Introducing the Downtime Training System!
Dear adventurers,
In my continuous efforts to enhance your gaming experience, I'm excited to unveil a more unified and balanced training system for your downtime moments during campaigns.
During your journey, you may come across peaceful environments, allowing your characters to take a breather and engage in downtime activities. As these opportunities arise more frequently, I recognized the need to streamline the mechanics across various games. While the Dungeon Master's Guide and Xanathar's Guide to Everything offered valuable insights, some situations called for additional mechanics that ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all players.
One common question asked by players is, "Can I train to obtain X during my downtime?" In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, training theoretically enables characters to acquire new skills or improve existing ones. However, it is essential to maintain a balance between downtime activities and the thrill of adventuring. I want to avoid overshadowing the adventurous part of the game and prevent players from obtaining excessive advantages through training in safe environments.
To achieve this balance, I have meticulously adjusted the time requirements for different training objectives. Some can be obtained faster than others, with the more powerful ones taking more time. For instance, acquiring a new Feat, a powerful addition to your character, will take considerable time through downtime training, aligning it with the rewards you receive naturally as you progress every 4 levels.
Please note that specific locations, factions, and NPCs may offer more
specialized training, such as weapon damage increase or unique abilities.
Keep an eye out for these exciting opportunities throughout your
adventures!
Without further ado, here is the first version of our more unified system for downtime training, focusing on general options:
| Downtime Activity | Requirements to start/continue | Duration per day | Number of lessons/training sessions | Difficulty Check | Attribute |
| Gain proficiency with a skill | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you and have at least +1 modifier on the skill's attribute. | 8 hours | 45 (+/-10) | 14 | Intelligence |
| Learn a new spell | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you. You must be able to cast the spell. | 8 hours | 30 (+/-10) | 13+Your Highest Spellslot level | Intelligence |
| Gain proficiency with a simple weapon | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you. | 8 hours | 25 (+/-10) | 10 | Choose lowest of: Intelligence or Strength (Dexterity if finesse/ranged) |
| Gain proficiency with a martial weapon | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you and have proficiency with its precursor Simple weapon (if any) | 8 hours | 30 (+/-10) | 14 | Choose lowest of: Intelligence or Strength (Dexterity if finesse/ranged) |
| Gain proficiency with Light armors | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you. | 8 hours | 60 (+/-15) | 13 | Strength |
| Gain proficiency with Medium armors | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you and have proficiency with Light armors. | 8 hours | 90 (+/-15) | 14 | Strength |
| Gain proficiency with Heavy armors | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you and have proficiency with Medium armors. | 8 hours | 120 (+/-15) | 15 | Strength |
| Gain a new Feat | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you. | 8 hours | 350 | 13 | Your lowest attribute |
| Gain proficiency with a new Tool | Learn/Train with someone qualified to teach you. | 8 hours | 25 | 15 | The attribute associated with the tool |
| Learn to understand verbally a new Language | Learn from someone who speaks the language.. | 3 hours | 12 | 10 | Intelligence |
| Learn to speak a new Language | Learn from someone who speaks the language and complete the above training. | 4 hours | 14 | 11 | Intelligence |
| Learn to read a new Language | Learn from someone who speaks and can write in the language and complete the above training. | 5 hours | 16 | 12 | Intelligence |
| Learn to write a new Language | Learn from someone who speaks and can write in the language and complete the above training. | 6 hours | 18 | 13 | Intelligence |
| Increase one of your attributes | Train by yourself. | 8 hours | 240 (+/-40) | 15 | The attribute you train |
Situation bonuses/penalties can further modify the numbers on the above table. Remember that Downtime Training is not the focus of the game and should be treated as an extra source!
Happy Adventuring with a splash of Training!!