Genetic Mutations

Creature Size Time Modifier

For instance, to splice a mutation unto a Medium creature takes 8 hours. To splice a mutation in a Huge creature, however, it takes 40 hours (5 x 8).

The geneticist works 8 hours per day. It costs 100 credits per hour if the operation is performed by an NPC.

Side Effects

In addition to the side effects associated with each mutation, your body undergoes changes, depending on how many mutations you underwent, as shown below in the Genetic Mutations Side Effects table.

Splicing Mutations

In addition to the time and cost requirement, installing a mutation requires an ability check with geneticist's implements. The DC for the check is determined by the rarity of the mutation being spliced, as shown in the Splicing/Removal DC by Rarity table.

On a success, the mutation is correctly installed. On a failure, the mutation is not installed, the time and credits are spent, and you must wait 24 hours before you can try again. Additionally, on a failure, the recipient suffers another effect, depending on the type of mutation installed:

• Internal: On a failure, the recipient suffers one level of exhaustion.

• External: On a failure, the recipient loses the ability to use the part being replaced for a period of time equal to the time it would take to install the mutation. For instance, to install an arm mutation in a Huge creature it takes 40 hours, performed over five days. If, at the end of the five day period, the geneticist fails the ability check with geneticist's implements, the Huge creature loses the ability to use that arm for five days.

Removing Mutations

Removing a mutation takes half the time and credits it would to splice, and requires an ability check with geneticist's implements. The DC for the check is determined by the rarity of the mutation being removed, as shown in the Splicing/Removal DC by Rarity table below.

On a success, the mutation is removed and destroyed. On a failure, the mutation is not removed, the time and credits are spent, and and you must wait 24 hours before you can try again.

Additionally, if removing an external mutation, the recipient loses the ability to use the missing part until it receives another suitable replacement.

Mutation Categories

Two major categories of genetic mutation exist in the galaxy: Internal and External.

Aquatic Adaptation, (Basic)

Genetic Mutation, Internal, Standard

You integrate the genetic code of amphibious creatures into your own. You develop a set of gills along your neck and can breathe normally underwater.

Side Effect: The amount of time that you can hold your breath is reduced by half.

Aquatic Adaptation, (Fine)

Genetic Mutation, Internal, Premium

Prerequisite: Aquatic Adaptation, (Basic)

While this mutation is spliced into you, webbing extends from between your fingers and toes, and a fin sprouts from your back. You gain a swim speed equal to 35ft.

Side Effect: While on land your walking speed is reduced by 5ft.

Bone Spines

Genetic Mutation, External, Premium

Prerequisite: Hardened Exoskeleton

Your bones are laced with dangerous spines that can be extended to harm foes who get too close. You can retract or harmlessly extend your spines as an action. While not wearing armor, if your bone spines are extended and a creature within 5 feet hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to deal 1d6 kinetic damage to that attacker. If the creature deals a critical hit, double the damage you deal.

Side Effect: While your spines are extended you suffer a -1 penalty to AC.

Changeling Dermacells

Genetic Mutation, Internal, Prototype

As an action, you transform your appearance for up to 1 hour. You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, sound of your voice, hair length, coloration, and distinguishing characteristics, if any. You can make yourself appear as a member of another species, though none of your statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this ability to become quadrupedal, for instance. As an action, you can end the transformation reducing your speed to zero.

Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Side Effect: While transformed, you can’t take reactions and on your turn, you can take either an action or a bonus action, but not both. These side effects persist until your next turn after undoing your transformation.

Cochlear Mutation

Genetic Mutation, Internal, Premium

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Side Effect: You have disadvantage on saving throws against effects that deal sonic damage.

Corrosive Claws

Genetic Mutation, External, Premium

You sprout claws that are linked to the acids in your body. These natural weapons deal 1d4 kinetic damage and have the finesse property. On a successful hit, the creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + proficiency bonus + Constitution modifier) or gain one level of corroded.

Side Effect: You have disadvantage on Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks.

Diathim Airfoils

Genetic Mutation, External, Legendary

You splice your genes with that of a Diathim to sprout a pair of luminous wings. You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. If you already have a flying speed you gain an additional 15ft instead.

You can use your action to amplify your luminous wings to shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. This lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action.

Side Effect: While wearing medium or heavy armor, your flying speed is reduced by half.

Drexl Olfactory

Genetic Mutation, Internal, Advanced

While this mutation is spliced into your DNA, you can activate or deactivate this ability with your bonus action to gain 30ft of Blindsense. You also have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks relating to smell.

Side Effect: While active, you have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing and on sight.

Enhanced Airfoils

Genetic Mutation, External, Artifact

Prerequisite: Diathim Airfoils

You gain the ability to billow your mighty wings, allowing for a quick escape and much needed respite. As a bonus action, you can move up to 10ft. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity and at the end of this movement, you may expend one hitdice and regain health equal to the amount rolled. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency, regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.

Side Effect: Your Constitution score decreases by 1 and the maximum for this score decreases by 1.

Fluid Superorgan

Genetic Mutation, Internal, Premium

Your brain, heart, and lungs are partially homogenized with redundant functions, so each organ can perform the tasks of the others when necessary. When a creature rolls the maximum on a weapon damage die against you, they must reroll and use the new roll, even if the new roll is the maximum on the weapon damage die.

Side Effect: Each time this ability is used, your speed is reduced by 5ft until the end of your next turn.