Never Tell Me The Odds|3 of the Most Epic Uses of the Lucky feat| 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons

“Never tell me the odds!”, Han Solo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lucky feat may draw a collective groan from many a 5th edition dungeons and dragons players and Dungeon Masters alike and who can blame them? Following the errata, a player can turn the Disadvantage mechanic into “Super Advantage” or a foes Advantage into “Super Disadvantage” since it was clarified that the Lucky feat allows you to roll an extra die and choose the desired result before success is determined. If a player turns this feat into simply, “I roll more dice”, well yeah, that is in fact incredibly lame, but I promise you this:  if you make your use of the Lucky feat narratively cool, something that characterizes and defines your character, no one will bat an eye at your use of the feat- they’ll be looking-out for the next time you do something heroic, something badass!

A part of the power of the Lucky feat is actually in the exploitation of circumstances that would grant Disadvantage- you can use the Lucky feat to do really cool, really epic feats of awesomeness. Utilizing the Lucky feat will actually have you fishing for Disadvantage! You could use the feat to make neigh impossible trick shots, death defying acrobatics, or pick a lock with your eyes closed! And also remember that you can turn your foe’s Advantage, that attack that should have inevitably hit into “Super Disadvantage”. With that in mind, let’s look at the situations or conditions that would cause you Disadvantage or grant your enemy Advantage:

Creating Disadvantageous Circumstances in 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons

Firing at Long Range

Firing a Missile Weapon/Ranged Spell adjacent to an enemy

Firing a Missile Weapon/Ranged Spell with allies in melee

Throwing a Melee Weapon

Being Blinded (which would also include doing any task with your eyes closed)

Being Frightened

Fighting an Invisible creature

Being Poisoned

Fighting from the Prone position

Fighting while being Restrained

Being attacked while Stunned

Being Unconcious

3 Epic Ways to Describe the Lucky Feat

The Destined Champon Joan of Arc (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The best way to explain your character’s amazing luck would to be to consider a theme about him or her:  Are they a Destined Champion? A Highly Skilled individual? Perhaps possessed of an Outside Influence? Choosing one framework for why your character is so “lucky” is a great way to characterize the source of that luck.

Destined Champion- You were fated by the gods or some other power to some grand destiny. The Olympian Champion Hercules, often enjoyed the favor of divine intervention as did the holy warrior Joan of Arc. A diviner wizard could auger the intentions of the Fates to avoid terrible misfortunes.

Highly Skilled- You’re tremendously gifted, highly trained with hair-triggered reflexes. Han Solo‘s amazing piloting of the Millenium Falcon, Zorro‘s masterful swordsmanship, and Robin Hood‘s dead-eyed archery would all be examples of highly skilled individuals.

Outside Influence- There’s something within you that emerges under circumstances of dire need. Firefly’s River with her hidden incredible martial ability, Neo’s downloaded  fighting skills, abilities, and control over The Matrix, Chaos infused sorcerer who can manipulate probability, or an adolescent reincarnated or possessed by some past champion would all be examples of someone with capabilities outside of themselves.

With these examples being said, some times it is just plain, dumb luck that saves a character’s hide. Though Han Solo’s highly skilled, having a smidgen of luck in his back pocket never hurt the Star War’s saga’s favorite smuggler-turned-hero. At other times, you may want to mix and match the circumstances of your character’s luck. Let us know what you think of this article, if there’s some other instances of the Lucky feat you could think to include, and until next time- Stay Lucky… err… Nerdy!

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