D&D 5E Brainstorming ideas for a Stress system

[Charlaquin]

Level 6: character soils armor.

What about a die to roll that acts as a penalty to all rolls that aren't fight or flight? Gain a level, use the next higher die type.

Nice, simple solution. I’ll probably stick with the more Exhaustion-like effects, but this would be a great alternative if you want something a bit more streamlined.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

It has to be something fast and simple. I imagine something like a 1-20 points. Some points of stress may help because you are stronger by the adrelanine and your level of alert is higher, but you can fail a "panic check" and then suffering some effect, and usually your concentration is worse..

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I wonder if there are other spell effects we could mine for other levels.

Well...there's Psychic Scream...but having your head explode might be a little much

Other fun spell effects:

• Confusion
• Eyebite
• Compulsion (by the DM)
• 24-hours long Contact Other Plane (save after each hour)
• Dream (by the DM)
• Synaptic static

EDIT: Sympathy/Antipathy

 

[Charlaquin]

What do y’all think of this table:

Stress

Level	Effect
1	Character suffers the Frightened condition regarding their Fears.
2	-5 to all saving throw DCs, unable to maintain concentration.
3	Attack rolls against the character have advantage.
4	Automatically fail Wisdom and Charisma saving throws.
5	Unable to take actions or reactions other than dash, disengage, dodge, or hide.
6	Unable to understand language or communicate in any meaningful way. Permanently gain a new Fear.

As mentioned earlier, players would be able to choose to gain Inspiration and make a roll to resist gaining a level of Stress whenever they encounter one of their Fears, in addition to the triggers suggested in Van Richten’s Guide.