Tuesday, September 1, 2015

D&D Avengers: Ant Man

So I loved the Ant Man movie. It hit all my buttons: sarcasm, Paul Rudd, bugs, science, Paul Rudd, heist movies, good minor characters and a compelling story (if confusing villain), and of course Paul Rudd shirtless. So I figured, he'll be an Avenger soon, why not make him into a D&D character as well.

Given how weird his powers are, but how much they revolve around punching, I figured I make him into a Monk similar the way I did with my speedsters. The fluff for the hard hits is quickly density and I can throw some powers his way that let him control vermin and change size (I think I'll go big and small considering I'm pretty sure that is where they are going with the films.)

Way of Vermin
Monks of the Way of Vermin venerate what others find distasteful. Where others fear the alien nature of the mindless hordes, those who follow this path see beauty and precision in the hive mind. By attempting to emulate these creatures, these monks find a closer connection to the beasts and are able to control them and emulate their size, strength, and dedication. Many vermin monks focus on one type: bees, ants, rats, etc. and take up important professions associated with that creature.

Vermin Arts
Starting when you chose this tradition at 3rd level, you can use your ki to duplicate the effects of certain spells. As an action, you can spend to 1 ki points to cast speak with animals but only affecting vermin, or 2 ki points to cast animal messenger (using a vermin), enhance ability, enlarge/reduce, pass without trace, or protection from poison without providing material components.

Vermin Size
At 6th level, you gain the ability to shrink down to the height of an inch. As an bonus action, you can spend 2 ki to shrink down to a height of one inch until the start of your next turn. While you are this height, attacks against you have disadvantage and you gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. Each round you can maintain this size by spending 1 ki at the start of your turn. If you do not spend 1 ki at the start of your turn and if there is not enough space for you to return to your original height, you grow to the largest size possible, take damage equal to half your level, and have disadvantage on all abilities, attacks, and checks that round.

Army of Vermin
By 11th level, you have a deep connection with the mindless creatures. As an action, you can spend 5 ki to cast giant insect or 6 ki to cast insect plague.

Shrinking Dodge
At 17th level, you can exploit your shrinking ability when you are targeted by an attack. Whenever you are targeted by an attack you may use a reaction to spend 4 ki and shrink to negate all damage from the attack before immediately returning to your original size.

Scott Lang
Level 1 Human Monk
Background: Criminal
Str 12 (+1), Dex 16 (+3), Con 12 (+1)
Int 14 (+2), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 11 (+0)
HP 9, AC 15, HD 1d8
Saves: Str +3, Dex +5
Speed 30 ft.
Languages: Common, Elvish, Deep Speech

Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +3, Deception +2, Stealth +5
Proficiencies: Playing Cards, Thieves' Tools, Tinker's Tools

Shortsword +5, 1d6+3 piercing, finesse, light
Unarmed Strike +5, 1d4+3 bludgeoning
Dart +5, 1d4+3 piercing, 20/60

Unarmored Defense
Martial Arts

Gear: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, a shortsword, a dungeoneer's pack, and 10 darts.

Leveling Scott: So we've got a criminal who learns to forge a mystical connection with ants to become more like them, for either good or ill. I like it. As he levels up, grab the archetype I made for him and maybe some feats like Skulker or Durable. Be sure to get your Dex way up there and maybe Wisdom as well to help with the spells. All in all he should be a fun scouty monk who is an alternative to the shadow monk. 

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