Archetype - Hero

## We Need a Hero

The Hero represents a range of different Characters in fiction, however in this Archetype we emphasize their versatility, determination and ability to shape their own destiny. They frequently feature as the protagonist in a range of action orientated films, from spaghetti westerns to the popular Action Films of the 80s onwards. Unlike many of the other archetypes, their capabilities are typically portrayed as for more grounded in nature, making them perfect for portraying underdogs or characters who are especially driven in achieving their goals.

Heroes are a fantastic Archetype for both players who are new to the game, or experienced players who enjoy the versatility that the Hero offers.

### Features

The Hero has access to more Feats, including an additional Basic Feat when they access this Archetype. They gain features such as Grit, Determination and Bullet Time, which allow them to spend Stamina Points to push themselves further in order to achieve their goals. Heroes are also able to break the limits of what is typically possible earlier than other Archetypes. From level 12 they may increase their Ability Bonuses beyond +5, and are able to access the Epic Feats from level 18.

### Recommended Ability Bonuses

* High Strength or Dexterity
* Good Endurance.

### Alternate Names

* Historic and High Fantasy Settings: Fighter
* Modern and Futuristic Settings: Action Heroes

## Level 0

In addition to the features your Character gains at Level 1, they gain the following for starting their adventure as a Hero.

### Skill

* You gain the Athletics Skill.
	+ If you already have this Skill, you gain another Skill of your Choice.

### Weapon and Armor Training

* Trained in all Basic, Advanced and Complex Weapons
* Trained in Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy and Difficult Armor and Shields.

### Saving Throw Skill

* Skilled in Strength Saving Throws
* Skilled in Endurance Saving Throws

## Level 1

### Increased Damage Limit

* Your Damage Limit increases by 6 for each level of this Archetype you have.

### Martial Improvement

* Once your initial Ability Bonuses have been determined, you may Train one Ability or choose one Basic Feat from the Basic Martial Feats Section.
	+ You may not increase an Ability Bonus above +3 with this feature.
		- If choosing a Basic Feat, we recommend choosing a Basic Martial Feat such as a Fighting Style Feat.

### Stamina

* You gain a resource called Stamina Points, which you can spend in order to use powerful physical abilities, such as the Hero's Grit feature.
* When you gain this feature, you have two Stamina Points.
* You regain all your Stamina Points when you finish either a Long or Short Rest.
	+ You may only gain the benefits of a Short Rest twice, after which you must take a Long Rest to gain further benefits from a Short Rest.
* The maximum number of Stamina Points you may have increases whenever you gain the Additional Stamina feature from this Archetype, or from another Archetype, or from a Theme which also grants this feature.

### Grit

* As a Minor Action, you can spend one Stamina Point to reduce your Damage taken by an amount equal to one roll of your Martial Die + your Hero Level.

### Determination

* When you make a Skill Check, you may spend one Stamina Point to reroll one of the d20s used to determine the Result.
	+ You may use this Feature whether the Skill Check is a Fail or a Success.
	+ You may only use this Feature once on any given Skill Check.

### Martial Die

* At Level 1 your Martial Die is a d4.
* This die represents your Character's ability to push themselves past their normal limits to achieve their goals.
* At levels 5, 9, 13 and 17 of Hero, the Improved Martial Die feature increases the die size to a d6, a d8, a d10 and a d12 respectively.
	+ If you gain the Improved Martial Die feature from another source (such as the Brute or Warrior Archetypes), increase the Martial Die by one size category, up to a maximum die size of 12.

## Level 2

### Minor Improvement

* You may Train one Ability or choose one Basic Feat from the Basic Feats Section.
	+ You may not increase an Ability Bonus above +3 with this feature.
	+ If choosing a Basic Feat, we recommend choosing a Basic Martial Feat such as Weapon Techniques

### Bullet Time

* On your Turn, you can spend two Stamina Points to immediately make an additional Action or Minor Action.
	+ You may only use this feature Once per Turn.

## Level 3

### Theme

* At Level 3 you may choose a Theme compatible with this Archetype, such as the Martial Mastery Theme.
* At Levels 6, 10 and 14 the Theme Improvement feature unlocks additional benefits from this Theme.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

## Level 4

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat
	+ You cannot increase an Ability Bonus to higher than +5 at this level.

## Level 5

### Improved Attack

* When you take the Attack Action, you may make up to two separate Attacks during your Turn.

### Improved Martial Die

* Your Martial Die increases from a d4 to a d6.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

### Combo

* When you Hit a Target with an Attack, you may add a roll of your Martial Die to the result of the next Attack Roll you make against them this Turn.

## Level 6

### Theme Improvement

* You unlock the 6th Level Features of a Theme you gained from this Archetype.

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat
	+ You cannot increase an Ability Bonus to higher than +5 at this level.

## Level 7

### Heroic Resistance

* Whenever you fail a Saving Throw you may spend one Stamina Point to add one roll of your Martial Die to the Result, potentially turning the failure into a Success (No Action Required).
	+ You may only use this Feature once on any given Saving Throw.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

## Level 8

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat
	+ You cannot increase an Ability Bonus to higher than +5 at this level.

## Level 9

### Improved Grit

* You may use your Grit feature as a Reaction, taken in response to you taking Damage.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

### Improved Martial Die

* Your Martial Die increases from a d6 to a d8.

## Level 10

### Theme Improvement

* You unlock the 10th Level Features of a Theme you gained from this Archetype.

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat
	+ You cannot increase an Ability Bonus to higher than +5 at this level.

## Level 11

### Improved Attack

* When you take the Attack Action, you may make up to three separate Attacks during your Turn.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

## Level 12

### Legendary Abilities

* From Level 12 onwards, Major Improvements you gain from this Archetype may increase your Ability Bonuses above +5.

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat

## Level 13

### Improved Martial Die

* Your Martial Die increases from a d8 to a d10.

### Improved Heroic Resistance

* Whenever you fail a Saving Throw you may spend two Stamina Points to turn the failure into an automatic Success.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

## Level 14

### Theme Improvement

* You unlock the 14th Level Features of a Theme you gained from this Archetype.

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat

## Level 15

### Improved Bullet Time

* You may use your Bullet Time feature as a Reaction on another Character's Turn, taken in response to you taking Damage.
* If you use the Dash Action as part of this Reaction, you may move upto your Movement Speed. This Movement does not provoke Attacks of Opportunity.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

## Level 16

### Major Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Advanced Feat

## Level 17

### Improved Martial Die

* Your Martial Die increases from a d10 to a d12.

### Improved Attack

* When you take the Attack Action, you may make up to four separate Attacks during your Turn.

### Additional Stamina

* Your Stamina Point maximum increases by one.

## Level 18

### Epic Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Epic Feat

## Level 19

### Epic Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Epic Feat

## Level 20

### Legendary Hero

* You only expend one Stamina Point whenever you use your Heroic Resistance or Bullet Time features.

### Epic Improvement

* You may either: Increase an Ability Bonus by 1; Train Two Abilities; Train One Ability and Gain a Basic Feat; or Choose one Epic Feat

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## Copyright Notice

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC and available at https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document. The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

## Credit this Work

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This work includes material taken from "7e” by Peter Rees and materials taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC. Both "7e" and the "SRD5.1" are Licensed under the Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode