The Maverick

A Class for D&D 5e

The Maverick
Level Proficiency Bonus Features Cantrips Known Spells Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1st +2 Swift 3 — — — — —
2nd +2 A Way Out 3 3 2 — — —
3rd +2 Maverick Ingenuity's, Quick Response 4 4 3 — — —
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3 1 — —
5th +3 Intellectual Stamina 4 4 3 2 — —
6th +3 Ability Score Improvement, A Little Direction 4 5 3 2 1 —
7th +3 Adaptable 4 6 4 2 2 —
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4 6 4 3 2 1
9th +4 A Little Direction 5 7 4 3 2 2
10th +4 Quick Response 5 8 4 3 3 2
11th +4 Intellectual Stamina 5 8 4 3 3 2
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 5 9 4 3 3 3
13th +5 Desperate Dash 5 10 4 3 3 3
14th +5 Ability Score Improvement, A Little Direction 5 10 4 4 3 3
15th +5 Adaptable 5 11 4 4 3 3
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 5 11 4 4 3 3
17th +6 A Little Direction, Quick Response 5 11 4 4 4 3
18th +6 — 5 12 4 4 4 3
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 5 13 4 4 4 4
20th +6 Taking You Down With Me 5 13 4 4 4 4
Maverick
Diving in front of a blade to protect a worthless ally, a Half-Orc
takes the brunt of the damage and lays waste to the attacking
Gnoll. Your friends sure are lucky you are here.
A female dwarf jumps out of an enemy’s reach, mocking it
viciously as she readies a counterstrike. These fools are so
predictable in everything they do.
A male Human gives hope to his party as he pulls out the
right set of tools needed to complete the mission that he just
recently mastered. Why, and when, did he learn to use those?
A master of the random, risk and reward, you never know
what you will get when you meet a Maverick. Fiercely
protective, quick to scold, and unpredictable in every way, the
Maverick is a useful ally and a deadly foe.
A Road Not Yet Traveled
What the Maverick lacks in action, they make up for in
reaction. A Maverick tends to let others make the first move,
and adapt to the situation afterwards. While some may
consider them to be out of control, this calculated move
favors the bold. An enemy may get to swing their sword first,
but being ready to counter and strike yourself is equally
important.
The greatest strength of the Maverick is their ingenuity. This
lends to their strength of reacting and adapting to situations in
the world. Whether it is changing their fighting style to
overcome an opponent, picking up a new language to better
understand others, or doing what they can to protect a friend,
versatility is a skill that helps in all things.
Creating a Maverick
When creating a Maverick, it is important to think about what
makes your character tick. Why have they chosen a road that
others have not taken? Beyond that, let the actions of your
character and the choices of your party determine where your
Maverick ends up. Discuss with your DM the level of freedom
you have to improvise. Create new Quick Responses unique to
your adventure. Make a buff Spellslinger that has an obsession
with caltrops!
Quick Build
You can make a maverick quickly by following these
suggestions. First, Intelligence should be your highest ability
score, followed by Constitution, Dexterity or Strength. Second,
choose the outlander background. Third, choose the cantrips
Blade Ward and Ray of Frost.
Class Features
As a maverick, you gain the following class features
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d8 per Maverick level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + you Constitution Modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution
modifier per Maverick level after 1st
Proficiencies
Armor: Light and Medium Armor
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Shortsword
Tools: Choose 2
Saving Throws: Intelligence, Dexterity
Skills: Choose three from Acrobatics, Arcana, Insight,
Investigation, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, and
Survival
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
equipment granted by your background:
(a) two simple weapons or (b) shortsword
(a) a scholar's pack or (b) a dungeoneer's pack
1 set of tools of your choice
A component pouch
Leather armor and two daggers
Swift
Mobility on the field of battle has always served you greatly.
Plus, it is always harder to hit a moving target.
Beginning at 1st level when you choose this class, your
movement speed increases by 10 feet.
Spellcasting
At some point in your life, the study of magic was something
that intrigued you. Whether you were a rowdy student not cut
for the traditional and rigorous training to become a wizard,
or you are self-taught arcanist, you have begun to realize the
versatility and usefulness that magic can offer you.
Cantrips
At 1st level, you learn the cantrip Vicious Mockery and two
additional cantrips of your choice from the Maverick spell list.
You learn additional maverick cantrips of your choice at
higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the
Maverick table.
Spell Slots
The Maverick table shows how many spell slots you have to
cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these
spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher.
You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long
rest. For example, if you know the 1st level spell Chaos Bolt
and have a 1st and 2nd level spell slot available, you can cast
Chaos Bolt using either slot.
Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher
Beginning at 2nd level, you know 3 1st-Level spells of your
choice from the maverick spell list. The Spells Known
column of the Maverick table shows when you learn more
maverick spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be
of a level for which you have spell slots, as shown on the
table. For instance, when you reach 4th level in this class, you
can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level. Additionally, when
you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the
maverick spells you know and replace it with another spell
from the maverick spell list, which also must be of a level for
which you have spells slots.
Spellcasting Ability
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your maverick
spells. Your magic comes from your study of the arcane arts
of spells that you deemed useful. You use your Intelligence
whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In
addition, you use your Intelligence modifier when setting the
saving throw DC for a maverick spell you cast and when
making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence Modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence modifier
Ritual Casting
You can cast any maverick spell you know as a ritual if that
spell has the ritual tag.
Spellcasting Focus
You can use a component pouch (see chapter 5, “Equipment”)
for your maverick spells.
A Way Out
It is never good to find yourself surrounded by enemies.
However, if your enemies begin closing in around you it is
always good to know where you can easily escape.
Beginning at 2nd level, you can take the Disengage action
as a bonus action.
Quick Response
Your skill of knowing how to manipulate situations to your
advantage is second to none. This is largely contributed to
your unpredictability and ingenuity.
Beginning at 3rd level, you have a number of special
reactions equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1)
called Quick Responses.
You may use these reactions in response to a trigger
specified in the Maverick’s Ingenuity feature. The Quick
Response reactions are separate from the Reactions as
described in the Players Handbook (PH pg.190) , and you
may use any number of your Quick Responses on a turn, even
if you have already used a Reaction during the round. You
regain all uses of Quick Response after finishing a long rest.
Maverick’s Ingenuity
Mavericks like to put their own flavor in whatever they do. In
addition to this, they do not like being constrained to the
classic walks of life. This leads many Mavericks to dabble in a
little bit a everything during their journey through life.
Beginning at 3rd level, you may select two features from
the Maverick’s Ingenuity list. You may select one additional
feature at 10th and 17th level.
Brace Yourself
When a creature, object, or environmental effect you can
see or hear causes you to make a Strength ability check or
saving throw, you may use one of your Quick Response
reactions to brace yourself for the physical demand. When
you do this, you have advantage on the roll and add your
intelligence modifier to the total of the roll.
Caltrop Drop
When you use your movement and provoke an opportunity
attack, you may use one of your Quick Response reactions
to throw down a bag of caltrops (if you have them) around
the feet of the creature that made the opportunity attack.
To do so, make a contested dexterity (sleight of hand)
check against the creature’s wisdom (perception) check. If
you win the contest, the creature is unaware of the
caltrops and has disadvantage on their Dexterity saving
throw they make should they attempt to move through the
area with the caltrops. (See page 151 in the Player’s
Handbook for more information about caltrops)
Deflect
When you are wielding a ranged weapon and a creature
targets you with a melee attack, you may use one of your
Quick Response reactions to attempt to deflect the attack.
When you use this feature, roll a d4 and subtract it from
the creature’s attack roll.
From A Mile Away
When a creature, object, or environmental effect you can
see or hear causes you to make a Dexterity ability check
or saving throw, you may use one of your Quick Response
reactions to be quicker on your feet. When you do this,
you have advantage on the roll and add your intelligence
modifier to the total of the roll.
 Nice Try
When an enemy creature you can see within range targets
you with an attack and misses, you can use one of your
Quick Response reactions to cast Vicious Mockery on
them for missing you.
Sand in the Eyes
If you are in an area with loose soil or other similar
material within reach, you can attempt to throw it in the
eyes of your attacker. When a creature targets you with a
melee attack, you can use one of your Quick Response
reactions to attempt to blind a creature that is within 5
feet of you. The creature must make a dexterity saving
throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the
creature is considered blinded for 1d4 rounds, or until it
uses its action to clear out its eyes.
Slap Yourself
When a creature, object, or environmental effect causes
you to make a saving throw against being charmed, you
may use one of your Quick Response reactions to begin
slapping yourself to clear your senses. When you do this,
you have advantage on the saving throw and add your
intelligence modifier to the total of the roll.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th,
16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of
your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of
your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability
score above 20 using this feature.
Intellectual Stamina
Beginning when you reach 5th level, you regain all uses of
your expended Quick Response reactions when you finish a
short or long rest.
Beginning when you reach 11th level, you regain spell slots
equal to half your Maverick level, rounded down, when you
finish a short rest. For example, an 11th level Maverick
regains spell slots which have a combined total of no more
than 5 levels. You could recover one 4th level spell slot and
one 1st level spell slot.
A Little Direction
While you walk your own path, you can’t help but retrace your
footsteps once in a while. Beginning at 6th level, you begin to
focus your fighting style as a Maverick. There are three main
paths that Mavericks tend to walk, and each provides
additional benefits beginning when you reach 6th level, and
again at 9th, 14th, and 17th. The three main walks are that of
The Combatant, The Bowman, and The Spellslinger.
Adaptable
Whether it has been training your eyes to see the world
around you or strengthening your body to withstand a
constant barrage of attacks, you are always trying to better
yourself. Beginning at 7th level, you may choose one of the
features from the list below. You may select an additional
feature at 15th level.
Aware
Whether it is for danger, treasure, or hidden secrets, you
find yourself constantly looking everywhere. When you
select this feature, you gain proficiency in the Wisdom
(Perception) skill if you are not already, and you gain a
permanent +5 to your Wisdom (Perception) modifier.
Extra Attack
When you select this feature, you can attack twice, instead
of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
Hearty
When you select this feature, your hit dice increases to a
d12 for each level gained in this class after this one. (Your
hit die from all previous levels remains a d8)
Shieldhand
You gain proficiency with shields. In addition to this, you
gain the *Shield Smack Quick Response feature.
Shield Smack
When a creature hits you with an attack while you
are wielding a shield, you may use one of your
Quick Response reactions to immediately attempt
to strike them back. Make a melee weapon attack,
adding your strength and proficiency modifier to
the attack roll. On a successful hit, the target takes
1d10 bludgeoning damage and must make a
constitution saving throw against your spell save
DC. On a failed save, the target is stunned until the
end of their turn.
Worldly
You gain proficiency with and obtain a set of tools of your
choice, and you also learn to read and speak a language of
your choice.
Desperate Dash
Beginning at 13th level, when an allied creature you can see
within 15 feet of you is targeted by an attack, you may use
this feature as a reaction, or Quick Response reaction, to
interpose yourself between your ally and the attacking
creature. When you do this, you become the target of the
attack instead of your ally. In addition to this, the attacking
creature is unable to target your ally on any subsequent
attacks made this turn.
Once you have used this feature, you must finish a short or
long rest before using it again.
Taking You Down With Me
Beginning at 20th level, when a creature you can see deals
damage that would drop your hit points to 0 and does not kill
you, you may use this feature before falling unconscious to
make a single melee or ranged attack, or cast a cantrip that
requires you to make a spell attack with advantage. If you hit
the creature with this attack, it is considered a critical hit. In
addition, the creature is considered vulnerable to the damage
dealt by this attack. If this attack results in killing the
creature or dropping it to 0 hit points, a smirk creeps across
your face and you regain 1 hit point. After using this feature,
you must finish a long rest before using it again.
A Little Direction
The Combatant
Over the course of your adventurers, getting up close and
personal feels like home. Beginning at 6th level when you
select The Combatant, you gain the following features and
additional Mavericks Ingenuity options.
You also gain proficiency with heavy armor and 3 martial
weapons of your choice.
Tricky Maneuvers
Through careful practice with various weapons and fighting
styles, you have adopted your own unique way of fighting. You
hold the belief that when you are fighting for your life, you
will be willing to do anything to give yourself the advantage.
Give and Take - When an enemy creature you can see
makes a melee attack against you, you may use one of
your Quick Response reactions to give the creature
advantage on the strike. In response to opening yourself
up to the attack, you expose the weakness in your
opponent’s defenses and immediately make one melee
weapon attack against the creature with advantage. If you
hit a creature in this way, you add your intelligence
modifier to the damage of the attack as well. Additionally,
any subsequent attacks made against you by a creature
you hit with this feature are at disadvantage until the end
of their turn.
Cheap Shot – If a creature within 5 feet of you targets you
with an attack, and you have general anatomical
knowledge of the creature (ask DM if you are unsure), you
may use one of your Quick Response reactions to strike
the creature in one of its more “sensitive” areas. The
creature must make a constitution saving throw against
your spell save DC it is considered *Weakened until the
start of your next turn.
*A Weakened creature's attacks only deal half damage
Besieged Combatant
You have found yourself alone in combat so often that you
have learned to expect attacks from all directions. Beginning
at 9th level, creatures no longer benefit from flanking (gain
advantage) when making attacks against you. (For rules on
flanking, see page 251 in the DMG)
How the Tables Have Turned
Beginning at 14th level, whenever you make a melee attack
against a creature, and an enemy of your target is within 5
feet of it, you deal an additional d6 damage (same as weapon
type) to the creature.
Rebellious Assault
When defeat seems imminent and danger is all around, the
Maverick will do whatever they can to turn the tide of battle
back in their favor. Beginning at 17th level, you can use this
feature to dart around the battlefield with reckless abandon.
When you use your action to use this feature, your movement
and attacks blur into one. You may target any number of
creatures within 15 feet of your current location and make
one melee attack against them with advantage.
While using this feature, moving out of a creature’s space
does not provoke opportunity attacks, regardless of feats or
abilities. However, using this feature is tiring and leaves you
open and vulnerable to an attack. The next melee attack
against you is made with advantage on the attack roll, and
your movement speed is 0 during your next turn.
The Bowmen
Up close and personal is not really your style. So, with bow in
hand, you strike fear in your enemies as you hinder their
movements and attacks on the battlefield.
You gain proficiency with the longbow, hand crossbow, and
heavy crossbow.
Tether Shot
Through your dabbling in the arcane, you have found a way to
connect a faint blue string of magical energy and attach it to a
piece of ammunition you are holding. As a bonus action on
your turn, you can create this magical tether to a piece of
ammunition. If you hit a creature with this piece of
ammunition, the magical tether connects you to the target.
When a Large or smaller creature you are tethered to
attempts to use an action, bonus action, or movement which
would cause a triggering event, you may attempt to cause one
of the effects listed below by using one of your reactions
granted by the Quick Response feature. The tether ends early
if you become incapacitated or die. Otherwise, the tether
remains until the ammunition is no longer attached to the
creature, or you dismiss it (no action required).
Slow Down There! – When a creature you are tethered to
attempts to move in a direction that makes them become
further away from you, you reduce their speed by half for
this turn. (No check required, automatic)
Careful Now! – When a creature you are tethered to
attempts to move towards you, you can attempt to pull the
creature prone by causing it to lose its balance. When you
use this feature, the tethered creature must make a
dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC, or it is
knocked prone. If a creature is knocked prone in this way,
its movement becomes 0 until the end of its turn.
Aww Shucks! – When a creature you are tethered to
attempts to attack an ally, you can pull on the tether and
cause the creature’s current attack to be made with
disadvantage.
Double Shot
Beginning at 9th level, you have learned to fire multiple
pieces of ammunition at the same time. Whenever you use
your action to attack with a ranged weapon, your first attack
is made using 2 pieces of ammunition. You can roll one
additional weapon damage die when determining the damage
for the first attack.
Deadly Connection
Beginning at 14th level, you have learned to channel more
powerful magic through your tether. Whenever you are
magically tethered to a creature using the Tether Shot
feature, for any cantrip or spell that requires you to make a
spell attack, you can choose for it to automatically hit the
target instead of rolling as you send it through the tether.
Intercepting Missile
Beginning at 17th level, your understanding of the flight of
ammunition and thrown weapons, as well as their speed and
trajectory, allows you to notice them more effectively on the
battlefield. When a creature you can see attacks with a
thrown weapon or a piece of ammunition, you may use one of
your Quick Response reactions to intercept it mid-flight. This
feature nullifies the attack.
The Spellslinger
The allure of the arcane has ensnared you. Now that you have
delved deeper into the magic, you wonder in what ways you
can make it your own.
When you select this feature, the spell Shield is added to
your list of Known Spells. In addition, you gain a permanent
+1 to your spell attack modifier and spell save DC.
Magic My Way
While there are many spells that can be learned to become
more powerful, why not master and manipulate the ones you
already know to suit your needs better?
I Got Your Back! – Mavericks are known for their loyal
protection of their allies, while scolding them at the same
time for not being more careful. When an ally within 30
feet of you is hit by an attack or is targeted by the Magic
Missile spell, you may use a Quick Response reaction to
cast the spell Shield on them.
So Close! – When an enemy you can see first comes
within 10 feet of you on their turn, you may use a Quick
Response reaction to teleport yourself 15 feet in a
direction you choose.
Dabbling in Destruction
You have begun to expand your magical knowledge in a way
that is unique to you. Beginning at 9th level, you have studied
enough evocation magic that you are able to create a
powerful evocation spell that suits your fancy.
Use the chart below, selecting one option from each chart,
to determine the Areas of Effect, Damage Type, and
associated Saving Throw Ability for the spell. The spell deals
8d8 damage of the Damage Type you select. Each time you
gain a level in this class after 9th level, you may choose to
keep the same spell, or change it using the aforementioned
instructions.
Area of Effect
60-foot cone originating from you
120-foot long, 5-foot wide line originating from you
30-foot radius originating from a spot you can see within
120 feet
Damage Type and Saving Throw
Damage Type Saving Throw
Acid Dexterity
Cold Constitution
Fire Dexterity
Lightning Dexterity
Poison Constitution
Thunder Constitution
On your turn, you may use your action to cast your
Dabbling in Destruction spell. Each creature in your spell’s
Area of Effect must make a Saving Throw against your spell
save DC (the Saving Throw Ability is determined by the
Damage Type you selected). On a failed save, a creature takes
8d8 damage of the Damage Type you selected, half as much
on a success. After you have used this feature, you must
finish a short or long rest before using it again.
Spellslinger
Beginning at 14th level, you have learned to cast spells at a
quickened pace. Whenever you use your action to cast a spell
using a 1st or 2nd level spell slot, you may cast a cantrip you
know as a bonus action.
Faithful Defender
Beginning at 17th level, your focused practice of abjuration
magic to protect your allies, in addition to your
innovativeness has allowed you to create a unique spell that
makes it more difficult for them to be hit by attacks, as well
as boosting their resilience to a specific type of damage.
When you use this feature as an action, you can designate
any number of creatures, including yourself, within 15 feet to
gain it's benefits. Each creature effected by this feature gains
+3 to their AC, 30 temporary hit points, and resistance to one
damage type of your choice for 1d4 + 1 rounds.
You must finish a long rest before using this feature again.
Thank You!
I want to give a massive thank you to
Homebrewery! This tool was amazing and very easy
to use! If you want to create your own D&D
content that looks amazing, please check out their
website @ https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/
Cantrips (0 Level) Armor of Agathys Darkvision Nondetection
Blade Ward Bane Enthrall Vampiric Touch
Fire Bolt Chaos Bolt Find Traps Water Walk
Friends Color Spray Melf’s Acid Arrow
Message Disguise Self Misty Step 4th Level
Ray of Frost Jump Scorching Ray Dimension Door
Resistance Longstrider Silence Elemental Bane
True Strike Shield Freedom of Movement
Vicious Mockery Snare 3rd Level Stoneskin
Counterspell Vitriolic Sphere
1st Level 2nd Level Dispel Magic Wall of Fire
Alarm Aganazzar’s Scorcher Hypnotic Pattern
Darkness Lightning Bolt

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