Is this homebrew Mind Flayer race balanced?
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
I have found a homebrew Mind Flayer race* and am wondering if it is reasonably well balanced against other races.
I have removed the fluff like age etc and just left the important parts.
My personal conclusion is that it possibly on the strong side, but still remaining within the bounds of power.
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Charisma score
increases by 1.
Size.
Most illithids are taller than humans, but their bodies are slender,
weighing much less than an average being of their stature. Your size
is Medium.
Speed.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision.
You have darkvision up to a range of 60 ft.
Magic Resistance.
You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Mind Blast.
You may use your action to attack anything in front of you with a mind
blast. When you use your mind blast, each creature in a 15 ft. cone
must make an Intelligence saving throw equal to 8 + your Intelligence
modifier + your proficiency bonus.
A creature takes 2d6 psychic damage on a failed save, and half as much
damage on a successful save. This damage increases to 3d6 at 6th
level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your
mind blast, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long
rest.
Devour Brain.
If you consume the brain of a recently deceased creature, you briefly
interface with its mind. By doing so, you learn at least one piece of
useful information the creature knew.
Telepathy.
You can speak telepathically to any creature within 120 feet of you. A
creature understands you only if the two of you share a language.
Languages.
You can speak, read, and write, Common and Undercommon, and can read
and write Qualith.
*I can't remember where I found this, so apologies to the creator to whom I can't credit.
dnd-5e homebrew racial-traits
add a comment |
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
I have found a homebrew Mind Flayer race* and am wondering if it is reasonably well balanced against other races.
I have removed the fluff like age etc and just left the important parts.
My personal conclusion is that it possibly on the strong side, but still remaining within the bounds of power.
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Charisma score
increases by 1.
Size.
Most illithids are taller than humans, but their bodies are slender,
weighing much less than an average being of their stature. Your size
is Medium.
Speed.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision.
You have darkvision up to a range of 60 ft.
Magic Resistance.
You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Mind Blast.
You may use your action to attack anything in front of you with a mind
blast. When you use your mind blast, each creature in a 15 ft. cone
must make an Intelligence saving throw equal to 8 + your Intelligence
modifier + your proficiency bonus.
A creature takes 2d6 psychic damage on a failed save, and half as much
damage on a successful save. This damage increases to 3d6 at 6th
level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your
mind blast, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long
rest.
Devour Brain.
If you consume the brain of a recently deceased creature, you briefly
interface with its mind. By doing so, you learn at least one piece of
useful information the creature knew.
Telepathy.
You can speak telepathically to any creature within 120 feet of you. A
creature understands you only if the two of you share a language.
Languages.
You can speak, read, and write, Common and Undercommon, and can read
and write Qualith.
*I can't remember where I found this, so apologies to the creator to whom I can't credit.
dnd-5e homebrew racial-traits
2
Could this be the source?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 20 at 17:54
@Rubiksmoose that could have been inspiration for the source (And possibly the same author) but it is a PDF that I downloaded from somewhere.
– SeriousBri
Nov 22 at 11:51
add a comment |
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
I have found a homebrew Mind Flayer race* and am wondering if it is reasonably well balanced against other races.
I have removed the fluff like age etc and just left the important parts.
My personal conclusion is that it possibly on the strong side, but still remaining within the bounds of power.
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Charisma score
increases by 1.
Size.
Most illithids are taller than humans, but their bodies are slender,
weighing much less than an average being of their stature. Your size
is Medium.
Speed.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision.
You have darkvision up to a range of 60 ft.
Magic Resistance.
You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Mind Blast.
You may use your action to attack anything in front of you with a mind
blast. When you use your mind blast, each creature in a 15 ft. cone
must make an Intelligence saving throw equal to 8 + your Intelligence
modifier + your proficiency bonus.
A creature takes 2d6 psychic damage on a failed save, and half as much
damage on a successful save. This damage increases to 3d6 at 6th
level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your
mind blast, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long
rest.
Devour Brain.
If you consume the brain of a recently deceased creature, you briefly
interface with its mind. By doing so, you learn at least one piece of
useful information the creature knew.
Telepathy.
You can speak telepathically to any creature within 120 feet of you. A
creature understands you only if the two of you share a language.
Languages.
You can speak, read, and write, Common and Undercommon, and can read
and write Qualith.
*I can't remember where I found this, so apologies to the creator to whom I can't credit.
dnd-5e homebrew racial-traits
I have found a homebrew Mind Flayer race* and am wondering if it is reasonably well balanced against other races.
I have removed the fluff like age etc and just left the important parts.
My personal conclusion is that it possibly on the strong side, but still remaining within the bounds of power.
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Charisma score
increases by 1.
Size.
Most illithids are taller than humans, but their bodies are slender,
weighing much less than an average being of their stature. Your size
is Medium.
Speed.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision.
You have darkvision up to a range of 60 ft.
Magic Resistance.
You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Mind Blast.
You may use your action to attack anything in front of you with a mind
blast. When you use your mind blast, each creature in a 15 ft. cone
must make an Intelligence saving throw equal to 8 + your Intelligence
modifier + your proficiency bonus.
A creature takes 2d6 psychic damage on a failed save, and half as much
damage on a successful save. This damage increases to 3d6 at 6th
level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your
mind blast, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long
rest.
Devour Brain.
If you consume the brain of a recently deceased creature, you briefly
interface with its mind. By doing so, you learn at least one piece of
useful information the creature knew.
Telepathy.
You can speak telepathically to any creature within 120 feet of you. A
creature understands you only if the two of you share a language.
Languages.
You can speak, read, and write, Common and Undercommon, and can read
and write Qualith.
*I can't remember where I found this, so apologies to the creator to whom I can't credit.
dnd-5e homebrew racial-traits
dnd-5e homebrew racial-traits
edited Nov 20 at 13:54
Slagmoth
16.8k14793
16.8k14793
asked Nov 20 at 13:12
SeriousBri
5,35521547
5,35521547
2
Could this be the source?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 20 at 17:54
@Rubiksmoose that could have been inspiration for the source (And possibly the same author) but it is a PDF that I downloaded from somewhere.
– SeriousBri
Nov 22 at 11:51
add a comment |
2
Could this be the source?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 20 at 17:54
@Rubiksmoose that could have been inspiration for the source (And possibly the same author) but it is a PDF that I downloaded from somewhere.
– SeriousBri
Nov 22 at 11:51
2
2
Could this be the source?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 20 at 17:54
Could this be the source?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 20 at 17:54
@Rubiksmoose that could have been inspiration for the source (And possibly the same author) but it is a PDF that I downloaded from somewhere.
– SeriousBri
Nov 22 at 11:51
@Rubiksmoose that could have been inspiration for the source (And possibly the same author) but it is a PDF that I downloaded from somewhere.
– SeriousBri
Nov 22 at 11:51
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
30
down vote
accepted
So, taking these one at a time...
ASI, Speed, Size, and Darkvision
Normal, moving on
Magic Resistance
Equivalent to the Magic Resistance trait of the Yuan-ti from Volo's Guide. Even on the Yuan-ti, this trait is considered overpowered.
Mind Blast
At its base, this is a reworded carbon copy of the dragonborn's Breath Weapon. However, it targets an Int Save and deals Psychic damage. Int Saves are relatively rare, and a lot more creatures have a low Int score than have a low Dex/Con score. Additionally, elemental resistance/immunity is more common than psychic.
Devour Brain
Hard to quantify. Depends on the sort of campaign you are running. But it's probably fine
Telepathy
Longer range than what a Kalashtar has, but is limited by a shared language and doesn't allow return communication. This is probably fine
Languages
Again, normal. Though as a minor nitpick, I'd note that Mind Flayers generally do not speak Common.
Summary
Magic Resistance is significantly stronger than any other race's ability to resist harm. For that alone, I would hesitate to allow this at my table. Pair this together with the built-in AoE that is a bit better than the dragonborn's, and I'd rate this race as notably more potent than average. Probably not gamebreakingly powerful unless you were in a game with a TON of magic-using foes...but certainly more powerful than standard races.
5
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
4
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
8
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
10
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
30
down vote
accepted
So, taking these one at a time...
ASI, Speed, Size, and Darkvision
Normal, moving on
Magic Resistance
Equivalent to the Magic Resistance trait of the Yuan-ti from Volo's Guide. Even on the Yuan-ti, this trait is considered overpowered.
Mind Blast
At its base, this is a reworded carbon copy of the dragonborn's Breath Weapon. However, it targets an Int Save and deals Psychic damage. Int Saves are relatively rare, and a lot more creatures have a low Int score than have a low Dex/Con score. Additionally, elemental resistance/immunity is more common than psychic.
Devour Brain
Hard to quantify. Depends on the sort of campaign you are running. But it's probably fine
Telepathy
Longer range than what a Kalashtar has, but is limited by a shared language and doesn't allow return communication. This is probably fine
Languages
Again, normal. Though as a minor nitpick, I'd note that Mind Flayers generally do not speak Common.
Summary
Magic Resistance is significantly stronger than any other race's ability to resist harm. For that alone, I would hesitate to allow this at my table. Pair this together with the built-in AoE that is a bit better than the dragonborn's, and I'd rate this race as notably more potent than average. Probably not gamebreakingly powerful unless you were in a game with a TON of magic-using foes...but certainly more powerful than standard races.
5
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
4
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
8
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
10
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
30
down vote
accepted
So, taking these one at a time...
ASI, Speed, Size, and Darkvision
Normal, moving on
Magic Resistance
Equivalent to the Magic Resistance trait of the Yuan-ti from Volo's Guide. Even on the Yuan-ti, this trait is considered overpowered.
Mind Blast
At its base, this is a reworded carbon copy of the dragonborn's Breath Weapon. However, it targets an Int Save and deals Psychic damage. Int Saves are relatively rare, and a lot more creatures have a low Int score than have a low Dex/Con score. Additionally, elemental resistance/immunity is more common than psychic.
Devour Brain
Hard to quantify. Depends on the sort of campaign you are running. But it's probably fine
Telepathy
Longer range than what a Kalashtar has, but is limited by a shared language and doesn't allow return communication. This is probably fine
Languages
Again, normal. Though as a minor nitpick, I'd note that Mind Flayers generally do not speak Common.
Summary
Magic Resistance is significantly stronger than any other race's ability to resist harm. For that alone, I would hesitate to allow this at my table. Pair this together with the built-in AoE that is a bit better than the dragonborn's, and I'd rate this race as notably more potent than average. Probably not gamebreakingly powerful unless you were in a game with a TON of magic-using foes...but certainly more powerful than standard races.
5
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
4
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
8
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
10
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
30
down vote
accepted
up vote
30
down vote
accepted
So, taking these one at a time...
ASI, Speed, Size, and Darkvision
Normal, moving on
Magic Resistance
Equivalent to the Magic Resistance trait of the Yuan-ti from Volo's Guide. Even on the Yuan-ti, this trait is considered overpowered.
Mind Blast
At its base, this is a reworded carbon copy of the dragonborn's Breath Weapon. However, it targets an Int Save and deals Psychic damage. Int Saves are relatively rare, and a lot more creatures have a low Int score than have a low Dex/Con score. Additionally, elemental resistance/immunity is more common than psychic.
Devour Brain
Hard to quantify. Depends on the sort of campaign you are running. But it's probably fine
Telepathy
Longer range than what a Kalashtar has, but is limited by a shared language and doesn't allow return communication. This is probably fine
Languages
Again, normal. Though as a minor nitpick, I'd note that Mind Flayers generally do not speak Common.
Summary
Magic Resistance is significantly stronger than any other race's ability to resist harm. For that alone, I would hesitate to allow this at my table. Pair this together with the built-in AoE that is a bit better than the dragonborn's, and I'd rate this race as notably more potent than average. Probably not gamebreakingly powerful unless you were in a game with a TON of magic-using foes...but certainly more powerful than standard races.
So, taking these one at a time...
ASI, Speed, Size, and Darkvision
Normal, moving on
Magic Resistance
Equivalent to the Magic Resistance trait of the Yuan-ti from Volo's Guide. Even on the Yuan-ti, this trait is considered overpowered.
Mind Blast
At its base, this is a reworded carbon copy of the dragonborn's Breath Weapon. However, it targets an Int Save and deals Psychic damage. Int Saves are relatively rare, and a lot more creatures have a low Int score than have a low Dex/Con score. Additionally, elemental resistance/immunity is more common than psychic.
Devour Brain
Hard to quantify. Depends on the sort of campaign you are running. But it's probably fine
Telepathy
Longer range than what a Kalashtar has, but is limited by a shared language and doesn't allow return communication. This is probably fine
Languages
Again, normal. Though as a minor nitpick, I'd note that Mind Flayers generally do not speak Common.
Summary
Magic Resistance is significantly stronger than any other race's ability to resist harm. For that alone, I would hesitate to allow this at my table. Pair this together with the built-in AoE that is a bit better than the dragonborn's, and I'd rate this race as notably more potent than average. Probably not gamebreakingly powerful unless you were in a game with a TON of magic-using foes...but certainly more powerful than standard races.
edited Nov 20 at 15:29
David Coffron
31.9k2109220
31.9k2109220
answered Nov 20 at 13:43
guildsbounty
32.4k5136162
32.4k5136162
5
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
4
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
8
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
10
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
5
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
4
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
8
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
10
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
5
5
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
I'm not sure you can say that Mind Blast is a carbon copy of dragonborn's breath weapon. The save is Int, which is an uncommon save; furthermore, increasing the DC is based upon Int, which means that this save could get much higher than average for certain characters.
– Pyrotechnical
Nov 20 at 13:47
4
4
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
Magic Resistance is the same as the Yuan-Ti from Volo's, which is considered too strong by most people.
– Theik
Nov 20 at 13:48
8
8
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
I would argue that Mind Blast is actually slightly more powerfull then The breath weapon of dragonborn's as it requires a Int save which is lower then des/con in a lot of monsters especially minions/enemies that want to come close enough to be caught in a cone.
– Dinomaster
Nov 20 at 13:49
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
Thanks for the input, updates applied.
– guildsbounty
Nov 20 at 14:15
10
10
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
Note that while Elemental resistance is more common than Psychic resistance, Psychic immunity is very common. Constructs, most undead, and many extra-planar beings ignore Psychic attacks entirely.
– GreySage
Nov 20 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f135949%2fis-this-homebrew-mind-flayer-race-balanced%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
2
Could this be the source?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 20 at 17:54
@Rubiksmoose that could have been inspiration for the source (And possibly the same author) but it is a PDF that I downloaded from somewhere.
– SeriousBri
Nov 22 at 11:51