8.1 - Quick Reference

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, 9,10, 13,15, and 17.20.

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.