D&D 5E I'm thinking of giving the half-orc Barbarian an axe that powers up during battle.

[Slit518]

I'm thinking of giving the half-orc Barbarian a greataxe that powers up while he's raging during battle.
I bought some extra dice, d14, d16, d18.

1st round of rage the axe is 1d12
2nd round of rage the axe is 1d14
3rd round of rage the axe is 1d16
4th round of rage the axe is 1d18
5th and 6th round of rage while his anger is at it's peak the axe does 1d20
7th round of rage the axe is 1d18 as the anger winds down
8th round of rage the axe is 1d16
9th round of rage the axe is 1d14
10th round of rage the axe is 1d12 as his anger wears off

I also give him a d30 to roll for attacks due to a magical item (harness of the champion, takes up 2 attunement slots).
On a roll of a 30 he adds another die for critical damage.

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

All of these are +2 damage for the Rage, using a die with an average of 15.5 to hit (plus proficiency mod+STR so minimum is going to be +4 or +5 even at level 1, making an average to hit of 19.5 or 20.5)...

Woah.

It's way OP, in this gnoll's opinion.

 

[KahlessNestor]

That seems...really powerful in an already powerful chassis. Consider making the upgrade dependent on a failed Con save by the opponent? Something like Grog has with Kraven Edge on Critical Role.

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[Ancalagon]

the dice for damage are only going to be used on the way "up" - I've been told that fights in 5e tend to be short, so the "slope down" probably won't happen.

However, using a d30 to hit instead of a d20 is *amazingly* powerful. That level of power should be reserved for the most potent of artefacts.

 

[KahlessNestor]

And none of this is even taking account of the barbarian ability to at will gain advantage with reckless attack.

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[mellored]

I would make it D30 only if he attacks recklessly. Going from a 80% chance to a 95% chance.

Which makes the total about a +3 weapon.

 

[Jediking]

And none of this is even taking account of the barbarian ability to at will gain advantage with reckless attack.

If he has the Great Weapon Fighting style or Great Weapon Master feat, those bigger dice will only be more potent. It's easy to see how this could really increase his melee damage and chance to hit (the d30 with advantage is probably too much), so make sure you think of that when building your encounters.

Make sure to let your player know that unless he has attacked or taken damage his Rage ends. He should be bloodthirsty and running around like a rampaging Rathar.

And what level is your party? If they are level 17, it could work. If they are level 6, then it might make it difficult to balance.

 

[GlassJaw]

Really messy design. Non-standard mechanics and new dice?

I would go with something like +1d4 damage while raging but the user takes an equal amount of damage on the d4 roll.

 

[Slit518]

The 1d30 works this way.
1-20 function as normal.
21-29 function as if they are 10 less, aka another set of 11-19.
And I already explained a 30, just another critical die.

The party is level 7, and I love giving them crazy items. I definitely beef up the encounters some.
I'm just waiting for level 20 when he crits on a 30 and is rolling a 1d20 for damage with a +3 weapon.
24 STR = +7 damage
+3 weapon
+4 Rage

1d20+14 damage
Roll 7d40 on a crit you insane half-orc you.

 

[Rhenny]

I like the ideas that include a drawback like Glassjaw mentioned.

Here's another idea: if activated, use a d6 (like an escalation die in 13th age). The first round, the die is one "1" which adds 1 to damage. The 2nd round, it is "2", etc. At the end of that encounter, or after the die grants a +6 bonus assess 1 level of fatigue.