Rules at the table
All optional and variant rules used are listed here, along with any house rules.
Example 1: The PC makes an Intimidation check using STR instead of CHA as they crush a stone in their hand to show how easily they could hurt the person they're intimidating.
Example 2: The PCs are running as fast as they can to escape a house fire. The Athletics check to run and jump over hurdles is made with CON instead of STR as the PCs fight to stay conscious as the smoke gets in their lungs.
Example 1: You are wielding a versatile weapon and want to switch from two-handed to one-handed and equip something in your empty hand. This would be considered a free action, since it is only a weapon being drawn, not a combination of both stowing and drawing. This would not take up any movement.
Example 2: You are wielding a one-handed weapon, and have the other hand free. You want to switch to a two-handed weapon. Since the weapon held needs to be stowed to allow drawing the two-handed weapon, this would take up half your movement.
Example 3: You are wielding two daggers and make an attack action to someone in melee range. You stow one of them to draw a one-handed long-range weapon and attack again. You then stow the long range weapon to switch in another one-handed weapon. This would take up all of your movement.
Optional and Variant rules
Climbing onto bigger creatures
A Small or Medium creature can use a grapple check to climb onto a Huge or Gargantuan creature. The smaller creature makes an Athletics or Acrobatics check opposing the larger creature’s own Acrobatics check. If the contest is won, the smaller creature gets to enter the big monster’s space and cling to its body. The smaller creature can move freely on the bigger creature as if it were difficult terrain. The Larger creature can try and knock off the smaller creature, using Athletics.Equipment sizes
Looted equipment that aren’t made for your size, needs to be customized by the appropriate craftsman before it can be used.Optional feats
At certain levels, your class gives you the Ability Score Improvement feature. Using the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking that feature to take a feat of your choice instead. You can take each feat only once, unless the feat’s description says otherwise.Firearms and explosives
Firearms, explosives and other more modern weapons are available. Detailed rules can be found here.Inspiration
Inspiration is used by the DM to reward you for playing your character in a way that’s true to their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws. You can’t stockpile multiple “inspirations” for later use. If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll. Additionally, if you have inspiration, you can reward another player for good roleplaying, clever thinking, or simply doing something exciting in the game. When another player character does something that really contributes to the story in a fun and interesting way, you can give up your inspiration to give that character inspiration.Advancement without XP
Often confused with Milestone Advancement, Advancement without XP places the characters’ progression entirely in the hands of the DM, who informs the players when their characters level up, and can use any metric they choose, from killing powerful monsters to completing elements of the narrative, or simply playing a number of sessions.Difficult magic item identification
Magic items require the identify spell or experimentation to reveal what it does.Multiclassing
you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in level, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in all your classes are added together to determine your character level. For example, if you have three levels in wizard and two in fighter, you’re a 5th-level character.Playing on a grid with miniatures
When possible, the game will use the visual aid of a grid and miniatures.Renown
Renown is expressed as a number that can rise and fall depending on a character’s deeds within an organization or faction. Characters that reach certain levels of renown may get some special perks and influence and will lose points if they hurt the organization or faction.Variant backgrounds
Variant backgrounds asides from the standard are available. Creating a custom background is also allowed in cooperation with the DM. You can find all available backgrounds on the Background page. Note that these might need to be adjusted to suit the setting.Skills with Different Abilities
When making a skill check, the situation may call for another type of ability score to be applied to said skill check. As a general rule, the standard ability scores are applied but a PC can ask to use a different one. The DM may also use this to prompt the players to use a different ability for certain situations.Example 1: The PC makes an Intimidation check using STR instead of CHA as they crush a stone in their hand to show how easily they could hurt the person they're intimidating.
Example 2: The PCs are running as fast as they can to escape a house fire. The Athletics check to run and jump over hurdles is made with CON instead of STR as the PCs fight to stay conscious as the smoke gets in their lungs.
House rules
Using a potion as a bonus action
If the party lacks a healer, a potion can be used with a bonus action instead of an action.Talking in combat
The time limit of 6 seconds for each round still allows some conversation and can be done even if it isn't your turn.Harvesting
Hamunds harvesting handbook volume 1 and volume 2 can be used to allow the players to harvest components from creatures and use them for crafting or selling after a successful appraisal and harvesting check. They can either try crafting with the correct tool and skill proficiency for it or employ the help of craftsmen found around the world. This house rule adds new tools and tool proficiencies, along with a selection of spells to aid it.Stowing/Drawing
The combination of both stowing and drawing takes half your movement speed instead of an action. You may do this twice to allow for drawing and stowing an extra time on your turn.Example 1: You are wielding a versatile weapon and want to switch from two-handed to one-handed and equip something in your empty hand. This would be considered a free action, since it is only a weapon being drawn, not a combination of both stowing and drawing. This would not take up any movement.
Example 2: You are wielding a one-handed weapon, and have the other hand free. You want to switch to a two-handed weapon. Since the weapon held needs to be stowed to allow drawing the two-handed weapon, this would take up half your movement.
Example 3: You are wielding two daggers and make an attack action to someone in melee range. You stow one of them to draw a one-handed long-range weapon and attack again. You then stow the long range weapon to switch in another one-handed weapon. This would take up all of your movement.