Weapon Modifications (5e Variant Rule)
Weapon Modifications
A new, shiny weapon is nice and all, but sometimes an adventurer without access to magical weapons needs a better blade. In these circumstances, a skilled blacksmith is a handy friend to have. Despite being undoubtedly expensive and requiring great skill to craft, and often wield, they offer an edge to any skilled combatant.
Weapons may possibly be bought with any modification, but generally, pcs should have to seek out an appropriate artisan in order to have them modify their weapons.
Want your own special armor? Check out the original, Armor Modifications.
- Rules Clarification
Prerequisite: What kinds of weapons this modification works for
Artisan Requirement: What type of artisan is required to make this modification (usually a blacksmith)
Cost: The cost of the modification itself per weapon or 10 pieces of ammunition when you provide the weapon
Downsides: Any downsides added to this weapon due to the modification
Adamantine Weapon
Prerequisite:
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 500 gp
Downsides: —
Adamantine is an ultrahard metal found in meteorites and extraordinary mineral veins. In addition to being used to craft adamantine armor, the metal is also used for weapons. Melee weapons and ammunition made of or coated with adamantine are unusually effective when used to break objects. Whenever an adamantine weapon or piece of ammunition hits an object, the hit is a critical hit.
Broadened/Honed/Puncturing Weapon
Prerequisite:
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 50 gp
Downsides:
Your weapon is modified to change in what way it damages a foe. Its damage type becomes your choice of slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage. You may spend an additional 50 gold to allow you to switch between your weapon's original and one of the listed damage types as a bonus action.
Duelist's Weapon
Prerequisite: Weapon with the light property
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 50 gp
Downsides: The weapon's damage die is decreased by 1
Your weapon is reduced and decreased in numerous ways to make it more of a dueling tool rather than an out-right weapon. As a bonus action or reaction, you gain +1 AC and you can not attack with this weapon until the beginning of your next turn.
Heavy Weapon
Prerequisite:
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 100 gp
Downsides: The weapon's weight is doubled
Your weapon has become heavier, making it far deadlier, but less wield-able.
- If the weapon has the Light or Finesse property, it loses it.
- If the weapon has the Thrown or is ammunition property, its ranges are halved.
- If the weapon doesn't have the Light or Finesse property, it gains the Heavy property.
- The weapon deals an additional +2 bludgeoning damage.
Mithral Weapon
Prerequisite:
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 250 gp
Downsides: —
- The weapon's weight is halved.
- If the weapon has the Heavy property, it loses it.
- If the weapon doesn't have the Heavy property, it gains the Light property.
- If the weapon has the Light property, it gains the Finesse property.
- If the weapon has the Finesse and Light property, it gains the Thrown (30/60) property.
- If the weapon has the Thrown property, its ranges increase by 30 ft.
- If the weapon has the Two-Handed property, it gains the Versatile (one dice size lower) property.
Serrated Blade
Prerequisite: Weapon that deals slashing damage
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 100 gp
Downsides: —
The edges of your blade have been adorned with teeth or a wave-like structure. When you succeed on an attack, you deal an additional amount of damage equal to the number your attack roll surpassed their AC. If you have a feature (but not a spell) that allows you to replace your attack roll with a saving throw, it is instead the difference between your DC and their saving throw.
Sharpened Blade
Prerequisite: Weapon that deals slashing or piercing damage
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 20 gp
Downsides: Weapon loses this modification after attacking 5 times, 7 days, or the weapon is intentionally dulled as an action
Your blade has been honed to an edge, for a time. The weapon's damage roll gains a +1 bonus.
Silvered Weapon
Prerequisite: Weapon made of metal
Artisan Requirement: Blacksmith
Cost: 100 gp
Downsides: —
Some monsters that have immunity or resistance to nonmagical weapons are susceptible to silver weapons, so cautious adventurers invest extra coin to plate their weapons with silver.
Increased Draw
Prerequisite: Bow or Crossbow
Artisan Requirement: Bowyer
Cost: 75 gp
Downsides: Requires a Strength score of 15 to use.
The draw of the weapon has been increased through strengthened limbs and a tenser string. The weapon's normal range increases by 15 ft., and its maximum range increases by 60 ft. This can be added multiple times, increasing the required Strength score by +2.
Modern Modifications
The following modifications can only be added to modern weapons. Many are meant to fit alongside the firearms variant rules. You may only have 1 modification per firearm part.
Extended Barrel
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Barrel
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's barrel has been extended by a few inches. The weapon's normal range increases by 10 ft., and its maximum range increases by 30 ft. This modification can be taken multiple times.
Integral Suppressor
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Barrel
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's entire barrel has been transformed into a monolithic supressor. Your attack rolls with the weapon have a -1 bonus, and the weapon is supressed.
Extended Magazine
Prerequisite: Non-revolver firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Magazine
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's magazine has had its capacity increased. This can range from a slightly larger basic magazine, to a large 50 round drum-mag, to even a massive 100 round beta-mag.
Breacher Device
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's muzzle has been outfitted with a sharp edge meant for piercing physical barriers or soft targets. You may use this weapon to make a melee attack against a target within 5ft. of you, dealing 1d4 piercing damage. This uses your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls made with this attack, and counts as a simple weapon for the sake of determining proficiency.
Flash Guard
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's muzzle is outfitted with a device meant for subduing muzzle flash and allowing for more accurate target tracking. Any attack rolls with the weapon after your first on each turn have a +1 bonus.
Muzzle Break
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's barrel is outfitted with a device that redistributes barrel gasses to reduce barrel destabilization. Your attack rolls with the weapon have a +1 bonus.
Compensator
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's barrel is outfitted with a device that redistributes barrel gasses upwards to negate recoil. Your attack rolls with the weapon have a +1 bonus.
Tactical Suppressor
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's barrel is outfitted with a device that reduces visual muzzle flash and sound at a minor cost of bullet velocity. Your damage rolls with the weapon have a -1 bonus, and the weapon is supressed.
Lightweight Suppressor
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's barrel is outfitted with a device that reduces visual muzzle flash and sound. Your weapon's effective range is decreased by by 10 ft., and its maximum range decreases by 30 ft., and the weapon is supressed.
Monolithic Suppressor
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Muzzle
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's barrel is outfitted with a device that reduces visual muzzle flash and sound at a minor cost of weapon weight. Your attack rolls with the weapon have a -1 bonus, and the weapon is supressed.
1mW Laser
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower, left, or right rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's rail has been outfitted with a laser light device that's low wattage makes it almost invisible to anyone except yourself. Your attack rolls with the weapon have a +1 bonus.
5mW Laser
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower, left, or right rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's rail has been outfitted with a laser light device that makes target alignment far easier at the cost of stealth. Your attack rolls with the weapon have a +2 bonus, but creatures with a passive perception of 12 or higher can see a 30 ft. line of light emanating from the end of your barrel.
Flashlight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower, left, or right rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's rail has been outfitted with a small flashlight. You shed bright light in a 30 ft. cone, and dim light for another 30 ft.
Low-Profile Foregrip
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's lower rail has been outfitted with a slanted grip to increase accuracy and maneuverability. Your attack and damage rolls with the weapon have a +1 bonus.
Upright Foregrip
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's lower rail has been outfitted with a vertical grip to increase accuracy and maneuverability. Your attack and damage rolls with the weapon have a +2 bonus.
Underbarrel Grenade Launcher
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's lower rail has been outfitted with a thick, tubular grenade launcher. You may launch properly fashioned grenades as an action up to 90 ft. away after readying your grenade launcher as a bonus action. The grenade launcher has the loading property.
Underbarrel Shotgun
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's lower rail has been outfitted with a small, pump-action shotgun. You may ready or unready the shotgun as a bonus action. It has the Ammunition (range 30/90) and reload (4 shots) properties, and deals 2d8 piercing damage on a hit. Reloading must be done individually as an action, bonus action, or reaction.
Bayonet
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's lower rail has been outfitted with a knife. You may use this weapon to make a melee attack against a target within 5ft. of you, dealing 1d6 piercing damage. This uses your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls made with this attack, and counts as a simple weapon for the sake of determining proficiency.
Bipod
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Lower rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's lower rail has been outfitted with a small retractable bipod. Your attacks do not have disadvantage while prone, and if you have not moved since the start of your previous turn, your attacks have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
Reflex Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Upper rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's upper rail has been outfitted with a small lens with a holographic dot. If you have not moved since the end of your last turn, you may look down this sight as a bonus action, reducing your speed and increasing your weapon's normal range by 5 ft., and its maximum range by 15 ft. You may end this effect as a bonus action.
Holographic Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Upper rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's upper rail has been outfitted with a larger lens with a holographic dot, enabling greater magnification. If you have not moved since the end of your last turn, you may look down this sight as a bonus action, reducing your speed and increasing your weapon's normal range by 10 ft., and its maximum range by 30 ft. You may end this effect as a bonus action.
ACOG Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Upper rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's upper rail has been outfitted with a tube-like lens. If you have not moved since the end of your last turn, you may look down this sight as a bonus action, reducing your speed and increasing your weapon's normal range by 15 ft., and its maximum range by 45 ft. You may end this effect as a bonus action.
Sniper Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Upper rail
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's upper rail has been outfitted with a large scope. Your weapon gains the scope property with a range of the weapon's maximum range.
Hybrid Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Sight
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's sight has been modified have its own upper rail. You may attach a second sight to the weapon. This second sight can not have a sight modification.
Thermal Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Sight
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's sight has been modified to see heat. While looking down your sight, you can see in darkness as if it were dim light for 900 ft. However, the creature can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Night Vision Sight
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Sight
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's sight has been modified to illuminate what it sees with green light. While looking down your sight, you can see in darkness as if it were bright light. However, the creature can't discern color in darkness, only shades of green. If you see bright light through this sight, you are blinded until the beginning of your next turn.
Stockless
Prerequisite: Rifle
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Stock
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's stock has had its stock removed to massively increase maneuverability. Your weapon's normal range decreases by 15 ft., and its attack rolls gain a +3 bonus.
Light Stock
Prerequisite: Rifle
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Stock
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's stock has had its material cut down to make the weapon more maneuverable at the cost of accuracy. Your weapon's normal range decreases by 5 ft., and its attack rolls gain a +1 bonus.
Cushioned Stock
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Stock
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's has had a comfortable stock attached to its rear that reduces maneuverability. Your weapon's normal range increases by 15 ft., and its attack rolls gain a -1 penalty.
Sniper Stock
Prerequisite: Firearm
Artisan Requirement: Gunsmith
Part: Stock
Cost: —
Downsides: —
The weapon's has had a comfortable stock attached to its rear that reduces maneuverability. Your weapon's normal, long, and scope ranges increase by 30 ft., and its attack rolls gain a -3 penalty.
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