add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll. See the table Expanded Shield Options for Medium Creatures under the House Rule Shields Up! for bashing damage for each shield type. For example, if you are armed with a spiked medium shield, you can bash for 1d8+2 damage. If you have the Ambidextrous feat, you can also apply your Strength modifier to your bash damage. If you have the Shield Mastery feat or the Ambidextrous feat, you can shield-bash as a bonus action. If you have the Shield Mastery feat, you can also apply shield damage when you use your shield to shove an opponent. You cannot bash with a buckler, nor can you apply spikes to one. You also cannot apply spikes to
Acrobatic Withdrawal Any creature wearing light armor or no armor can attempt to make an Acrobatics skill check to disengage from combat without provoking an opportunity attack, e.g. to flip or roll out of enemies’ melee threat range. This movement requires a DC 10 check when made against one opponent, with an additional +3 to the DC for every additional opponent thus disengaged. The player moves at half-speed while making this special movement. This check is a free action made as part of their movement; if the check fails, any opponents within range may make an opportunity attack as normal. Added to House Rules in 2023; modified 24 Aug 2024 to clarify DC of check against more than one opponent.
Taking Twenty or an Optimal Roll When a character is able to prepare their mindset, workspace and/or tools then dedicate up to twice the “usual” amount of time to the execution of that task, they are able to give it their best possible effort and are entitled to “take 20” instead of rolling a d20. This usually applies only to tool-related proficiencies such crafting items. If the character is unable to take twice the “usual” amount of time to the execution of their task but are still able to prepare their mindset, workspace, and/or tools can instead roll a d10 and add 10 to that value for an “optimal roll” of that specific check. For example, a musician who has practiced for a concert and ensured their instrument is in top condition might be able to take an “optimal roll” for the Performance check during the concert. “Taking 20” or making an “optimal roll” is subject to DM approval. See also: Taking Ten . Added to House Rules 24 Aug 2024.
Taking Ten Passive skill checks allow that a character is neither hurried nor attempting anything difficult when they make that skill check, so they are entitled to “take 10” instead of rolling a d20. This most often applies to Perception, but there are other situations and skills where a player might be able to “take 10” on a check instead of having to roll for it, and these often require the character to be proficient with the associated skill or tool. These may include such things as Passive Insight: A character’s innate sense that something is “off” Passive Investigation: A basic search of objects that can be observed with Passive Perception An unhurried climb up a relatively normal wall or cliff when the user is proficient in Athletics or is proficient in (and uses) a climber’s kit Picking a lock when the character is proficient in Dexterity, Sleight of Hand, or the use of thieves’ tools and the character uses thieves’ tools for the check A street performer spending an hour or more busking for coin on a street or in a tavern who is proficient in Performance and proficient with the instrument of their choice Most uses of artisan