Flaws

Always take it to the edge. It's the cyberpunk way!

At character creation a character is allowed to take a single Flaw. This is a weakness of sorts with a flavor description and a distinct mechanical drawback. There are currently 34 choices listed below, but you are not entirely limited by these choices. If you have other ideas please discuss with your GM.

Characters who choose a flaw are allowed to gain a feat, increase two of their ability scores by +1, or one by +2. As per character creation guidelines in the Player's Handbook initial ability scores cannot be above 20.

Abrasive Personality

You are difficult, overbearing and generally crass in social situations, causing others to dislike you.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all Persuasion skill checks.

Absent-Minded

You are frequently preoccupied with random thoughts, and find it difficult to pay attention.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on Initiative and Perception skill checks.

Aggressive

You are hot-headed and brash, eager to rush into combat.
Effect: Opponents gain advantage on their first attack roll against you when you engage them in melee.

Alcoholic

You are in constant need of a drink.
Effect: If you go without alcohol for more than a day you have disadvantage on any Charisma, Wisdom, and Dexterity based checks. You do, however, have advantage on any check when looking for alcohol.

Animal Animosity

Animals have a tendency to dislike you.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all Handle Animal skill checks. Additionally animals and beasts choose you as a target in preference of other targets (as long as doing so does not put the attackers in some obvious additional risk), and such creatures gain advantage on attack rolls made against you.

Aquaphobic

You are deathly afraid of water.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all Athletics skill checks made to swim and on attack rolls, skill checks, and saving throws made when you are in water that is at least half your height.

Asthmatic

Harsh conditions or long exertions overtire you and set you to wheezing.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on any effect that will cause you to gain exhaustion, and any effect with cloud, dust, fog, or smoke in its name. You can hold your breath for only half the normal duration. Additionally, sleeping in light or heavier armor causes you to gain one level of exhaustion.

Blatant

You are terrible at being deceptive.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all Deception and Stealth checks, as you find it difficult to conceal any aspect of your activities.

Blind

You cannot see.
Effect: You permanently have the blinded condition.

Claustrophobic

You are deathly afraid of being enclosed.
Effect: If you are underground or in an enclosed area (five or less feet), you gain the frightened condition.

Clumsy

You have a difficult time moving over and through obstacles.
Effect: When in difficult terrain or when making a Dexterity save, if you roll a natural 1 or 2 on any d20 check you make (attack, ability or skill check), you fall prone.

Craven

You are not brave and frighten easily.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all saves against fear and are frightened for the first round of combat against any creature whose CR is equal to or higher than your character level.

Deaf

You cannot hear.
Effect: You permanently have the deafened condition.

Easily Distracted

You find it difficult to pay attention.
Effect: You have disadvantage on Perception checks and extended skill checks.

Farsighted

You find it difficult to see things at close range.
Effect: You have difficulty making out details of close objects. You cannot read, and you have disadvantage on Perception checks and ranged attack rolls made for targets 10 feet and closer.

Fear of Heights

If you climb or become more than 15’ elevated, you become very nervous.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all attacks, skill checks and saving throws any time you are climbing, or when you are within 10 feet of a drop off of 15 feet or more.

Frail

You have weak physical health.
Effect: You lose 1 hit point per every Hit Die you possess, starting at 1st level.

Graceless

You possess no balance or agility.
Effect: your initial Dexterity ability score is reduced by -3.

Hard of Hearing

Your hearing is greatly impaired.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all hearing-based Perception checks. The GM may decide you suffer disadvantage on other skill checks situationally.

Illiterate

You cannot read.
Effect: You do not begin play knowing how to read any languages. It takes you twice the time and money to ever train yourself to read any languages.

Loathsome

There is something about your manners or looks that people find repulsive.
Effect: Your initial Charisma ability score is reduced by -3.

Naive

You lack wisdom and experience, foolishly believing what others speak as truth.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all Insight checks to see through deceptions.

Nearsighted

You see well close-up, but have difficulty farther away.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on sight-based Perception checks and ranged attacks beyond 10 feet.

Not the Brightest Torch

You are somewhat slow and dim-witted.
Effect: Your initial Intelligence ability score is reduced by -3.

Obese

You are large, slow and heavy.
Effect: You weight +50% or more than others of your kind. Armor must be custom made for you, costing twice the normal amount listed. In addition, your movement speed is halved.

Overly Cautious

You are extremely cautious and take great care before making any action.
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on all Initiative checks.

Phobia

You are terrified of a certain thing or creature type.
Effect: You gain the frightened condition whenever within 30’ of the object of your phobia.

Poor Defense

You are not good at defending yourself.
Effect: You suffer a -1 penalty to AC.

Puny

You are noticeably smaller and weaker than most of your race.
Effect: Your initial Strength ability score is reduced by -3.

Sickly

You are frequently ill and get exerted easily.
Effect: Your initial Constitution ability score is reduced by -3.

Uneducated

You did not have the benefit of a standard education.
Effect: You are illiterate and only have proficiency in one class skill.

Unfocused Spellcaster

You are not good at spellcasting when threatened or distracted.
Prerequisites: Caster level 1st
Effect: You suffer disadvantage on concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability when casting on the defensive or when grappled.

Unwise

You are imprudent and prone to making poor decisions.
Effect: Your initial Wisdom ability score is reduced by -3.

Weakness

You are less resilient than you should be.
Effect: You always suffer disadvantage against one ability saving throw.