House Rule: Hero Points

Hero Points (House Rule)

There are moments in any struggle that define the outcome - the instant before the spell completes, the heartbeat before the blade falls, the breath held in silence before discovery. While failure is always possible, true heroes sometimes defy fate itself.

Hero Points represent that potential for greatness.

Hero Point Pool

• Each player character begins play with 1 Hero Point, regardless of level
• Each time a character gains a level, they gain +1 Hero Point
• Hero Points are refreshed at the start of each new story arc (DM discretion)

NPCs and Creatures

• NPCs, cohorts, familiars, mounts, and companions gain 1 Hero Point per 4 HD or levels
• The DM determines when (or if) they are spent
• Exception: non-humanoid felines always have 9 Hero Points (because of course they do)

Gaining Hero Points

In addition to leveling, Hero Points may be awarded at the DM’s discretion. Typical triggers include:

Character Investment

• Writing a backstory
• Providing artwork, miniatures, or meaningful character detail
• Resolving a personal story arc

Story Progression

• Completing a major quest or narrative arc
• Advancing the story in a meaningful way

Faith & Devotion

• Acting in accordance with a deity or creed in a significant way
• These may be temporary Hero Points that fade if unused

Table Contribution

• Hosting, helping, or contributing to the group experience
• These should always be given freely, never expected

Heroic Acts

• Exceptional bravery, sacrifice, or cleverness
• Must not have been achieved using a Hero Point

Return from the Dead

• A character restored to life has Hero Points equal to their character level

Using Hero Points

• Hero Points may be spent at any time
• Spending a Hero Point requires no action
• You may spend only 1 Hero Point per round

Hero Point Effects

Act Out of Turn
Take your turn immediately, moving your initiative to just before the current creature.
You may take a move or standard action only.

Bonus
Before a roll: +8 luck bonus to one d20 roll
After a roll: +4 luck bonus

You may grant this bonus to an ally:

• +4 before the roll
• +2 after the roll
• You must be able to reasonably influence the outcome

Extra Action
Gain an additional standard or move action on your turn.

Inspiration
Ask the DM for a hint.
If no useful information is available, the Hero Point is not spent.

Recall
Regain:

• A spell already cast
• A limited-use ability that refreshes daily

Reroll
Reroll any d20 roll you just made.
You must take the new result.

Special (Heroic Effort)
Attempt something nearly impossible with DM approval.

Examples:

• Cast a spell one level higher than you can normally cast
• Ignore damage reduction on a single attack
• Attempt an otherwise impossible social or physical feat

Restrictions:

• No additional Hero Points may be spent on this action
• The attempt should involve a significant penalty or high DC

Cheat Death
When you would die, spend 1 Hero Point to survive.

• You are reduced to –1 HP and stable (or 1 HP, DM’s choice)
• The survival should be narratively justified

This may also be used to save:

• Familiar
• Animal companion
• Special mount

(Not other PCs or NPCs)

House Rule: Fall damage based on mass (size)

Variant Rule: Falling Damage by Size

Falling damage is determined by a creature’s size (mass), rather than using a fixed value.

A falling creature takes damage based on its size for every 10 feet fallen (to a maximum, as noted below). A successful Reflex save (DC 20) halves the damage taken.

Falling Damage by Size

Size	Damage per 10 ft.	Maximum Damage
Fine	—	—
Diminutive	1	10
Tiny	1d4	5d4
Small	1d6	10d6
Medium	1d6	20d6
Large	1d8	30d8
Huge	1d10	50d10
Gargantuan	2d10	100d10
Colossal	4d10	200d10

Notes

• Damage is cumulative per 10 feet fallen, up to the listed maximum.
• Creatures of Fine size or smaller take no falling damage.
• Apply any relevant modifiers (such as damage reduction) after determining total damage.

To explain:

What happens if you throw an elephant off a skyscraper?