supergoji18
2015-02-24, 10:11 PM
While we are still a long way from getting the Epic Level handbook for 5e, I've been thinking about some interesting ideas for a unique experience at epic levels. It is unlikely that they will be implemented, but I still feel like posting the ideas here because I would like to see what everyone's opinions of them are. So without further ado, here are my 2 ideas/speculations for Epic Levels in 5e.
1. Epic Races
I don't think something like this has ever been done before in D&D. The basic premise is that once a character reaches level 20, he or she will ascend to a whole new level of power for his or her race. They gain new benefits and special abilities based on their race and subrace, and become about 150% more awesome in the process. Here are some examples of epic races I thought of.
Dwarven Defenders: Rather than being a class like before, Dwarven Defenders would be the pinacle of power that a Dwarf can reach. Their strength of both body and their stubbornness are only further enhanced, while they gain a great deal of resistance to many effects (example: they are so stubborn that they cannot be charmed anymore).
Elf-Lord: These are the elves take strait out of Lord of the Rings, complete with all of the badass physical capabilities, magical powers, perfect health and near divine level of insight.
Superhuman: Few humans ever reach this level of power, but those that do are most certain to become the subject of at least one Epic. The versatility and adaptability of humans only increases here, as do their martial and magical powers.
Halfling Hero: Just because they are vertically challenged doesnt mean they can't become legendary heroes of yore. Halflings who have lived long enough and become this powerful are as giants among the Halfling communities (metaphorically speaking of course). Their cunning and natural stealth only get better from here, and they may pick up some other tricks too.
Those are just a few of the races, but I think you get the general idea.
2. Epic Classes
If a character has reached 20th level in a class, they are eligible for the "epic" variant of the class. These epic classes provide more powerful abilities and are just plain awesome. Here are a few examples:
Pontificate: Clerics who have served their god faithfully and actively are awarded a high position in that gods eyes. These clerics stand out from the masses of followers as true embodiments of what that god stands for. The relationship between the Pontificate and his or her god is much more personal than that of any other cleric. Some gods will even converse directly with their Pontificate and offer them much more direct help in their adventures.
War Hero: Fighters have been through a lot in their lifetimes, more so than many others would ever be able to handle. Yet despite all of the meat-shielding and "hitting things harder," the Fighter's are resilient to the very end. Ultimately it pays off, and many go down in history as legendary War Heroes who were more than just mere mortals. Their feats of strength and battle prowess are recording in song and legend, as they carve their way through armies of otherworldly dangers.
Shadowdancer: Stories tell of masters of stealth and subterfuge, whose powers were almost supernatural in origin. Such fearsome foes rarely show their faces to the world, and never let any know theirs true names. The only thing they leave behind to recognize them is a signature mark, such as a card or a sign, to mock those who were not skilled enough to catch them. These invisible thieves and shadowy assassins are known by one name only: Shadowdancers.
Archmage: Years of study of the arcane arts combined with the experience from adventures into the world allow a wizard to hone their powers to unimaginable levels. Respected and feared by all for their earthshaking power, these Archmages are the undisputed masters of arcane knowledge. Every Archmage has learned enough about magic in order to be able to manipulate the power and effect of spells, and some are even able to create entirely news spells.
Again, these are only a few examples, but they should get the idea across.
What do you think? Would you like to see something like this implemented? Do you think it could work without completely derailing the balance of the game?
1. Epic Races
I don't think something like this has ever been done before in D&D. The basic premise is that once a character reaches level 20, he or she will ascend to a whole new level of power for his or her race. They gain new benefits and special abilities based on their race and subrace, and become about 150% more awesome in the process. Here are some examples of epic races I thought of.
Dwarven Defenders: Rather than being a class like before, Dwarven Defenders would be the pinacle of power that a Dwarf can reach. Their strength of both body and their stubbornness are only further enhanced, while they gain a great deal of resistance to many effects (example: they are so stubborn that they cannot be charmed anymore).
Elf-Lord: These are the elves take strait out of Lord of the Rings, complete with all of the badass physical capabilities, magical powers, perfect health and near divine level of insight.
Superhuman: Few humans ever reach this level of power, but those that do are most certain to become the subject of at least one Epic. The versatility and adaptability of humans only increases here, as do their martial and magical powers.
Halfling Hero: Just because they are vertically challenged doesnt mean they can't become legendary heroes of yore. Halflings who have lived long enough and become this powerful are as giants among the Halfling communities (metaphorically speaking of course). Their cunning and natural stealth only get better from here, and they may pick up some other tricks too.
Those are just a few of the races, but I think you get the general idea.
2. Epic Classes
If a character has reached 20th level in a class, they are eligible for the "epic" variant of the class. These epic classes provide more powerful abilities and are just plain awesome. Here are a few examples:
Pontificate: Clerics who have served their god faithfully and actively are awarded a high position in that gods eyes. These clerics stand out from the masses of followers as true embodiments of what that god stands for. The relationship between the Pontificate and his or her god is much more personal than that of any other cleric. Some gods will even converse directly with their Pontificate and offer them much more direct help in their adventures.
War Hero: Fighters have been through a lot in their lifetimes, more so than many others would ever be able to handle. Yet despite all of the meat-shielding and "hitting things harder," the Fighter's are resilient to the very end. Ultimately it pays off, and many go down in history as legendary War Heroes who were more than just mere mortals. Their feats of strength and battle prowess are recording in song and legend, as they carve their way through armies of otherworldly dangers.
Shadowdancer: Stories tell of masters of stealth and subterfuge, whose powers were almost supernatural in origin. Such fearsome foes rarely show their faces to the world, and never let any know theirs true names. The only thing they leave behind to recognize them is a signature mark, such as a card or a sign, to mock those who were not skilled enough to catch them. These invisible thieves and shadowy assassins are known by one name only: Shadowdancers.
Archmage: Years of study of the arcane arts combined with the experience from adventures into the world allow a wizard to hone their powers to unimaginable levels. Respected and feared by all for their earthshaking power, these Archmages are the undisputed masters of arcane knowledge. Every Archmage has learned enough about magic in order to be able to manipulate the power and effect of spells, and some are even able to create entirely news spells.
Again, these are only a few examples, but they should get the idea across.
What do you think? Would you like to see something like this implemented? Do you think it could work without completely derailing the balance of the game?