8.1 - Quick Reference
Character Creation
| Step | Choice | Mechanical Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancestry | Chassis: size, Speed, senses, inherited traits |
| 2 | Lineage | One physical or supernatural sub-race expression |
| 3 | Heritage | One regional people; one language or dialect and two Heritage Expressions |
| 4 | Native D&D background | Exactly the benefits granted by the campaign's selected background system |
| 5 | Ancestral Detail and Trait | One narrow physical ribbon and one ancestry, versatile-lineage, or universal level-1 Trait |
| 6 | Flaw | Optional story pressure; no permanent power |
Quick and Custom Routes
A lineage's Quick Package recommends its Ancestral Detail and level-1 Trait. Take both for a ready-to-play build or replace either with an eligible option. Quick Packages never grant extra features.
Trait and Talent Advancement
Gain one Ancestral Trait at level 1 and one Ancestral Talent at levels 5, 10, 15, and 20.
Each later Talent is a discovery, awakening, mastery, or revelation. The level-20 option is the apex expression of that ancestry path.
Ability Scores
V4.0 grants no ability-score increases. Use the campaign's normal character-creation and background rules. A 2024-style background may grant ability-score options; a 2014-style background normally does not.
Common Formulas
Ancestry Save DC: 8 + proficiency bonus + named ability modifier
Once per long rest: One use, all uses return after a long rest.
Proficiency-bonus uses per long rest: Uses equal proficiency bonus, all uses return after a long rest.
Versatile Lineage
Aasimar, Tiefling, and Mixed Lineage replace the lineage of a base ancestry. They do not replace or duplicate the ancestry chassis.
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