#primal path

PDFs of this and more can be found over on at my Patreon here! I release everything for free, so your support makes this possible. I've also started making a new system based off of 5e, 6th Dawn! Become a patron and join the playtest.

The theme of this month is Mind, which of course brings to mind (pun not intended) psionics. But I like to be contrarian, so I'll start with the antipsychic barbarian

Mindless Rage

Not to be confused with the feature of the berserker. Since this is meant to be a mental blank subclass, it makes sense that there wouldn't be a single thought in that cute little head of yours.

Reckless Abandon

So, many barb subclasses give it the power to do extra damage as one of its first features. So, since this one is ignoring distractions, it makes sense that it gains bonuses to reckless attack. AKA neglecting defense.

Brain Fog

A fun active effect, I've been toying with features that replace attacks lately, so I thought I'd give it a go here. I didn't do a bonus action, since there's no cost associated, which is a design I'm not really fond of.

Preturnatural Instinct

Not to be confused with ultra instinct. No free dodges, but it does make reckless attack a no brainer. At least while you're raging.

Incapacitating Static

I feel like the best thing a barb can do is cause spellcasters to be useless just by being there.

And now to plug my stuff. I release homebrews weekly over on my Patreon. Anyone who pledges $2 or more per post don't have to wait a month to see them, and also help fund my being alive habit.

At the moment, they have exclusive access to the following:

Awakened Mind Origin

Emotional Damage

College of Secrets

Improvised Altercations

I also have four classes, and two splatbooks over on DriveThruRPG to check out:

The Rift Binder. A class specialising in summoning monsters and controlling the battlefield.

The Witch Knight. A class that combines swords and sorcery in the most literal way.

The Werebeast. A class that turns you into a half beast to destroy your foes.

The Beguiler. A spellcaster dedicated to illusions, enchantments, and general fuckery.

d'Artagnan's Adventurer Almanac. A compendium of races, subclasses, feats, spells, monsters and more!

Subclass: Path of the War Dancer

This subclass has been in the works for over a year, and it's finally ready for posting! A war dancer barbarian focuses on physical fitness, flexibility and bolstering their allies and themselves. Entertain, bless, frighten, stun, awe, and destroy with this subclass inspired by war dancing and physical prowess.

Another fun little hybrid subclass, this time a barbarian subclass which picks up the wildshape ability of the druid. While potentially quite powerful, there are some good balancing points here: Costing two uses of the rage makes this something that can’t be done all the time until higher levels when things are pretty overpowered anyway, and, unlike the druid’s wildshape feature which lasts for an hour, the barbarian’s rage only lasts for one minute which is a very limiting factor. On top of the fact that druid levels give spells, barring playtesting, I think this is pretty alright. 

As always, questions and comments are welcome. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

5th Edition Class Options

Arcane Tradition: Book Wyrm

Arcane Tradition: Mage-At-Arms

Arcane Tradition: School of Chronomancy

Bard College: College of Deviltry

Bard College: College of Disco

Bard College: College of Dwarvenkind

Bard College: College of Help

Bard College: College of Thunder

Divine Domain: Moonlight Domain

Divine Domain: Serpent Domain

Divine Domain: Tentacle Domain

Divine Domain: Vampire Hunter Domain (DMs Guild link)

Druid Circle: Circle of the Flame Blade

Druid Circle: Circle of the Green

Druid Circle: Circle of the Stick

Fighter Archetype: Knight Commander

Fighter Archetype: Templar Knight

Monastic Tradition: Way of the Living Shade

Otherworldly Patron: The Green Knight

Pact Boon: Pact of the Boomstick

Pact Boon: Pact of the Lute

Primal Path: Path of the Mancatcher

Ranger Archetype: Witchfinder

Roguish Archetype: Outlaw

Sacred Oath: Oath of Erudition

Sacred Oath: Oath of Medusa

Sacred Oath: Oath of Orderliness

Sorcerous Origin: Arcane Ancestry

Sorcerous Origin: Staff Sorcery

Sorcerous Origin: Sword & Sorcery

Sorcerous Origin: Twinned Magic

Totem Animal Option: Shark

Variant Draconic Bloodline: Trueblood

5th Edition Magic Items

Blazing Jack-O’-Lantern

Frosty’s Old Silk Hat

Matchmaker’s Bow

Medusa Mask

Potion of Bouncing

Primer of Thumping

Sneak Oil

5th Edition Pregenerated Characters

Life Cleric: Sister Temperance Hammerstorm (level 3)

Devotion Paladin: Evicifer the Obliged (level 5)

Orderliness Paladin: Sir Ticholas Toctavius XIII (level 3)

Conjuration Wizard:  Marduk the Mad Mage of Muskwood (level 3)

5th Edition Races

Bounder Bears

Dwarf Subrace: Dragon-Sworn

Lionborn

Rock Gnome Variant: Clock Gnome

Spooky Subrace: Crypt Dwarf

Tiefling Variant: Ice Devil

Uniborn

Wizaardvark

5th Edition Spells

Dragoncraft

Holy Mace

Hammer of Bahamut

Icy Patch

Branding Symbol (DMs Guild link)

Tankard of Tiamat

5th Edition Weapons

Man Catcher

Fun D&D Character Ideas

This is the first time I’ve tried anything as complex as a homebrewed subclass, so please give feedback if you’re so inclined!  If you’re curious, this is inspired by a boss from Dragon Quest IX

Primal Path:  The Path of Contagion

Some illnesses sap both physical and mental resolve, while others drain away your self-reflection.  In hidden lodges , barbarians who follow this path are taught that that their anger is akin to a potent poison - one that can be channelled and spread through Rage.  

Many barbarians who follow this path often smell sickly-sweet, thanks to small bags of herbs and incense tied on their person.  If asked about these, the typical answer is that they’re to ward off illness and minor spirits.

Some legends say that the first adherents of this (often-unpleasant) path were both prison guards and worshippers of a sentient plague.  While they did keep the sickness imprisoned until its “death”, they also learnt from it.  Adherents of this path use commonplace herbs and ointments - when combined with a little primal magic, these unassuming materials give their rage a toxic edge!

Level 3:

Envenomate

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you can deliver a toxic gift with your weapon strikes. While you're raging, the first creature you hit with a weapon attack in your turn takes extra damage equal to 1d6 + half your Barbarian level (rounded down). The extra damage is Poison or Acid; you choose the type of damage when you gain this feature.  

The damage type of this feature can be changed on a short or long rest (though finding the right herbs and other materials to do so may require a nature or investigation check, at the DM’s discretion). 

Subtle Toxicity

When you choose this path at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with the poisoner’s kit. 

Level 6:

Sickening Presence

If a foe provokes an attack of opportunity, you may instead inflict a sickness upon them.  The foe must pass a constitution saving throw (with a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier), or take 1d6 poison damage and fall prone.   If they succeed in the Con Save, the enemy takes half damage, but does not fall prone.

Level 10:

Acquired Immunity

Thanks to continual low doses of the various toxins you work with, you obtain Resistance to Poison Damage.  

Additionally, once per long rest, you can completely neutralise either Poison or Acid Damage inflicted on you.  This must be called before the damage roll is made, but after the attack role or saving throw.

Level 14:

At this stage of your training, your rage has moved beyond simple poison, and has become akin to a true plague.  Wounds you inflict tend to ache for the rest of the person or creature’s lifetime - however long or short you’ll let that be - and those who tend to your enemies tend to come down with minor infections themselves!

Contagious Blows

You may use your Reaction to inflict 2d6 + half your Barbarian level to any creature within 60 feet that you can see, and that you have previously wounded in the day.  When this damage is inflicted, all creatures within 15 feet must pass a constitution saving throw, or also take 2d6 + half your barbarian level.  If they pass the saving throw, they take half damage.

Alternatively:

Dehiscence