Offering rewards that truly resonate with your players is one of the trickiest parts of managing a long-term Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Eventually, simply handing out random gold or treasure becomes uninspiring and can’t hold the same value it once did.
That’s where supernatural gifts come into play. These mystical rewards can be especially meaningful for both individual players and the entire party. They add excitement and depth to your game, keeping players invested in their quests. Here’s how to incorporate supernatural gifts into your Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
What Are Supernatural Gifts?
Simply put, supernatural gifts are magical rewards granted by powerful mystical forces.
These gifts generally fall into two main categories, although you’re free to create your own variations:
- Blessings – These are usually bestowed by divine entities.
- Charms – These tend to come from non-divine magical beings or mythological figures.
In general, supernatural gifts don’t require attunement or concentration to activate, unless specified otherwise in the rules.
Examples of Supernatural Gifts
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide presents various examples of blessings and charms. Below are a few notable ones, along with some unique additions not mentioned in the official guide.
|
Supernatural Gift |
Type |
Source |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Blessing of Health |
Blessing |
2024 DM’s Guide |
Your Constitution score gets boosted by 2, with a maximum increase to 22. |
|
Blessing of Wound Closure |
Blessing |
2024 DM’s Guide |
This grants effects similar to a Periapt of Wound Closure. |
|
Charm of Feather Falling |
Charm |
2024 DM’s Guide |
This provides effects synonymous with a Ring of Feather Falling, lasting for ten days. |
|
Blessing of Intellect |
Blessing |
Homebrew |
Increases your Intelligence score by 2, capping at 22. |
|
Charm of Truesight |
Charm |
Homebrew |
For three days, you can use Truesight for one hour, requiring a short or long rest afterward. |
How to Use Supernatural Gifts
If you want to enrich your players’ experiences, consider incorporating supernatural gifts into your game.
You might also want to grant these gifts before a particularly challenging quest to bolster the party as they face tough opponents.
When a supernatural gift replicates a spell’s effects, remember that all standard rules for that spell apply, including concentration, duration, range, and casting time.
Although blessings and charms have similar functions, there are important differences to consider when using them in your campaign.
|
Supernatural Gift |
Bestowed By |
Effects |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Blessing |
|
Generally, blessings replicate the effects of powerful magical items or enhance attributes. |
Utilize blessings when divine spellcasters accomplish tasks for their patron or deity. Alternatively, you could apply blessings before a perilous quest where a deity might empower a player with extraordinary abilities. |
|
Charm |
|
Charms usually imitate potion or spell effects and other subtle magical properties. |
Charms come into play when players connect with powerful magical NPCs, stumble upon arcane treasures, or interact with legendary creatures. In most scenarios, charms are transient, unlike blessings, which tend to be permanent. |
With rare exceptions, players should not enjoy the benefits of multiple charms or blessings simultaneously, and stacking these effects is never permitted.
How to Create Your Own Supernatural Gifts
If you’re interested in homebrewing supernatural gifts, following a few straightforward steps can help you craft meaningful blessings and charms for your players.
- Charm or Blessing? – Decide whether the supernatural gift will be a charm or a blessing, typically based on the source bestowing it.
- Effects – Define the effects of the gift. Does it mimic a spell or potion, or does it enhance a stat?
- Restrictions – Determine if the gift has limitations, such as a time frame or number of uses. Generally, charms are temporary, whereas blessings tend to be more lasting.
If you’re uncertain about what effects to implement, check the Magic Items list in the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide, or look up potions and other magical influences for inspiration.
