D&D 5E Lycanthrope Player Characters - How Would YOU Do It?

[CleverNickName]

I would go the opposite way of this DM: either I wouldn't allow it, or I'd have it be an actual curse that afflicts the character periodically/monthly. While I understand the lack of "lupine" options for PCs in 5E, lycantropy is supposed to be a serious curse that can forever change a character.

I wouldn't. Lycanthropes are monsters to be fought and (ideally) defeated or cured. They're not PC-playable; and if a PC ever gets infected one would think it'd be in everyone's best interests to get it cured ASAP before full-moon (or some other trigger) suddenly leaves the rest of the party having to deal with a pretty big problem.

That is a valid response, and well within the DM's responsibilities. If a character concept wouldn't be a good fit for the game or the campaign setting, the DM absolutely should veto it and let the player know why. It's better to find out before the first gaming session, than to find out six months down the road and having to retcon and change all sorts of stuff.

But in a campaign where lycanthropy isn't supposed to be a serious curse, where werewolves are an established presence in the world and have their own communities and culture (like The Companions in Skyrim), the DM probably wouldn't mind having PC werewolves. I'm pretty stoked to see what they're gonna look like.

 

[Weiley31]

This straight up has a Werebeast class in it and other were stuff in it.

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[CleverNickName]

This straight up has a Werebeast class in it and other were stuff in it.

DriveThruRPG

www.drivethrurpg.com

 

[Weiley31]

You even get weakness to silver and suffer damage from it based on how many Wild Dice (your class resource) you currently have. (Which you tap out at 8 wild Die once you hit level 20).

 

[Weiley31]

Keep in mind that Nightfell:Children of The Moon *IS*the second book in the Nightfell 5E line(the pathfinder 2e version was kick-started last year for the first book).

So if you do get Children of The Moon, there might be a few mechanics here and there that were defined in the first Nightfell book.(Plus the first book has a Vampire class in it.)

Vigil of Eternal Night (Discount Castlevania 5E with the serial numbers scratched off) has a Lycanthrope/Werewolf class in it but, I don't know about it. I have to go over it again in the PDF.

 

[jmartkdr2]

Depends on the concept, of course. Shifter + a sub/class that can be reflavored as shapechanging or some such. So, barbarian, druid, and blood hunter are all solid options.

Alternatively, I'd happily run a campaign where the whole party is werewolves or werebears or whatever.

 

[MGibster]

How far are others willing to go to accommodate custom characters?

I think you hit the nail on the head and it's why I answered "Lycanthropy...isn't a permanent character trait." D&D is a class base system and the options for customization are rather limited. To see this player's vision come to fruition would require a lot of effort on the part of the DM, effort which I think would be better spent in other areas like working on the campaign. Minor changes are one thing, but a lycanthrope as envisioned in the OP is pretty major.

If DMs are cool with putting in the effort, more power to 'em. But if you want this much customization over character generation then I suggest GURPS or Savage Worlds.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

I can't avoid it but when we are talking about thereantropes PCs here Werewolf: the Apocalypse is a great influence on me.

There is a serious difference between playing PCs with tainted powers and superhero PCs. The theriantropes with regeneration as OP to be playable. They are like a furry version of the increible hulk with Wollwerine's claws.

To be playable monsters they should be "nerferd" about magic resistance and regeneration.

Maybe we should add some special game mechanic like the hunger in Vampire: the Masquerade 5e and Rage from Werewolf: the Apocalypse 5e. Then if you active certain powers you are closer to lose self-control.

 

[Corinnguard]

Just came across this a moment ago on GM Binder.

Uratha Shapechange Options (5e Class Extension Inspired by Werewolf the Apocalypse/Forsaken)

Uratha Shapechange Options (5e class extension inspired by Werewolf the Apocalypse/Forsaken) by GoldenQuail

Uratha Shapechange Options (5e class extension inspired by Werewolf the Apocalypse/Forsaken) by GoldenQuail - Created with GM Binder.

www.gmbinder.com

 

[Corinnguard]

Uatha (5e Class based on Werewolf the Apocalypse/Forsaken) by GoldenQuail

Uatha (5e Class based on Werewolf the Apocalypse/Forsaken) by GoldenQuail - Created with GM Binder.

www.gmbinder.com