Vecna Preview: Dvati
Added 2016-06-29 20:13:16 +0000 UTCIt's definitely been some time since the last preview, so I thought I'd give you guys an interesting one: the dvati, a race which allows one player to control two characters as one.
In other news, the Waste Update is coming really soon, and I think you guys are going to like it. It's got a subclass for every class, a ton of hazards, monster stats, and even a few magic items.
Changelog: 6/30/16: Twins: Conditions section added
Comments
wow this is actually really cool :O
banik1
2016-07-20 00:31:27 +0000 UTCVery true -- I fixed this and like 6 other typos on the blog post on the main blog.
Mage Hand Press
2016-07-19 16:49:24 +0000 UTCUnder "Magical Effects", I believe it should read "in which case, it affects each twin separately." Instead of "if affects"
JaQKnife
2016-07-19 08:26:15 +0000 UTCDeath: I suppose I see your point, but in some ways it undermines the extra durability the Dvati gets from having too bodies. If one body gets focused fire, both become helpless. Plus, I'm just imaging the other clone running around like a chicken with its head cut off, haha. Magic Items: I always forget that basic magic weapons don't require attunement. Magic weapons are one of the few items that I feel are totally necessary, so they should probably be good. Although having looked through the magic items now, how would Stat Bump Tomes/Manuals work? Would they affect both twins? Or just one?
Altanius
2016-07-01 15:18:39 +0000 UTCYes, and yes. Dvati have a lot of hit points when taken together, so this is pretty necessary for survival.
Mage Hand Press
2016-07-01 01:11:22 +0000 UTCSpeed: Each round (changed in the document) Effects and Magical Effects: I've added a 'Conditions' section, which specifies that conditions affect each twin separately, even if imposed by a magical effect. Spells should only allow one save for the twins if they're affected together, since that's what affected together basically means. If something affects the twins separately, like a bunch of rocks falling, each twin should make a save, since only one might be affected. Hopefully, the conditions thing makes this a little better, but I certainly believe that a DM will need to be making decisions on weird edge cases for when things should affect twins together or separately. Transference: Agreed. It's not edited so you can't transfer something to a twin if they're already affected by it. Death: Here, I think incapacitated is appropriate. After all, no other type of creature has a mechanism to save themselves from death, and I don't want to deal with edge cases of how some actions, like spellcasting can work if one twin is making death saving throws. Magic Items: I don't think there's a need for more than 3 magic items, dvati or not. I can probably be swayed on this point, but we're not in 3.5 -- magic items are not necessary for a character to survive.
Mage Hand Press
2016-07-01 01:03:54 +0000 UTCA question about spell effects, specifically healing spells. Does this effectively double the amount of healing that can be done to a single character? Could you heal one twin by touching the one closer to you?
Corey Heward
2016-06-30 07:23:09 +0000 UTCSorry, forgot one: Magic Items: Three magic items is few enough for one body. I realize it's unbalancing, but it would be pretty hard to make two effective bodies without access to more magic items.
Altanius
2016-06-30 01:44:21 +0000 UTCAlrighty. So, questions Speed: Is this assinged once, or on a round by round basis? Magical Effects: I don't disagree with how you handle this, but there are some cases where this would be weird (I.E. one twin is restrained by Evard's Black tentacles and the other is restrained by... Something...) Also, see Effects below Death: Hmmm. I guess I mostly have issue with the 'incapacitated' effect. Especially given that each individual clone is slightly more fragile than a standard char of their class this seems pretty debilitating. The other clone becomes completely helpless, they can't even revive their sibling. It would seem better to give them a condition like 'poisoned' instead. Transference: This is an interesting ability (if slightly defanged by spells affecting both twins.) I might specify that you can't transfer an effect to a twin if it already has that effect (I.E. transferring paralysis to a paralyzed twin.) Also, I'd recommend adding a the rider 'The twin may take this action even if an effect would otherwise render him incapable of doing so.' Effects: How do effects affect the twins in general? If someone throws hold person on them, do they get one save or two (one for each clone?) One area you might want to focus on specifically is charm/dominated spells and effects. What happens (action economy-wise) if one clone is charmed and the other isn't? FWIW, I'd add a rider that the clones can't be compelled to attack each other (Since for them that's a suicidal action.)
Altanius
2016-06-30 00:29:28 +0000 UTCOh, as it happens this race won't be included in the Waste Update -- it'll just get a blog release. Looking forward to your questions!
Mage Hand Press
2016-06-29 21:50:00 +0000 UTCWell, my 5 minute gander through this has caused me to reach the conclusion that this is awesome. If the rest of the wastes stuff is like this, I'm seriously looking forward to it. My problem now is that you guys are pumping out cool stuff faster than I can play it. I have some questions, but I'll save them for when I've had a chance to examine this more after work.
Altanius
2016-06-29 21:41:54 +0000 UTC
