Preface

Every Dungeon Master out there has their own collection of house rulings. Sometimes that collection might be just 'see the RAW' and nothing else, but they have some sort of style, some way of running the game. In the case of 5E, where there are often ambigious rules interactions, it's almost inevitable that a DM will pick up at least a few house rules that need to be distributed amongst his players.

Contained herein are the house rules for myself, Ronald John Lugge III. I've done my best to keep them short but detailed, with necessary context but still brief. This is a living document, subject to continual updates at any time.

The intent sections are provided so players can understand why a rule is in place, and hopefully extend that understanding towards anticipating additional rulings. On the flip side, understanding the why of a rule also allows players the freedom to petition for variances that maintain the intent & spirit of the rule, even if it's a technical violation of the rule. (For example, a fighter with a Wisdom of 18 violates the Stats rule in Character Generation, but may still be allowed since Fighter's can't use Wisdom offensively.) Petitions should include valid mechanical reasons why an idea won't be breaking, and a valid character reason to allow it. ("I want to build a Sherlock Holmes style fighter, so I want a high intelligence for a good Investigation skill!")

General Homerules

• Turn Time Limits: Players are expected to pay attention on other player's turns and keep combat moving. Exceptions will be made as needed (for new players, confusing material, rapid shifts in the combat battlefield, and the need to query the DM for rules clarifications and adjudications). However, whenever possible players are expected to look up spells, rules, and similar arcana off-turn, rather than waiting for their turn to do so. If a turn takes too long to start moving, someone else's turn may be inserted in front of yours to keep combat moving. Reasoning: There is nothing more boring than watching someone else fumble through the PHB, unless maybe it's watching them roll & count dice. The intent of this rule is to speed up combat. The slower combat goes, the more likely people are to 'check out' mentally, either by checking facebook or by just zoning out to wait their turn. That creates a self-perpetuating cycle of boredom that I want to keep under control.
• Hero Points: As a replacement for inspiration & related rules, players start each session with a minimum of 1 hero point. Additional hero points may be earned through good roleplaying, the DM triggering something 'unfair' against you, or otherwise just having things go more against you than just a roll on the dice. These points will continue from session to session, and may be spent after you roll. You can spend them to either reroll an attack, ability check, or saving throw made by yourself or another player, or to gain +5 on the result. You may also spend them to reroll up to 2 damage dice on an attack or spell. At DM discretion, I may choose to allow you to use them 'against' an enemy roll (feel free to ask). You may also spend them to invoke a new aspect to the situation. DM has final authority on when they may be spent, and may choose to disallow any use for purposes of story development.
• Bonus Action Potions Potions may be drunk as a bonus action, instead of a full action. Still requires full action to apply to another.

Incorporation of Homebrew Content

In addition to the original homebrew content contained is this document, additional homebrew options may be allowed at DM discretion. Contact me to talk it over. I'm likely to say yes to something that focuses purely on flavor, less likely to say yes to something that simply expands combat power. Typically, I suspect most homebrew content will be in between, and will therefore require case-by-case approval.

New Homebrew Material

Got some homebrew content you want to play with? Contact me, and I'll be glad to give it an eye. I may allow it, or I may not, but I'll do my best to give you clear, concise reasoning on it, either way.

Spellcasting

• Elemental Substitution: Dragon sorcerers often suffer due to a lack of good, flavorful, elementally matched spells at given levels. Players may create 'new' spells by substituting new damage types for old ones, and possibly new saving throws, if it makes sense. DM discretion applies, please run them past me first. The new spell will in all respects be a new spell. "Frostball" is simply "Fireball" with cold damage and a con save, but it's still a new -- and seperate spell -- that must be prepared / known seperately. Same for Psychic Rift, which substitutes psychich damage and a charisma save. Acid Blast makes a fun substitute for Scorching Ray, while I'm sure everyone will enjoy Drustal's Leaping Flame (Chain Lighting as fire damage).

Ambiguous Rule Clarifications

Feat Changes

• Resilient: You must pick a saving throw you are not currently proficient in, but may otherwise take this feat multiple times.
• Magic Initiate: You may take this feat multiple times. Each time must apply to a different class.
• Ritual Caster: You may take this feat multiple times. Each time you must choose a different class.
• Skilled: You may take this feat multiple times.

Spell Changes

Class Changes

Weapon Changes

• Whips In addition to their default abilities, whips can be used to grapple a foe, and as appropriate a 'mini-grappling hook' for swinging short distances. They may also at DM's discretion allow for disarming attacks. I do not currently have the precise rulings for this formulated out, but my mindset is in the direction of 'if the creature is no more than one size larger than you' combined with the usual grappling/shoving apposed check, possibly combined with requiring an attack roll to hit the weapon. (Maybe you have to grapple the weapon before you can try to disarm?)

Magic Item Changes

In the DMG, it's mentioned that magic items that allow you to cast spells do not require components unless otherwise specified. (This would make them immune to counterspell) That text shall instead be read that the magic item replaces components (thus retaining the ability to counter them).

Spell Point Variants

I'm willing to discuss use of spell point variants with any class, but the only class who may automatically opt-in is Sorcerer, and that fact needs to be stated up-front at Character Creation. I like that this gives the Sorcerer a more organic interplay of spell levels and their desires, and how it allows spell points and sorcery points to be more closely merged. As a result, Sorcers add their sorcerer level to their spell point pool. Multiclass Sorcerers are encouraged to discuss their choice with the DM, but half-spellcaster and third-spellclaster classes will advance them down the chart in a manner identical to how the PHB handles them for normal charts. Additionaly, this is an either-or choice, you are expected to use one option or the other, and may not try to hybridize between the two options.

I'm also of two minds on allowing Warlocks to utilize the ability, and a good discussion may convince me to allow it. Regardless, Pact Casters require DM permission to use this variant.

Basic idea of the spell point variant is that instead of having a number of slots, with each slot of a specific level, you have a single pool of 'spell points' based on your casting abilities. You may only cast spells of 6th level or higher once per day but otherwise may cast as you choose so long as you still have spell points left.

Reasoning: I like how this allows character concepts / classes that might not need their lower level spell slots to move forward without being 'forced' to make use of them, while also not punishing them for failing to use them. Some concepts may be more heavy on frequent, weaker spells (such as Shield or Absorb Elements for tankier concepts) while others may find first level spell slots nearly useless (a lot of more damage oriented concepts). This allows both sides to 'win'. A sorcerer is no longer punished if no first level spell slots match their character concept, and this more organic approach to magic suits them better than Vancian does.

Revision Notes

• 04/25/2019 Potions may be drunk as a bonus action; magic item spellcasting components rule added
• 01/10/2019 Started work on moving outright homebrew content into separate document
• 02/20/2018 Added Light Brand spell, cleaned up spell lists
• 02/13/2018 Initial Import to GM Binder, added hateful word rough draft
• 11/29/2017 Revised Healing Spirit
• 11/11/2017 Xanathar's Guide to Everything Update: Banned Healing Spirit
• 11/01/2017 Contagion update: returned to Sage Advice RAI interpretation, pending a better middle ground being found
• 6/27/2017 Reformating on chargen page; made it possible to base 'level 0' feats on level 3 features
• 6/26/2017 Add Sanctuary homebrew rules
• 6/21/2017 Added Contagion & Witch Bolt homebrew rules.
• 6/3/2017 Minor text/formatting updates, added new rules on whips
• 6/4/2017 Added revised Reincarnate table