Rivals¶
They take the jobs you were eyeing on the local town's job board. They sit at your favorite table in the tavern with the best drinks, food, and entertainment. You know their names, and they know yours. They're rivals—heroes just like you. Maybe even better.
Rivals are NPCs built around the mechanics of seven of the classes in Draw Steel: Heroes-the conduit, elementalist, fury, null, shadow, tactician, and talent (see Chapter 5: Classes in that book). Their stat blocks are streamlined and modular, meant to be easy to adjust on the fly with ancestral traits or signature abilities. Examples of each type of rival are presented at every tier, capturing their foray into renown as they inevitably cross, clash with, and impede the player characters' own heroic journey.
| Echelon | Name | Level | Organization | Role | EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Rival Conduit | 2 | Elite | Support | 16 |
| 1st | Rival Elementalist | 2 | Elite | Controller | 16 |
| 1st | Rival Fury | 2 | Elite | Brute | 16 |
| 1st | Rival Null | 2 | Elite | Harrier | 16 |
| 1st | Rival Shadow | 2 | Elite | Ambusher | 16 |
| 1st | Rival Tactician | 2 | Elite | Artillery | 16 |
| 1st | Rival Talent | 2 | Elite | Hexer | 16 |
| 2nd | Rival Conduit | 5 | Elite | Support | 28 |
| 2nd | Rival Elementalist | 5 | Elite | Controller | 28 |
| 2nd | Rival Fury | 5 | Elite | Brute | 28 |
| 2nd | Rival Null | 5 | Elite | Harrier | 28 |
| 2nd | Rival Shadow | 5 | Elite | Ambusher | 28 |
| 2nd | Rival Tactician | 5 | Elite | Artillery | 28 |
| 2nd | Rival Talent | 5 | Elite | Hexer | 28 |
| 3rd | Rival Conduit | 8 | Elite | Support | 40 |
| 3rd | Rival Elementalist | 8 | Elite | Controller | 40 |
| 3rd | Rival Fury | 8 | Elite | Brute | 40 |
| 3rd | Rival Null | 8 | Elite | Harrier | 40 |
| 3rd | Rival Shadow | 8 | Elite | Ambusher | 40 |
| 3rd | Rival Tactician | 8 | Elite | Artillery | 40 |
| 3rd | Rival Talent | 8 | Elite | Hexer | 40 |
| 4th | Rival Conduit | 10 | Elite | Support | 48 |
| 4th | Rival Elementalist | 10 | Elite | Controller | 48 |
| 4th | Rival Fury | 10 | Elite | Brute | 48 |
| 4th | Rival Null | 10 | Elite | Harrier | 48 |
| 4th | Rival Shadow | 10 | Elite | Ambusher | 48 |
| 4th | Rival Tactician | 10 | Elite | Artillery | 48 |
| 4th | Rival Talent | 10 | Elite | Hexer | 48 |
Rival Stat Block List¶
Using Rivals in a Campaign¶
These grab-and-go adaptations of classes are meant to capture a class's fantasy without making Directors run a full hero character sheet. They also seamlessly work together, allowing Directors to build a party of NPC heroes or villains who can be rivals, enemies, or even allies. The next time the heroes need a bit of competition or need to quickly visit a local tavern, temple, or guild hall in search of capable adventurers to help with a quest, you won't be fumbling for a stat block. That's what rivals are for.
Rival Ancestries¶
You can adjust any rival stat block to more closely model a player character of a specific ancestry. Choose an ancestry from the Rival Ancestries table, then modify the stat block by adding the keyword, adjusting the size, adding the stability adjustment value, and giving them the ancestral trait.
Rival Abilities¶
Any rival can replace their signature ability with a signature ability a hero has access to. The fury, shadow, and tactician can select a signature ability from any kit (see Chapter 6: Kits in Draw Steel: Heroes), and other rivals can select a signature ability from their respective class. If you replace a rival's signature ability, the replacement ability deals extra damage equal to the rival's level and targets two creatures or objects if the original ability targets only one.
Rival Languages¶
Most rivals speak Caelian and two other languages.
Rival Ancestries Table¶
| Keyword | Size Adjustment | Stability Adjustment | Ancestral Trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil | 1M | 0 | Prehensile Tail: The rival can't be flanked. |
| Draconian (for the dragon knight) | 1M | +1 | Wings: The rival can fly. While flying, their stability is 0. |
| Dwarf | 1M | +2 | Great Fortitude: The rival can't be made weakened. |
| High Elf/Wode Elf | 1M | 0 | Otherworldly Grace: At the start of each of their turns, the rival can choose one effect on them that can be ended by a saving throw. That effect instead ends at the end of their turn. |
| Hakaan | 1L | +2 | Forceful: When the rival force moves a creature or object, they can force move them an additional 2 squares. |
| Human | 1M | +1 | Determination: As a maneuver, the rival can end the frightened, slowed, or weakened condition on themself. |
| Memonek | 1M | -1 (minimum 0) | Nonstop: The rival can't be made slowed. |
| Orc | 1M | +2 | Glowing Recovery: Once per round, the rival can use a maneuver to regain Stamina equal to 5 times their level. |
| Polder | 1S | 0 | Nimblestep: The rival ignores difficult terrain and can move at full speed while sneaking. |
| Revenant | 1M | +1 | Vengeance Mark: The rival places a magic sigil on an enemy within 10 squares of them. The rival always knows the direction to that enemy while the sigil is active on them. As a main action, the rival can detonate the sigil, dealing damage to the target equal to the rival's free strike and sliding the target up to 2 squares. |
| Time Raider | 1M | 0 | Four-Armed Martial Arts: Whenever the rival uses the Grab or Knockback maneuver, they can target one additional creature. |
1st Echelon¶
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Conduit
Level 2
Elite Support
EV 16
1MSize
5Speed
80Stamina
1Stability
5Free Strike
M+1Might
A+0Agility
R+0Reason
I+2Intuition
P+0Presence
- Thunder of HeavensMain actionSignature
- Imbue with MightManeuver2 Malice
- Stalwart GuardianTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Elementalist
Level 2
Elite Controller
EV 16
1MSize
5Speed
60Stamina
1Stability
5Free Strike
M+0Might
A+0Agility
R+2Reason
I+1Intuition
P+0Presence
- The Writhing GreenMain actionSignature
- The Earth DevoursMain action3 Malice
- Jaws of the VoidTriggered action
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Fury
Level 2
Elite Brute
EV 16
1MSize
5Speed
100Stamina
3Stability
5Free Strike
M+2Might
A+1Agility
R+0Reason
I+0Intuition
P+0Presence
- Brutal ImpactMain actionSignature
- Let's TussleMain action2 Malice
- OverwhelmTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Null
Level 2
Elite Harrier
EV 16
1MSize
7Speed
80Stamina
3Stability
5Free Strike
M+0Might
A+2Agility
R+1Reason
I+2Intuition
P+0Presence
- Nimble StepMain actionSignature
- NumbManeuver2 Malice
- Inertial ShieldTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Shadow
Level 2
Elite Ambusher
EV 16
1MSize
7Speed
80Stamina
1Stability
5Free Strike
M+0Might
A+2Agility
R+0Reason
I+0Intuition
P+1Presence
- Swift SerrationMain actionSignature
- Poison the BladeManeuver
- Exploit OpeningTrait
- RivalryTrait
Summoner
Rival Summoner · Echelon 1
Rival Summoner
Level 2
Elite Controller
EV 16
1MSize
5Speed
60Stamina
0Stability
5Free Strike
M+0Might
A+0Agility
R+2Reason
I+1Intuition
P+0Presence
- Undead SummonerTrait
- Necro BeamMain actionSignature
- Call ForthMain action1+ Malice
- Corpse ShieldTriggered action
- RivalryTraitWith All of Us
2nd Echelon¶
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Conduit
Level 5
Elite Support
EV 28
1MSize
5Speed
140Stamina
1Stability
6Free Strike
M+2Might
A+0Agility
R+0Reason
I+3Intuition
P+1Presence
- Raging TempestMain actionSignature
- Imbue with PowerManeuver3 Malice
- Stalwart GuardianTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Elementalist
Level 5
Elite Controller
EV 28
1MSize
5Speed
120Stamina
1Stability
6Free Strike
M+0Might
A+2Agility
R+3Reason
I+2Intuition
P+0Presence
- The Thriving WildsMain actionSignature
- The Depths HungerMain action4 Malice
- Fissures of DarknessTriggered action
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Fury
Level 5
Elite Brute
EV 28
1MSize
5Speed
160Stamina
3Stability
7Free Strike
M+3Might
A+2Agility
R+0Reason
I+0Intuition
P+1Presence
- Thunderous SlamMain actionSignature
- Roughed UpMain action3 Malice
- OverpowerTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Null
Level 5
Elite Harrier
EV 28
1MSize
7Speed
140Stamina
3Stability
6Free Strike
M+0Might
A+3Agility
R+2Reason
I+3Intuition
P+0Presence
- Agile StrideMain actionSignature
- DeadenManeuver2 Malice
- Inertial ShieldTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Shadow
Level 5
Elite Ambusher
EV 28
1MSize
7Speed
140Stamina
1Stability
7Free Strike
M+0Might
A+3Agility
R+1Reason
I+0Intuition
P+2Presence
- AmbuscadeMain actionSignature
- Poison the BladeManeuver
- Exploit OpeningTrait
- RivalryTrait
Summoner
Rival Summoner · Echelon 2
Rival Summoner
Level 5
Elite Controller
EV 28
1MSize
5Speed
120Stamina
0Stability
6Free Strike
M+0Might
A+0Agility
R+3Reason
I+2Intuition
P+1Presence
- Undead SummonerTrait
- Essence StealMain actionSignature
- Call ForthMain action1+ Malice
- Corpse CarryTriggered action
- RivalryTraitWith All of Us
3rd Echelon¶
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Conduit
Level 8
Elite Support
EV 40
1MSize
5Speed
200Stamina
1Stability
8Free Strike
M+3Might
A+0Agility
R+1Reason
I+4Intuition
P+2Presence
- Celestial FurorMain actionSignature
- Imbue with PowerManeuver3 Malice
- Unwavering DefenderTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Elementalist
Level 8
Elite Controller
EV 40
1MSize
5Speed
180Stamina
1Stability
8Free Strike
M+0Might
A+2Agility
R+4Reason
I+3Intuition
P+0Presence
- Verdant RainsMain actionSignature
- The Chasm EngulfsMain action4 Malice
- Maw of the AbyssTriggered action
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Fury
Level 8
Elite Brute
EV 40
1MSize
5Speed
220Stamina
3Stability
9Free Strike
M+4Might
A+3Agility
R+0Reason
I+1Intuition
P+2Presence
- BonebreakerMain actionSignature
- SteelfistMain action3 Malice
- RoutTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Null
Level 8
Elite Harrier
EV 40
1MSize
7Speed
200Stamina
3Stability
8Free Strike
M+2Might
A+4Agility
R+3Reason
I+4Intuition
P+0Presence
- Inertial FlowMain actionSignature
- StunManeuver3 Malice
- Force DampenerTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Shadow
Level 8
Elite Ambusher
EV 40
1MSize
7Speed
200Stamina
1Stability
9Free Strike
M+0Might
A+4Agility
R+2Reason
I+0Intuition
P+3Presence
- Assail and SerrateMain actionSignature
- Poison the BladeManeuver
- Exploit WeaknessTrait
- RivalryTrait
Summoner
Rival Summoner · Echelon 3
Rival Summoner
Level 8
Elite Controller
EV 40
1MSize
5Speed
180Stamina
0Stability
8Free Strike
M+0Might
A+0Agility
R+4Reason
I+3Intuition
P+2Presence
- Undead SummonerTrait
- Glimpse of the GraveMain actionSignature
- Call ForthMain action1+ Malice
- Death WardTriggered action2 Malice
- RivalryTraitWith All of Us
4th Echelon¶
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Conduit
Level 10
Elite Support
EV 48
1MSize
5Speed
240Stamina
1Stability
10Free Strike
M+4Might
A+1Agility
R+1Reason
I+5Intuition
P+3Presence
- Sunder the Very SkiesMain actionSignature
- Empyrean BoonManeuver5 Malice
- Unwavering DefenderTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Elementalist
Level 10
Elite Controller
EV 48
1MSize
5Speed
220Stamina
1Stability
10Free Strike
M+1Might
A+3Agility
R+5Reason
I+4Intuition
P+1Presence
- Viridescent StormMain actionSignature
- The World ConsumesMain action5 Malice
- Breach of NihilityTriggered action
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Fury
Level 10
Elite Brute
EV 48
1MSize
5Speed
260Stamina
3Stability
10Free Strike
M+5Might
A+4Agility
R+0Reason
I+2Intuition
P+3Presence
- Seismic CrushMain actionSignature
- Death GripMain action4 Malice
- DevastateTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Null
Level 10
Elite Harrier
EV 48
1MSize
7Speed
240Stamina
3Stability
10Free Strike
M+3Might
A+5Agility
R+4Reason
I+5Intuition
P+0Presence
- Kinetic DanseMain actionSignature
- IncapacitateManeuver5 Malice
- Energy ConservationTrait
- RivalryTrait
Humanoid, Rival
Rival Shadow
Level 10
Elite Ambusher
EV 48
1MSize
5Speed
240Stamina
1Stability
10Free Strike
M+0Might
A+5Agility
R+3Reason
I+2Intuition
P+4Presence
- A Hush of AshMain actionSignature
- Envenomed SteelManeuver
- Exploit WeaknessTrait
- RivalryTrait
Summoner
Rival Summoner · Echelon 4
Rival Summoner
Level 10
Elite Controller
EV 48
1MSize
5Speed
220Stamina
0Stability
10Free Strike
M+0Might
A+1Agility
R+5Reason
I+4Intuition
P+3Presence
- Undead SummonerTrait
- Strike for MeMain actionSignature
- Call ForthMain action1+ Malice
- Death Strikes BackTriggered action2 Malice
- RivalryTraitWith All of Us
Source: Draw Steel: Monsters ·
printing 1.01