Homebrew Gaming 1: An Intro and a Preview

Hey, it's Channing, and I'm here to welcome you to the first feature of Homebrew Gaming.



Homebrew Gaming will be a recurring feature in which we detail ways to make the games you play your own, and feature the homebrew efforts of others in the community. If you haven't read the introduction to Abstract Gaming, I recommend checking it out here. I hope this gives you a good feel for what this article will be like.  

First of all, I'd like to discuss Dungeons and Dragons: 4th Edition, which will likely be the focus of many of these articles. This is a system that has rebuilt all of the previous standards of the DnD franchise. Never before has the system taken such a tremendous leap into new design; however, with such a leap, much of the older source material is no longer useful, and we don't have as much to go on to create balance or fairness. This is not always a bane, it can sometimes be a wonderful blessing. 

With such unexplored pathways, the world of homebrew is rife with new possibilities. Not only can we reimagine old fluff into the new system, but we have an opportunity to use these rules to inspire wholly new creations. It is this process of creation which this feature will be about.
Enough of philosophy, pathways, and flim-flam, on to the homebrew. Seeing as this was merely an introduction to this concept, I was hesitant to show you any real content. But how much fun would an article on homebrew be without any sort of homebrewing? Below I've got a preview for an upcoming article on building the universe of Warcraft into the 4th Edition rules.

I figured for this preview I'd give you the premier race of each faction, one from the Alliance of the Eastern Kingdoms and one from the Horde of Kalimdor. The Humans, a representative of the Alliance, are know for their strength and their skills at detection and diplomacy. Similarly, the Orcs are also know for their strength, but also their honor, hardiness, and even a dark taint of fury. Without further ado, 4th edition rules for the Warcraft Human and Orc.

Human
Average Height: 5'” - 6'2”

Average Weight: 135-220 lbs 

Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Charisma
Size: Medium 

Speed: 6 

Vision: Normal 

Languages: Common
Skill Bonuses: +2 Diplomacy, +2 Perception 

Human Weapon Specialization: When using a sword, you gain +2 to melee damage.

Human Perception: You can use Human Perception as an encounter power. 

Human Perception Human Racial
Encounter //Immediate Reaction // Personal 

Trigger: You grant combat advantage due to a failed perception check. 

Effect: You may re-roll your perception check with a bonus equal to your wisdom modifier.

Orc

Average Height: 5'10” - 6'3” 

Average Weight: 190-230 lbs 

Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom
Size: Medium 

Speed: 6 

Vision: Normal 

Languages: Common, Orcish
Skill Bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 Insight 

Hardiness: You gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against dazed, slowed, or stunned effects. Blood Fury: You can use Bloodfury as an encounter power. 

Blood Fury Orc Racial
Encounter // Minor Action // Personal 

Effect: You may spend one healing surge, but do not regain hit points. Instead, you gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls (save sustains).