If you wish to take the Path of the Totem Warrior starting at



Most characters do not receive any features from their
archetype at 1st level. Usually this is not a problem. However,
there are characters whose archetype is just as important to
their concept as their class is. For a player of such a character,
they may not feel quite right for the first couple of levels. Here,
we present optional rules for swapping around the level at
which certain features are learned for the classes and
archetypes found in the Player's Handbook and Xanathar's
Guide to Everything. They are listed in the order they appear
in those books.

For each of the archetypes presented below, there are
instructions for how to modify the class features to gain
archetype features at 1st level. This frequently will come in the
form of fewer starting skills or equipment proficiencies. These
generally refer to those received at 1st character level for a
member of the class in question.
Once a character using these rules reaches the level at
which they would normally select their archetype, they will
have all the same features as a character of the same level,
class, and archetype that did not use them. To this end, some
of the new features presented here lose some or all of their
benefits when certain other class features are gained later on.
For some archetypes, the default class features are the same
as those for selecting the archetype at 1st level.
Rules are not provided for any cleric, sorcerer, or warlock
archetypes, as these are selected at 1st level by default.
However in the case of the warlock, rules are provided for
selecting your pact boon at 1st level.
Designer's Note: Using 1st-Level
Archetypes with Multiclassing
The intent is that these variant features can only be
taken by 1st-level characters. In other words, these
rules are not meant to be used for the first level of a
class taken by multiclassing. In addition, it is
assumed that characters using these rules will
advance in the class at least far enough that they
receive the full initial features for their archetype
before taking levels in any other class. For some of
these variant archetypes, taking only a single level
can grant a lot of power for the amount of
investment required. While we've done our best to
keep these archetypes mechanically balanced, these
rules are meant to facilitate player immersion and
were not designed with multiclassing in mind.


If you wish to take the Path of the Berserker starting at 1st
character level, follow the barbarian class features as
presented in the Player's Handbook.

1st character level, choose only one skill from those listed
under Proficiencies when you make your character. As you
level up, you gain the following features at the levels indicated,
which replace the Path of the Totem Warrior's Spirit Seeker
feature:
Spirit Seeker. Starting at 1st level when you adopt the Path
of the Totem Warrior, you can gain the ability to cast the speak
with animals spell, but only as a ritual. When you reach 3rd
level in this class, you also gain the ability to cast the beast
sense spell, but only as a ritual.
Bonus Proficiency. At 3rd level, you become proficient in
one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling,
Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, and Survival.

If you wish to take the Path of the Ancestral Guardian starting
at 1st character level, the value on the Rage Damage column
of the Barbarian table is +0 for you until 3rd level. Instead, you
gain the following feature at the level indicated, which
replaces the Path of the Anccestral Guardian's Ancsetral
Protectors feature:
Ancestral Protectors. Starting when you choose this path
at 1st level, spectral warriors appear when you enter your
rage. While you're raging, the first creature you hit with an
attack on your turn becomes the target of the warriors, which
hinder its attacks. Until the start of your next turn, that target
has disadvantage on any attack roll that isn't against you. The
effect on the target ends early if your rage ends.
Starting at 3rd level, when the target of the warriors hits a
creature other than you with an attack, that creature has
resistance to the damage dealt by the attack.

If you wish to take the Path of the Storm Herald starting at 1st
character level, the value on the Rage Damage column of the
Barbarian table is +0 for you until 3rd level. Instead, you gain
the following feature at the level indicated, which replaces the
Path of the Storm Herald's Storm Aura feature:
Storm Aura. Starting at 1st level, you emanate a stormy,
magical aura while you rage. The aura extends 5 feet from you
in every direction, but not through total cover. Starting at 3rd
level, it extends an additional 5 feet.
Your aura has an effect that activates when you enter your
rage, and you can activate the effect again on each of your
turns as a bonus action. Choose desert, sea, or tundra. Your
aura's effect depends on that chosen enviroment, as detailed
on page 10 of Xanathar's Guide to Everything. You can change
your environment choice whenever you gain a level in this
class.
If your aura's effects require a saving throw, the DC equals 8
+ your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier.

If you wish to take the Path of the Zealot starting at 1st
character level, the value on the Rage Damage column of the
Barbarian table is +0 for you until 3rd level. Instead you gain
the following feature at the level indicated, which replaces the
Path of the Zealot's Divine Fury feature:
Variant rules developed by Itsafez 1
 
(Continued from previous page)
Divine Fury. Starting when you choose this path at 1st
level, you can channel divine fury into your weapon strikes.
While you're raging, the first creature you hit on each of your
turns with a weapon attack takes 1d6 extra damage. The extra
damage is necrotic or radiant; you choose the type of damage
when you gain this feature. This damage increases at 3rd level
to 1d6 + half of your barbarian level.


If you wish to take the College of Lore starting at 1st character
level, you gain the following features, which replace the bard's
Bardic Inspiration feature and the College of Valor's Cutting
Words feature:
Cutting Words. At 1st level, you learn how to use your wit
to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and
competence of others. When a creature that you can see
within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or
a damage roll, you can use your reaction to roll a d6 and
subtract the number rolled from the creature's roll. You can
choose to use this feature after the creature makes its roll, but
before the DM determines whether the attack roll or ability
check succeeds or fails, or before the creature deals its
damage. The creature is immune if it can't hear you or if it's
immune to being charmed.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain any
expended uses when you finish a long rest. Once you gain the
Bardic Inspiration feature, you lose your uses of this feature
and instead use it by expending a use of Bardic Inspiration.
Bardic Inspiration. Starting at 3rd level, you can inspire
others through stirring words or music. To do so, you use a
bonus action on your turn to choose one creature other than
yourself within 60 feet of you who can hear you. Except where
noted here, this feature functions exactly like the bard class
feature of the same name outlined in the Player's Handbook.

If you wish to take the College of Valor starting at 1st
character level, choose only two skills instead of three when
instructed to do so under Proficiencies when you make your
character. You gain the following class feature, which replaces
the College of Valor's Bonus Proficiencies feature:
Bonus Proficiencies. When you join the College of Valor at
1st level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons. When
you reach 3rd level in this class, you gain proficiency in one
skill of your choice, as well as with medium armor and
shields.

If you wish to take the College of Glamour starting at 1st
character level, follow the bard class features as presented in
the Player's Handbook.

2 Variant rules developed by Itsafez
If you wish to take the College of Swords starting at 1st
character level, choose only two skills instead of three when
instructed to do so under Proficiencies when you make your
character. You gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the bard's Jack of All Trades feature
and the College of Swords' Bonus Proficiencies and Fighting
Style features:
Bonus Proficiencies. When you join the College of Swords
ar 1st level, you gain proficiency with the scimitar. If you're
proficient with a simple or martial melee weapon, you can use
it as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.
When you reach 3rd level in this class, you become
proficient with one skill of your choice, as well as medium
armor.
Fighting Style. At 2nd level, you adopt a style of fighting as
your specialty. Choose one of the options available to a bard of
the College of Swords in Xanathar's Guide to Everything. You
can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if
something in the game lets you choose again.
Jack of All Trades. Starting at 3rd level, you can add half
your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any ability check
you make that doesn't already include your proficiency bonus.

If you wish to take the College of Whispers starting at 1st
character level, you learn only 1 bard cantrip at 1st level. You
gain the following features at the levels indicated, which
replace the College of Whisper's Words of Terror feature:
Words of Terror. At 1st level, you learn to infuse innocent-
seeming words with an insidious magic that can inspire terror.
If you speak to a humanoid alone for at least 1 minute, you
can attempt to seed paranoia in its mind. At the end of the
conversation, the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving
throw against your spell save DC or be frightened of you or
another creature of your choice. The target is frightened in
this way for 1 hour, until it is attacked or damaged, or until it
witnesses its allies being attacked or damaged.
If the target succeeds on its saving throw, the target has no
hint that you tried to frighten it.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you
finish a short or long rest.
Bonus Cantrip. At 3rd level, you learn an additional bard
cantrip of your choice.

The cleric's archetype, the Divine Domain, is selected at 1st
level.


If you wish to take the Circle of the Land as your Druid Circle
starting at 1st character level, you do not gain proficiency with
medium armor, shields, javelins, quarterstaffs, scimitars, or
spears. Instead you gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the Circle of the Land's Bonus
Cantrip and Natural Recovery features:
Bonus Cantrip. When you choose this circle at 1st level,
you learn one additional druid cantrip of your choice.

(Continued from previous page)
Natural Recovery. Starting at 1st level, you can regain
some of your magical energy by sitting in meditation and
communing with nature. During a short rest, you choose
expended spell slots to recover. The spell slots can have a
combined level that is equal to or less than half your druid
level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or
higher. You can't use this feature again until you finish a long
rest.
Bonus Proficiencies. At 2nd level, you gain proficiency
with medium armor, shields, javelins, quarterstaffs, scimitars,
and spears.

If you wish to take the Circle of the Moon starting at 1st
character level, choose only one skill from those listed under
Proficiencies when you make your character. In addition, you
learn only one druid cantrip at 1st level. You gain the following
three features at the levels indicated:
Lesser Wild Shape. Once you choose this circle ar 1st
level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape
of a beast that you've seen before. You can use this feature
twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a short or
long rest. The beast must have a challenge rating of 1/8 or
lower, and it can't have a flying or swimming speed.
You can stay in a beast shape for 1 hour. You then revert to
your normal form unless you expend another use of this
feature. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using a
bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall
unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.
Except where noted here, this beast form follows all the
rules outlined in the Wild Shape feature in the Player's
Handbook. You lose this feature when you gain the Wild
Shape feature at 2nd level.
Bonus Cantrip. At 2nd level, you learn one additional druid
cantrip of your choice.
Bonus Proficiency. Also at 2nd level, you gain proficiency
in one of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, Animal
Handling, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, and
Survival.

If you wish to take the Circle of Dreams starting at 1st
character level, follow the druid class features as presented in
the Player's Handbook.

If you wish to take the Circle of the Shepherd starting at 1st
character level, choose only one skill from those listed under
Proficiencies when you make your character. You gain the
following features at the levels indicated, which replace the
Circle of the Shepherd's Speech of the Woods feature:
Speech of the Woods. At 1st level, you gain the ability to
converse with beasts and many fey.
You learn to speak, read, and write Sylvan. In addition,
beasts can understand your speech, and you gain the ability to
decipher their noises and motions. Most beasts lack the
intelligence to convey or understand sophisticated concepts,
but a friendly beast could relay what it has seen or heard in
the recent past. This ability doesn't grant you friendship with
beasts, though you can combine this ability with gifts to curry
favor with them as you would with any nonplayer character.
Bonus Proficiency. At 2nd level, you become proficient in
one of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, Animal
Handling, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, and
Survival.


If you wish to take the Champion Martial Archetype starting at
1st character level, follow the fighter class features as
presented in the Player's Handbook.

If you wish to take the Battle Master Martial Archetype
starting at 1st character level, choose only one skill instead of
2 from those listed under Proficiencies when you make your
character. You gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the fighter's Fighting Style feature
and the Battle Master's Student of War feature:
Student of War. When you select this archetype at 1st level,
you gain proficiency with one type of artisan's tools of your
choice.
Novice Combat Superiority. Also at 1st level, you learn two
Battle Master maneuvers of your choice, and you have two
superiority dice, which are d6s.
Except where noted here, your combat superiority follows
all the rules outlined in the Battle Master's Combat
Superiority feature. You lose this feature when you gain the
Combat Superiority feature at 3rd level (you need not select
the maneuvers you initially chose for this feature).
Fighting Style. At 3rd level, you adopt a style of fighting as
your specialty. Choose from the options available to a fighter
at 1st level as described in the Player's Handbook. You can't
take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later
get to choose again.
Bonus Proficiency. Also at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in
one of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics, Animal
Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception,
and Survival.

If you wish to take the Eldritch Knight Martial Archetype
starting at 1st character level, choose only one skill instead of
2 from those listed under Proficiencies when you make your
character. You gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the fighter's Fighting Style feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you choose this martial
archetype at 1st level, you learn one cantrip of your choice and
one 1st-level spell of your choice from the wizard spell list.
The 1st-level spell must be from either the abjuration or
evocation school, and you can cast it once. You must finish a
long rest before casting it again. Intelligence is your
spellcasting ability for both spells, and they count towards the
number of cantrips and spells you know when you gain the
Spellcasting feature at 3rd level, after which point you must
instead expend a spell slot to cast the 1st-level spell you
learned from this feature.
Fighting Style. At 3rd level, you adopt a style of fighting as
your specialty. Choose from the options available to a fighter
at 1st level as described in the Player's Handbook. You can't
take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later
get to choose again.
Variant rules developed by Itsafez 3
 
(Continued from previous page)
Bonus Proficiency. Also at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in
one of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics, Animal
Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception,
and Survival.

[To be added later]

[To be added later] -1 skill, delay fighting style, Bonus
Proficiency Lv1, Born to the Saddle Lv1, modified starting
equipment

[To be added later] -1 skill, Bonus Proficiency Lv1


If you wish to take the Way of the Open Hand starting at 1st
character level, follow the monk class features as presented in
the Player's Handbook.

If you wish to take the Way of Shadow starting at 1st
character level, choose only one skill instead of 2 from those
listed under Proficiencies when you make your character. You
gain the following features at the levels indicated:
Bonus Cantrip. When you choose this monastic tradition at
first level, you learn the Minor Illusion cantrip if you don't
already know it.
Bonus Proficiency. At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in one
of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics, Athletics,
History, Insight, Religion, and Stealth.

If you wish to take the Way of the Four Elements starting at
1st character level, choose only one skill instead of 2 from
those listed under Proficiencies when you make your
character. You gain the following features at the levels
indicated:
Elemental Attunement. When you choose this monastic
tradition at 1st level, you gain the Elemental Attunement
elemental discipline. You lose this feature when you gain the
Disciple of the Elements feature at 3rd level.
Bonus Proficiency. At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in one
of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics, Athletics,
History, Insight, Religion, and Stealth.

[To be added later] -1 skill, -1 tool/instr, Lv1 Bonus
proficiencies

[To be added later] -1 skill, -1 tool/instr, Lv1 Path of the
Kensei (kensei weapons and way of the brush only)

[To be added later] Lv1 no weapon prof, Lv1 radiant sun bolt
(no flurry of "bolts" until Lv2)

4 Variant rules developed by Itsafez

If you wish to take the Oath of Devotion starting at 1st
character level, you gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the paladin's Lay on Hands feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you take this oath at 1st level,
you know the protection from evil and good and sanctuary
spells. You can cast either one of these spells, but not both,
once, and you must finish a long rest before doing so again.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells. You can
use a holy symbol as your spellcasting focus for these spells.
When you gain the Spellcasting feature at 2nd level, you
always have those spells prepapred and they don't count
against the number of spells you have prepared. You lose all
other benefits of this feature.
Lay on Hands. Starting at 3rd level, your blessed touch can
heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that
replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can
restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level
× 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from
the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up
to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of
healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one
poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and
neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands,
expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.

If you wish to take the Oath of the Ancients starting at 1st
character level, you gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the paladin's Lay on Hands feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you take this oath at 1st level,
you know the ensnaring strike and speak with animals spells.
You can cast either one of these spells, but not both, once, and
you must finish a long rest before doing so again. Charisma is
your spellcasting ability for these spells. You can use a holy
symbol as your spellcasting focus for these spells.
When you gain the Spellcasting feature at 2nd level, you
always have those spells prepapred and they don't count
against the number of spells you have prepared. You lose all
other benefits of this feature.
Lay on Hands. Starting at 3rd level, your blessed touch can
heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that
replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can
restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level
× 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from
the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up
to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of
healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one
poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and
neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands,
expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.

If you wish to take the Oath of Vengeance starting at 1st
character level, you gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the paladin's Lay on Hands feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you take this oath at 1st level,
you know the bane and hunter's mark spells. You can cast
either one of these spells, but not both, once, and you must
finish a long rest before doing so again. Charisma is your
spellcasting ability for these spells. You can use a holy symbol
as your spellcasting focus for these spells.
When you gain the Spellcasting feature at 2nd level, you
always have those spells prepapred and they don't count
against the number of spells you have prepared. You lose all
other benefits of this feature.
Lay on Hands. Starting at 3rd level, your blessed touch can
heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that
replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can
restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level
× 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from
the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up
to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of
healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one
poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and
neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands,
expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.

If you wish to take the Oath of Conquest starting at 1st
character level, you gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the paladin's Lay on Hands feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you take this oath at 1st level,
you know the armor of Agathys and command spells. You can
cast either one of these spells, but not both, once, and you
must finish a long rest before doing so again. Charisma is
your spellcasting ability for these spells. You can use a holy
symbol as your spellcasting focus for these spells.
When you gain the Spellcasting feature at 2nd level, you
always have those spells prepapred and they don't count
against the number of spells you have prepared. You lose all
other benefits of this feature.
Lay on Hands. Starting at 3rd level, your blessed touch can
heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that
replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can
restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level
× 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from
the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up
to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of
healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one
poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and
neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands,
expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.

If you wish to take the Oath of Redemption starting at 1st
character level, you gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace the paladin's Lay on Hands feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you take this oath at 1st level,
you know the sanctuary and sleep spells. You can cast either
one of these spells, but not both, once, and you must finish a
long rest before doing so again. Charisma is your spellcasting
ability for these spells. You can use a holy symbol as your
spellcasting focus for these spells.
When you gain the Spellcasting feature at 2nd level, you
always have those spells prepapred and they don't count
against the number of spells you have prepared. You lose all
other benefits of this feature.
Lay on Hands. Starting at 3rd level, your blessed touch can
heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that
replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can
restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level
× 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from
the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up
to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of
healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one
poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and
neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands,
expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.


If you wish to take the Hunter Ranger Archetype starting at
1st character level, follow the ranger class features as
presented in the Player's Handbook.

If you wish to take the Beast Master Ranger Archetype
starting at 1st character level, choose only two skills instead of
3 from those listed under Proficiencies when you make your
character, and you do not gain proficiency with medium armor
or martial melee weapons. You gain the following features at
the levels indicated, which replace the Beast Master's
Ranger's Companion feature:
Ranger's Companion. When you choose this Ranger
Archetype at 1st level, you gain a beast companion that
accompanies you on adventures and is trained to fight
alongside you. Choose a beast that is no larger than Medium
and that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower. Like any
creature, it can spend Hit Dice during a short rest to regain hit
points.
The beast obeys your commands as best it can. It takes its
turn on your initiative, though it doesn't take an action unless
you command it to. On your turn, you can verbally command
the beast where to move (no action required by you). You can
use your action to verbally command it to take the Attack,
Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action. Once you have the
Extra Attack feature, you can make one weapon attack
yourself when you command the beast to take the Attack
action.
Variant rules developed by Itsafez 5
 
(Continued from previous page)
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own,
focusing on protecting you and itself. If you wish for your
beast to take a reaction, you must use your reaction to verbally
command it to do so. Starting at 3rd level, the beast no longer
requires your command to use its reaction.
While travelling through your favored terrain with only the
beast, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
If the beast dies, you can obtain a new companion by
spending 8 hours magically bonding with a beast that isn't
hostile to you and that meets the requirements.
Starting at 3rd level, add your proficiency bonus to the
beast's AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any
saving throws and skills it is proficient in, and its hit point
maximum equals the hit point number in its stats block or
four times your ranger level, whichever is higher.
Bonus Proficiencies. At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with
medium armor and martial melee weapons, as well as with
one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling,
Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Stealth,
and Survival.

[To be added later] -1 skill, Lv Dread Ambusher (Init boost
only), Lv2 no fighting style, Lv2 Umbral Sight, Lv2 -1 spell, Lv2
Gloom Stalker magic

[To be added later] -1 skill, Lv1 detect portal, Lv2 -1 spell, Lv2
Horizon Walker Magic

[To be added later] Lv1 no favored enemy, Lv1 Hunter's
sense, Lv2 -1 spell, Lv2 Monster Slayer Magic


If you wish to take the Thief Roguish Archetype starting at 1st
character level, follow the rogue class features as presented in
the Player's Handbook.

If you wish to take the Assassin Roguish Archetype starting at
1st character level, choose only three skills instead of four
when instructed to do so under Proficiencies when you make
your character. You gain the following feature, which takes the
place of the Assassin's Bonus Proficiencies feature:
Bonus Proficiencies. When you select this archetype at 1st
level, you gain proficiency with your choice of the disguise kit
or the poisoner's kit. When you reach 3rd level, you gain
proficiency with the option that you didn't select, as well as
with one of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics,
Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation,
Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and
Stealth.

6 Variant rules developed by Itsafez
If you wish to take the Arcane Trickster Roguish Archetype
starting at 1st character level, choose only two skills instead of
four when instructed to do so under Proficiencies when you
make your character. You gain the following features at the
levels indicated, which replace the Arcane Trickster's Mage
Hand Legerdemain feature:
Novice Spellcasting. When you choose this roguish
archetype at 1st level, you learn the mage hand cantrip if you
don't already know it, as well as one 1st-level spell of your
choice from the wizard spell list. The 1st-level spell must be
from either the enchantment or illusion school, and you can
cast it once. You must finish a long rest before casting it again.
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for both spells, and
they count towards the number of cantrips and spells you
know when you gain the Spellcasting feature at 3rd level, after
which point you must instead expend a spell slot to cast the
1st-level spell you learned from this feature.
Mage Hand Legerdemain. Starting at 1st level, when you
cast mage hand, you can make the spectral hand invisible, and
you can perform the following additional tasks with it:
You can stow one object the hand is holding in a container
worn or carried by another creature.
You can retrieve an object in a container worn or carried by
another creature.
You can use thieves' tools to pick locks and disarm traps at
range.
You can perform one of these tasks without being noticed by
a creature if that creature is unaware of your presence and
you succeed on a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check contested
by the creature's Wisdom (Perception) check. Starting at 3rd
level, you can attempt this even if the creature is aware of your
presence.
When you gain the Cunning Action feature at 2nd level, you
can use the bonus action granted by your Cunning Action to
control the hand.
Bonus Proficiencies. At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with
two of the following skills of your choice: Acrobatics, Athletics,
Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception,
Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth.

[To be added later]

[To be added later] Lv1 no thieves tools prof, Lv1 no
expertise, Lv1 Master of Intrigue (only prof), Lv2 Master of
Tactics, Lv2 no cunning action

[To be added later] -2 skills, expertise delayed, Survivalist at
Lv1

[To be added later] -1 skill, Rakish audacity at Lv1, can't
sneak at range or if an ally is adjacent (yet)

The sorcerer's archetype, the Sorcerous Origin, is selected at
1st level.

The warlock's archetype, the Otherworldly Patron, is selected
at 1st level. Instead, we present rules for selecting a Pact Boon
at 1st level.
If you are selecting your pact boon at 1st character level, you
learn only one cantrip at 1st level and only one invocation at
2nd level. You gain your second cantrip at 2nd level, and you
gain your second invocation at 3rd level. In addition, you gain
the following feature, which takes the place of the Pact Boon
feature in the Player' Handbook.
If an eldritch invocation lists a specific pact boon as a
prerequisite, you nonetheless must be at least 3rd level in this
class in order to select it.

At 1st level, your otherworldly patron bestows a gift upon you
to aid you in carrying out its wishes. That gift becomes more
potent at 2nd and 3rd level in recognition of your loyal service.
You gain one of the following features of your choice.
Pact of the Chain. You learn the find familiar spell and can
cast it as a ritual. It doesn't count against your number of
spells known.
Starting at 2nd level, when you take the attack action, you
can forgo one of your own attacks to allow your familiar to
make one attack of its own.
When you reach 3rd level, the next time you cause your
familiar to reappear from having been dismissed and each
time thereafter that you cast find familiar, you can cause your
familiar to take the form of one of the following instead of one
of the normally-available forms (you can still have it take one
of the normal forms if you wish): imp, pseudodragon, quasit,
or sprite.
Pact of the Blade. You can use your action to create a pact
weapon in your empty hand. You can choose the form that this
melee weapon takes each time you create it. Your pact
weapon disappears if it is more than 5 feet away from you for
1 minute or more. It also disappears if you use this feature
again, if you dismiss the weapon (no action required), or if you
die.
Starting at 2nd level, you are proficient with your pact
weapon while you wield it.
When you reach 3rd level, your pact weapon counts as
magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and
immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Also at 3rd level, you can transform one magic weapon into
your pact weapon by performing a special ritual while holding
the weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of 1 hour,
which can be done during a short rest. You can then dismiss
the weapon, shunting it into an extradimensional space, and it
appears whenever you create your pact weapon thereafter.
You can't affect an artifact or a sentient weapon in this way.
The weapon ceases being your pact weapon if you die, if you
perform the 1-hour ritual on a different weapon, or if you use a
1-hour ritual to break your bond to it. The weapon appears at
your feet if it is in the extradimensional space when the bond
breaks.
Pact of the Tome. Your patron gives you a grimoire called a
Book of Shadows. When you gain this feature, choose one
cantrip from any class's spell list. While the book is on your
person, you can cast this and any other cantrip contained
within it at will. It doesn't count against your number of
cantrips known. If it doesn't appear on the warlock spell list, it
is nonetheless a warlock spell for you.
If you lose your Book of Shadows, you can perform a 1-hour
ceremony to receive a replacement from your patron. This
ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and it
destroys the previous book. The book turns to ash when you
die.
When you reach 2nd and 3rd level, you add an additional
cantrip from any class's spell list to your Book of Shadows.
These cantrips need not be on the same spell list as the first
cantrip or each other. They don't count against your number of
cantrips known, and they count as warlock spells for you.


[To be added later] swap arcane recovery

[To be added later] swap cantrip

[To be added later] swap skill, half effect

[To be added later] swap cantrip

[To be added later] swap arcane recovery

[To be added later] swap arcane recovery

[To be added later] swap arcane recovery

If you wish to take the School of Transmutation Arcane
Tradition starting at 1st character level, you learn only two
wizard cantrips at first level. You gain the following features at
the levels indicated, which replace the School of
Transmutation's Minor Alchemy feature:
Minor Alchemy. Starting at 1st level when you select this
school, you can temporarily alter the physical properties of
one nonmagical object, changing it from one substance into
another. You perform a special alchemical procedure on one
object composed entirely of wood, stone (but not gemstone),
iron, copper, or silver, transforming it into a different one of
those materials. For each 10 minutes you spend performing
the procedure, you can transform up to 1 cubic foot of
material. After 1 hour, or until you lose your concentration (as
if you were concentrating on a spell), the material reverts to its
original substance.
Bonus Cantrip. At 2nd level, you learn an additional wizard
cantrip of your choice.
Variant rules developed by Itsafez 7
 
If you wish to take the War Magic Arcane Tradition starting at
1st character level, choose only one skill instead of two when
instructed to do so under Proficiencies when you make your
character. You gain the following features at the levels
indicated, which replace War Magic's Tactical Wit feature:
Tactical Wit. Starting at 1st level, your keen ability to
assess tactical situations allows you to act quickly in battle.
You can give yourself a bonus to your initiative rolls equal to
your Intelligence modifier.
Bonus Proficiency. At 2nd level, you gain proficiency in one
of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, History, Insight,
Investigation, Medicine, and Religion.

Alternate Starting Equipment

When using these rules for certain subclasses, a
player might find their character lacking certain gear
that their class features seem to assume they own.
Consider allowing the following options for starting
gear to players who use the 1st-level archetype
rules for the corresponding subclass.
College of Swords [To be added later]
Cavalier [To be added later]
Kensei [To be added later]
Assassin [To be added later]
Mastermind [To be added later]

8 Variant rules developed by Itsafez

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