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Homebrewing a PC race: Gorgons
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<blockquote data-quote="QuietBrowser" data-source="post: 7338861" data-attributes="member: 6855057"><p>[MENTION=6799753]lowkey13[/MENTION]: I'm not saying you don't have a valid point in that the old race was overpowered, because I aggreed with the others who made the same commentary. I just can't get over the fact that you actually cite both the Gith (a UA creation, when UA is notoriously unreliable in its balancing) and the Dragonborn (widely regarded as the weakest and most uninteresting race in basic 5e).</p><p></p><p>Anyway, to all my interested assistants, stepping aside from feats for a moment, I figured it was time to try and take a fresh shot at the Gorgon's core stats. Tell me, how does this look? I'd still like to give the race some options in what its gazes can do, but let's leave that aside for the moment.</p><p></p><p>...In fact, let's actually leave the gaze attack aside completely for the moment. First, let's look at the true "core" of the race...</p><p></p><p><u>Gorgon, mk 2:</u></p><p><strong>Ability Score Modifiers:</strong> +2 Charisma, +1 Constitution</p><p><strong>Size:</strong> Medium</p><p><strong>Speed:</strong> 30 feet</p><p><strong>Vision:</strong> Darkvision 60 feet</p><p><strong>Venom-Kissed:</strong> You have Resistance to Poison damage and Advantage on saving throws against Poison and Disease.</p><p><strong>Writhing Mane:</strong> Your head is adorned with myriad prehensile, serpentine tails in lieu of hair, which can accomplish any task that a pair of hands could functionally do. It does not grant you either extra attacks or extra actions per turn. It does grant you Advantage on Grappling checks made to grapple another being.</p><p><strong>Evil Eyes:</strong> Spells that you cast that make a Spell Attack roll at Range or that force a Saving Throw at Range can be cast as a Gaze Attack. When you do so, you count as your own Arcane or Divine Focus, and you don't need to use Verbal or Somatic components. However, range is reduced to 30' and the target must meet your gaze to be affected; if the spell could normally affect multiple targets, all targets must meet your gaze. If there is a mirrored surface in your line of sight and within 30' when you use the power, you are affected by your own gaze.</p><p></p><p>Incidentally, I like the idea of a gorgon spellcaster being able to cast spells through their gaze, but I would understand perfectly if that's an ability that needs to be shuffled off to a feat, because it is kind of a gimmick and may be too strong for a basic racial trait.</p><p></p><p>Now, let's talk Gaze Attacks. Are there any complaints about this basic mechanic outline below? I will put forth a reminder that the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon does the amount of damage <strong>and</strong> hits multiple targets (5ft by 30ft line or 15ft cone, depending on breed) <strong>and</strong> does not have the specific requirements to actually affect someone.</p><p></p><p>In fact... maybe I should cut out the "you must meet their eyes" aspect entirely? We're all familiar with the "gaze attack via rays" mechanic, we see it often enough in media...</p><p></p><p><strong>Gaze Attack:</strong> As a bonus action, you can unleash a gaze attack on a single creature within 30 feet that you can see and which can see your eyes. The targeted creature must make a Constitution saving throw, with a DC of 8 + your Charisma modifier + your Proficiency bonus. On a failed save, the target takes 2d6 damage and suffers an after-effect. On a successful save, the victim only takes half-damage. The damage inflicted by a failed save increases by +1d6 at levels 6 (3d6), 11 (4d6) and 16 (5d6). Once you have used your Gaze Attack, you must complete a short rest before you can use it again.</p><p></p><p>Anyway! If this above is a solid outline for the basic underlying mechanics of how Gaze Attacks work, let's talk turkey on how it can be a variable trait.</p><p></p><p>We're all united on the idea that actual Condition imposing is too strong, even for a 1/encounter power that only inflicts the effect for 1 turn. That's fine. But what about the "cosmetic mangling of a corpse" effect? Quickleaf seems to be expressing the opinion that this is functionally aflavor ribbon, and so a harmless addendum?</p><p></p><p>More importantly, my big questions are:</p><p>1 - What kinds of damage can the gaze attack inflict? "Stoning" is out, but Necrotic, Fire, Frost, Poison (basilisk and medusas in 4e both had variants who had poisonous gaze attacks), and Psychic all seem viable, yes?</p><p>2 - Should I consider going full subrace with the different gaze-breeds? Or is the core race too full of feats as-is to allow for that?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="QuietBrowser, post: 7338861, member: 6855057"] [MENTION=6799753]lowkey13[/MENTION]: I'm not saying you don't have a valid point in that the old race was overpowered, because I aggreed with the others who made the same commentary. I just can't get over the fact that you actually cite both the Gith (a UA creation, when UA is notoriously unreliable in its balancing) and the Dragonborn (widely regarded as the weakest and most uninteresting race in basic 5e). Anyway, to all my interested assistants, stepping aside from feats for a moment, I figured it was time to try and take a fresh shot at the Gorgon's core stats. Tell me, how does this look? I'd still like to give the race some options in what its gazes can do, but let's leave that aside for the moment. ...In fact, let's actually leave the gaze attack aside completely for the moment. First, let's look at the true "core" of the race... [U]Gorgon, mk 2:[/U] [B]Ability Score Modifiers:[/B] +2 Charisma, +1 Constitution [B]Size:[/B] Medium [B]Speed:[/B] 30 feet [B]Vision:[/B] Darkvision 60 feet [B]Venom-Kissed:[/B] You have Resistance to Poison damage and Advantage on saving throws against Poison and Disease. [B]Writhing Mane:[/B] Your head is adorned with myriad prehensile, serpentine tails in lieu of hair, which can accomplish any task that a pair of hands could functionally do. It does not grant you either extra attacks or extra actions per turn. It does grant you Advantage on Grappling checks made to grapple another being. [B]Evil Eyes:[/B] Spells that you cast that make a Spell Attack roll at Range or that force a Saving Throw at Range can be cast as a Gaze Attack. When you do so, you count as your own Arcane or Divine Focus, and you don't need to use Verbal or Somatic components. However, range is reduced to 30' and the target must meet your gaze to be affected; if the spell could normally affect multiple targets, all targets must meet your gaze. If there is a mirrored surface in your line of sight and within 30' when you use the power, you are affected by your own gaze. Incidentally, I like the idea of a gorgon spellcaster being able to cast spells through their gaze, but I would understand perfectly if that's an ability that needs to be shuffled off to a feat, because it is kind of a gimmick and may be too strong for a basic racial trait. Now, let's talk Gaze Attacks. Are there any complaints about this basic mechanic outline below? I will put forth a reminder that the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon does the amount of damage [b]and[/b] hits multiple targets (5ft by 30ft line or 15ft cone, depending on breed) [b]and[/b] does not have the specific requirements to actually affect someone. In fact... maybe I should cut out the "you must meet their eyes" aspect entirely? We're all familiar with the "gaze attack via rays" mechanic, we see it often enough in media... [B]Gaze Attack:[/B] As a bonus action, you can unleash a gaze attack on a single creature within 30 feet that you can see and which can see your eyes. The targeted creature must make a Constitution saving throw, with a DC of 8 + your Charisma modifier + your Proficiency bonus. On a failed save, the target takes 2d6 damage and suffers an after-effect. On a successful save, the victim only takes half-damage. The damage inflicted by a failed save increases by +1d6 at levels 6 (3d6), 11 (4d6) and 16 (5d6). Once you have used your Gaze Attack, you must complete a short rest before you can use it again. Anyway! If this above is a solid outline for the basic underlying mechanics of how Gaze Attacks work, let's talk turkey on how it can be a variable trait. We're all united on the idea that actual Condition imposing is too strong, even for a 1/encounter power that only inflicts the effect for 1 turn. That's fine. But what about the "cosmetic mangling of a corpse" effect? Quickleaf seems to be expressing the opinion that this is functionally aflavor ribbon, and so a harmless addendum? More importantly, my big questions are: 1 - What kinds of damage can the gaze attack inflict? "Stoning" is out, but Necrotic, Fire, Frost, Poison (basilisk and medusas in 4e both had variants who had poisonous gaze attacks), and Psychic all seem viable, yes? 2 - Should I consider going full subrace with the different gaze-breeds? Or is the core race too full of feats as-is to allow for that? [/QUOTE]
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