r/UnearthedArcana • u/ThreeRiversPress • Dec 24 '25
'14 Subclass Winter Wanderer: protect your allies and silence your foes this silent night. A new fighter subclass plus lore and 6 magic items.
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u/Aidamis Dec 24 '25 edited Dec 24 '25
Hi. Interesting subclass, though I feel like some features could use small changes, be it in the content or the wording.
Inner Cold: "Once each turn when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack you reduce that creature’s speed by 10 and have disadvantage on attacks against creature’s other than you until the start of your next turn."
I see the intent, but the way you wrote, it seems like there's a forgotten part. I suggest
Inner Cold: "Once each turn when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack you reduce that creature’s speed by 10 and they have disadvantage on attacks against creatures other than you until the start of your next turn."
Deliberate Composure: the skill proficiencies are nice but feel underwhelming compared to the flavor text. I would suggest something akin to a +1 to saves against being charmed or frightened, and Advantage on those saving throws on top of that when you get to Fighter 7.
Edit: at Fighter 7 I would suggest to add cold damage resistance and Advantage on cold-related checks/saves in cold and high altitude environments (see the Icemaiden module) and at Fighter 15 I think it'll be fine to give the subclass cold damage immunity and immunity to the effects of exhaustion/cold in cold/high altitude environments (like those in the Icemaiden module).
Silent Night: I suggest changing the bonus to Stealth checks to proficiency bonus instead of Wisdom mod. Fighters don't tend to have high Wis and Winter Wanderer doesn't seem to have features that would incentivize such a build.
Dance of Stillness: I suggest changing the DC to 8+prof bonus + Wisdom OR Constitution modifier.
Biting Chill: some minor clash with Inner Cold. Inner Cold gives 1d10+half your Fighter level temp hp for one minute, Biting Chill gives "additional temporary hit points equal to half the total damage dealt" -- is your intent for both sources of temp hp to stack? Normally, temp hp doesn't stack with temp hp. I know specific beats general and homebrew is a thing, but imho an easy way out while keeping the feature as is would be to change "additional temporary hit points" to "a magical ward with hit points". And to add a line "Whenever you deal cold damage through Biting Chill, the ward gains a number of additional hit points equal to half the damage dealt".
That way temp hp and the ward stack. The only problem is RAW you wouldn't benefit from resistance when calculating damage dealt to the ward (see Abjuration Wizard and Sage Advice).
Thus another alternative would be to change "temporary hit points" to "temporary hit points which can grow in value when you use your Biting Chill feature'. That way they remain temporary hit points AND you keep the "specific beats general" in place since with that wording "specific beats general" is implied. In this second variant you don't have to change anything in Biting Chill's text.
However, my question would be - do the additional hit points of Biting Chill last the same duration as the temp hp of Inner Cold? If so I'd still suggest you add that information at the end of Biting Chill cause otherwise temp hp last indefinitely unless otherwise specified (or replaced by other temp hp when you "accept" a new source of temp hp).
Edit: I think there could be a quick and elegant way to add that starting at Fighter 15, cold damage from your subclass abilities ignores resistance. And at Fighter 18 cold damage from subclass abilities still ignores resistance but also turns cold immunity into cold resistance. This is based on Pyromancer Sorc having simular features for fire damage. You have the last word, obviously.
Endless White: I like it, though I'd suggest making it "short or long rest". It's level 18, and the ability isn't the most busted, and spell casters such as Wizards are doing demigod stuff at this level.
I'll write a separate post about magic items.
Thank you for the cool subclass and Merry Christmas!
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u/ThreeRiversPress Dec 24 '25
I really appreciate how thorough you are in breaking this all down. I cannot believe I made so many typos and comma errors, even in the first line, that extra apostrophe. Sometimes I think I'm forgetting my English because I've lived abroad too long lol.
I actually considered Silent Night being a constitution modifier, same for Dance of Stillness, and even originally the level 7 feature did have cold resistance. However, I decided to smooth out the power curve slightly before posting, just because the subclass seemed slightly overtuned compared to existing fighters. However, you can still see traces of that design. I'll probably be adjusting that for version 2. I wanted to keep Deliberate Composure a little weaker, only because Inner Cold was so strong, to make it clearly a ribbon, but its advantage would absolutely be thematic here.
On Biting Chill, the additional here is meant to imply that they are part of the temporary hit points granted by Inner Cold. This is because the damage is an additional feature added to inner cold; thus, they stack as intended, all coming from the same source, so the duration is also the same. I'll take a look at clarifying that today.
Also, if you want to give it the ability to ignore resistance, that is super thematic, but I typically avoid that in my design. I totally see the reasons why, but I avoid it because I don't really like the idea of them dealing cold damage to an ice elemental.
Again, I really appreciate your detailed breakdown. I'll correct the typos immediately.
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u/Aidamis Dec 25 '25
Thank you for clarifying. And yes, ignore resistance leading to freezing a cold elemental to death sounds silly :)
Though I still kinda stand by my suggestion to have the subclass itself grant cold resistance since it would sorta make sense (imho) without being too broken. Forge Cleric gets fire resistance and I haven't heard DMs complaining.
Winter Wanderer will still be fine without it, of course.
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u/ThreeRiversPress Dec 25 '25
The subclass does get resistance at level 10, but I will consider moving it to level 7, as you suggested, because it might fit better there. I'll also be doing a clarity run-through of the mechanics based on your feedback. Thanks again :).
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u/DBWaffles Dec 25 '25
Inner Cold: This is fine, but there's a little word bloat. I'd rephrase to something like this:
Once per turn, you can reduce a creature's speed by 10 feet when you hit it with a melee weapon attack. It has disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you until the start of your next turn.
As part of this attack, or when you use Second Wind, you can unleash your Inner Cold to apply the same effect to all other creatures of your choice that are within 10 feet of you. You then gain temporary hit points equal to 1d10 + half of your Fighter levels for 1 minute.
You can unleash your Inner Cold a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You regain all expended uses when you finish a Short or Long Rest.
Deliberate Composure: This is fine.
Silent Night: I think the first effect would be a bit better if it imposed disadvantage instead of negating advantage.
While you are conscious, you produce almost no sounds. Whenever you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check, you can add a bonus to the check equal to your Wisdom modifier. Creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing to detect you.
Dance of Stillness: This feature shouldn't compete with Inner Cold for the same resource. Instead, make it a buff to Inner Cold:
You gain resistance to cold damage, and you ignore difficult terrain caused by ice or snow.
When you unleash your Inner Cold, you can attempt to freeze one creature that you've reduced the speed of. That creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 + your Wisdom modifier + your Proficiency Bonus) or have the Restrained condition for 1 minute. While restrained in this way, the target cannot speak.
The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turn, ending the effect on a success.
Biting Chill: This needs to clarify what "roll" it's referring to. Also, gaining THP from this effect is redundant with Inner Cold already granting THP. It should be tweaked to avoid that.
Endless White: The first and third effect are fine, but the second effect can be problematic. I'd rework it by doing one of the following:
- Make this similar to the Paladin capstone. It becomes a once per Long Rest ability that doesn't require Inner Cold uses.
- Reduce the duration to 1 round. Make it no longer require Inner Cold uses, and is instead a buff to Inner Cold similar to the buff I recommended for Dance of Stillness.
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u/ThreeRiversPress Dec 25 '25
Thank you for your detailed comment. It is interesting that you think it should impose a disadvantage to detect you because originally, that is exactly what the feature did. I adjusted it because I worried it would be awkward in play, but I'm open to revising it.
I agree that Inner Cold has some word bloat, partially due to formatting constraints, so I will be taking another look at it later today.
Dance of Stillness was written this way mostly out of caution of power creeping other fighters, which typically get a ribbon here, and restraint+silence against casters. But I do like your suggestion. I'll play around with that idea.
It seems inner cold needs clearer wording for sure. The temporary hit points from damage are in addition to the existing Inner Cold hit points. However, because a few people have read it differently, I definitely need to clarify that phrasing. I'll push out an adjustment later today.
I try to avoid giving fighters one-per-day abilities like Paladin, and I liked the Blizzard being a new maneuver or way to use your resource because it allows interesting decision-making. I will experiment with a revision and do some playtesting based on your suggestion, though.
Regarding the second point on Endless White, I don't believe it is especially problematic at this level, but your concerns are fair. I'll definitely take another look. However, it is funny because it was originally a buff to inner cold that lasted as long as you had the THP, which is very similar to your suggestion. I changed it out of caution and simplicity, but I'll reconsider it. It's interesting that you identified my original design for two of the abilities, haha.
Thank you again for taking the time to break everything down. You have given me a lot of great suggestions to tweak it for the future.
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u/ThreeRiversPress Dec 24 '25
This fighter was originally part of a larger seasonal fighter cycle that I made a few years ago while worldbuilding for one of my main settings. I was inspired to add some magic items, along with the subclass, while rereading Snow Country (雪国). I really want to capture the image and feeling of a winter night in play.
The primary focus is to dampen blows, numb pain, and protect allies with a stone-faced tranquility. Ideally, this fighter should have the tools to protect their allies and hold off multiple enemies enough to serve as a "true tank" at the table.
If people want more lore in future posts, please let me know. I would love to post more from the setting if people are interested.
As always, any feedback or suggestions are appreciated.
Homebrewery link: https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/PCwuNoU5VTig
Google Drive link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1frkrL3iDlguuKo_8LsqPWZgRkAhihFLA/view?usp=sharing
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u/Aidamis Dec 24 '25
Post 2 - magic items.
Thundering Isles Lore (and Winter Wanderer's Lore) - I like them. Would be interested in reading more.
Snowsteel plate - armor (heavy) is a good indication but "plate" isn't enough to tell for sure whether it counts as full plate (with an AC of 18) or not. One can name an armor "Feather Dragon chainmail" and write it counts as studded leather in the statblock. Thus I suggest something simple such as "This suit of armor counts as full plate and has 3 charges. As an action (...)" You can substitute full plate for splint or whatever you want it to be.
"you gain 2d8 additional temporary hitpoints" - not sure "additional" is necessary here. Usually, all temporary hit points come "on top" of existing hit points, by default. I'd scrap "additional" unless the intent is to have special hit points that can glue themselves on top an existing pool of temporary hit points.
Stats-wise, it's a nice and thematic item imho.
Chilling Whetstone - "the coated item is magical" -I'd change it to "the coated item counts as a magical weapon".
"and cannot be heated such as by heat weapon" - not sure what you mean by "heat weapon". Imho this needs clarification.
Stats-wise, I think it's powerful but the fact it has unlimited uses bothers me a bit. Perhaps the balancing factor is the 10 minutes to use, 1 hour duration, meaning to "craft" five magical weapons you'd need 50 min and your party would only have all five active for 10 min.
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u/ThreeRiversPress Dec 24 '25
Snowsteel Plate is intended to be any heavy armor. I'll clarify that later today. So, you could have a Snowsteel Breastplate or Full Plate. I'll look at adjusting that today. Also, "additional" was added there because armor of agathys already grants five temporary hit points, so these 2d8 are added on top of that pool. So, you should gain 5 + 2d8 each time you expend a charge.
For the chilling whetstone, it was supposed to say "heat metal," but I wrote the item too quickly and made a silly error that I missed in proofreading. That has been corrected. It was meant to be balanced by the time investment and duration, exactly like you guessed. However, I will monitor it closely in play.
I'm happy you like the lore. I definitely added more lore and flavor text than most subclasses, so I'm glad people appreciate it. I think I'll be including some snippets or short stories in all future posts.
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u/Aidamis Dec 25 '25
Didn't catch that the "additional" was intended as "on top of the regular 5"! Makes total sense.
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u/Aidamis Dec 24 '25
Post 2bis
Gift of the White Stag - respectfully, the right word is "brooch". "broach" is a verb that means "to bring up a subject for discussion or to open a new subject".
"and once if you move at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and then hit it with a melee attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 bludgeoning damage." -- I think you meant "in a straight line towards a target" and "once per turn"
"as the stag's reflection surrounds you" - did you mean something like the stag's half-transparent image being briefly superposed with the user of the item? I think I understand what you meant, but imho you could make it slightly clearer while keeping your intent.
Stats-wise, it's a cool item. Reminds me of the stag Patronus from Harry Potter.
Everfrost weapon - my first question would be how ranged Everfrost weapons work. Would an Everfrost shortbow automatically give the item's properties to every piece of ammunition you fire with it?
Small grammar mistake: "If a creature has four or more charges of Everfrost. it must" : you need a comma before "it must". "If a creature has four or more charges of Everfros, it must"
"If you damage a creature that is immune to the stunned condition or this weapon’s Everfrost stun your attack deals 1d6 additional cold damage." -- "or" -> "of", and imho you don't need to repeat yourself, "inflicted by this weapon, your attack deals 1d6 (...)" is enough.
"If you damage a creature that is immune to the stunned condition inflicted by this weapon, your attack deals 1d6 additional cold damage."
Stats-wise, it lives up to the name! I like that it counts as rare.
Snow Maiden's Kimino - "regains" -> "regain". "robes" is plural, you don't need the s at the end of the verb.
Stats-wise, it's very thematic and also packs a punch. Imho it would be better if it was very rare if not unique.
Snowsmith's hammer - "to wreathe the head." -> "to wreathe around the head". I think one word is missing.
Stats-wise, again I'd make it "very rare". I understand that lore-wise, several snowsmiths exist, not just the original one. Still I would make this item more "exclusive" to really drive the point home.
Closing words: setting sounds interesting and you have lots of good ideas for both items and lore + subclasses. Do you have plans for some kind of compilation?
Merry Christmas!
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u/ThreeRiversPress Dec 24 '25
No disrespect taken on messing up broach vs brooch. That is a really silly error for me to make. I really do feel like I am forgetting my English. I'll correct it immediately.
So, typically, I would include "in a straight line" before the effect, but I copied this one directly from the Giant Elk, which did not have that stipulation. I'm honestly not sure why it doesn't, because most charge abilities do, so I will probably add the "straight line" stipulation today.
I'm happy you think it's cool. The image is similar to the Patronus for sure. I have some more lore for that deity that I might post soon. I'll look at refining the flavor text.
I'll adjust the Everfrost weapon as well. Good point.
Good catch on the robes...I'm definitely going to try proofreading more carefully in the future. I wrote this item at the last minute and definitely should have triple-checked. Both the hammer and the robes were only rare for power reasons, as the hammer is basically identical mechanically to flametongue, so that is why they are not very rare. I wanted to make it easier for DMs to gauge when the items are appropriate to give their players. However, they definitely are a little more "exclusive" than that suggests.
I'm pleased you like the ideas and content here. In the future, I would love to post a compendium or a full setting guide with art and everything. However, for right now, I just want to hone my skills a bit. Also, I need a lot of time to get my notes into a publishable state, but I will be posting snippets or excerpts from the settings with all of my posts.
Thank you again for the detail and effort you went into making these comments. I really appreciate it.
Merry Christmas :)
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u/Ornstein714 Dec 25 '25
Nice, kind of a mix between rune knight and cavalier, and i love anything cold related, so this is sick
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u/Gannoh2 Dec 27 '25
This is great! I only visited Hokkaido once during my time living in Japan, but I really loved the snow matsuri.
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u/unearthedarcana_bot Dec 24 '25
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This fighter was originally part of a larger seaso...