DnD One Epic Boons: Level 20 Feats Guide

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While epic boons were actually a thing in 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons, since they were listed in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and since many campaigns only go up to mid-levels, they didn’t come out all that often. These were advertised as optional bonuses bestowed upon players that allowed them to effectively “level” beyond level 20.

DnD One has elected to push these further into the spotlight by transitioning epic boons from epic level content to 20th Level Feats. These Level 20 feats are meant to be major boons to heroes who have ascended to legendary status and found whatever bit of fate elevated them above the others in the world to hit this point.

These capstones are intended to go above and beyond DnD One’s 1st-Level Feats and 4th-Level feats, which you can learn more about by reviewing our complete guides:

In theory, epic boons are outstanding feats that really add onto what a high level character can do and gives a beautiful finishing touch to make those Level 20 characters in epic level campaigns that much more terrifying to their enemies.

Do the epic boons of DnD One achieve this, or do they fall short? Let’s dive in further to find out!

Warrior facing stone titan
Bigger levels and bigger heroes need those Epic Level Boons to deal with Epic Level Problems.

Epic Boons Represent the Epitome of a Legendary Hero

There are 13 Epic Boons, aka “Level-20 Feats,” in DnD One (UPDATE: There are now 16 with the release of 3 more from the Cleric Class Unearthed Arcana for DnD One), and these are the types of feats that should be powerful, useful, and clearly add into the flavor text of a hero who has transcended the ordinary adventurers and local heroes to become the type of legendary figure that will be spoken of even centuries after they pass.

So how do these Level-20 feats hold up? Do the Epic Boons come through or fall flat?

Let’s dive into each one to find out!

Epic Boon of Combat Prowess

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Combat Prowess.

Prerequisite: Expert or Warrior Group

When you miss with a Melee Attack, you can hit instead. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you roll Initiative.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

So basically you get a legendary save on one missed melee attack. This isn’t bad, but it isn’t overly special either. You should be hitting more than missing while at high levels, and getting one free hit from a miss per battle is nothing to sneeze at if you have a magic weapon and can add the damage dice but some martial classes will be able to use this more effectively than others.

Rangers, for example, using Hunter’s Mark and Colossus Slayer get to add a d6 and a d8 to every hit, and at some tables even poison their arrows, so having more damage dice can make this slightly more valuable for them than say a fighter or barbarian (both safe bets to end up in the Warrior Class) who doesn’t have a lot of active effects that add damage dice.

Not bad – it’s solid, but I do have to say it feels a bit mech for a Level 20 Level feat. The fact it refreshes every new combat is nice, though, especially for a Dungeon Crawl.

Epic Boon of Dimensional Travel

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Dimensional Travel.

Prerequisite: Expert or Mage Group

You can cast the Misty Step Spell without expending a Spell Slot. Once you use this benefit you can’t use it again until you roll Initiative or finish a Short Rest or Long Rest.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

So…a watered down version of the Fey Touched Feat from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, or a lesser version of Misty Escape that any 6th Level Arch Fey Warlock has from their patron.

Look I’m not going to completely crap on this because:

  1. Misty Step is an incredibly useful and versatile spell
  2. The fact this renews for a new battle or after a rest gives it some interesting versatility

However with that being said, considering the other ways that 5E presented to acquire this, not to mention simply having the spell in which case the not using a spell slot isn’t necessarily that big a boost, means this is another one where it’s okay, but it’s meh for a Level 20 feat especially when I can look to 5E for a normal feat that gave more than this, at least when looking at the majority of campaigns.

While there are arguments of whether or not this is better than Fey Touched because you can use Misty Step multiple times in some situations without the rest…those are going to be very limited in practicality in most campaigns.

Epic Boon of Energy Resistance

Keeping with the winning strategy of breaking down each of these epic boons right, let’s start with the exact wording for the Epic Boon of Energy Resistance.

Prerequisite: Expert or Mage Group

You gain Resistance to one of the following Damage Types of your choice: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Necrotic, Poison, Psychic, Radiant, or Thunder.

Whenever you finish a Short Rest or a Long Rest, you can meditate and change the Damage Type choice.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

Okay, FINALLY! This is a super cool 20th Level feat that is worthy of the title “Epic Boon.” This is actually pretty powerful as resistance to a damage type is a major benefit, and the fact that it can be adjusted after meditation creates a versatility that is exceptional. Going to the frozen north? Meditate to resist Cold Damage. Have a Red Dragon terrorizing the locals? Meditate to resist fire damage.

Have suspicions your jerk of a DM is about to ambush you with Mind Flayers in the next mission? Psychic damage resistance here we come!

This is an outstanding epic boon and ne that is going to be very popular with players at tables with DMs willing to run the rare epic level campaigns or settings.

Epic Boon of Fate

The first of 3 new feats that was introduced with the new DnD One Cleric Unearthed Arcana, what does the cool sounding Epic Boon of Fate bring to the table?

Prerequisite: 20th Level Mage or Priest Group

When another creature that you can see within 60 feet of you makes a d20 Test, you can roll a d10 and apply that number rolled as a bonus or a penalty to the d20 roll. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you roll Initiative or finish a Short Rest or a Long Rest.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Cleric Class

This is okay, but considering a 1, 2, or 3 isn’t likely to add much, and that’s a 30% chance of your one use in between combat or rests, it’s hard to get all that excited over this one.

Thematically, I love it. And I’m not above taking a feat just for flavor (Hello again, Chef Feat), but for an Epic Level Boon I just want more.

Epic Boon of Fortitude

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Fortitude.

Prerequisite: None

Your Hit Point Maximum increases by 40. In addition, whenever you regain Hit Points, you regain additional Hit Points equal to your Constitution Modifier. You can regain these additional Hit Points no more than once per round.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

That is a pretty epic Level 20 feat. The Epic Boon of Fortitude lives up to its name. First of all, the +40 hit points is just giving you the Tough Feat for free, which is nothing to sneeze at. Plus it can stack on top of the tough feat meaning I foresee some truly un-killable barbarian builds in DnD One’s future.

The wording around the hit point regain with healing is great because it happens per round, meaning it can happen multiple times per combat, and applies to healing potions,

Granted, for most this won’t be a lot of hit points, but it can mean a lot of small boosts over time since this bonus counts for potions, healing spells, healing kits, custom items, eating a food item from a player with the chef feat, any of it. If it causes healing and you haven’t used the Con bonus that round, now you get to.

Combined, this leads to a good epic boon that makes sense to me as an add-on at 20th level. This plus the tough feat on a maxed out barbarian is just terrifying.

Epic Boon of Irresistible Offense

Let’s start by taking a look at the current Unearthed Arcana’s exact wording of the Epic Boon of irresistible Offense.

Prerequisite: Expert or Warrior Group

The damage you deal always ignores Resistance.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

While situational, this is actually amazing. Like so many things in Dungeons & Dragons, sometimes a seemingly simple boon is the most powerful. So many monsters have resistance to poison, slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage, not to mention a full array of elemental damage types that various enemies can resist.

Being able to just straight up ignore that makes your character much more dangerous. It makes sense why this isn’t available to full spell casters as this would be just broken otherwise…but then again there’s that bard with magical secrets or a player who really knows how to build an artificer.

This is an outstanding Epic Boon and probably one of the strongest of the entire group.

Epic Boon of Luck

Let’s start once again by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Luck.

Prerequisite: Expert Group

Immediately after you roll a d20 for a d20 test you can roll a d10 and add the number rolled to the test. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you roll Initiative or finish a Short Rest or a Long Rest.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

On one hand, this is potentially broken AF, especially if rolling with the Luck Feat. On the other hand, if you roll a 1 that’s a waste and then you don’t get it again until after a rest. It’s not often you can find a feat that feels busted and too weak at the same time…somehow…but that’s kind of the underwhelming feel that this one brings to the table.

Epic Boon of the Night Spirit

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Night Spirit.

Prerequisite: Expert or Mage Group

While within Dim Light or Darkness, you can become Invisible as an Action. You remain Invisible until immediately after you take an Action or a Reaction.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

At first glance this can look incredibly underwhelming. So…you get one part of being a Twilight Cleric? Or one part of the Shadow Touched feat? However, if you stopped at that you would be missing one critical piece of information that comes with this 20th level feat. You can go invisible with an action.

No reset, no limit, just an action. That means you can become invisible without using spells for 99% of the campaign, if you so choose. That is actually incredibly powerful and makes stealthy characters or casters who like to set up support without getting enemy attention a living nightmare for opponents who will almost never just randomly have True Sight on.

Because of that distinction, this is an incredibly powerful feat.

Epic Boon of Peerless Aim

While we have a pretty good idea of what this feat is all about, let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Peerless Aim.

Prerequisite: Expert or Warrior Group

If you make a Ranged Attack against a target in range and miss, you can cause the attack to hit instead. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you roll Initiative.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

Once per battle a ranged attacker can turn a miss into a hit. This isn’t bad, but considering there aren’t too many campaigns outside of a good old fashioned dungeon crawl where you will have more than one battle in between rests, and the practicality of this waters down the potential. When you really need a hit it can be good, but how often is a single hit make or break like that – especially when it’s not a crit?

Epic Boon of Recovery

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Recovery.

Prerequisite: None

You can use a Bonus Action to regain a number of Hit Points equal to half your Hit Point Maximum. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest.

In addition, you succeed on every Death Saving Throw that isn’t a roll of 1.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

Holy freaking crap. I had to re-read this one twice to make sure I read it right. Now this is an epic boon. A single bonus action could easily be 50-100 hit points in this situation. It might be one time, but that’s an insane one time. Add in a 19/20 change of succeeding on a death saving throw and this is one heck of a feat to keep a player in the game.

A remarkable feat and one worthy of a 20th level epic status, made all the more appealing by the fact it is open to every single class.

Epic Boon of Skill Proficiency

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording used to describe the Epic Boon of Skill Proficiency.

Prerequisite: None

You gain Proficiency in all Skills.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

Jack of all trades, master of all? For the player who always wanted to be good at…well…everything. Very interesting Epic Boon, and one that could see a ton of play for a party that was doing a Level 20 or even traditional Epic (beyond LV 20) level campaign.

And as someone who has played Bards and skill monkey builds, I love the idea of this – though am intrigued by the fact that a non skill/expertise build might get more out of it than a traditional Jack of All Trades build via Bard or Rogue.

Epic Boon of Speed

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact wording of the Epic Boon of Speed.

Prerequisite: Expert or Warrior Group

Your Speed increases by 30 feet.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

Incredible for a Monk, a Tabaxi, or even for melee barbarians or fighters who really want to close the gap. I don’t want to put this one down too much because I know how powerful the Mobile feat (now Speedster in DnD One) can be, but compared to some of the feats it’s competing with it’s hard to get too excited over this one.

Epic Boon of Spell Recall

The best way to dive into the Epic Boon of Spell Recall is to see it’s exact wording.

Prerequisite: 20th Level Mage or Priest Group

You can cast any spell you have prepared without expending a spell slot, provided the spell is 5th level or lower. Once you do so, you can’t use this benefit again until you finish a Long Rest.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Cleric

An extra 5th Level spell is nothing to sneeze at, especially since every casting class has some serious heavy duty spells at 5th level. While not overwhelming, it’s very strong and that is better that we can say about many of the other Epic Boons so far, and it’s not inconceivable that a 5th level spell could be the difference between life and death in a close campaign.

Epic Boon of Truesight

Once again let’s take a look at the exact wording to make sure we don’t misinterpret the Epic Boon of Truesight.

Prerequisite: 20th Level Priest Group

You have Truesight out to a range of 60 feet.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Cleric

This is a powerful Epic Boon, and has terrifying implications for DMs who need to come up with challenges for a 20th Level party. Illusion? Seen through. Invisible? Not on my watch!

Truesight is an incredible spell and to simply have that as a permanent ability is frankly amazing.

Epic Boon of Undetectability

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact working of the Epic Boon of Undetectability.

Prerequisite: Expert Group

You can’t be seen or heard by any means – magical or nonmagical – while you are Hidden.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

This is extremely powerful in it’s very narrow focus – and a Scout’s dream whether your Scout is a Ranger, Monk, or Rogue. Also one a Rogue is likely to love because of the potential for setting up serious sneak attack damage but outside of that recurring use/abuse by a Rogue, I can’t help but to wonder if it’s a bit too niche.

That said, there are still clear applications for this boon and there’s no denying that it’s powerful – overcoming being seen or heard and even out of the way of True Sight.

For those times when you absolutely want to be impossible to spot, this will literally do it.

Epic Boon of the Unfettered

Let’s start by taking a look at the exact working of the Epic Boon of Unfettered.

Prerequisite: Expert or Warrior Group

As a Bonus Action, you can take the Disengage Action, which also ends the Grappled and the Restrained Conditions on you.

Unearthed Arcana 2022 Expert Classes

At first glance this is another weak disappointing feat, but I can actually make an argument for why Boon of the Unfettered is a good Level 20 feat. The focus is simple: the enemies you face versus humans. If only humanoid characters and NPCs were looking to grapple you that would be one thing, but there are Krakens, Ropers, all kinds of creatures that you do NOT want to be grappled or restrained by.

Being able to always slip these in automatically as a bonus action is extremely useful, though whether or not it’s enough to put it in competition with the other 20th Level Epic Boons is another story.

So What’s The Verdict On These Level 20 Feats?

Epic Boons are an intriguing way to make all Level 20s worth something in DnD One and some of these are incredibly powerful, others incredibly powerful in niche situations, and others are honestly a bit of a snooze. That said, with so many options available it’s hard to imagine a class or character build that would not be able to find something they really enjoy that works with their character.

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