Face Off
A Mini-Game for D&D 5e by Mythmaker
Mini-Game: Face Off
In this game, two competitors take turns smacking each other in the face until one competitor can no longer endure the contest, or commits too many fouls.
The hits must be clean, with the open palm and directly onto the cheek of the opponent -- nowhere else. The player being struck must remain still. Attempting to move, dodge, or defend yourself in any way results in an automatic foul (see next slide). The only defense allowed a player being struck is their own fortitude compared to the strength and accuracy of the attacker.
Turns
Turn order is determined by coin toss (challenger calls, winner chooses first or second), unless both players agree on an order before the toss.
When it's your turn to strike, you make a Strength ability check, contested by a Constitution ability check made by your opponent (the defender).
Compare your Strength check to your opponent's Constitution check then consult the Contested Check table to determine the result for the round.
Contested Check Table
| Str vs Con | Result (affects defender) |
|---|---|
| Critical Hit (Greater by 10+) |
-2 Endurance, disadv. on next Str check |
| Good Hit (Greater by 5+) |
-2 Endurance |
| Hit (Greater) |
-1 Endurance |
| Miss (Equal or Lower) |
-- |
| Bad Miss (Lower by 5+) |
Regain 1 Endurance |
Endurance
A player loses if their Endurance reaches 0.
Each competitor has Endurance points equal to their Constitution modifier (minimum of 1).
Fouls
A player that commits 3 fouls loses.
A particularly poor Strength check when striking may result in a foul. Consult the table below.
Fouls Table
| Strength Check | # of fouls |
|---|---|
| Total of 7 or less | 1 foul |
| Natural 1 | 2 fouls |
If a character makes any attempt to move out of the way of a strike or defend themselves, they also commit 2 fouls automatically. If the strike hit, it incurs effects as normal. Otherwise, the attacker may strike again.
Other Rules: Magic
Most places do not allow the use of magic in any way inside a game of Face Off. This rule may vary on a case by case basis.
Typically a referee has some kind of access to Detect Magic (for the entire match) to ensure that players aren't using enchantments, potions, or spells to gain an upper hand, and the crowd is typically watched with a close eye, so that spells can't be cast during a match.
Special Traits
Some characters can employ special traits during a match. Each trait has a prerequisite -- if your character does not meet that prerequisite, you can't use the special trait.
Each special trait can only be used once in a given match of Face Off.
Hard Hitter
Prereq. Unarmed Strike Damage Die*
You can double your Strength modifier for a Strength check. You must decide to do so before rolling.
**For example: Monk martial arts, the Tavern Brawler feat, etc. Natural weapons with a damage die do not qualify you for this trait.
Graceful Save
Prereq. Proficiency in Dex saves
When you would commit a foul because your Strength check's total was 7 or lower, you can add your Dexterity modifier to the check, potentially preventing a foul. This does not affect your total when comparing the contested checks.
Mind Game
Prereq. Cha or Int 13 or higher
You can add your Charisma or Intelligence modifier to any ability check. You must decide to do so before rolling. This bonus can not stack with another trait.
Sharp Instincts
Prereq. Wis 13 or higher
You may reroll one Strength check or Constitution check you make. This can stack with another trait.
Competitors
Easy
Trent Fischman
STR CON DEX +3 +2 +0
A male human thug. Definitely thinks he's tougher than he really is. Talks way too big of a game. Just a punk. Easily fooled or thrown off by mind games.
Unique Trait
If Trent's opponent uses Mind Games, their bonus from the trait is doubled.
Lucky Lonaghan
STR CON DEX +3 +3 +2
A middle aged man with average features in every way. His face is one of a man wearied by life, but his personality is optimistic and kind. He is infamous for his good luck.
Unique Trait
3/game, Lonaghan can reroll any ability check. He can do so after traits are used, but must do so before the result is finalized.
Rebak Rednose
STR CON DEX +2 +3 +2
A goblin woman with lots of tattoos and piercings. Never friendly nor a good sport, but always good entertainment.
Unique Trait
If her opponent is Medium or larger, 1/game, Rebak can alter her own strike, upgrading a Hit to a Good Hit, or a Good Hit to a Critical Hit.
Yzura Goldleaf
STR CON DEX +2 +3 +5
A fit, young half-elven woman with dark skin and long, straight black hair, which is partly died blue. She wears oppulent jewelry before and after the match.
Traits
Mind Games (Cha/Int +3)
Unique Trait
Yzura rerolls natural ones on her Strength checks, and her strikes never count as fouls.
Kuani Koolwave
STR CON DEX +3 +3 +3
A non-binary water genasi (fem-leaning). Fit and athletic, clearly a surfer, usually found near the coast. Light colored dreads and dope tattoos, plus a chill demeanor. They're always down for a competition.
Traits
Hard Hitter, Graceful Save, Mind Games (Cha +2)
Unique Trait
Kuani never has disadvantage on their strikes.
Fabio the Famous
STR CON DEX +2 +3 +3
A male tiefling bard with pinkish-red skin and a colorful, eccentric personality.
Traits
Mind Games (+5 Cha)
Unique Trait
If Fabio uses Mind Games and wins the contested check, he regains use of Mind Games.
Hairy Harry
STR CON DEX +3 +3 +1
A halfling man whom one might easily mistake for a dwarf, so thick and abundant is the hair over every inch of his body and head.
Traits
Tough Cookie
Unique Trait
Harry treats Good Hits and Critical Hits as Normal Hits, thanks to the padding from his fluffy, curly beard.
Gerthri Hillbrow
STR CON DEX +3 +4 +0
A beefy human woman with bleach blonde hair, which she styles in pig tails or a braided pony tail. She downs a pint between each turn.
Traits
Tough Cookie
Unique Trait
After three rounds, Gerthri becomes intoxicated. All her Strength checks have advantage, but Strength checks against her also have advantage.
Sandwich
STR CON DEX +3 +7 -4
A blind and mute Tortle who sits at a seaside tavern all day. He's an ex-sailor, and tough as nails.
Traits
Tough Cookie
Unique Trait
Sandwhich always subtracts his Dexterity from his strikes for the purposes of determining fouls.
Intermediate
Granny Smith
STR CON DEX +4 +4 +0
An elderly gnome woman whose appearance is deceiving. Granny Smith frequently whoops ass.
Traits
Mind Games (Cha +5)
Unique Trait
When Granny's opponent would strike her, they must make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, their strike has disadvantage. Once an opponent succeeds this save, they are immune to this trait permanently.
Mudrok
STR CON DEX +4 +4 +0
A half orc sailor from the southern swamps. Very friendly but a bit empty headed. Splotched skin mixed between dark brown and a dark grey-ish green.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter
Unique Trait
Mudrok's slippery face imposes a -3 penalty to his opponent's strength checks for calculating foul strikes
Sir Reginald the Round
STR CON DEX +3 +5 +0
A dwarven knight with an impressively round belly. How he fits inside his plate armor is truly a mystery. Chivalry and excessive eloquence are his trademarks.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter, Mind Games (+3 Cha)
Chef Bolgaddi
STR CON DEX +3 +6 +0
A bulky goliath with an extremely friendly personality. He's the definition of dad bod, and he's always making dad jokes, in good spirit. Everyone loves him. He makes a mean Ratatouille, and his Pot Pie is famous.
Traits
Tough Cookie
Unique Traits
Never trust a skinny chef. Bolgaddi can use Tough Cookie up to 3 times per game, though only once per turn.
Ventrys Forktongue
STR CON DEX +3 +5 +1
A young lizardfolk girl with equally impressive stature and intelligence. Quiet and softspoken, but gets everyone's attention when she does speak.
Traits
*Mind Games (Int +3)
Unique Traits
Ventrys has a way of confounding her opponent's. 1/game, she can force a DC 15 Int saving throw when an opponent would strike her. On a failed save, the strike has disadvantage and subtracts her Int (3) mod from its total.
Ragjorn the Bold
STR CON DEX +5 +5 +0
A famous reaver captain known for the troll's tusk lodged in his head, which he keeps as a trophy. His perpetual drunkeness makes facing him a bit easier.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter
Unique Trait
Ragjorn has disadvantage on his Strength checks, and Strength checks against him have advantage. Additionally, 1/game, Ragjorn can turn any Hit (normal, good, or critical) against him into a Miss.
Hard
Tofur the Tooth-Taker
STR CON DEX +5 +6 +3
Tofur is a dwarven entertainer full of bravado and character. He carries a string of teeth. When Tofur brings an opponent to 0 Endurance and wins the game, his winning strike always knocks a tooth from the opponent's mouth.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter, Graceful Save
Unique Trait
Once per game, when Tofur reaches 0 Endurance, he can roll a DC 10 Constitution save. On a success, he drops to 1 Endurance instead.
Falgap the Tree-Thumbed
STR CON DEX +7 +5 +1
A hefty Firbolg man, well over 7 feet tall, with some of the largest hands you've ever seen on a humanoid. Lumberjack vibes and a very quiet personality.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter, Graceful Save
Unique Trait
Falgap's Hits are always upgraded by one step (Hit to Good Hit, Good Hit to Critical Hit, Critical Hit subtracts 1 extra endurance from the defender)
Meldrix Silverscale
STR CON DEX +6 +6 +2
A young silver dragonborn woman who has earned an impressive reputation and the respect of everyone she has faced. She is a paladin to Bahamut.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter, Graceful Save, Mind Games (Cha +4)
Unique Trait
Meldrix always clings to hope. When she receives a Bad Hit, she regains 2 endurance, instead of one.
Pronk
STR CON DEX +6 +7 +0
Pronk is a stone troll with tough skin. He's likely encountered as part of a bandit, mercenary, or pirate group. Pronk is undefeated in Face Off (so he claims)
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter
Unique Traits
Stoneskin. Pronk's tough skin can hurt an attacker's hand. If a strike against him scores a total of 10 or lower, the striker loses 1 endurance.
Troll Constitution. While defending, Pronk treats a Miss as a Bad Miss if the totals were not equal.
Master Zarderi
STR CON DEX +5 +5 +5
An aasimar monk with golden skin and glowing eyes. She keeps an incredibly calm demeanor, as the masters of the Sunbrim Mountains do. Her strikes are incredibly graceful yet powerful.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter
Unique Traits
Zarderi has advantage on all her strikes, and she never fouls. Also, her opponent can not benefit from Mind Games against her.
Rosewilt
STR CON DEX +4 +5 +4
A charming female Rakshasa, leader of an outlaw gang. Rosewilt always gambles high stakes on any match of Face Off she participates in.
Traits
Graceful Save, Mind Games (Cha +6)
Unique Traits
Rosewilt has 10 points of luck, which she can add to any roll she makes to gain a bonus equal to the points she spends. She can do this before or after rolling. This can stack with other traits.
Bonus NPCs
Sira-San
STR CON DEX +2 +4 +5
(Intermediate) A young tabaxi, seemingly harmless but quietly plotting at all times. Sira-San has come from a war ravaged place and has learned she must be ruthless to survive.
Traits
Graceful Save
Unique Traits
If Sira-San has less Endurance than her opponent, any Hit or Good hit she scores counts as a Critical Hit.
Dirty Darrung
STR CON DEX +2 +2 +3
(Intermediate) A dwarven man, likely near mid-adulthood, with highly peculiar facial features that give his visage resemblance to a rodent. His fu-man-chu style facial hair adds to this appearance. He's super sketch and always tries to cheat, but never plays a match of Face Off with a good referee.
Unique Traits
Dirty Darrung is a con and a cheat. He always has it in with the referee or host venue. When his opponent attacks, he can attempt a Sleight of Hand check (+7) as he subtly changes the angle of his face when being struck to force a foul on his opponent. The attacker only notices this if Darrung's Sleight of Hand fails to overcome their passive perception. In any case, the strike subtracts 7 from its total and Darrung incurs no foul (because the rulekeepers are part of his scam)
Cheeky Lad (Oliver)
STR CON DEX +2 +3 +2
(Easy) Easily the stockiest gnome you've ever seen, especially so for his apparent age. Oliver is a young gnome fond of banter and Face Off, renowned in the streets for his banter.
Traits
Mind Games (+5)
Unique Traits
Oliver's cheeky face is easy to strike and easy to hurt. Any hit against him is upgraded one step (Hit to Good Hit, Good Hit to Critical Hit). However, whenever a strike misses Oliver, he regains use of his Mind Games.
Aboras the Gatewatcher
STR CON DEX +7 +7 +0
(Legendary) This flesh golem was constructed by a musing wizard along with the help of his troublemaking bardic friend. Aboras has very little understanding of what is going on, but his constantly dreary attitude changes radically once someone suggests a game of Face Off, at which point he lights up with glee.
Traits
Tough Cookie
Unique Traits
At the end of every round, there is a 10% chance Aboras regains a point of Endurance.
Thurais, Rumbling King
STR CON DEX +9 +9 +2
(Legendary) An exiled Storm Giant, possibly the leader of some criminal or outcast organization, or perhaps simply the guardian/lone denizen of a dungeon or point of interest. Thurais is depressed and tired of making pathetic friends who fear him, but someone who could at least give him a good challenge in Face Off would be a worthy friend. Thurais will not face a challenger who is smaller than size Large.
Traits
Tough Cookie, Hard Hitter
Unique Traits
If Thurais misses a strike, it is considered a foul.
Special Thanks
To my patrons and supporters all throughout the community. You make these creations possible and you make it all worth it. A special shout out goes to my high tier patrons, Sirius Black, Soshiro, Candles, Mechanaught, and Luna Bell