CRITICAL FLAWS

A Fun Roleplay Mechanic

 How it Works
Rather than punishing your players by forcing them to drop a weapon, trip, or accidentally attack themselves due to a
random dice roll, this mechanic applies a role-playing flaw to their character for the remainder of the session. These
flaws are similar to the ones chosen during character creation but are a bit more light-hearted.
When a player rolls a natural 1 on any d20 test, have them roll on the Critical Flaw table. This results in a temporary
flaw that is removed at the end of the session. It’s entirely up to the player how much they want to lean into the flaw,
and they should not be penalized for not fully embracing it or forgetting about it altogether.
For added fun, secretly communicate the flaw to the player who rolled the natural 1. A great way to do this is by
printing these flaws as cards (see page 3 & 4) and handing them out directly to the player. This also ensures that
multiple players don’t end up with the same flaw.

Critical Flaw Table

d20 Flaw
1 Magic Allergy - Every time a spell is cast within 30 feet of you, it causes you to sneeze loudly and theatrically.
2 She’s an Imposter - Whenever you meet someone of the same species, you suspect them of being a different species, disguised by
the disguise self spell.
3 Keep it Down - You are unable to control your speaking volume, constantly switching between talking too loudly and too quietly
when addressing your party.
4 I Am the Count - You compulsively count. Whenever someone says a number or something that can be interpreted as a number
(e.g., “to” or “free”), you automatically say the next number out loud.
5 Birdbrain - You become obsessed with birds. If you hear or see one, you must stop whatever you’re doing to investigate.
6 Paranoia Personified - You believe every whisper, glance, or vague comment is about you. You’re convinced that everyone, including
your party, is conspiring against you.
7 Did You Hear an Echo? - You unconsciously repeat the last word of anyone who speaks to you.
8 Hypochondriac - You’re convinced you’ve contracted a terrible disease. You frequently panic over small discomforts and constantly
check yourself for symptoms.
9 Leroy Jenkins - You lose all sense of caution and fear, ignoring any suggestion of strategy. You believe sheer force of will or luck will
see you through any challenge.
10 Kleptomaniac - You have an overwhelming urge to pocket small, insignificant objects, regardless of whether you need them.
11 Forget-Me-Not - Your short-term memory is terrible. You struggle to remember anything that happened more than 10 minutes ago
and often ask for reminders.
12 No One Likes a Braggart - You feel compelled to boast about everything, no matter how trivial. Even mundane tasks are described
as heroic feats.
13 Over-Sharer - You share way too much personal information, even with strangers, often divulging your darkest secrets or mundane
daily habits without prompting.
14 Inanimate Allies - You believe that an object or weapon you carry has thoughts and feelings. You often consult it for advice or
comfort and apologize when you use it.
15 I’ve Read About This - You’re convinced you know every monster, trap, or situation because of something you read, even if your
information is entirely incorrect.
16 Dramatic Pose - You feel the need to strike a dramatic pose and deliver a theatrical one-liner with every action you take, no matter
how mundane.
17 Reverse Psychology - You believe reverse psychology works on everything. You consistently give advice or commands expecting
others to do the opposite.
18 You’re a Poet and Didn’t Know It - You are compelled to speak in rhyme, even when it makes no sense. Your focus on rhyming often
disrupts coherent speech.
19 Everything’s a Clue - You believe everything is part of a larger conspiracy or puzzle. You overanalyse random details, convinced they
are crucial clues to an overarching mystery.
20 Perpetual Hunger - You are always hungry and need to eat at least once an hour. When food isn’t available, you frequently complain
about how starving you are and how it’s affecting your focus.
 Critical Flaw Cards
Magic Allergy Leroy Jenkins
Every time a spell is cast within 30 feet of you, it causes you You lose all sense of caution and fear, ignoring any
to sneeze loudly and theatrically. suggestion of strategy. You believe sheer force of will or luck
will see you through any challenge.

She’s an Imposter
Kleptomaniac
Whenever you meet someone of the same species, you
suspect them of being a different species, disguised by the You have an overwhelming urge to pocket small,
disguise self spell. insignificant objects, regardless of whether you need them.

Keep it Down Forget-Me-Not

You are unable to control your speaking volume, constantly Your short-term memory is terrible. You struggle to
switching between talking too loudly and too quietly when remember anything that happened more than 10 minutes
addressing your party. ago and often ask for reminders.

I Am the Count No One Likes a Braggart

You compulsively count. Whenever someone says a number You feel compelled to boast about everything, no matter how
or something that can be interpreted as a number (e.g., “to” trivial. Even mundane tasks are described as heroic feats.
or “free”), you automatically say the next number out loud.

Over-Sharer
Birdbrain
You share way too much personal information, even with
You become obsessed with birds. If you hear or see one, you strangers, often divulging your darkest secrets or mundane
must stop whatever you’re doing to investigate. daily habits without prompting.

Paranoia Personified Inanimate Allies

You believe every whisper, glance, or vague comment is You believe that an object or weapon you carry has thoughts
about you. You’re convinced that everyone, including your and feelings. You often consult it for advice or comfort and
party, is conspiring against you. apologize when you use it.

Did You Hear an Echo? I’ve Read About This

You unconsciously repeat the last word of anyone who You’re convinced you know every monster, trap, or situation
speaks to you. because of something you read, even if your information is
entirely incorrect.

Hypochondriac
Dramatic Pose
You’re convinced you’ve contracted a terrible disease. You
frequently panic over small discomforts and constantly You feel the need to strike a dramatic pose and deliver a
check yourself for symptoms. theatrical one-liner with every action you take, no matter how
mundane.
 Reverse Psychology Everything’s a Clue
You believe reverse psychology works on everything. You You believe everything is part of a larger conspiracy or
consistently give advice or commands expecting others to puzzle. You overanalyse random details, convinced they are
do the opposite. crucial clues to an overarching mystery.

You’re a Poet and Didn’t Know It Perpetual Hunger

You are compelled to speak in rhyme, even when it makes You are always hungry and need to eat at least once an hour.
no sense. Your focus on rhyming often disrupts coherent When food isn’t available, you frequently complain about
speech. how starving you are and how it’s affecting your focus.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon ampersand, Ravnica and
all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and
other countries.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission
under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
All other original material in this work is copyright 2023 by Peter Leet and published under the Community Content Agreement
for Dungeon Masters Guild.