Sharpness (5e Variant Rule)
Sharpness[edit]
Note: Only use this rule in a game where multiclassing is not allowed, to discourage cheese.
Some may think that there is still a big power gap in D&D between fullcasters such as wizards and other classes. This variant rule seeks to remedy this by slightly improving the usefulness of non-fullcaster classes. By starting the game as a nonspellcasting class such as fighter, rogue, or barbarian, you gain sharpness. By starting the game as a partial spellcasting class such as paladin or ranger, you gain half sharpness. It doesn't matter if your class allows you to get spellcasting later through a subclass, the only thing that matters is whether you can cast spells at 1st level or 2nd level or not. Basically it's a minor change to character creation that gives characters who aren't full spellcasters a bit of a power of boost to compensate for their lack of versatility. Read below for the benefits of sharpness:
Full Sharpness[edit]
Choose on the following benefits:
- Sharpness of the Body
Your lack of magic drove you to build up your body, training hard to become stronger, faster, and tougher. Your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores each increase by 2, to a maximum of 20.
- Sharpness of the Mind
Your lack of magic drove you to build up your mind, studying and learning until you were smarter, wiser, and a better leader. Your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores each increase by 2, to a maximum of 20.
- Overall Sharpness
Your lack of magic drove you to try a little harder at everything. All six of your ability scores each increase by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Half Sharpness[edit]
Choose on the following benefits:
- Sharpness of the Body
Having time to focus on things besides just magic gave you time to build up your body, training hard to become a little stronger, faster, and tougher. Your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores each increase by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- Sharpness of the Mind
Having time to focus on things besides just magic gave you time to build up your mind, studying and learning until you were a little smarter, wiser, and a better leader. Your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores each increase by 1, to a maximum of 20.
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