D&D 5E D&D Essentials . . . New Sidekick Rules

JPL · Jun 30, 2019

I don't even have the box yet, but I'm really hung up on checking out these new sidekick rules.

For younger players --- like my kids --- I have a notion to stat up an expert, with character concept of a know-it-all sage, who can explain monsters and magic and other unfamiliar concepts, but when it comes to combat, he will almost always use Dodge for his action and Help for his bonus action . . . he's always buffing the PC, and doesn't get his too often, and steals none of the glory.

If I were up for a Dungeonmaster's Guild project, I think it would be to team up with a good artist to make a whole book of quirky sidekicks, ready to fill out a party as needed.

Charlaquin · Jun 30, 2019

I think the essentials kit already contains a large number of quirky sidekicks ready to fill out a party as needed. Not that more would be a bad thing by any means.

MockingBird · Jun 30, 2019

I think it's only nine in total. A book of side kicks with portraits for each one would be a fabulous idea in my opinion. Younger gamers like to see who they are hiring and adventuring with.

Paul Farquhar · Jul 1, 2019

"Younger" being anyone under the age of 90.

MurlyndX · Jul 2, 2019

JPL said:
...make a whole book of quirky sidekicks, ready to fill out a party as needed.

I'm actually online this morning looking for this very kind of thing and thinking I could probably just make my own.

I haven't analysed the UA or Essentials versions of characters yet, but have it running through my mind it shouldn't be to hard to develop some specialized ones. I like your Sage sidekick idea. That would definitely help in a campaign with a heavy lore component as well.

JPL · Jul 2, 2019

Always did like the notion of a sage who occasionally adventures, and I like the "guy who memorized the Monster Manual" schtick by Fishlegs from "How to Train Your Dragon."

The obvious choices for Expert are probably Knowledge Guy, Scout Guy, and Talking Guy. I feel like there's a good build for Generalist Henchman, but I don't quite have it figured out yet.

Sacrosanct · Jul 2, 2019

MockingBird said:
I think it's only nine in total. A book of side kicks with portraits for each one would be a fabulous idea in my opinion. Younger gamers like to see who they are hiring and adventuring with.

I actually did this years ago, but it was a book of NPC personalities. Time to brush it off and update it I guess

Paul Farquhar · Jul 2, 2019

Old guy who is six days out from retirement...

Monayuris · Jul 3, 2019

MockingBird said:
I think it's only nine in total. A book of side kicks with portraits for each one would be a fabulous idea in my opinion. Younger gamers like to see who they are hiring and adventuring with.

Check out Courtney Campbell's Hackslashmaster blog. He does a series on henchmen / sidekicks that has portraits and personality traits.

http://hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/2019/06/on-henchmen-collected.html

MurlyndX · Jul 6, 2019

So....just putzing with this idea...very rough

https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/ryKt8t0lS

Wanted something with a cross between Magic user type and healer type. No offensive spells.

I think it may still be a tad too much.