Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 SnigTheWorg Jul 20, 2015 5:32:51	Just wondering if anyone had any good insight into building this subrace? Or perhaps a good write up has already been done? Enlarge and invisibility are pretty much a given and of handle these the same way drow get racial spell casting, along with a cantrip.   This description from the MM mentions their great mental fortitude.   "Tough as Stone. Like dwarves, duergar have strong constitutions. Adding to their physical stamina is an incredible mental fortitude resulting from their time as slaves of the illithids. A duergar's mind is a fortress, able to shrug off charms, illusions, and other spells." Adding something that acknowledges this trait would be great, but keeping it balanced might be tricky. Aside from that maybe tweak the dwarven weapon proficiencies a bit too include maybe crossbows maybe shortsword?
#2 Marandahir Jul 20, 2015 8:15:53	I would actually given Enlarge as a racial feat, similar to the Svirfneblin's racial feat.
#3 RCNovak Jul 20, 2015 8:16:36	I would maybe borrow some of the Gnome's magical resistance features, Drow's Darkvision, and something like the scaling magical racial feat that Svirnefblin (from the Elemental Evil Player's Companion) have. Maybe like... Ability Score Increase: +2 Constitution Superior Darkvision: Your darkvision up to a radius of 120 ft. Sunlight Sensitivity: You have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight. Dwarven Resilience: You have advantadge on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage. Dwarven Combat Training: You gain proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, warhammer, and throwing hammer. Tool Proficiency: You gain proficiency with a tool of your choice; Smith's Tools, Brewer's Tools, or Mason's Tools. Stonecunning: Whenever you make an intelligence (History) check related to the origin of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check. Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Undercommon --- Ability Score Increase: +1 Wisdom (Representing immense mental willpower...) Mental Fortress (Borrowed from Gnome): You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. New Feat: Duergar Magic Prerequisite: Dwarf (Duergar) You have inherited the innate spellcasting abilities of your ancestors. This allows you to cast the Nondetection spell on yourself, at will, without needing material components. You can also cast each of the following spells once per day with this ability: Darkness, Invisibility, and Enlarge/Reduce (but only using the "Enlarge" effect). You regain the ability to cast these spells when you finish a long rest. >> Both of the features "Mental Fortress" and "Duergar Magic" were re-purposed off of Gnome subraces, so they're not super-homebrewed (and as such, I assume, not overpowered). Duergar Magic allows the PC to have access to the inherent racial powers that the Duergar Monster stat block has (Enlarge/Invisbility)... though to make it mirror the Svirnefblin, I added Darkness (to help counter sunlight sensitivity) and kept the Nondetection at-will (as Duergar are known for being reclusive and crafty). Allowing this optional feat is kind of allowing the optional content from the Elemental Evil Player's Companion, however, so if your table doesn't allow that your mileage may vary. Hope this helps you!
#4 SnigTheWorg Jul 20, 2015 8:22:41	I considered granting the Duergar Magic as a racial feat, but then I looked at the Drow, who do not need to spend a feat for their racial magic. The fact that Svirfneblin do seem kind of underpowered? So i'm at a impass as to what to do. Give it to them for free (ala drow) or have them pay a feat for it (as is the case with the deep gnome).
#5 jaappleton Jul 20, 2015 8:24:29	Drow are also the only race with a penalty of any kind, with Sunlight sensitivity.
(Reply to #4) RCNovak	SnigTheWorg wrote:
#7 SnigTheWorg Jul 20, 2015 8:43:01	Fair enough, but what about Infernal Legacy with the Tieflings? the get a Cantrip, Hellish Rebuke, and Darkness.  What I was considering was giving the Duergar Enlarge at 3rd, Invisibility at 5th, and no cantrip / darkness?    Still not sure if i'm balancing things correctly.   Edit: Also I should mention that I was planning on giving them Sunlight Sensitivity, something that apparently Deep Gnomes do not have?
(Reply to #7) RCNovak	SnigTheWorg wrote:
#9 SnigTheWorg Jul 20, 2015 8:53:18	RCNovak wrote:
#10 RCNovak Jul 20, 2015 9:18:28	If you really want Duergar Magic to be a built-in racial feature, I would give them... Cantrip: Thaumaturgy, since Asmodeous is secretly giving power to the Duergar and acting as their false god... so a devilish "utiltiy" cantrip simialr to the Tieflings make sense. 1st Level Spell (3rd Level): Enlarge/Reduce... with the caveat that you can only target yourself, no objects/allies, and cannot use the Reduce property whatsoever. 2nd Level Spell (5th Level): Invisiblity, as normal. Even with the restricitons, I don't know if becoming Large with advantage on all Strength rolls and extra weapon damage is fair at that level... but it does limit the spell to be only internally cast and with one function, so it's overall power is mitigated a bit.
(Reply to #9) RCNovak	SnigTheWorg wrote:
#12 SnigTheWorg Jul 20, 2015 9:05:17	Well actually I just finished reading the Homebrew Race guide using racial scores. If I did do what i'm wanting to do it pushes the Duergar to a racial score of 9 which is too high. Dwarf and Drow are the highest at 7.5.   I cannot add both Mental Fortress ( 2 racial score) and Duergar Magic ( 1.5 racial score) onto the Dwarven chassis (4.5 racial score) and keep them under 7.5 racial score, unless I choose to not grant them an +1 to another attribute, and even then they have a racial score of 8.   So your suggestion about the racial feat may be my best bet, either that or do not grant them an extra ability score.
#13 RCNovak Jul 20, 2015 9:17:18	I'm not familiar with this Race Creation Guide... Is that in the forums somewhere? I assume it's a player-made resource?
(Reply to #13) SnigTheWorg	RCNovak wrote:
(Reply to #14) RCNovak	SnigTheWorg wrote:
#16 SnigTheWorg Jul 20, 2015 10:09:37	Thanks man, I appreciate all your advice.