Hellish Rebuke 5e: An Eye for an Eye

Sometimes in real life, someone does something to us that unleashes a fury of anger and resentment that feels almost supernatural. It’s a bit over the top, but what can we do? It happens!


Of course, we don’t use fire and brimstone to get back at someone in reality. However, if you’re playing Dungeons and Dragons, you can use the Hellish Rebuke 5e spell to do just that.


Disclaimer: I’m not encouraging any sort of real-life violence. I’m just explaining the power you have with this formidable spell. Hellish Rebuke 5e is one of countless DnD spells, and honestly, I think it doesn’t get enough credit. Let’s get to know this intense spell that every adventurer should be thankful for (or scared of).

Hellish Rebuke 5e

What Is Hellish Rebuke 5e?

Hellish Rebuke is a spell that was actually introduced in the fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons. It’s a first-level evocation and reaction spell, which means it summons or manipulates magic energy to create something or cause an effect. According to the Player’s Handbook (page 250), Hellish Rebuke 5e stats and rules are as follows:


  • Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take in response to being damaged by a creature within 60 feet of you that you can see
  • Range: 60 feet
  • Component: V, S
  • Duration: Instantaneous


“You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.”


Hellish Rebuke 5e Characteristics

Before your head starts spinning with energy, let’s break down the characteristics of Hellish Rebuke 5e.


First-Level Spell

First-level spells are prevalent assets at the beginning of a D&D RPG campaign. Therefore, Hellish Rebuke 5e is available right at character creation, and can be one of the cornerstone spells for your character’s magical journey.


Evocation and Reaction Spell

An evocation spell is one that calls upon magical energy to create an effect. They’re energy-based spells that you can use to create or cause something.


A reaction spell is one that someone casts in response to a particular trigger, such as being damaged by an enemy. These two types of spells combine to make the Hellish Rebuke 5e spell a powerful reaction that can cause substantial damage.

How Does Hellish Rebuke 5e Work?

Hellish Rebuke 5e is triggered when someone damages you. You can use your “reaction” action for that turn to unleash a fiery explosion of energy at the attacker. The spell deals 2d10 fire damage, plus an extra 1d10 for every slot level above the first. In other words, if you cast it at a higher level, Hellish Rebuke can deal some serious damage.


Also, being a "Reaction," casting Hellish Rebuke does not take up your Bonus Action for the round.


What I love about this spell is that it’s a great way to get revenge. When someone messes with you, Hellish Rebuke lets you take them down quickly and easily. It’s a great way to send the message of “don’t mess with me,” and give your attacker a taste back of what they’ve done.


Hellish Rebuke makes everyone think twice about their actions in combat: an eye for an eye, as they say.


Who Can Cast Hellish Rebuke?

Imagine if everyone could cast Hellish Rebuke. The adventure would become a lot more chaotic. Thankfully (or unfortunately), it’s only available to certain classes.


If you need some DnD character ideas, Hellish Rebuke 5e is accessible to all Warlocks, regardless of their Patron. Oathbreaker Paladins can also access it at third level. A Bard can cast the spell if they have the Magical Secrets feature.


Hellish Rebuke 5e is also available to tieflings who choose the Bloodline of Asmodeus. It becomes a second-level spell with the Infernal Legacy trait, dealing 3d10 fire damage. Tieflings can only cast their version of Hellish Rebuke 5e once per long rest though, even if it doesn’t burn a spell slot.

Hellish Rebuke 5e Classes

When and Where Should You Cast Hellish Rebuke 5e?

If you think the spell can’t get any better, think again. I personally believe that there’s no bad time to cast this chaotic spell. At least, I believe there’s no bad time. But, of course, there are optimal times and places to give your enemies a proper hellfire-infused rebuke.


First of all, you have to be damaged to cast the spell. It’s reaction-based, so there must be a trigger, or something must happen to you to react to it. For example, a creature damages you in your turn, casting a spell that requires a reaction point. You can use that reaction to cast Hellish Rebuke 5e in return. The spell ranges from 60 feet, so you have a great chance of hitting the creature who hit you! I love that, similar to Spiritual Weapon 5e, this spell allows me to attack enemies from a distance.


I cast Hellish Rebuke 5e whenever I find myself in the following situations:


Front-Liner

When you’re a front-liner, you inevitably receive damage near enemies. Generally, being a front-liner is bad for a spellcaster, but you can cause immense extra damage in a battle when using Hellish Rebuke 5e. Again, the range is 60 feet, so you have plenty of chances to make it a worthwhile spell.


Basically, think of yourself as a shield for your team, that has spikes. Whenever anyone attacks the shield (you), they take damage in return. With that thought in mind, you want everyone to attack you as often as possible – at least until you run out of spell slots.


Manipulate Saving Throws

I also cast Hellish Rebuke 5e with the help of another party member. For example, I can force an enemy to make a saving throw for the spell, and my party member can cast Silvery Barbs 5e if they succeed. Sure enough, the enemy will then often fail their save and take extra damage. The cantrip Mind Sliver 5e can also make the spell more effective by lowering the target’s next saving throw, so try to use it whenever possible.

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Hellish Rebuke 5e Tips

Hellish Rebuke is really a simple spell, but we all know that D&D can be complex, so here are some tips to get the most out of the spell:

  • Bypass fire resistance: if you’ve played D&D 5e for very long, you know there’s a lot of fire resistance in the game. Immunities can still prevent Hellish Rebuke 5e from happening, so use the Elemental Adept feat to gain an advantage.
  • Think twice when an enemy attacks from behind a wall: Hellish Rebuke 5e is less effective when attacking targets who have cover. Cast another spell if you can, or just wait for the next turn.
  • Pair it up with other spells: Hellish Rebuke 5e is powerful alone, but you can make it even scarier using other spells. For example, Armor of Agathys, a first-level Warlock spell, deals cold damage to anyone who strikes you while the effect is active. If you get attacked, your enemy takes cold damage then gets hit by your Hellish Rebuke, as well.
  • Choose Pact of the Blade: if you’re a Warlock, choosing the Pact of Blade allows you to unleash the flames of hell. Well, the spell is powerful regardless of your Patron, but it becomes a game-changer in melee range.
  • Be a Hexblade Warlock: besides Pact of the Blade, Hellish Rebuke 5e can also be a great pick for Hexblades. Hexblades are more likely to stay close to enemies, which results in more attacks against you, and more chances to use Hellish Rebuke.
  • Play with caution when silenced: if your main strategy is to draw in enemy attacks so that you can unleash Hellish Rebuke, be careful of Silence 5e effects. While Silenced, you won’t be able to cast spells, so you’ll either need countermeasures prepared, or you’ll need to make a quick retreat from the front lines of battle.
  • Trick the enemy: this tip is mostly flavor, but you can trick an enemy into thinking that the spell will be coming from another direction by pointing a finger away from them. The Player’s Handbook says, “You point a finger,” but not specifically “toward the creature,” so you can throw the enemy off balance. Give them a show because you can!
  • Communicate with your party and DM: always talk to your group and dungeon master about what spells are necessary during your adventures. If you want to just cast Hellish Rebuke without restraint, go for it. But if you want to really play as a team, communicate with other players to see how you can best plan spell slots to fill gaps in your party’s overall strategy.
  • Plan before casting: finally, I suggest taking a moment to consider the overall battle before casting Hellish Rebuke 5e. Try to time your spell for maximum effect, or think if there may be a better spell available for the situation. It can be entertaining to spam-cast Hellish Rebuke, but it pays to plan – especially during difficult battles.
Hellish Rebuke 5e Monsters

Own Your Revenge With Hellish Rebuke 5e

Let’s take a break from strict D&D rules, shall we? Remember that the game also has a roleplay aspect, and you can customize your revenge when it comes to the Hellish Rebuke 5e spell. You know that descriptions make role-playing even more fun, so come up with creative ways to describe the spell.


What the Spell Does for You

When someone hurts you in real life, how do you feel? Do you feel like combusting in rage? Ask the same questions when you’re in the D&D world, and use Hellish Rebuke to make your revenge fit with your character’s personality.


When thinking about the spell, imagine if your character is seeking vengeance or maybe just believes in an eye for an eye. It’s your story, so make the spell fit in with it.


What the Spell Does and Looks Like

When you hear the word “hell,” you might picture many things. There can be an eruption of flames, a blast of fire, or a ball of fire coming to your enemy. But even if “hell” is in the name of the spell, you don’t have to limit yourself. Use colors and ideas that fit with the character, the environment, and your story. Think about the scene you want and make sure that it looks cool.

Your party (and enemies) will be there to witness the spell, so make the spell’s aesthetics unique.


Change the Spell Damage Type

When running a D&D campaign, Hellish Rebuke 5e can be more than “fire damage.” It depends on your dungeon master’s ruling, but you could consider asking them if they’d consider allowing your Hellish Rebuke spell to deal a different type of damage, to better fit your character’s aesthetic, or personality.


If they’re game for it, perhaps you could even alter the spell to cause some kind of chaotic effect, rather than just straight up damage.

Level Up With an Awesome Dice Tower

Ok, this is a little off topic, but at the end of the day, tabletop RPGs are for having fun, right? If you're going to spend the time optimizing your character's strategies in combat, why not also maximize your game table aesthetics? Dice roll fine without a device to do it for you. But, having a dice tower can certainly add a lot to the feel of your game. Imagine rolling dice down this magical tower's steps. Between every dice roll, you have a prop that brings your D&D game to life that much more.


Check it out! Change up the color or find some of the other great dice tower options available. They make great DnD gifts for yourself or others.

Is Hellish Rebuke 5e Good?

Out of all the spells in the Player’s Handbook, Hellish Rebuke 5e is one spell that makes me say “Hell yes!” There’s no doubt that other spells can be even more powerful, but this one is definitely good. Especially for low-level Warlock spells, the Hellish Rebuke 5e is absolutely a must-have. I keep it ready for use at basically all times.


The spell’s range is an upside, along with scaling damage as you level up and use higher level spell slots. Also, even if your target makes a successful saving throw, the spell still deals some damage to them.


Warlocks and front-line characters are obviously easy targets for enemies, so Hellish Rebuke 5e can be an excellent way to avenge yourself. Generally, you can use it as an ace up your sleeve, as it’s a great spell that packs a punch. I’m sure you’ll use it more often than other spells once you get a taste for how fun it can be (like I did).


Rebuke Your Way to a Great Adventure

Again, I’m not encouraging violence, but in Dungeons and Dragons, Hellish Rebuke 5e is about giving your enemies a fitting punishment. With its long-range and scaling damage, you can finally feel like the badass spell caster that you are.


So, go out and find your adventure. And if the enemy gets too close for comfort, prepare to rebuke them with a show of fire and brimstone. And read on for how Hellish Rebuke effects work in the Eternity TTRPG Game System.


If you need DnD Quest Ideas, having an enemy that casts Hellish Rebuke is also honestly a great way to begin a series of adventures.

Hellish Rebuke in Eternity TTRPG

Hellish Rebuke in D&D 5e vs. Eternity TTRPG

In D&D 5e, Hellish Rebuke is a spell that effectively acts as a ranged, magical counterattack when you take damage. It’s useful whether you’re playing a caster or a front-line melee character (who has access to the spell, obviously).


In the Eternity TTRPG Game System, there is no exact equivalent of the Hellish Rebuke 5e spell, though there are many effects that fit into the same or similar categories. 


It’s also worth noting that in D&D, Hellish Rebuke 5e takes up a spell slot to cast. This means that any targets capable of casting Hellish Rebuke have a limited number of times they may cast the spell. Meanwhile, in Eternity TTRPG, counterattack effects do not have a limit to the number of times they may be used. So, characters capable of counterattacking may be very dangerous. 


What Classes in Eternity TTRPG Have a Hellish Rebuke Effect?

Cryomancer (Core Rulebook) and Witch Hunter (Classes Expansion) are the only classes that receive Silence as a core class spell. However, Alchemist, Dread Priest, and Druid all have specialization/ critical options that allow them to obtain Silence.

Eternity TTRPG Assassin

Assassin – Core Class Ability

First Strike: this Ability can only be used both 1) the first time you attack an enemy, and 2) the first time you are attacked by an enemy. Instant Action, roll d20. If you roll 18-20, deal 1damage. Battle Recharge after both uses.

  • (Life-Ender) You also gain +7Strike Bonus, +6Resilience, +6Dodge, and +6Will for 1turn.
  • (Infiltrator) You can move to the target of this Ability once during the rest of the Battle, as an Instant Action, up to your Speed value in Range away.
  • (Expert) You also gain +3Initiative.
Eternity TTRPG Berserker

Berserker – Core Class Ability

Vengeance: this Ability can only be used when you drop to 0HP. Instant Action. Take an attack Action against the target who dropped you to 0HP. After your Action, you still drop to 0HP. When you use or Critical this Ability, you can’t use any more Wisdom this turn. 1Day Recharge.

  • (Decimation) Your attack is made against up to 3 enemies in Weapon Range. *Double-Hit with this Critical only allows one of the attacks to cause additional effect.
  • (Recklessness) Even if your attack misses, up to 3 enemies in 4Range, +4Strike Bonus vs. Resilience, knocks back all affected targets up to your Speed value -2, in any direction. This Critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.
  • (Dauntless Fury) If your attack hits, +3Strike Bonus vs. Resilience, Daze for 2turns. The Daze effect from this Critical continues even after you drop to 0HP. This Critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.
Eternity TTRPG Fallen Paladin

Fallen Paladin – Critical Option

Blood Spiller (Magic): after you cast this Spell on yourself, every time you attack an enemy, roll d20. If you roll 18-20, deal 1damage. You can only deal damage with this Spell once per turn. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Spell for 3Inspiration.

  • (Shield of Corruption) Also roll to deal damage with “Blood Spiller” every time an enemy attacks you. This Critical also allows you to deal damage with “Blood Spiller” twice per turn. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 6Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
Eternity TTRPG Royal Guard

Royal Guard – Core Class Ability

Counter-Slam: this Ability can only be used if you are wielding a shield. After you use this Ability on yourself, every time you are attacked by an adjacent enemy, roll d20. If you roll 18-20, +7Strike Bonus vs. Resilience, Daze for 1turn. You can only Daze with this Ability once per turn. “Counter-Slam” cannot Double-Hit or give a Block. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Ability for 1Inspiration.

(Dazed): the effect from “Counter-Slam” is temporarily interrupted while you are Dazed.

  • (Executor) If you roll 18-20, it also deals 1damage to the target. You can only deal damage with this Critical once per turn. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 4Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Life-Sworn) Roll 15-20. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 2Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Ancient Blade) Instant Action. You also gain +9Resilience, +9Dodge, and +9Will for 1turn. When you use this Critical, you can’t use any more Wisdom this turn.  
Eternity TTRPG Sage

Sage – Core Class Spell

Crimson Curse (Magic): up to 3 enemies in 4Range, +7Faith vs. Will. If this Spell hits, whenever an affected target deals damage, roll d20. If you roll 18-20, they also take 1damage. “Crimson Curse” cannot Double-Hit or give a Block. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Spell for 3Intelligence.
(Dazed): the effect from “Crimson Curse” is temporarily interrupted while you are Dazed.

  • (Darkness and Light) Roll 16-20. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 5Intelligence (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Secrets of the Ancient Tomes) For one enemy who’s hit, instead roll 13-20 to hit. For all other enemies affected by this Spell, still roll 18-20 to hit. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 5Intelligence (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Powers of the Eternals) Whenever an affected target is healed, roll d20. If you roll 18-20, they heal an additional +1HP. This Critical cannot trigger itself. This Critical allows the affected target to heal 2HP above their normal max HP. Healing from this effect also Fatigues the target, giving -1Resilience, -1Dodge, and -1Will for 1Day Duration (can stack without limit). You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 2Inspiration (plus the base 3Intelligence, and 0Wisdom).
Eternity TTRPG Vanguard

Vanguard – Core Class Ability

Retribution: after you use this Ability on yourself, every time an enemy in Weapon Range attacks you, roll d20. If you roll 16-20, you Instantly counterattack that same target with a non- Critical attack or Ability of your choice, after their attack is finished.

You may also use “Quick Switch” just before your attack with Retribution, if you so choose. You can only attack an enemy with this Ability once per turn. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Ability for 3Inspiration.

(Dazed): the effect from “Retribution” is temporarily interrupted while you are Dazed.

  • (Tip of the Spear) Roll 11-20. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 5Intelligence (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Shock Troop) Whenever you attack with “Retribution,” you also gain +12Resilience, +12Dodge, and +12Will for 1turn. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 5Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
  • (Ranger) You also gain +3Initiative. You can instead choose to continually maintain this Critical for 5Inspiration (and 0Wisdom).
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Strategies for using Counterattack Effects

As with D&D 5e, having counterattack spells and abilities in Eternity TTRPG can either be used to dissuade people from attacking you, or can be used after placing yourself in the battle’s most dangerous locations, to maximize your damage output.

In Eternity TTRPG, some attacks are rolled against the enemy’s defenses, while other attacks are considered to be “piercing,” and have a flat hit chance, no matter what.


Basically, characters with high Strike Bonus or Faith (physical or magical hit chance stats) should rely more on spells and abilities that utilize those stats, such as the Vanguard Retribution ability. Meanwhile, more defensive characters (tanks) should rely on counterattacks with piercing effects, such as the Fallen Paladin Blood Spiller spell.


Dissuade Attackers

If you build a character with very high hit chance and very low defenses, you do not want to be in the thick of battle where you may be attacked very often. Having a counterattack spell or ability for this kind of character can be very valuable, as the first enemy to attack you may just get obliterated in return.


If you can essentially make enemies fearful of attacking you, then you help to place more enemy attacks on (hopefully) your party’s tank.


With this strategy, you don’t really want to even use your counterattack spell or ability at all, as it requires you receiving an attack, first. However, having it there to dissuade attackers is extremely valuable.


Deal Damage Even as a Tank

The only way to really maximize your damage with counterattacks in Eternity TTRPG is either to have high hit chance and a dedicated healer who keeps you up during the battle, or to use pierce attacks.


If you build a tank character with a piercing counterattack spell or ability, then run directly into enemy lines, you’ll both draw a lot of attention to yourself (thereby protecting allies), and you’ll maximize your chances to deal damage with your counterattack.


Generally, tanks have terrible hit chances, so dealing damage isn’t really their thing. However, if you have a flat hit chance pierce attack, and you’re attacked a lot, then you maximize your chances to counter. Though this strategy will never deal substantial damage to single targets, its wonderful for crushing large groups of enemies.


Maximize Single Target Damage

Finally, if you have a dedicated healer in your party, it’s possible to use counterattacks as a way to really pour on big damage to a single target. Basically, you max out your character’s hit chances, knowing that you’ll be very vulnerable in battle. Then, you run directly at the single enemy, drawing their attention.


Because of your high hit chance, when you attack the enemy, you’ll deal damage. Similarly, when they attack you, you’ll also deal damage.


If you’re fighting very difficult enemies, you basically have to go in knowing that you’re walking a tightrope. High-difficulty enemies can deal multiple damage per attack, so purposefully putting yourself in the way of harm is risky. However, if you have someone to heal you, you’ll no doubt be able to deal substantial damage back to your adversary.

Fiery Effects for Your Tabletop

Countering Counterattacks

In any good tactical combat game, every counter has its counter. Here are a number of possible ways to deal with Hellish Rebuke-type effects if you’re on the receiving end of things. Or, if you simply want to think two steps ahead, here are some of the ways that characters you counterattack might respond:


Remove the Counterattack Effect

Many classes have a version of “Dispel,” which can be used to remove beneficial status effects from enemies. Characters that do not have their own class-based dispel effect may use dispel scrolls to achieve the same effect. Since most Hellish Rebuke, counterattack type effects in Eternity TTRPG are “maintained” effects, they can be dispelled.


It’s also worth noting that if a counterattack effect is dispelled, it can usually just be reactivated right away. However, if the effect is a critical and it keeps getting dispelled, it’s a good way to run out of wisdom, and be at a huge disadvantage for the battle.


Greater Dispel (Magic): 4Range, Faith vs. Resilience, removes all stacks of one ongoing Magic, maintained effect, or status effect from the target (excluding summons), at your choice. Or alternatively, 4Range, +5Faith vs. Resilience, deals 1damage to a summoned unit. This spell is cast on any target you’d like, but the roll is made against the character who cast the spell or used the ability you are attempting to remove, unless the target is a summon.

(Double-Hit): removes all stacks of 2 ongoing Magic or maintained effects (excluding summons). Or alternatively, if cast at a summon, deals an additional 1damage to the summoned unit.


Mass Dispel Scroll (10 Uses): up to 3 targets in 4Range, -7Strike Bonus vs. Resilience or up to 3 targets in 4Range, -7Faith vs. Resilience, removes all stacks of one ongoing Magic, maintained effect, or Status effect from each affected target (excluding summons). Or alternatively, up to 3 summons in 4Range, -2Strike Bonus vs. Resilience or up to 3 summons in 4Range, -2Faith vs. Resilience, deals 1damage. This Item is cast on any target you’d like, but the roll is made against the Character who cast the Spell or used the Ability you are attempting to remove, unless the target is a summon. This Item cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

 

Don’t Attack Enemies Who Have Hellish Rebuke

Another obvious way to deal with enemies who use Hellish Rebuke-type effects is just to prioritize attacking other targets before finally dealing with them. Of course, enemies who counterattack may not want anyone to attack them, so ignoring them may actually play into their strategy.


However, the worst-case scenario when facing an enemy with Hellish-Rebuke-type effects is to get blasted with counterattack damage over and over again. If that target doesn’t have a personal healer, maybe you can kill them before they get in many high-damage counters. If the target does have a healer though, you may really want to deal with that healer before moving forward.


Try The Eternity TTRPG Game System

D&D has become synonymous with tabletop RPGs (TTRPG) for so long that sometimes people forget there are other options available. As with any genre of game, there’s the best-known games and lesser-known games.


The Eternity TTRPG Game System is a tabletop RPG similar to D&D, but with some big differences. The game allows for multiple game masters, provides more tools for immersive world-building, and features highly-tactical (yet easy-to-learn) combat.

Pick up an inexpensive PDF copy today at the Eternity TTRPG shop. Or check out more information at the Eternity TTRPG Game System page.

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Jacob Tegtman Eternity TTRPG Creator

Author - Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed this article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

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Interview with TTRPG Renaissance Man: Mildra the Monk

By Jacob Tegtman • March 25, 2026
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si26EW5kj4Q Transcription Summary Final Fantasy Legend Edition TTRPG discussion covered the game's high customization and free distribution via mythos inspiration and iterative research. Final Fantasy Legend Edition Origin Legend Edition is a medium-complexity TTRPG developed over 4 years to emulate the entire Final Fantasy mythos, avoiding a focus only on the SNES era. The core goal was to create a neutral sandbox emphasizing high customization that supports high fantasy, steampunk, and futuristic settings. Design Philosophy and Research The game is distributed for free to continue the tradition of high-quality, free fan-created content within the TTRPG community. Extensive research was conducted on the IP, including cut content and Ultimania books, which led to the design pillars of iteration and experimentation. Customization and Unique Features Character creation allows hybrid archetypes via the selection of 3 classes from over 50 available options with variable progression speeds. Unique Legend Edition features include row-based combat and active defenses, creating a tactical risk-reward system. Details Introduction to Final Fantasy Legend Edition Project : Jacob Tegtman welcomed Mildra The Monk, the lead designer and spearhead of the Final Fantasy Legend Edition project, to the Eternity TTRPG channel for their first interview of this kind. Mildra The Monk expressed appreciation for being hosted and agreed to begin by discussing their background and the nature of the project (00:00:00). Mildra The Monk's Background and TTRPG Contributions : Mildra The Monk introduced themself as a content creator who has reviewed games, run playtests, and conducted over a thousand interviews in the last five years. They cover third-party D\&D material, indie games, and fan games such as Naruto 5e and Dungeons of the Dragoning, the latter of which started as an April Fool's joke that combined five different RPGs (00:01:03). Most recently, they served as the lead designer and project lead for the Final Fantasy Legend Edition TTRPG (00:02:26). Running a Final Fantasy Legend Edition One-Shot : Mildra The Monk mentioned they had been running a one-shot using the Legend Edition for the past few weeks with rotating party members and ran one for Jacob Tegtman as they were planning content on the game (00:02:26). They noted that a community member has been developing a work-in-progress Roll20 sheet for the game, which had recently received a significant update (00:03:26). Virtual Tabletop Support for Legend Edition : When addressing the question of virtual tabletop support, Mildra The Monk stated that they have not done any real coding in at least ten years and lack the skill set to build a custom sheet from scratch for platforms like Roll20 or Foundry. They acknowledged the community's support, noting that people are using their own time to support the game with tools like the Roll20 sheet (00:03:26). Summary of Final Fantasy Legend Edition : Legend Edition is a medium-complexity TTRPG that took about four years to create, aimed at emulating the Final Fantasy mythos. The project originated from Mildra The Monk's pet peeve that previous tabletop versions of Final Fantasy heavily skewed toward the SNES era (IV, V, and VI), neglecting entries like VII, XIV, and XVI which appeal to newer generations of fans (00:04:21). The goal of Legend Edition is to use the recurring Final Fantasy mythos as a neutral sandbox for tables to build campaigns in any direction, prioritizing customization (00:06:43). Game Design Flexibility and High Customization : The game was designed to be equally viable in high fantasy settings, like Final Fantasy III or IV, as it is in steampunk settings, such as Final Fantasy VI or XIV, and futuristic entries, such as Final Fantasy VIII or XIII. Jacob Tegtman noted that playing the game demonstrated that the number of classes and intricate character details allow players to create characters fitting any Final Fantasy experience they desire (00:06:43). Reasoning Behind Free Distribution of Legend Edition : Mildra The Monk explained that the game is available for free because they came up as a tabletop player seeing high-quality fan games that were just as good as paid games, and they wanted to pass along that torch to the community (00:09:44). They expressed the desire for someone to take their work, hack it, and put up their own version, continuing the chain of free content (00:11:02). Research and Design Philosophy for Legend Edition : A major focus of the project was capturing the soul of Final Fantasy, which involved extensive research, including reviewing existing games, cut content from games, behind-the-scenes interviews, and Ultimania books (00:11:02). The core philosophy derived from this research was "iteration and experimentation," which led to the game's foundational design pillars (00:12:16). The Inspiration to Focus on Final Fantasy : Mildra The Monk is a devoted Final Fantasy fan, but other factors drove the project, including a desire to carry on the lineage of prior Final Fantasy TTRPG fan projects like the mid-90s Returners project (00:12:16). A core motivation was bridging the gap between video games and tabletop gaming, using Final Fantasy because its consistent mythology allows for adaptation that goes beyond merely replicating the video games (00:14:29). Avoiding the Trap of Literal IP Adaptation : Mildra The Monk highlighted a common problem with tabletop adaptations of existing IPs, where designers attempt to adapt the source material wholesale, citing the early TSR run of Indiana Jones as an example where they only allowed players to play as movie characters. Instead, people generally prefer to create their own character within the world, such as being a student at Xavier Academy rather than playing as the X-Men (00:15:49). Emulating the Mythos Over One Game : Mildra The Monk emphasized that designers should emulate the overall mythos of a franchise rather than hyperfocusing on one game or one era (00:17:00). For Final Fantasy, this is supported by recurring elements such as job names, play styles, spell names, summons, and abilities that maintain a consistent theme (00:18:09). Classes, Character Creation, and Flexibility : The customization in Legend Edition is demonstrated by the character creation system where players select three classes with different progression speeds, allowing for a unique hybrid character from over 50 classes (00:21:27). This approach is a compromise that provides the strong thematic elements of the job system without restricting player choices, such as customizing weapon lists to be setting-agnostic and avoid favoring one style of fantasy (00:20:06) (00:22:24). Key Design Pillars of Final Fantasy Legend Edition : Mildra The Monk outlined the three major pillars of the game's design: "mythos not setting," "customization is king," and the **phase structure** (00:24:24). The phase structure involves four acts—preparation, exploration, encounter, and downtime—which is loosely inspired by the Asian four-act format (kishōtenketsu) and the Town-Field-Dungeon trinity pioneered by Dragon Quest (00:25:34). The Research Process as a Favorite Part of the Project : Mildra The Monk stated that the research phase was one of their favorite parts, which allowed them to discover early concepts for the video games that were eventually cut (00:27:50). Examples included the early name for Materia being "spheres," which was later revisited for Final Fantasy X, and a puzzle tattoo mechanic for Final Fantasy X's sphere grid, which was cut (00:28:33). Inspirations and Creative Liberties in Design : The research led to design inspirations such as an unused Chocobo Lancer concept art from Final Fantasy XI resulting in the Chocobo Knight class in Legend Edition, addressing the long-desired idea of Chocobo cavalry (00:29:32). The team took certain liberties, like creating the speed-based Dervish to serve as an answer to the Berserker class, and the Ravager as a spell-spamming class, drawing from inspirations like Final Fantasy XIII (00:31:48). Development of the Yo-kai Class : The Yo-kai class began as an idea for a controllable summon, similar to the Aeons in Final Fantasy X, but was changed to avoid replicating one game (00:31:48). The final concept for the Yo-kai, as avatars for Eidolons, was inspired by the design of Yoko in Bravely Second and the concept of the rider or shioal spiritualist in Voodoo (00:32:43). Impact of Extensive Research on Project Quality : Jacob Tegtman acknowledged that the depth of research, spanning Final Fantasy lore, mythology, and diverse concepts like Voodoo, enabled Mildra The Monk to create over 50 classes, each with up to seven tiers of abilities, amounting to hundreds of unique mechanics that synergize well (00:33:58). Mildra The Monk affirmed that this extensive research, modeled after the preparation of Star Trek producer Harve Bennett before producing *Wrath of Khan*, was a necessary baseline (00:36:10). Historical Context of Final Fantasy Combat System : Mildra The Monk highlighted Hiroyuki Itto, the pioneer of the job system and the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, noting that he cited American football and Formula 1 as inspirations for ATB (00:39:09). Mildra The Monk asserted that the shift toward action-based combat, seen in games like Final Fantasy XV and XVI, was an evolution building on foundations laid decades ago by Itto, not a radical shift (00:40:15). Snapshot of Unique Legend Edition Features : For those unfamiliar with Legend Edition, Mildra The Monk listed key differentiators, including high customizability in the job system, easy creation of hybrid archetypes, fewer but more impactful skills, and multiple character creation/advancement methods (00:41:59). Jacob Tegtman added the unique row-based combat and active defenses, such as parrying and evading, which create a tactical, risk-reward philosophy in the design (00:43:17). Future Vision and Upcoming Projects for Mildra The Monk : Immediate future plans include overseeing support elements like new Excel and HTML solo-play sheets, as well as writing world book guides, which are lighter books focused on emulating individual Final Fantasy entries like FFIII or FFVIII (00:45:13). They are also considering TTRPGs based on 2D fighting games, aiming for a defined setting like a fighting game version of Night City, and they intend to create a fantasy-themed mech game and a Wuxia-themed RPG (00:46:24). Ongoing Efforts to Promote the TTRPG Community : Mildra The Monk is continuing their mission to showcase the totality of tabletop role-playing games by highlighting the international scene, including content from Brazil, Germany, and Sweden (00:50:01) (00:52:17). They mentioned forthcoming streams covering the Spanish Anima Universe, Sword World, and *We's Blade*, a game compared to *Panzer Dragoon* (00:51:15). Availability and Support for Mildra The Monk : Mildra The Monk can be found streaming regularly on YouTube and Twitch, on Twitter where they highlight artists and indie games, and in their personal Discord (00:55:07). While Legend Edition remains free, they have set up support mechanisms like Ko-fi for those who wish to leave a tip (00:56:19).
A gnarled, dark tree stands in a misty forest under a pale moon.

Playable Monster Races in D&D: the Gnarlborn - Haunted Treants

By Jacob Tegtman • March 22, 2026
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuryVcZdp4Y Transcription There are kind two ends of the spectrum for D&D races. There’s Story-specific races: These come with a strong, built-in narrative that fits specific campaign worlds or settings, that almost tells you how to play them. Then there’s more Flexible races. These are much easier to slot anywhere because they don’t necessarily come with an expected tone or backstory. You can sort of fit them into any campaign with ease – like playing a human. Some D&D player races feel like they’re built for a specific kind of story. Others feel flexible enough to drop into almost any campaign. Gnarlborn from Crooked Moon… sit somewhere in between—and that’s kind of what makes them interesting. They have strong flavor, but they aren’t restrictive for your campaign. They come with built-in lore that gives you instant roleplay direction, but they aren’t so specific that you can only play them in your Crooked Moon campaign. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG.  As you can already tell, today we’re looking at a lesser-known player option for playable races, which is the Gnarlborn from Crooked Moon. If you’ve seen my other videos on the topic, Crooked Moon has become one of my favorite D&D settings of all-time. We’re going through each of the races presented in Crooked Moon, and today getting to the treant-like Gnarlborn. Starting with the basics, Gnarlborn are – well, born – from the soil of a region called Ardengloom, a forest that’s less “peaceful woodland,” and more “haunted, thinking ecosystem.” The forest itself is filled with these massive trees called Elderwoods—each one housing lingering Fey spirits. Gnarlborn commune with these spirts and Elderwoods, forming an intricate and well-connected forest community. So yeah, you’re playing basically “a tree person.” But you’re also playing something that exists in a constant, low-level conversation with ancient, possibly unreliable spirits. That alone gives you a strong roleplay hook without needing a complicated backstory, as your tie to those spirits, and who/ what they are could gain any level of depth that you’d like, over the course of a campaign – or even a few adventures. Visually, Gnarlborn are humanoid, but like the trees in your yard, everything about them is asymmetrical—branches, moss instead of clothing accents, glowing hollows where a face might be. No two look the same. Some might feel ancient and slow, while others might come across as curious or even a little disconnected—like they’re only partially focused on the present. And since they can live for hundreds—sometimes thousands—of years, you can decide how much that actually affects your character. Are they wise because of their age, or are they just... slow? Ok, when it comes to core mechanics, let’s talk about what you actually get—because this is where Gnarlborn become very usable. First, we have: Deep Roots You get advantage on checks and saves to avoid being moved or knocked prone. This is simple, but it can be very useful against certain enemies. Next is: Elderwood Whispers After every long rest, you can pick up a new skill, tool proficiency, or even a language. Temporarily. This is probably the most interesting trait the Gnarlborn have. It’s not flashy, but it gives you day-to-day adaptability, which can be nice. It rewards players who like planning ahead—or improvising, based on expected challenges for the day. Third, we have what may be the Gnarlborn’s most *potentially powerful effect, which is: Grasping Branches As a Bonus action, you restrain a creature if they fail a Strength save. Or slow them if they succeed. The main issue here is the saving DC isn’t very high (it’s 8, plus your Constitution modifier, plus your proficiency bonus). But! Even on a successful save, the creature has half speed for a turn. So, grasping branches can be decent battlefield control without requiring you to be a spellcaster. And because this effect recharges on a short rest, you may just actually use it. It’s not overwhelming—but it’s consistently useful. Root Sense gives you tremorsense out to 60 feet. So, the ability to find Invisible enemies, Creatures behind walls, etc. And lastly, you have: Towering Size Which gives you advantage to end being grappled, and – if your group actually tracks carrying capacity, you can in fact carry more stuff. Nothing flashy—but admittedly, very practical. Playing a Gnarlborn definitely isn’t for every player. They don’t provide anything to spike damage, or even do anything unpredictable, really. But you are resisting disruption, controlling space, and adapting between sessions. They fit really well in parties that need consistency rather than specialization. From the roleplaying side, Gnarlborn also work really well in campaigns that lean into: Fey themes, Haunted environments, or Long timelines with ancient histories since they naturally connect to all of those. Gnarlborn feel connected to something bigger: whether that’s the Elderwoods, nature, fey-touched spirits, or an ancient grove deep in the dark woods. So, if you were to play a Gnarlborn, what direction would you take your character? Would you pick them for their subtle combat control, or more to explore their connection with the wilds? Whether you’ve played them in a campaign already, or you have ideas for what you might like to try, let me know in the comments. Thanks for watching, and I’ll catch you in my next Crooked Moon race guide.
A spirited fantasy character plays a violin in a dusty town

Crooked Moon's Ashborn: The Fiend-Touched Survivors of Chernabos

By Jacob Tegtman • March 17, 2026
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soOa4Uhr2iM Transcription In Chernabos, survival is more than a question of strength. It’s a question of timing… instinct… and a little bit of luck. Some creatures are shaped by that world. The Ashborn from Crooked Moon are made from it. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG. No matter how many times I revisit Crooked Moon, or how much time I spend away from it, I always find myself pulled back to this awesome source book. There are so many fun and unique pieces of this Halloween-like world, that I just love exploring. Today we’re continuing our look at the Crooked Moon races, and this time we’re stepping into the ash fields of Chernabos—To take a closer look at the Ashborn. If you haven’t seen them, I’ve already covered two Crooked Moon monstrous races, including the Harvestborn, which are my personal favorite. At this point, I’m pretty confident I’ll actually just be creating a 5-10min video that dives into each of the Crooked Moon races, separately. So, be sure to check back to find those. So, diving right into the Ashborn. Ashborn are small, fiend-touched humanoids, usually standing between two and three feet tall. They carry a distinct, almost devilish appearance—horns, muted red or gray skin, and sharp, expressive features. And most notably—A scorpion-like tail, tipped with venom. They’re comfortable in harsh places, and they tend to carry themselves with a quiet confidence. There’s a sense, when dealing with an Ashborn, that they’re already accounting for how things might go wrong… either, how they’ll respond if things were to go wrong... or how they’ll actually cause things to “go wrong,” themselves, and then benefit from the chaos. Ashborn actually don’t have a lineage in the usual sense. Instead, they form in the wake of volcanic fury—drawn together from sulfur, ash, and something entirely fiendish at its core. They emerge completely aware, capable, and already adapted to a land that would kill any other race – like, most humans, for example - in minutes. As I’d mentioned briefly, Ashborn are small—rarely more than three feet tall. Their features reflect their origin: horned silhouettes, skin in muted reds and greys, and eyes that tend to catch the light in uncomfortable ways. And then of course, there’s the tail. A scorpion’s stinger, carried as naturally as a hand. Most Ashborn carry themselves with a kind of deliberate composure. Even in harsh environments, like with most Crooked Moon races, there’s a sense of presentation—care in how they dress, how they speak, and how they’re seen. To me, it seems that they like to exercise control, even small amounts, and they have a bit of perfectionism to them. Chernabos, the land of the Ashborn, is not a forgiving place. The ground is unstable—split by lava flows and sudden fissures. The air carries ash and sulfur, thick enough to choke. And resources—such as water, shelter, and again, even breathable air—are never guaranteed. Clearly, the Ashborn don’t really need the kinds of things that humans need to survive. However, this kind of dangerous land also tends to favor a certain kind of thinking. Adapting to the environment, Ashborn tend to make quick decisions, have constant awareness, and perhaps their tendency to be a bit perfect in their presentation, they’re probably overall willing to act before they have perfect information... all in the name of survival. Ashborn are shaped by their environment from the moment they come into being. They develop habits that keep them flexible: And this is where their relationship with luck comes in. To an Ashborn, luck isn’t really about chance—it’s more about preparation meets opportunity. Or put another way, it’s about timing: · knowing when to move. · knowing when to speak. · And of course, when to take a risk that others would avoid. Mechanically, when it comes to actually playing your Ashborn, you’ll find that their cultural and personality traits of leaning into subtle control and well-timed disruption really come through. First, you have: Ashen Legacy You start with Minor Illusion, and later gain access to Charm Person and Invisibility. It’s a toolkit designed around Distraction, influence, and the ability to step out of sight when needed. They have Darkvision with the standard 60 feet, which is expected, given where they come from. As a reaction, Fiendish Fortune Allows you cause an attack that would’ve otherwise hit you, to miss, once per short or long rest. Additionally, you redirect some of that damage as force damage, equal to your proficiency bonus. Then we’re onto the Ashborn’s tail, with Scorpion Sting. Their tail grants a natural attack, with added poison. They can deal this extra damage a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus. When it comes to roleplaying, you can imagine how many fun directions you could take a halfling-sized devilish imp, with attitude. They fit great as risk-takers, performers, negotiators who are comfortable lying outright to someone’s face, wanderers who pity others for their inability to survive without shelter and water. They could easily be thieves, political statesmen/ stateswomen, or really anyone who enjoys a bit of mischief – and maybe on occasion, a bit of cruelty. I think what makes this race so fun though is that it leans into the devil ish side of things, but they’re still only 3-feet tall. So, they’re a bit more mischievous probably, than menacing. More lighthearted, than truly evil. But, those distinctions are entirely up to you to make. So! The Ashborn fit neatly into almost any kind of story, with their natural rogueish charm, and devilish antics. But I’m curious— How would you play your Ashborn? Or, if you’ve already had a campaign or adventures with one, let me know how that turned out for you! Let me know in the comments. And if you want to keep exploring the Crooked Moon races with me, there’s more on the way. So be sure to subscribe, and check in on future videos. Thanks for watching!
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