@gsgrimoire: Want more drama in your spellcasting? Try Spell Slot Burnout — a gritty homebrew rule perfect for storytelling-focused games and DMs learning how to run high-stakes moments in Dungeons & Dragons. There was a fun and fire-fueled debate about this rule in this post: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdhTJAm2/ — and it led to three distinct versions worth exploring: Version 1: Pure Sacrifice When a caster has no spell slots left, they can still cast — but they gain exhaustion equal to the spell’s level. At 6 levels of exhaustion, they die. No saves. No mercy. Great for narrative moments of desperation, love, or defiance. Version 2: Ability Check Variant Want a touch more balance? The caster rolls a spellcasting ability check (DC = 12 + 2 × spell level). • Success: The spell goes off. • Failure: Nothing happens. Either way: they gain exhaustion equal to the spell’s level. Version 3: Hit Dice Damage Edition Roll a DC 15 spellcasting check. • On success: The spell fizzles, you gain 2 exhaustion. No effect. • Then take damage equal to spell level of rolled and spend hit dice. Ignores resistance. Can’t be prevented. If this drops you to 0 HP or 6 exhaustion? You die. Brutally. Arcane backlash. This rule is for DMs and players who love narrative storytelling, dramatic tension, and want to go beyond the standard D&D rules. Perfect for beginner DMs looking to deepen the emotional stakes in their campaign. Just be ready for heroic deaths. #dndhomebrew #dndhouserules #beginnerdm #dndforbeginners #dndstorytelling #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpgideas #dnd5e #spellburnout #dndmagic #houserules #dnd
GS Grimoire: DnD content+DM
Region: DK
Sunday 25 May 2025 08:25:43 GMT
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Isaac :
in these specific rules ability checks is best but if you tweek the rules a little I think hp loss would be most reasonable and realistic casters don't have a lot of health in general unless you multi class and the rules should have something different for each class or multi class
2025-07-16 20:07:18
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Frostitution :
I actually like each of these for different classes. The first one feels good for sorcerers whose magic comes from within. The second one is good for wizards who are trying to force their will on the world. The last is good for clerics and warlocks who are using borrowed power
2025-05-25 19:44:58
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beringtom :
the first one is the only one I could see as viable to even consider as a caster, the other two would curve in difficulty too much.
2025-05-25 14:08:54
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GS Grimoire: DnD content+DM :
3 versions for casters. Need one for melee?
2025-05-25 08:59:04
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my_name_is_deez :
the last one, what does it mean by fail? do you still make the spellcasting save then take the damage? or is there a minimum amount of damage needed? im considering this in future campaigns and I gotta know so I dont misuse this or the others
2025-06-07 14:52:00
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KyleBlue :
how about none? Spellcasting in 5e (i assume this is for) really doesnt need any buffs lol
2025-05-25 17:32:04
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Brian :
cool
2025-07-03 18:43:53
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Glitchplayz :
How does spell work in dnd
2025-05-26 15:29:10
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Whoopersnaper94 :
How about when casting a spell without the required spell slot make a Spellcasting Ability saving throw DC14+2x spell level To pull Arcane power from either an Arcane lay line, ur pact patron, or daity. forcing the magic out to bend to your will. which makes the energy u took become unstable negatively effect u. after making a saving throw you gain 1 level of exhaustion per spell level permanently half as much on a successful save rounded up. only cureable through a greater restoration spell or wish. regardless of save your spell will still go off. at 10 levels of exhaustion like normally u die.
2025-05-26 03:15:23
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👺 :
I like first and third but caveat: they can burn any remaining spell slots to reduce the level of exhaustion/hit dice used. So using a 3rd lvl slot on a 5th lvl spell is only 2 exhaustion/dice
2025-05-26 04:55:27
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Ryan Ice :
I have used HP and it doesnt work cause necromancy just makes it null. I currently use a system similar to #2 exept you do get exaustion counters equal to the spell level and the total counters is a DC CON check or pass out/ death depending on roll
2025-06-03 13:56:53
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The Quacking Dragon :
Funny to see an idea I’ve run for years now be run through what I assume is chat gpt
2025-06-02 12:19:50
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Kristian Romero :
These are fun for super forgiving tables but personally I don't want anything making my casters or my tables' casters any more powerful than they already are.
2025-05-28 15:50:11
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E. V. (Fairy Type Propaganda) :
I feel like it would be cool to have each of these as a different class. Like sorcerer gets one, warlock gets another
2025-05-26 21:23:50
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kylerodriguez872 :
Exaution can no longer be reduced? Does that mean not through resting either? If that’s the case it’s meh, I think it’s better to extend the exhaustion than make it permanent
2025-05-27 03:56:49
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Cheshire Xaoran :
Or make it based on spell level. They can go for the high levels like this and they die of exhaustion if it’s too much and if they live the exhaustion takes longer to go away but it should be possible to bed rest it away even if it takes a long time unless they’re just dead with the time needed related to the levels gained. Also perhaps can introduce an item/process to obtain souls to burn for such power through a warlock or a deity/represenative dealing them but it’s gonna shift your alignment if you aren’t evil already
2025-05-26 21:52:47
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t :
yes
2025-06-17 08:36:38
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Val :
And that's what we call "Deal with the D3vil" in my table. There's a system fully about making deals directly with the GM, so, the idea cames from there. My favorite is the "I give you 3 failed d3ath saves so I can do something heidonous", works like a charm for the narrative
2025-05-26 20:52:00
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Michii<33 :
OMG YES SOME OF IT WORKS WITH MY MAGIC SYSTEM! THIS HELPS SO MUCH
2025-05-29 08:43:29
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melnussish :
how would the exaughtion go away?
2025-06-18 22:54:13
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TBear :
One of my DMs had a take on this for a high stakes campaign. We've only done it once but the scenario in question was regarding a characters backstory and he allowed them to attempt to cast without a spell slot at the cost of exhaustion and a permanent injury befitting their storyline. Very cool stuff.
2025-05-26 18:57:58
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Kaos :
Question on the wording for the hit dice version. It says “If this damage…kills the caster, they die instantly” is the intention that if the damage reduces them to 0 hp or less that they die or is it for the massive damage rule (death at negative max HP)? The way it’s worded makes that kind of confusing.
2025-05-26 18:30:56
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GS Grimoire: DnD content+DM :
Would you consider using one of these versions at your table?
2025-05-25 10:00:24
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