Ladder: Born Leader

You have always displayed confidence in the way you talk and present yourself. You were the captain of a sports team, the head of a technical department, the supervisor for a menial commission retail job, or the squad commander in an army. You could also have been a used car salesman or actor. You don't even need to be all that physically attractive; you simply project a presence that encourages followers. Thankfully, beyond the simple aura of your charisma, you're also clever enough to know what to say at the right times to have the greatest effect. You know that how you speak means more than the words themselves. Even if you're not the leader of the group, you often do most of the talking when the need arrives. In your spare time, you socialize with others.

• Key Abilities. Charisma, Intelligence

Brains and Good Looks

Beginning when you choose this ladder at 1st level, you can always choose to use Intelligence instead of Wisdom for Insight and Perception checks.

Additionally, after taking a long rest, if you wear no armor and wield no weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to Charisma or Intelligence (select one) until you make an attack roll or cast a spell.

Select either Charisma or Intelligence as your primary born leader ability.

• Charisma

Compelling Directive

At 4th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 1. You can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature except for your primary born leader ability, which has a maximum value of 22.

• Charisma +1

Additionally, after you finish a long rest, roll a d20, and put the result aside. You can swap out any roll you or an ally that can communicate with you makes for that result. You should always have a d20 result put aside this way, but after swapping two die rolls, you cannot swap another until you finish a short or long rest. After you finish a long rest, you always roll a new d20.

Social Sciences

At 8th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 1. You can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature except for your primary born leader ability, which has a maximum value of 22.

• Charisma +1

Additionally, your compelling directive ability improves— you can swap out four die rolls between short and long rests.

Presence of Leadership

At 12th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. You can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature except for your primary born leader ability, which has a maximum value of 22.

• Charisma +1

Additionally, after taking a long rest, if you wear no armor and wield no weapons, you have advantage with either Charisma or Intelligence skill checks (select one) until you make an attack roll or cast a spell.

Earned Loyalty

At 16th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 1. You can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature except for your primary born leader ability, which has a maximum value of 22.

• Charisma +1

Additionally, you can turn a short rest into a long rest without an extension of time. This affects you and all allies you can see. After you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you have completed four additional long rests.

Just Stop

At 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. You can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature except for your primary born leader ability, which has a maximum value of 22.

• Charisma +2

Additionally, you can take a moment to focus and gather your wits, as well as the wits of your allies. Use an action, and you and all allies able to communicate with you gain the benefit of a short rest. This takes no time other than the action on your turn. After you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Ladder Gains

The born leader gains the following additional benefits at 5th, 11th, and 17th level.

• 5th Level. You gain a +2 bonus to any Charisma or Intelligence skill of your choice. (Intimidation)
• 11th Level. You gain a +1 bonus to AC.
• 17th Level. You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls.