D&D 5E would you let a PC learn a non spell magic power?

[DND_Reborn]

I should add in 2E we allowed PCs to learn spells with non-weapon proficiency slots, with each spell level costing 2 slots (IIRC no one ever learned more than a 2nd level spell since it cost 4 slots!). Any PC could do it, and you got the spell once/day.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The scenario probably wouldn't happen in any of my games, but if it seemed like fun and made a player happy, sure. Like you say, it would fill the spot of a magic item of similar power, so it's not really a balance issue. It's easy enough to build a story for it, so that part would satisfy me.

 

[Minigiant]

As a feat? Sure.
As a modification of an established class feature? Sure?

The elf druid at my table learned to change genders and hair color from a fey.

 

[dave2008]

Some new monsters replace action attack spells with magic abilities that are close to (and in some case exact dup) of spells. If you have a monster/npc with a firey blast that duplicates fireball but doesn't count as a spell, and a player makes friends with them, can they learn firey blast?

if so would the character have to be a caster?

Can my 9th level fighter make friends and spend downtime learning Fiery blast ?

in some cases it seams like it would just be a boon like a magic item (maybe use an attunement slot maybe not) but if so and if not WHY?


side question: what would you think if someday there was a sorcerer (or other name but sorcerer like) class that just did this as there class thing... semi duplicate spells but not count as spells?

I would allow a spellcaster to a learn a spell like a magical ability. But it would be a spell and have the same requirements of any spell.

I would also allow a magical ability that mimics a spell to be counterspelled.

I would not allow a non-spellcaster to learn a magical ability that is like a spell, generally. However, I could see that allowed as a supernatural gift or boon.

 

[Steampunkette]

DMG 227, other rewards.

Supernatural Blessings would cover it to some degree. As would Training which can grant a Feat. Call it the "I Burn You" feat, give it a minimum level, specific uses per day, and roll with it.

 

[LordEntrails]

I give boons instead of items that are unique abilites all the time already

I don't see a reason not to (but It would be rare to both make that friend and want that power)

that is what I am asking... and I am leaning toward if the NPCs can have it yes.

yeah I mean it would be a cool upgrade for a single ability (This one isn't counterspellable even though all the others are)

None of that is wrong. You table your game. But at my table we want their to be a difference between the player characters and the non-player characters.

I (and many of the players in my campaigns) have played in games where the PCs are super powerful and can get the most powerfu labilities. But after a short while, it's not fun for us. There is little challenge if our PCs can do anything and everything.

So, for us, a challenge is to overcome by not being the most powerful creature in the room, but rather the smartest, luckiest, most tactical, or just the one that as a party working together.

 

[HammerMan]

There is little challenge if our PCs can do anything and everything.

I can’t speak for everyone but I have never known any DM to not be able to challenge PCs even if you let them play as gods. There are always bigger gods or numbers of lesser gods to challange.

So, for us, a challenge is to overcome by not being the most powerful creature in the room, but rather the smartest, luckiest, most tactical, or just the one that as a party working together.

I don’t even care if WE do overcome the challange. Some of the best outcomes are RPing through failure (as long as the fail state isn’t death)

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I (and many of the players in my campaigns) have played in games where the PCs are super powerful and can get the most powerfu labilities. But after a short while, it's not fun for us. There is little challenge if our PCs can do anything and everything.

So, for us, a challenge is to overcome by not being the most powerful creature in the room, but rather the smartest, luckiest, most tactical, or just the one that as a party working together.

I can't imagine a 1/sr or a 1/lr extra spell that can't be counterspelled is really that much power... and in no way is it really going to 'overtake all challanges.

 

[LordEntrails]

Its not about exceptions, or one-offs. As I already implied, there are always exceptions. It's about non-spell spells becoming common. Or NPC owers becoming nothing more than a pool of powers for the PCs to choose from.

Its about attitude and perception. As long as everyone has the right attitude and everyone's perceptions of the game are meeting their expectations, go for it.

For me, exceptions and special cases are just fine, but I won't be turning NPC abilities into a catalog of powers for the PCs to choose from.

 

[cbwjm]

Even though these abilities are not built as spells, if there is something that looks like a spell, I'd be inclined to allow a wizard to be able to learn it and add it to their spellbook (using the equivalent spell if it is just a renamed fireball, for instance). Other classes would also be able to learn them. If a cultist of orcus uses something that looks like a spell then that would be opened up for warlocks, priests would grant new options for clerics, etc.