Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shades of Eternity" data-source="post: 9810047" data-attributes="member: 10869">okany spells should be1. useful2. thematicIf I can reskin a spell, I will.so before I do that, what do you expect?I'll post my own opinions later.in the meantime<h2>Gargoyle Class Synergy Guide (5e)</h2>How a living statue fits into every class—and how every class transforms the gargoyle experience.<h2>Barbarian — “The Living Siege Engine”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★★Theme: You’re an avalanche with fists.Why It Works·       Rage stacks beautifully with natural armor + stone resistances.·       Ruin-Born and Fortress-Born are particularly terrifying.·       Glide gives you “controlled leaps” for aerial charge attacks.Playstyle Notes·       Think wrecker-ball barbarian: leap from heights and smash.·       Stone Sleep can be used to “tank mode” after fights: turn to stone and block passages.Best Feats·       Stoneheart Disciple·       Fortress Frame (if using optional feat list)<h2>Bard — “The Echo of Forgotten Halls”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★☆☆Theme: A literal living legend performing stories carved into your body.Why It Works·       Scholar-Carved gargoyles are natural loremasters.·       Glamour and Whispers fit the gothic statue aesthetic.Playstyle Notes·       Performances take on a physical dimension: mask changes, glowing runes, shifting reliefs.·       Their voice echoes like a cathedral hall.Best Feats·       Echo-Carved Memory·       Architect’s Blessing (Academic)<h2>Cleric — “The Warden Returned to Life”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★★Theme: The very stone of the temple fights alongside the faithful.Why It Works·       Cathedral-Born fits seamlessly with divine classes.·       Natural armor + Stone Sleep makes you durable front-line support.·       Many gargoyles feel “called” to a deity that echoes their origin structure.Domain Suggestions·       Light (stained glass veins flare bright)·       War (fortress-born protector)·       Grave (broken statues guarding tombs)Best Feats·       Saint’s Chisel (if using your divine-themed feat list)·       Architect’s Blessing (Holy)<h2>Druid — “The Stone That Remembers Life”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★☆☆☆Theme: A strange but flavorful fit.Why It Works·       A gargoyle druid is rare and mystic, like a fossil learning to breathe again.Challenges·       Wild Shape competes with your already-high defenses.·       Some circles (Moon) feel redundant; others (Stars, Spores, Land: Mountain) feel perfect.Best Feats·       Echo-Carved Memory·       Stoneheart Disciple (for extra durability in non-WS builds)<h2>Fighter — “The Perfect Castle Defender”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★★Theme: The ideal martial chassis: defensive, aerial, ambush-friendly.Why It Works·       Fighters love AC; gargoyles give free AC + damage resist options.·       Action Surge + Glide = brutal aerial dives.·       Battle Master and Rune Knight shine.Subclass Suggestions·       Battle Master (stone precision)·       Rune Knight (animated statuesque power)·       Cavalier (a living bulwark)·       Arcane Archer (cathedral spire sniper)Best Feats·       Stoneheart Disciple·       Gargoyle Wings (unlocking partial flight at mid-level)<h2>Monk — “The Carved Ascetic”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★☆Theme: A statue learning to move with impossible grace.Why It Works·       Monk mobility + gargoyle glide = perfect synergy.·       Stunning Strike + monstrous visage = chef’s kiss.·       Medical-Grotesque monks can reflavor Ki as “humoral release.”Subclass Suggestions·       Open Hand (classic martial statue)·       Mercy (anatomist healing/poison themes)·       Shadow (gargoyles lurking on parapets)Best Feats·       Balanced Chisel Stance (your monk-themed feat if you create one)<h2>Paladin — “Sacred Gatekeeper”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★☆Theme: The temple’s guardian learned to speak and now smites evil.Why It Works·       Synergistic smites + durable stone body.·       A gargoyle paladin’s oath often echoes its birthplace.Suggested Oaths·       Oath of the Ancients (living myth)·       Oath of Watchers (sentinel of the high spire)·       Oath of Devotion (classic warden)·       Oath of Vengeance (fallen guardian seeking retribution)Best Feats·       Architect’s Blessing (Holy)·       Stoneheart Disciple<h2>Ranger — “Hunter of Rooftops”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★☆☆Theme: A rooftop stalker, silent as masonry.Why It Works·       Ruin-Born stealth + Glide = natural ambusher.·       Perfect for urban rangers.Favored Terrain Suggestions·       Urban·       Mountain·       Swamp (for ruin-born)Best Feats·       Cliff-Wing Ambusher (your ranger-themed feat if you make one)<h2>Rogue — “The Living Gargoyle Gargoyles”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★☆☆ (★★★★☆ for Ruin-Born)Theme: The world’s least expected burglar—because you look like décor.Why It Works·       False Appearance is a god-level stealth tool.·       Sneak Attack from height using glide is thematic and deadly.·       Medical-Grotesques make good assassins (acid/poison reskin).Best Subclasses·       Arcane Trickster (glyphs glow as you cast illusions)·       Assassin (stone-still ambush predator)·       Scout (glide + mobility)<h2>Sorcerer — “The Glyph-Born Prodigy”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★☆Theme: Magic carved into your marrow.Why It Works·       Scholar-Carved gargoyles shine here.·       Draconic or Stoneblood origins mesh perfectly.·       Natural armor lets you be a tankier blaster.Best Feats·       Echo-Carved Memory·       Font of Stone (your sorcerer-themed feat idea)<h2>Warlock — “The Statue With a Patron”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★☆Theme: An ancient gargoyle forged a pact when the world shifted.Why It Works·       Great-Axe of a silhouette + eldritch blast = gothic aesthetic.·       Amazing flavor for Archfey, Great Old One, or Undying patrons.·       Ruin-born = creepy sentinel warlocksBest Subclasses·       Undying (stone and undeath parallels)·       Great Old One (eldritch statue)·       Archfey (animated grotesque with glamours)Best Feats·       Architect’s Blessing (Arcane)<h2>Wizard — “The Living Grimoire”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★☆Theme: A gargoyle with glowing runes for veins.Why It Works·   Scholar-Carved gargoyles are practically built for wizardry.·   Your body can literally store spell formulae.·   Stone Sleep protects you during long study sessions.Good Schools·       Abjuration (living ward)·       Divination (runic insight)·       Transmutation (stone-flesh mastery)·       Graviturgy/Chronurgy (weeping angel flavor)Best Feats·       Echo-Carved Memory·       Architect’s Blessing (Arcane)<h2>Artificer — “Stonework Applied”</h2>Synergy Rating: ★★★★★Theme: A living sculpture with embedded magical machinery.Why It Works·       Medical-Grotesques = biomechanical masterpieces.·       Armorers enjoy combining stone skin with arcane plating.·       Artillerists can perch on high spires and bombard.·       Battlesmiths treat their own body as crafted construct.Best Feats·       Mechanist’s Keystone (your artificer-themed feat)<h2>Summary Table</h2> <table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Class</td><td>Synergy</td><td>Notes</td></tr><tr><td>Barbarian</td><td>★★★★★</td><td>Best frontline gargoyle</td></tr><tr><td>Fighter</td><td>★★★★★</td><td>AC and mobility</td></tr><tr><td>Artificer</td><td>★★★★★</td><td>“Tech gargoyles” shine</td></tr><tr><td>Cleric</td><td>★★★★★</td><td>Cathedral-born glory</td></tr><tr><td>Paladin</td><td>★★★★☆</td><td>Temple guardian</td></tr><tr><td>Monk</td><td>★★★★☆</td><td>Animated statue grace</td></tr><tr><td>Wizard</td><td>★★★★☆</td><td>Scholar-Carved perfection</td></tr><tr><td>Warlock</td><td>★★★★☆</td><td>Gothic pact aesthetic</td></tr><tr><td>Sorcerer</td><td>★★★★☆</td><td>Innate runic power</td></tr><tr><td>Ranger</td><td>★★★☆☆</td><td>Rooftop stalker</td></tr><tr><td>Rogue</td><td>★★★☆☆</td><td>Ambush predator</td></tr><tr><td>Bard</td><td>★★★☆☆</td><td>Echo performer</td></tr><tr><td>Druid</td><td>★★☆☆☆</td><td>Weird but flavorful</td></tr></table> Gargoyle, Scholar-Carved (Mnemonic)CR 6 • Medium Elemental (Gargoyle) • Lawful NeutralAppearance:A Scholar-Carved Gargoyle looks like a living monument to knowledge.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Its stone is etched with scripture, marginalia, diagrams, and arcane glyphs, many too small for mortal eyes.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Its horns curve like quills or styluses, and its tail ends in a broad scribe’s chisel.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Its wings unfurl like stone-paper pages, covered in carved commentary and citations.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thin rivulets of black, ink-like humor leak from its joints, glowing faintly when it reads memories, casts runes, or enters battle.</li> </ul>Stat BlockGargoyle, Scholar-Carved (Mnemonic)Medium elemental, lawful neutralArmor Class 16 (natural armor)Hit Points 95 (10d8 + 50)Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., glide (see Glide Wings below)STR 16 (+3)DEX 14 (+2)CON 20 (+5)INT 16 (+3)WIS 12 (+1)CHA 10 (+0)Saving Throws Int +6, Con +8Skills Arcana +6, History +6, Investigation +6, Perception +4Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacksDamage Immunities poison, psychicCondition Immunities exhaustion, petrified, poisonedSenses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14Languages Terran, plus one ancient or forgotten scriptChallenge 6 (2,300 XP)Proficiency Bonus +3TRAITSFalse Appearance (Inscribed Statue)While the gargoyle remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an inanimate stone statue or carved frieze. Creatures have disadvantage on Perception and Investigation checks to identify it as living. A creature with Stonecunning or magical stone-reading abilities automatically recognizes subtle signs of life.Rune-Memory LatticeThe Scholar-Carved Gargoyle records impressions from its environment. It has advantage on all Intelligence checks, and can recall anything it has seen or heard within the past 100 years with perfect clarity.Ink Humor (Reactions & Utility)A magical alchemical “ink” circulates through its body.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">As a bonus action, it may cause stone glyphs on its body to glow, granting advantage on its next Arcana or Investigation check.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">When struck by a creature within 5 feet, it may (reaction) spatter inky runes; the attacker must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom save or suffer disadvantage on its next attack roll as its thoughts are clouded with alien script.</li> </ul>Glide WingsThe gargoyle cannot truly fly, but can glide. When falling, it may move 20 ft. horizontally per 10 ft. of descent and takes no falling damage.Spell-Etched Mind (Psuedo-Caster)The gargoyle can channel its runes into minor magical effects. It casts the following spells, requiring no components:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">At will: mage hand, detect magic, comprehend languages</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">3/day: shield, identify, detect thoughts</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">1/day: glyph of warding (rune-carved on its own body; typically stores hold person or thunderwave)</li> </ul>Spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks).ACTIONSMultiattackThe gargoyle makes two Rune-Carved Claw attacks.Rune-Carved ClawsMelee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) psychic or force damage (its choice).Mnemonic Pulse (Recharge 5–6)The gargoyle releases a blast of glowing script and whispered recollections.Each creature within 15 feet must make a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw.On a failure:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">18 (4d8) psychic damage,</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">and the creature suffers disadvantage on Intelligence and Wisdom checks until the end of its next turn.</li> </ul>On a success: half damage, no penalty.Inkstream BoltRanged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one target.Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) psychic damage, and the target’s mind is momentarily overrun with swirling script: it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom save or be unable to take reactions until the start of its next turn.REACTIONSRunic CountermeasureWhen the gargoyle or a nearby stone surface is targeted by a spell, the gargoyle can activate a defensive glyph.It gains +2 to AC or to one saving throw vs. that spell, potentially causing the spell to fail.TACTICSScholar-Carved gargoyles prefer:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">High ground and stone walls</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Opening with Mnemonic Pulse</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Using Inkstream Bolt to disable casters</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Withdrawing into bas-relief or script-covered alcoves to ambush again</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Fighting only when defending libraries, reliquaries, archives, or wizard towers</li> </ul>They are the most contemplative, least overtly hostile of gargoyles—but can become terrifying when protecting knowledge.</blockquote>

Verification