Tinkering in 5e

by Dandiil

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Tinker Crafting

This is a base list of what can be created with tinkering, I have not added traps, guns, crossbows, or locks to this list, because those have more expansive options, which can come from your own ideas or from the information below. A lot of the ideas in this document came from Tinker Gnome Projects .

Tinker's Subskills

If you are using My recommended Specialization rules, or a Subskill Variant Rule, These are the specializations that I have prepared.

The Tinker is probably the most fun and time consuming for me to come up with. I went through many iterations of Tinker specializations. I feel like I’ve settled on the most diverse, yet contained, set of specializations.

  • Locksmith -- This tinker crafts complex fine tune items (Locks, Toys,, clocks, traps, etc.)
  • Gunsmith -- OPTIONAL - Pretty self explanatory… includes crossbows and launchers
  • Motivator (Name?) -- This Tinker Crafts Projects that have the ability to move and act on their own by programmed actions or manually controlled.
  • Functional Tinker -- This Tinker crafts projects that are useful in day to day activities. Communicators? Musical Instruments? artificial limbs? Perhaps all of the above in one project.
  • Siege Tinker -- Catapults, trebuchets, Giant Crossbows, and other contraptions of grand scale that are used on a battlefield. Usually working with Carpenters or Blacksmiths.
  • Modifier -- This tinker has excelled at altering or improving items by adding or changing adjustments, as well as sabotaging other tinkered constructs such as traps and automatons.

Crafting Ideas

When you embark on a project, you choose an idea from column A and/or B, and/or roll 1d12 for the other. Each idea has a Complexity and/or a Size.

Unless otherwise specified by an idea, the project can move forwards by itself at a speed of 5 feet.

When Tinkering, start with 1 or 2 base project ideas to combine with any number of Adjustments (minimum 1)... (or random d12's for a little more variation). You can have a number of Base Ideas equal to your Dex or Int Modifier (minimum 1) and Adjustments equal to your proficiency bonus

Roll (d12)Base IdeaAdjustments
1Carriage Weaponized
2Launcher Armored
3Bench Hovering
4Lantern Grooming
5Calculator Folding
6Suit Incapacitating
7 Communicator/Sensor Waterborne
8Musical Instrument Tunneling
9Measuring Instrument Intelligent
10Crafter Children's
11Breaker Disposable
12Automaton Tall

Ideas and Adjustments

Armored

An armored project has a significant AC.

  • Choose an AC of 14 or more. The Complexity of this idea is 2 for each point of AC over 13, to a maximum of AC 23. For example, steel armor (AC 19) is Complexity 12. Refer to DMG p. 246 for examples of materials. This idea does not have a Size.
  • In addition, the object has resilient-tier hit points.

Automaton

An automaton replicates the form and function of a natural creature. The Size of this idea is equal to the size of the creature you are trying to replicate: refer to the Size Table. The base Complexity is equal to its Size.

  • The base automaton is a crude representation of the creature, with simple joints, lumbering movement, and acts only as operated by its user. You can increase the Compexity to add fidelity to its form and movement. Choose from each column on the following table, adding the indicated Complexity to this idea.
ComplexityForm & MovementAutomated Function
0Rudimentary (Quarter land speed)Manual operation
1Crude (Half land speed, swim speed)Simple pre-programmed routine
2Representative (Three-quarters land speed, swim speed)Complex pre-programmed routines
4Lifelike (Full land speed, swim speed; Half fly speed)Simple reactive routines
6Replicant (Full land, swim and fly speed.)Complex reactive routines

Pre-programmed routines are such as "move forwards 100 feet, turn around, repeat" (simple) or to perform a particular dance (complex). Reactive routines allow the automaton to vary its actions based on stimuli, such as opening a door when a bell is rung (simple), or copying text (complex).

An automaton cannot communicate or think, but advanced projects may combine this with Communication, Calculator or Intelligent ideas to make it seem more lifelike. Similarly, the automaton cannot attack unless combined with the Weaponized idea.

The automaton expends 1 charge per hour that it operates.

Bench

A bench is simply a place for one or more people to sit or lie down. Refer to the Size Table and choose a capacity. This will give you the Size of this idea. The Complexity of this idea depends on its quality and comfort. Choose an associated lifestyle:

ComplexityLifestyle
1Squalid
2Poor
3Modest
4Comfortable
5Wealthy
6 (or more)Aristocratic
A bench does not expend any charges.
  • The Bench idea can also be used for other common household furniture, like a table, bed, cabinet, etc. Size of the project is the approximate size for the item based on the Size Chart. The Complexity of the idea is the same as above.

Breaker

A breaker project acts on a nonmagical object and renders it into smaller or less refined parts. For example, a machine that can fell a tree and chop it into logs.

  • Size is equal to the maximum size of the object this is designed to break.
  • Complexity depends on the maximum AC of the object this is designed to break. It is equal to AC − 9.
  • The project is designed to work only against one kind of object (tree, stone, building, door, for example). If the project is generalized to break down any object of the appropriate size and AC, add 1 to the Size and Complexity.
  • The finished project deals cutting damage equal to the "fragile" column on the Size Table against the object per round if it is in contact with it. You can improve the damage die. This increases the Size and Complexity by 1 per damage die improvement.

A breaker expends 1 charge each time it acts on an object.

Carriage

A carriage transports people or things horizontally.

  • The speed of the carriage is equal to 10 feet × its Complexity.
  • Its Size is equal to the greater of its Complexity or the capacity you choose on the Size Table.

A Carriage expends 1 charge for each distance equal to its speed × 10 that it moves.

Calculator

A calculator takes input data, and performs a calculation or generates some other information. For example:

ComplexityCalculation
1Counting (tally stick)
2 Addition, subtraction (abacus)
3Astrolabe
4Multiplication, division
9 Programmable calculator
10Polynomial functions (Difference Engine)
12General-purpose computer (Analytical Engine)
14Crypto-analysis

This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity.

A Calculator expends 1 charge each time it completes a calculation.

Children's

This project is designed to be operated and enjoyed by children, such as a carousel or mechanical game. The other ideas of this project cannot cause harm to the user, bystanders or the environment — although mishaps are exempt from this! This idea has no inherent Complexity or Size. This feature reduces cost and time to craft by 50%

Crafter

A crafter takes raw material and refines it by cutting, heating and/or assembling. Its Complexity depends on the relative level of refinement between the input and output material. Use the levels in the following table as a guide. The Complexity of this idea is 2 × the difference in levels. It takes 10 minutes per level of refinement per 20 lb. of material to complete one process.

LevelMinerals Wood Food
0Raw stone, sand Dead animal, harvested plant
1Broken stone Primal cut
2Rubble masonry Felled tree Meat cut, filleted fish, threshed wheat
3Raw ore, ashlar masonry Timber Minced meat, filleted fish, flour
4Smelted ore Wooden planks Prepared uncooked food
5Metal ingots (iron) Tooled wood (dowel, frame) Cooked food
6 Glass block Polished wood Prepared cooked food
7Alloy ingots (steel), glass pane Furniture Processed food
8Worked metal (tool, weapon), glass bottle, monumental masonry Toy Prepared processed food
9Mechanical device (spring, gear), wire, optics Sculpture Delicacies

For example, if the project could bake bread from flour, this idea would have a Complexity of 4. 2 levels ((6-4 = 2 x 2) prepared cooked food(6) from flour(4))

This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity.

A crafter expends 1 charge each time it completes a process.

Communicator / Sensor

This project transmits information from one location to another. This idea's Complexity is based on what information is being transmitted, modified by the distance it is transmitted.

ComplexityCommunicator Sensor
1Binary (Morse code)
2Text
3Synthetic sound Sound level
4Recorded Sound Light level
6Representative Image (Painting)
8Recorded Image (Photograph) Low-quality vision 60 ft.
12Moving Image (Video) Normal vision 60 ft; low-quality vision 120 ft
14Moving Image with Sound Darkvision 60 ft; normal vision 120 ft
18 Darkvision 120 ft.
  • If the information is not being transmitted any distance (for example, it is merely being recorded on-site), there is no further modifier to Complexity.
  • If it being transmitted from one part of the project to another, add 5 this idea's Complexity. Generally this will mean the project is divided into two devices (each of Size equal to the project's final Size − 1) connected by pipes and wires.
  • If the transmission is indirect, add 10 to this idea's Complexity. Indirect communication does not use a physical connection: it may use radio waves, the ethereal plane or telepathy; or it may project a small device that travels to the target audience. The destination requires a receiving device of Size equal to the project's final size − 10. If it doesn't need a receiving device (enabling it to transmit to anywhere within range), add 1 to this idea's Complexity. Information can be transmitted 100 feet.

For further distances, choose one of the following ranges and add the indicated value to this idea's Complexity

RangeIncrease
500 feet+1
1000 feet+2
1 mile+3
5 miles+4
20 miles+5
100 miles+6
500 miles+7
Limitless+8

This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity. A communicator expends 1 charge each time it communicates.

Disposable

The project works once and is then rendered unusable. Its components are destroyed on completing its task. This halves the final Complexity of the project

A disposable idea consumes all its charges when it has completed its task.

Folding

This idea allows the project to fold or compress into a smaller size. It has a Complexity of 2 for each Size step it can be reduced by. For example, a Medium-sized project (Size 7) that can be compressed into a Small object (Size 5) has a Complexity of 4. This idea does not have a Size rating itself.

A project in a folded state cannot be operated, but is easier to transport. Folding or unfolding the project takes a length of time depending on its working Size.

SizeFolding
3 or smaller does not require an action to fold or unfold.
5Requires a bonus action to fold or unfold
7Requires an action to fold or unfold
91 minute
1110 minutes
131 hour
1510 hours
17 or larger1 day

You can reduce the time taken to fold or unfold the project by one step, this increases this idea's Complexity by 1.

This idea does not expend any charges unless it has a reduced transformation time, in which case it expends 1 charge when it transforms.

Grooming

A grooming project attends to the cosmetic and hygiene needs of one or more creature. It might include automated brushes, combs, tweezers, sprays, scrubbers, scissors and mirrors. It completes its task in 1 minute. The Size of this idea is equal to the Size of the creature(s) being tended to: refer to the Size Table. The Complexity of this idea depends on its quality. Choose an associated lifestyle:

ComplexityLifestyle
2Squalid
3Poor
4Modest
5Comfortable
6Wealthy
7 (or more)Aristocratic

A grooming project tends to one type of creature (e.g. Humanoid). Add 1 to this idea's complexity for each additional type of creature.

This idea expends 1 charge on completing its task.

Hovering

  • A hovering project can go up and down. Its Complexity determines its maximum altitude and speed.
  • Maximum altitude is 10 feet × Complexity.
  • Vertical speed is half of its maximum altitude.
  • While hovering it can move horizontally at a speed of 5 feet.
  • If the project can only move up or down, the Complexity is reduced by 1.
  • This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity.

If the project can only move down, and starts from a height greater than its maximum altitude, it falls the remainder of the distance. Likewise, if it can only move up it falls once deactivated.

This idea expends 1 charge for each minute that it hovers.

Intelligent

An intelligent project can communicate with its user, providing information, self-analysis or suggestions concerning its task.

It has a Size and Complexity equal to its effective Intelligence ability score.

The fidelity of its communication depends on this idea's Complexity. At 1, this might just be a series of audio tones, tickertape marks or a few flashing lights that require interpretation by the user. 4 might be a printed report in rudimentary Common. At 7, it can synthesize rudimentary speech. At 10, its speech sounds natural. Higher levels could represent printed reports that include novel infographics, or televisual or even holographic displays.

An intelligent project is not alive or self-aware, and can only communicate on topics regarding its function.

This idea expends 1 charge per hour.

Incapacitating

This project renders the user or the subject incapable of moving or taking actions until the device has completed its task. This is done through mechanical means such as clamps, grabbers, harnesses or coffins.

This idea's Size is equal to its capacity on the Size Table), using the capacity of the project's occupants (in the case of a Bench, Grooming or Carriage project) or the operator.

A creature incapacitated in the project has resistance against damage taken if the project crashes, falls, rolls or blows up. An incapacitated operator may still take actions to operate the project. Unwilling creatures may make a DC 13 Strength check to avoid being incapacitated, and may repeat the check at the end of each of their turns.

The Complexity of this idea is equal to its Size − 2. If the incapacitating action can act at range, add 1 to the Complexity for 30 ft. range; add 2 for 60 ft. range; add 4 for 120 ft. range. You can improve the DC of the Strength check: Add 1 to the DC for each 1 you add to the Complexity.

This idea expends 1 charge when it attempts to incapacitate a creature.

Lantern

The project sheds illumination. It emits dim light to 10 feet × the base Complexity of this idea. Then add 1 to the Complexity if you wish this to emit bright light to half this distance. Add 1 to the Complexity if the project is to emit blinding light to half this distance again.

Creatures in a blinding light must pass a DC 13 Constitution check at the start of their turn or be blinded until they are no longer in the area. The DC can by increased by 1 for each 1 you add to the Complexity.

You can choose to have the light emitted in a cone only. This doubles the range.

For example, a tinkered "bullseye lantern", emitting a 60-foot cone of bright light and dim light for a further 60 feet is Complexity 7.

This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity.

A lantern expends 1 charge per hour.

Launcher

A launcher propels something, such as a grappling hook or a gnome. This idea's Complexity is equal to its capacity on the Size Table. The desired range of the launch may add to this Complexity:

Range Table

RangeIncrease
30 feet+0
60 ft.+1
90 ft.+2
120 ft.+3
150 ft.+4
300 ft.+5
500 ft.+6
1000 ft.+7
1 mile+8
5 mi.+9
10 mi.+10
50 mi.+11
100 mi.+12
  • If the launched object is tethered to the project and can be winched back, add 1 to the Complexity. This takes a length of time equal to the travel time.
  • This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity.
  • If the launcher has a minimum range (like a ballistic siege weapon), reduce the Complexity by 1. This option is available for range of 150 feet or greater, and the minimum distance is typically one-quarter of the range (rounded to the nearest 30 ft.)

Travel time is 1 turn for ranges of less than 1 mile, otherwise it takes 1 minute per mile.

A launcher can be used as an improvised weapon. When fired at a single target in range, it has an attack bonus of +2, and deals bludgeoning damage equal to the launched object's "fragile HP" column on the Size Table. For example, a grappling hook (size 2) deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage. A cow (size 9) deals 1d10 bludgeoning damage.

A launcher expends 1 charge each time it fires.

Measuring Instrument

The project provides measurements from one or more instruments.

ComplexityExample
1 Scale, Caliper
3 Graphometer, Chronometer, Compass, Thermometer
5 Anemometer, Barometer, Odometer
7Accelerometer, Altimeter, Fathometer
9 Electrometer, Hygrometer, Stadimeter
11Disdrometer, Spectrometer
13Micrometer, Magnetometer
15Microscope
17Katharometer, Photosensor
19Diffractometer
  • If the project has two measuring devices, add 1 to this idea's Complexity if the second instrument's Complexity is half or more than it's first; add 2 if they have the same Complexity.

For example, a Micrometer can include a caliper at no additional Complexity; a project with an Altimeter and Odometer is Complexity 8; a project with a Compass and Thermometer is Complexity 5.

  • This idea's Size is equal to its Complexity.

This idea expends 1 charge per hour.

Musical Instrument

This project produces music.

  • Its Complexity is equal to its polyphony: A flute is Complexity 1; a lute is Complexity 8; an organ might be Complexity 10 or more.
  • The default musical ability is one prerecorded piece of a 1 minute length. Each doubling of the number of pieces adds 1 to the Complexity; each doubling of length adds 1 to the Complexity.
  • If the project can add novel embellishments to a piece, add 1 to the Complexity.

For example, a monotone drum that beats for 2 minutes is Complexity 1; a monophonic pipe that can play four 1 minute tunes is Complexity 3; a ten-polyphony harpsichord that can play a 16 minute piece with novel embellishments is Complexity 16. This idea expends 1 charge on completing one piece of music.

Suit

This project is worn by the operator like a suit of armor, and moves to co-ordinate with the operator's limb movements. Its Size is equal to the capacity of the operator: refer to the Size Table. Its Complexity is equal to its Size with the following modifiers.

CapabilityIncrease Description
Crude Movement-2 The operator can move at a quarter their land speed; has an effective Dexterity of 5; and cannot make attacks.
Simple Movement-1 The operator moves at half their land speed; has an effective Dexterity of 7; has disadvantage on attack rolls; and treats all weapons as improvised.
Normal Movement+0 The operator has normal land speed; has an effective Dexterity of 9; and treats all weapons as improvised.
Enhanced Movement+2 The operator has a 5 ft. bonus to their land speed; and can use their own Dexterity up to a maximum of 15.
  • The suit has an effective Strength. This is equal to 10 + 1 for each additional point of Complexity.
  • If operator can use the project's AC instead of their own, add 1 to the Complexity. This is normally AC 13, but may be more if the project also has the Armored idea.

A suit expends 1 charge per hour.

  • Crafting a Portion of a suit (i.e. pants, gloves, boots, helmet, goggles, etc.) is equal to the Size of the operator -2 and its complexity is increased by 1.

Tall

A tall project is much, well, taller than its Size would indicate. Maybe it needs to reach into trees, or the gnome inventor was overcompensating. It can be up to four times normal height. For example, a Tall, Large project can be up to 40 feet tall. This idea does not have inherent Size or Complexity.

This idea does not expend any charges.

Tunnelling

A tunnelling project has a burrowing speed of 5 feet. You choose the Size of this idea. This idea has Complexity equal to its Size. As it moves, it leaves behind a tunnel appropriate for its Size.

You can increase the burrowing speed to 10 feet if you add 2 to this idea's Complexity, or to 20 feet if you add 4.

This idea consumes 1 charge per minute.

Waterborne

The project floats on water. This idea has no inherent Size or Complexity.

  • If the project is submersible, this idea has a Complexity of 1 + the Complexity of its maximum depth: use the values given on the Launcher table. For example, if it can dive to 1000 feet, it has Complexity 8. The project can dive at a speed of 20 feet.
  • This idea provides no horizontal movement beyond the base 5 feet. For faster speeds, the project must also have the Carriage idea.

This idea does not consume any charges unless it is submersible, in which case it expends 1 charge per hour.

Weaponized

The project is designed to cause harm through the action of its other ideas. You choose this idea's Size and Complexity. If it attacks a single creature, its attack bonus is +2. This is increased by 1 for every 2 Complexity of this idea. It deals bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage equal to this idea's Size on the "resilient HP" column of the Size Table.

This is a melee weapon attack. If it attacks at range, this idea's Complexity is increased by 1 + the value on the Launcher table. If the attack has a minimum range (like a ballistic siege weapon), reduce the Complexity by 1. This option is available for weapon range of 150 feet or greater, and the minimum distance is typically one-quarter of the range (rounded to the nearest 30 ft.)

If it acts on a group of creatures, those creatures instead make an ability score save of DC 11. This increased by 1 for each 1 added to the Complexity. It deals bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, fire, lightning, acid or cold damage equal to this idea's Size minus 2 on the "resilient HP" column of the Size Table. It attacks either the contents of the project (for example in a Bench, Carriage or Suit) or creatures in a 30–foot cone in front of it. This can be increased to a 60–foot cone for +2 Complexity, or a 90–foot cone for +4 Complexity.

This idea consumes 1 charge each time it attacks.

Building the Project

Crafting a blueprint for your project is the first step of Tinkering, This takes a minimum of 4 hours and 3gp worth of supplies (4 sheets of parchment, ink and a pen) which is multiplied by the complexity of the project. You can use another's blueprints in place of creating your own. The 2nd step is a working prototype which takes 10% of estimated time and cost to create. This is a miniature version of your final product, you may bypass the prototype which increases the DC of your project. The final phase is assembling the final product, there is a chance of malfunction on all projects which is determined by a roll after crafting.

The time and cost of crafting these projects depends upon the complexity and viability of the idea. You can craft any project at a Tinkering DC of 12 (with a -5 to the roll if you didn't build a prototype also imposing a -10 to the mishap roll), Mishap Chance, Cost and Time to craft decreases by higher Craft Rolls. Commissioned Tinker projects can sell for 4x-25x (3d8+1) total cost of crafting.

Creating the project is a downtime activity in which progress is made in 25 gp increments, assuming the tinker works for 8 hours per day. This is also assumed that the components (gears, pulleys, and such) are being crafted by the tinker as well, purchasing these parts increases the cost to craft by 50%, and decreases the crafting time by 50%.

Size

The Size of the project is equal to the highest Size of the ideas. Add 1 if the lower Size is half or more than that of the higher Size. Add 2 if both ideas have the same Size. The character also needs workspace of at least twice the Size of the project.

Size Table

SIZECAPACITYFRAGILE HPRESILIENT HPEXAMPLE
1 1d31d4 Finger
2 1d41d4+1 Knife
3Tiny 1d42d4 Sword, Knife
4Tiny x2 1d63d4 Crossbow
5Small 1d63d6 Backpack, Small Chest, Lute
6Small x2 1d84d6 Large Chest
7Medium 1d64d8 Couch, Barrel, Chandelier
8Medium x2 2d45d8 Small Cabinet
9Large 1d105d10 Large Cabinet, Cart
10Large x2 1d126d10 Wagon
11Huge 1d126d12 Small Cottage
12Huge x2 1d12+27d12 Large Cottage
13Gargantuan 1d207d20 Mansion
14Gargantuan x2 1d20+28d10 Tower (3story)
15 4d632d6 Tower (6story)
16 4d6+236d6 Tower (10story)
17 4d836d8 Small Keep
18 4d8+240d8 Castle
19 4d1040d10 Town
20 4d10+244d10 Mountain

Cost

Count the total number of features in your project, then determine its size as detailed above. You can then determine the Base of the project, by adding the Size Cost Value and Feature Cost Value together. Take the Base and multiply the Complexity value to determine the base cost to craft the project.

Cost Base

SIZEFEATURESCOST
1-31 +5
4-52 +10
6-73 +25
8-94 +100
10-115 +250
12-136 +500
147 +750
158 +1000
169 +1500
1710 +2000
Additional levels are increased at a Cost rate of +1000.

Complexity

The Complexity of the project is equal to the highest Complexity of the ideas. Add 1 if the lower Complexity is half or more than that of the higher Complexity. Add 2 if both ideas have the same Complexity.

Adjust the cost of the project based upon the complexity as seen in the table below.

Complexity Adjustment

COMPLEXITYCOSTCHARGES
1x12
2-3x23
4-5x44
6-7x66
8-9x87
10-11x108
12-13x1510
14x2012
15x3015
16x5020
17x10030
Add 50 to the multiplier and 10 to the number of charges per complexity level higher than 17.

Adding Charges

The number of charges a project has is determined by the complexity of each feature as seen on the chart above. i.e. a project with 3 features, of complexity 8, 6, and 1 will have 15 charges.

You can increase the number of charges a project has at this time. The cost to add 1/2 the base number charges during construction is 25gp x the Complexity of the project. You can only add these charges once during the construction.

Final Adjustments

These Final Adjustments are made after ALL other adjustments are made. The cost adjustment is not applied if the parts are purchased. Subtract 5 from the roll if the prototype step was skipped

ADJUSTMENTS
CRAFT ROLLTIMECOSTMISHAP
12-15100%100%+0
16-20100% 75%+5
21-2575% 50% +10
26-2950% 25% +15
30+25% 10% + 1/2 the roll

Mishaps

When the project is complete, it's time to find out if it works. You roll percentile dice and add your Proficiency Bonus and The Mishap adjustment. Compare the total to the Mishap Table to determine what happens to the project when you fire it up for the first time. You make 1 mishap roll for every 2 complexity the project has. If the crafter did not make a prototype, subtract 10 from the roll.

Mishap Table

MISHAP ROLL (d100)MISHAP
1-10Explosion!
11-13Machine Pursuit
14-16Moves Uncontrollably Vertically
17-19Suffocating
20-22Horrendous Sound
23-25Unbearable Heat
26-28Unbearable Cold
29-31Olfactory Malfunction
32-34Unexpected Glow
35-37Improper Alteration
38-41Communication Glitch
42-50Needs Another Part
51-55Awkward Activation
56-60Vibrations
61+No Mishap

Dealing With Mishaps

Explosion!

The project explodes. Creatures within 5 feet × Size of the project must make a DC 15 Dexterity check, taking 1d6 piercing damage per Complexity on a failed save or half as much on a successful save. The project is reduced to 0 hit points must be fixed before it works again. In addition, this mishap must also be removed (or it will explode again!)

Machine Pursuit

The project pursues the activating creature, making one melee attack every turn it as though it were Weaponized. If it is already Weaponized, it also makes this attack every turn. It moves at its base speed or 15 feet, whichever is greater. Unless it has a Dexterity score, it has an Initiative bonus of −1. A creature can spend an action to try and deactivate the machine, this requires a successful DC 17 Dexterity check.

Moves Uncontrollably Vertically

The project moves upwards as though it were Hovering. It remains at its maximum altitude until it is deactivated, at which point it falls. If the project already has the Hovering idea, then it burrows downwards as though it was Tunnelling.

Suffocating

While active the project renders the air around it unbreathable, perhaps by creating a near vacuum or removing the oxygen content. Creatures within 5 feet × Complexity of the project cannot breathe and must hold their breath (PHB p. 183)

Horrendous Sound

The project makes a horrible deafening sound as it operates. Creatures within a radius of 5 × Complexity feet when the project is activated, or when they move into this area, must make a DC 15 Constitution check, and are deafened if they fail. They remain deafened until they leave the area or the machine is deactivated.

Unbearable Temperature Changes

The project gets very hot or cold. Creatures within 5 feet × Complexity suffer extreme heat or cold (DMG p. 110) while it is operating. If the Complexity of the machine is 10 or more, the exhaustion checks are made every 1 minute rather than 1 hour.

Olfactory Malfunction

While the project is operating, it emits a cloud of noxious fumes. Creatures that start their turn within 5 feet × Complexity of the project must make a DC 15 Constitution check or become poisoned for 1 minute. This check must be repeated for every minute they remain in the area of effect.

Unexpected Glow

The project glows while it operates. Really bright. Creatures that are within 5 feet × Complexity of the project when it is turned on, and creatures that enter this area subsequently, must make a DC 15 Constitution check or become blinded. This condition lasts until the machine is turned off or the creature leaves the area. The project sheds light to 10 feet × Complexity, and dim light to 20 feet × Complexity. If the project already has the Lantern idea, then instead the light flickers or strobes distractingly. Perception checks or Investigation checks made in the area of light are made with disadvantage.

Improper Alteration

The project tries to alter something as though it had the Crafter idea. It will apply itself to whatever the project was meant to act on, or its contents, otherwise whatever happens to be in front of it. If this is a living creature, it must pass a DC 13 Dexterity save or take slashing damage equal to the "fragile HP" column for this project's Size on the Size Table. Otherwise it will "craft" 1d4 levels on the Crafter Table, and do so poorly. For example, a Launcher that was supposed to hurl a stone sphere might first render it into mis-angled masonry blocks. The the project already had the Crafter project, it instead disassembles the input material by the same level.

Communication Glitch

If the project does not already have the Communicator idea, it starts recording information as though it had the Communicator idea. If the Complexity level allows it, it will transmit the information. For example, a Complexity 15 project starts indirectly transmitting representative images out to 100 feet. The information recorded or transmitted is of poor or misleading quality. For example, it might miss out every third word or misses out the faces of people in pictures.

Needs Another Part

The project requires another device to be built before it can function properly. The new part must be a useful tinker gnome project on its own and have a demonstrated use other than in conjunction with fixing this device.

Awkward Activation

It takes 1 minute to activate or deactivate the project instead of 1 action.

Vibrations

The project shakes rapidly as it operates. The operator and anyone in the machine are at disadvantage on Wisdom, Intelligence or Dexterity checks while it is active. If the machine operates for 1 minute or longer, it deals bludgeoning damage to itself every minute equal to its Complexity.

Removing Mishaps & Restoring Charges

You can attempt to remove any mishap except "Needs Another Part". This is a downtime activity that takes 1 day and 25 gp per Complexity of the project. Once it is "fixed", you activate the project and re-roll on the Mishap Table with a +10 bonus in addition to its previous modifiers.

You can attempt to restore used charges to your project. Each charge restored costs 10gp times the complexity of the project. This takes a number of hours equal to the complexity of the project. The DC for recharging is 5 + the Project's total Complexity, success restores 1 charge to the project, a failure means that the parts were lost and A mishap roll is made for each failed recharge attempt when it is activated.

Restoring 1 HP to a damaged project is 5gp x complexity in available components and takes 10 minutes during which you are considered Blinded, Deafened, and Prone (the project takes your full attention). The difficulty for restoring HP is equal to its Complexity.

Examples

Component Examples

ItemCost (gp)ItemCost (gp)ItemCost (gp)
Vanes10 Counterweights30Stone Block5
Shafts 10 Steel rods 20 Coiled springs 60
Wooden Truss 20 Gears 20 Glass rods & panes 40
Waterwheel or Aeolipile 100 Iron Plates 40 Belts 100
Bellows 200 Windmill or Flywheel 200 Steel Shell 80
Screws 500 Pumps 1,000 Pulleys 5
Coal-fired boiler 1,000 Mithril Lattice 200 Clockworks 50
Blades 1,000 Tuning Forks 5,000 Sun mirror 5,000
Adamantium Beams 500

Project Examples

 

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