Variant Rules

These are rules that change out basic rules of the Niche d20 system. These generally exist for groups that wish to adjust the game to help fit their table better, be it for greater expedience of combat or simply a different preferred way of playing.

Static Defenses
This variant rule helps reduce the amount of dice rolls needed in combat to help expedite things especially if the rolling is not automated within some software.

When doing static defenses first decide if you wish to simply apply this to basic mobs or all creatures. When applying to basic mobs this generally means any basic creature that is not a boss encounter for a party, this keeps players rolling their defenses as normal, but reduces the work the GM needs to put in to get through an encounter; its generally recommended to let the boss monster still roll for its defenses to give players more varied results, as it might feel more fair if they still must roll for their defenses. If applying to all creatures then simply apply this rule to both players and NPCs.

To do static defenses simply treat the roll for all CMD, Saving Throws, and AC rolls as if they had rolled a 10 on the dice every time. This will cause creatures using this to seem more consistent in their defenses, leaving much more of the random chance on the attacker.

Simplified Dogpiles
This variant rule simplifies the way to handle more than two creatures engaged in a grapple by reducing the number of times that a Grapple maneuver must be rolled and resolved each round.

This method of resolution involves applying the Aid action for each additional creature assisting either the grappling creature or the creature being grappled. When resolving a multi-creature grapple in this way, assign one creature as the primary grappler and each additional allied creature may use Aid to provide a stacking +2 bonus to assist the primary grappler. In the alternative, allied creatures may make an Aid check to provide a stacking -2 penalty to the opposing grappler. Features that improve the benefit granted by the Aid action similarly increase this bonus or penalty by the same amount. This bonus or penalty may be applied on attempts to initiate, maintain, escape, or take control of the grapple. Despite multiple creatures being involved, only the primary grappler and their target gain the Grappled condition.