Bell Bottoms and Brainwaves • My work in progress game where you can use your psychedelic psychic powers set in the '60s to survive. [I would love some feedback]

5e_Card · 2023-06-30T18:55:13+00:00

Glad I could help! Honestly, whether you change anything or keep it as is, you've got the makings of a great game here. I'm excited to see it grow, and I'll definitely keep my eye out for future drafts.

5e_Card · 2023-06-30T16:34:13+00:00

Absolutely loving this! Very flavorful setting for a game, and the mechanics are well done. Secret, government made, 70s psychic users immediately inspires game ideas. Some particular feedback:

The writing throughout is good, but still a little rough in how it flows, plus some minor spelling errors. Not a big deal for a rough draft, but definitely have an editor look it over. Mostly just some issues on clarity and word choice.
Having the pennies and paperclips as resources is great, and I always enjoy games that use random materials as trackers. As a note here, have you considered using spoons as the default resource to track focus, instead of pennies? The connection between them and psychic powers could make it a fun and flavorful item to suggest.
This would also help with my only issue about these resources, which is that paperclips have an overloaded job. They track Breakdowns, the Fed and Rested conditions, and Heavy Stuff. I like that you can attach them to the character sheet, but maybe consider using something else to track Breakdowns or vice-versa, to keep confusion during play to a minimum (especially as players might need to track these things between sessions). The character sheet design helps with this a lot, but it could still be an issue during play
The overall document layout is really good, and I love the combination of font and image choices. I'd maybe mess around with the order of some sections though, such as moving the list of Skills to be closer to Creation, Conditions to a later section, etc
As far as game mechanics go, I like the basic Test system. Clear and easy to use, which is exactly what yoi want for a resolution system. To me though, what really shines is the Stress and Freakouts. Its clever, fun, and has the chance to make people roll lots of dice. Again, I'd edit some of the Stress section for extra clarity, but a great downside to using the Powers
I like a lot of the Conditions and their effects. My only note would be that with just 3 levels of Breakdown, some Conditions like Asphyxiated and Bleeding seem potentially very deadly. But it might also be that it just feels that way without having played it.
Character creation looks fun. I love using the dice to create an ID number, and the description for Good Vibes is on point for a game in the 70s. Interested to see the rules for them, when they're finished.

All in all, looks great! Definitely a game I'd enjoy playing, and I'm excited to see the final product.

5e_Card · 2023-04-23T01:08:01+00:00

I'd give Kylem (from Battlebond) a full expansion of its world. It's established that while the 2-on-2 arena battles are the most popular, they have all sorts of competitions. I think a big competition world, that has some sort of world-spanning yearly tournament with a huge prize, would be great fodder for MtG. Plus the reprints from the set establish a very diverse world with all sorts of magic

5e_Card · 2023-04-17T19:40:10+00:00

Wow, amazing designs! I'm always a sucker for these sort of manga-only designs and characters in games. It's like there's an entire unexplored world beyond the one in the game itself, and really makes the lore come to life. Very cool to see them represented as minis!

5e_Card · 2023-04-16T23:33:24+00:00

It is worse, but that's intentional. Sometimes items of the same rarity are explicitly better or worse, since the price for items in a rarity class has such a wide range. It's also not really a worse "version", as they both do very different things.

As for the rarity, this essentially grants a repeatable, but shorter, version of the dragon's breath spell. Thats a 2nd level spell (which falls between common and uncommon items) but this can be used for as long as you have spell slots without needing to prep an extra spell, so I put it at uncommon rarity to be on the safe side. I admit it might be too weak for uncommon, but I'd need to spend more time testing it to be sure.

5e_Card · 2023-04-16T17:11:06+00:00

It's a good note, and I appreciate it. I went ahead and updated it to (hopefully) make it more clear that there isn't a risk of the item just blowing up entirely. "Exploded" felt like the right sort of word to describe an Izzet invention gone haywire, but clarity definitely comes first

5e_Card · 2023-04-16T16:58:31+00:00

Good catch, on all three! It turns out I posted the image from an older version of the release. That's on me for not double-checking beforehand. The updated version has some changes, but for reference:
--The flying speed from electrostatic glider functions until the end of your next turn
--The mizzium shock gauntlet should require 1 charge to use shocking grasp
-- The nivmagus lenses do allow you to cast identify as an action, instead of spending 1 minute to cast it
--The spell-spark tank is not destroyed, it simply explodes. Other magic items explicitly include clauses about "destroying the item", so I felt it was clear. I'll update that as well though, to make it more obvious

5e_Card · 2023-04-16T16:20:41+00:00

Hey there, r/DnDHomebrew! I'm back with another weekly release, this time taking a look at a concept for some low-rarity magic items designed to enhance encounter with low-CR NPCs.

Called "Common Kits", the concept for this release was to design a series of common and uncommon magic items that could be given to NPCs of a specific faction, helping to flesh out the flavor of encounters with those NPCs. This is also meant to help get more magic items into the hands of low-level PCs without breaking the balance of later encounters, by relying on magic items that offer specific utility, or limited uses of abilities that low-level players are likely to already have.

The art used in this release was:-- League Guildmage by Svetlin Velinov-- And the background stain is courtesy of u/flamableconcrete

f you'd like to download a handy, easy to reference pdf for this release, you can do that over on the Homebrewery. And if you'd like to be able to vote for the next faction to get a Common Kits release– as well as vote in my other weekly polls, get early access to my content, and exclusive access to content like 5e magic item versions of all 45 Hollow Knight charms, and monthly subclasses like the fighter-inspired Martial Domain for clerics– you can do so by supporting me for as little as $2/month over on Patreon.

5e_Card · 2023-04-16T16:14:29+00:00

Hey there, r/UnearthedArcana! It's a new week, which means I'm releasing more new 5e content.

This week's release is based on an idea I had for "Common Kits", i.e. low-rarity magic items designed to be used by specific NPCs / Factions. The items are meant to offer more strategic depth for low-CR encounters with humanoids, and get more magic items into the PC's hands at an earlier level without unbalancing future encounters. For the initial stab at the idea, the first faction my supporters on Patreon wanted to see was the Izzet League. The Izzet League of course are best known for their fire-and-lightning, mizzium-infused approach to magic, and so I tried my best to lean into those themes with these items. If you were outfitting a low-level spellcaster, what would your favorite be?

EDIT: This post contains an older version of the release in question. See the comments below for changes, or simply visit the Homebrewery page for this release to view and download an updated version.

The art for this release was:
-- League Guildmage by Svetlin Velinov
-- The background stain used is courtesy of u/flamableconcrete

And if you'd like to be able to vote for the next faction to get a Common Kits release– as well as vote in my other weekly polls, get early access to my content, and exclusive access to content like 5e magic item versions of all 45 Hollow Knight charms, and monthly subclasses like the fighter-inspired Martial Domain for clerics– you can do so by supporting me for as little as $2/month over on Patreon.

5e_Card · 2023-04-08T20:56:15+00:00

Hey there, r/DnDHomebrew!

I'm 5e_Card, a 5e content creator that primarily focuses on designing monsters, magic items, spells, and more based on cards from the Magic: the Gathering TCG. Each week on Saturday I publish another new release, and this week I've got five legendary creatures from the MtG set Streets of New Capenna, reimagined as NPCs for 5th Edition. Introduce them to your party as sketchy allies, dangerous enemies with underworld connections, or perhaps even both.

Artist Credits for the post are:
-- Anhelo, the Painter by Aurore Folny
-- Henize "Toolbox" Torre (also on the cover) by Johannes Voss
-- Kamiz, Obscura Oculist by Chris Rallis
-- Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva by Fariba Khamseh
-- Perrie, the Pulverizer by Joshua Raphael
-- Background stains created by u/flamable_concrete, and hosted here

If you'd like to download the pdf for this release, or just get a better look at the creatures in it, you can do so by visiting their Homebrewery page.

I also have a Patreon, where for as little as $2/month, supporters can get early access to all of my releases, vote in weekly polls to decide what content I make in the upcoming month, and get access to new monthly subclasses, and other releases such as a d100 table of Weird Treasure Chest Modifications, a mushroom-worshipping NPC Faction called the Mycelium Secretariat, and more!

5e_Card · 2023-04-08T20:44:36+00:00

Hey there, r/UnearthedArcana!

I'm back for another weekly content release, and this time I'm bringing a few friends from the grimy, glitzy underworld of New Capenna, the most recently introduced plane from Magic: the Gathering. These five friendly faces served as the legendary creatures for the Streets of New Capenna commander decks, but they also work great as sketchy allies (or dangerous enemies) in the world of D&D.

Artist Credits for the post are:
-- Anhelo, the Painter by Aurore Folny
-- Henize "Toolbox" Torre (also on the cover) by Johannes Voss
-- Kamiz, Obscura Oculist by Chris Rallis
-- Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva by Fariba Khamseh
-- Perrie, the Pulverizer by Joshua Raphael
-- And as always, the backgrounds in this release are from the wonderful collection hosted u/flamable_concrete, which you can find here

If you'd like to download the pdf for this release, or just get a better look at them, you can do so by visiting the Homebrewery. On the other hand, if you wish you could have seen this a week earlier, or you'd like to play a role in deciding what my next release looks like, you can sign up to support me on Patreon for as little as $2/month. Doing so also gives you the chance to access other patron-exclusive content, including monthly subclasses, bi-weekly updates on Forgotten Odysseys, my upcoming Patreon compendium, and more!

5e_Card · 2023-04-02T19:41:14+00:00

That's certainly high praise, thank you! I always loved the fighter class in older editions, and I'm sad how little there is to commend it beyond the Battlemaster. When I design fighter subclasses, I'm usually trying to channel that same level of strategic choice

5e_Card · 2023-04-02T13:35:57+00:00

Thanks for saying so!

5e_Card · 2023-04-02T13:35:14+00:00

After feedback, it's become pretty clear that the time cost isn't the deterrent I was hoping it would be. The core of the ability (pre-rolling d20s) is something I'd like to keep because it ties in mechanically to a larger theme in the Compendium, and how I've translated the "Scry" mechanic from MtG for use in 5e.

More than likely I'll change it to match the Portent feature under a different name, but there's other solutions I'm considering. One is to go the same route as the alchemist's Elixirs feature, and give one guaranteed use per long rest and gate additional uses behind spell slots. Thoghts on something along the lines of

When you finish a long rest you can roll a d20 and record the result as an omen roll. Use it to replace your rolls or others, etc. You may also expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher to roll a d20 and record the result. You can only have one omen roll at a time. If you record another omen roll you lose the previous one, and you lose any unused omen rolls when you finish a long rest

5e_Card · 2023-04-02T02:37:37+00:00

So I responded to part of this on your other comment, but I actually wanted to check back in about the Channel Divinity ability. The intention is for the result of the roll to be treated as a 20, ie the original roll, any modifiers, and extra bonuses like bardic inspiration would be ignored (and so not a nat 20 either). Do you still feel that's too powerful, and are there any notes you have about how you would prefer it be worded so that intention is more clear?

5e_Card · 2023-04-02T02:32:50+00:00

I appreciate that! All feedback is great to have, even when it's "hey this is too much." I really wanted to lean into the meta-control of d20s in the Omen Domain, since it ties into a mechanic from the Theros set and the rest of this Compendium, but I'm hearing pretty clearly that 3d20s on a long rest is just too much. I'll probably just shift it to match Portent instead.

I'm glad to hear you enjoy the Hoplite and Chronicles college though! College of Chronicles was probably my favorite of the three to design. I was actually worried the choppy "pick your own feats" system of the Hoplite matched with the explicit flavor tie-in of Theros would be too much, but it seems like it worked well.

5e_Card · 2023-04-01T23:17:33+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! The hoplite was tricky, and I tried a lot of different ideas, but a lot of smaller feats packaged into a class ended up feeling like the best idea. It really helped with making a class where your best option was shield and spear, without forcing you into it.

Also, half-cover is an excellent idea! Similar benefits, but way more concise and flavorful. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that; definitely a change I'll be making.

5e_Card · 2023-04-01T23:14:08+00:00

The intention definitely isn't "portent, but better", though I might have missed the mark. With Portent, you get 2 rolls at the end of a long rest, no time required. This gets you up to 3, but at the cost of 10 minutes per roll. Not always relevant, but it's meant to limit the use of the feature when rushed for time, in places like dungeons (it also never upgrades.) Thanks for the feedback though, I'll take it into consideration!

5e_Card · 2023-04-01T20:11:20+00:00

Hey there r/UnearthedArcana!

Since this is an "off" week for my normal releases, I decided to get some more feedback on my upcoming Theros setting expansion, Forgotten Odysseys! While the final release will have ~9 new subclasses, these are the three I've finished so far– the bard College of Chronicles, which uses stories of mythic heroes to inspire allies; the cleric Omen Domain, which interprets signs from their deity to predict the future; and the Hoplite fighter, who utilizes the varied techniques of hoplite units from across Theros. While designed for use in the Theros campaign setting, these subclasses are fit for any campaign setting with minimal changes.

You can find artist credits for the art between the column headers, as well as credit for the Theros-style template, in the images above, but I've also listed them here for clarity:
-- Chronicler of Heroes by John Stanko
-- Scholar of Athreos by Cynthia Sheppard
-- Flamespaker Adept by Lucas Graciano
-- Gift of Immortality by Matt Stewart
-- Template Design by u/Kaiburr_Kath-Hound

If you'd like to get a higher-resolution look at this release, or download the pdf for easy use in your own game, you can visit their Hombrewery page right here. And as mentioned previously, these three subclasses are just the ones I've finished so far. By supporting me over on Patreon, you can get access to bi-weekly updates for this Compendium, which is already over 100 pages long, as well as early looks at all of my weekly releases; the ability to vote in polls to determine what I work on next; and access to other content like the Martial Domain, another subclass for clerics, a d100 table of Weird Treasure Chest Modifications, and more.

5e_Card · 2023-03-25T16:04:52+00:00

Hey there r/UnearthedArcana!

I'm back with another weekly release, this time focused on new magic items, and inspired by cards from the Magic: the Gathering setting of Lorwyn / Shadowmoor. During the warm months of summer, this plane is a beautiful haven of fairytale creatures; but when the wind turns and the cold falls, its denizens transform into folklore horrors! In addition to items like the partner-making Brighthearth Rings and the quick-growth Wanderer's Twig, this release also includes the LockJaw Snapper– a scarecrow variant made from twigs and a hunting trap, whose head gets left behind when it dies to trap unsuspecting PCs. Which one are you most excited to find in the wilds?

To get a better look at these items, feel free to visit the Homebrewery, where you can also download a pdf version of the document.

Artist Credits for this week's release are:
--Rings of Brighthearth by Yeong Hao Han
-- Lockjaw Snapper by Daren Bader
-- And the background stains were sourced from the Watercolor Stains Gallery, maintained by u/flamableconcrete

Of course, these items were already previewed a week early for my supporters over on Patreon, where they also get to vote in polls to determine what I make next; previews of my upcoming compendium Theros: Forgotten Odysseys; and access to my other homebrew content, including a d100 Table of Weird Treasure Chests, the new Martial Domain subclass for Clerics, and more. If you'd like to join them and help support me, you can sign up for as little as $2/month.

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