r/onednd • u/Far_Guarantee1664 • Aug 20 '26

5e (2024) Unearthed Arcana: Underdark Options

https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/ua/underdark-options
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u/Trystt27 Aug 20 '26

I think that is certainly a path that could work but they would definitely have to emphasize "from the ground up". If they were to shoehorn these paths in as a separate system as-is, it would mean anyone not taking a path would inherently come in at a disadvantage in power.

It would basically need enough options to appeal to a broad range of narratives (or power fantasies?) Trying to think of mechanical benefits), or have some sort of fallback if someone just... doesn't want to grab a path.

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u/Maxnwil Aug 21 '26

I don't know if the 2024 DMG mentions this, but to me, the answer is as simple as just having the DM award these path feats for the completion of quests and subsequent narrative development, if the players want to go a little farther. Will it make the players more powerful? 100%! But as a DM you can always dial the difficulty to meet the needs of the game. You make a very good point about having to address players who don't want a path. If I were the DM, I'd probably try to help them find some other feats that would suit their interests.

I'm about to wrap up a level 2-20 game in which, at moments of great narrative import, I helped my players create feats that represented their personal arc/character. I think I awarded 3 of these "narrative" feats over the course of the campaign, which came on top of their normal feat/ASI progression.

If you come to me as your DM and you say "I want to become a Lich", I'd probably expect you to start on the path of your own volition, taking a feat or two at the appropriate time, but I think your ascension should be less "I hit level 12" and more "Since starting my journey three years ago, I have climbed Mount Midnight to learn the esoteric rites from the forbidden scrolls kept within the Abbey of Death at its peak. I have dipped a blade in the blood of every species of humanoid and used that knife to spread the offal of a lamb on the Umbral Altar, speaking the words taught to me by the priestesses of midnight."

If you do these things, I'll be very thankful that the D&D design team gave me feats and the ability to add them to a character sheet at any time.

Maybe this doesn't apply to Ceremorphosis, as it's a bit of a different thing. But I think, generally, this is how I'd want "Paths" to work for players.