Unarmored Defense

While you are not wearing any armor or wielding a shield, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier.

Spellcasting

An event in your past, or simply the nature of your race, has infused you with primal magic. This magic, whatever its origin, fuels your spells and the transformations they engender. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and the end of this document for the evolutionist spell list.

Kindred Spirit

Starting at 1st level, you can exercise a limited amount of transformative magic to make your scent and appearance familiar and comforting to animals. Whenever you make a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check to calm or win the affection of an animal, you are considered proficient in the Animal Handling skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.

Lash Out

Starting at 2nd level, whenever you would be granted the ability to make a single melee weapon attack against a creature, such as through an attack of opportunity, you can choose to substitute an evolutionist spell. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must involve making an attack against that creature.

Regrowth

Also at 2nd level, you have learned to use your magic to reknit broken bones and torn flesh. You can use your action to regain hit points equal to 2d6 + your evolutionist level.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. You can use this feature twice between rests starting at 10th level.

Totem Monster

At 3rd level, you select a totem monster, whose virtues you idolize and whose form you attempt to recreate: Colossus, Dragon, Kraken, Phoenix or Spider Queen, detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level, and again at 11th, 14th and 20th level.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 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.

Primal Force

Starting at 5th level, you add your Strength modifier to the damage you deal with any evolutionist cantrip.

Fluid Form

Starting at 6th level, you can use your action to carefully and precisely manipulate your appearance. You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, sound of your voice, hair length, coloration, and distinguishing characteristics, if any. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your statistics change. You also can't appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same. You must concentrate to maintain this effect, as if on a spell.

Iron Will

By the time you reach 7th level, your tireless discipline and training has granted you proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.

Monstrous Power

By the time you reach 15th level, your primal magic has left an indelible mark on your body, granting you speed and strength well beyond the normal limits of your species. Choose Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution. The chosen score increases by 2. Your maximum for that score is now 22.

At 18th level, you gain the benefits of this feature again. If you choose the same score again, your maximum for that score increases to 24.

Homeostasis

By the time you reach 17th level, your mastery of your body is complete. You do not age, and you can't be aged magically. In addition, you no longer need food or water.

Totem Monsters

As each evolutionist matures, they select for themselves a totem monster, who they strive to emulate. While it is theoretically possible to choose any monster for your totem, most evolutionists select the Colossus, Dragon, Kraken, Phoenix or Spider Queen.

Breath Weapon

Starting at 11th level, you can call forth the dragon's most fearsome weapon as your own. Choose a 60 foot line, or a 30 foot cone, and a damage type: Acid, Cold, Fire, or Lightning. You can use your action to exhale destructive energy of the chosen type. Each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC. A creature takes 9d6 damage of the chosen type on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one.

After you use your breath weapon, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

Dragon Wings

At 14th level, you gain the ability to sprout a pair of dragon wings from your back, gaining a flying speed equal to your current speed. You can create these wings as a bonus action on your turn. They last until you dismiss them as a bonus action on your turn.

You can't manifest your wings while wearing armor unless the armor is made to accommodate them, and clothing not made to accommodate your wings might be destroyed when you manifest them.

Form of the Dragon

At 20th level, you can use your action to undergo a transformation into a true dragon. You gain 100 temporary hit points that last for 1 minute. While your temporary hit points remain, you gain the following benefits:

• Your size increases to Huge
• Your flying speed is double your walking speed
• At the beginning of each of your turns, roll a 1d6. On a result of 4-6, your breath weapon recharges.
• You can use your frightful presence as a bonus action, instead of an action.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest. You can end the transformation as a bonus action on your turn, losing the temporary hit points if you do so.

Kraken Totem

The kraken totem emblemizes the mysteries and dangers of the depths. Followers of the kraken totem may not entirely understand the pull that they feel to explore the inky depths and turn others to their cause, but they all understand that before they can do so, they must perfect their own forms. They are ultimately agents of darkness and ruin, but each evolutionist must decide for themselves against whom their powers will be brought to bear.

Phoenix Totem

The phoenix totem symbolizes cleansing destruction and the purity of rebirth. Followers of the phoenix totem strive to emulate their legendary idol, filling their role in the great cosmic cycle of ruin and rejuvination. They represent in equal parts the promise of hope and new life, and the inevitability of death and destruction.

Immolating Touch

Also at 3rd level, your very touch smoulders. As an action, you can magically ignite a flammable object you touch with your hand. Additionally, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or melee spell attack, you can choose to deal fire damage instead of its normal damage.

Starting at 6th level, fire damage you deal ignores fire resistance.

Seed of Flame

Starting at 11th level, when you use your Regrowth feature, you can cause each creature within 5 feet of you to take fire damage equal to the number of hit points you restore.

Purifying Fire

Starting at 14th level, you can use your action to burn away the impurities of yourself or one willing creature that you touch, ending one spell, poison or disease affecting that creature and dealing 3d6 points of fire damage to them. This damage cannot be prevented or reduced in any way.

Form of the Phoenix

At 20th level, you can use your action to undergo a transformation into a phoenix. You gain 60 temporary hit points that last for 1 minute. While your temporary hit points remain, you gain the following benefits:

• Your size increases to Large
• You gain a flying speed of 80 feet.
• When a creature enters the area within 5 feet of you for the first time in a turn or starts its turn there, it takes 10 points of fire damage.
• When your temporary hit points are exhausted, you burst into a nova of flame which extends out to 60 feet from you. Friendly creatures in range regain 6d6 hit points, while hostile creatures take 6d6 points of fire damage and unattended objects are ignited.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest. You can end the transformation as a bonus action on your turn, losing the temporary hit points if you do so. Choosing to end the transformation early does not trigger the nova.

Spider Queen Totem

The spider queens lurk in the bowels of the earth, feeding on any foolish enough to wander into their domain. Evolutionists who follow the spider queen totem are patient and cunning, weaving webs of poison and deceit to ensnare their enemies.

Evolutionist Spell List

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All spells are original and detailed in the remainder of this document

Evolutionist Spells

Dolphin's Lungs

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours

For the duration of the spell, you can hold your breath for up to 10 minutes.

You can hold your breath for an additional 10 minutes when you reach 5th level (20 minutes), 11th level (30 minutes), and 17th level (40 minutes)

Fury of the Pack

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

Channeling the cunning and tactics of the wolf, you cause your teeth to sharpen and enlarge, ready to catch your prey. Make a melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of you. You have advantage on your attack roll if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 slashing damage.

The spell's damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (3d6), 11th level (4d6), and 17th level (5d6).

Goring Tusks

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You channel the fury of the boar, sprouting razor-sharp tusks from your jaw. You can move up to half your speed, then make a melee spell attack against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

The spell becomes stronger when you reach higher levels: at 5th level, you can move up to your speed before making an attack. At 11th level, the spells' damage increases by 1d10 (2d10). At 17th level, you can move up to twice your speed before making an attack.

Harrier's Wings

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You sprout a pair wings from your back, granting you a fly speed of 10 ft. until the end of your turn. The wings are feathered or scaled, as you choose. You can't sprout your wings while wearing armor unless the armor is made to accommodate them, and clothing not made to accommodate your wings might be destroyed when you sprout them.

Your fly speed increases by 10 feet when you reach 5th level (20 feet), 11th level (30 feet), and 17th level (40 feet).

Lashing Tail

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 10 feet
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

A massive sauroid tail emerges from your back, covered in razor-sharp spines. Make a melee spell attack against a creature in range. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 slashing damage.

The spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (3d8), 11th level (4d8), and 17th level (5d8)

Mule's Strength

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 hour

You channel the stamina and stubborness of the mule, granting yourself strength and stability. Your carrying capacity is doubled, and you have advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against effects that would knock you prone.

Your carrying capacity increases when you reach higher levels: it is tripled at 5th level, quadrupled at 11th level, and ten times your normal carrying capacity at 17th level.

Savage Claws

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 5 feet
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You strike out in a flurry of motion, clawing and biting every creature you can reach. Make a melee spell attack against each creature in range, dealing 1d6 slashing damage on a hit.

This spell's damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

Squid Form

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 10 minutes

Magic courses through your frame, turning your bones soft and rubbery. You can move through a space as narrow as 1 foot without squeezing.

The space you can fit through shrinks as you increase in level: six inches at 5th level, three inches at 11th level, and one inch at 17th level.

Venomous Bite

Transmutation Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You embrace the subtelty and cruelty of the snake, causing your teeth to grow into curved, venomous fangs. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes 1d6 poison damage, and must make a Constitution saving throw, becoming poisoned until your next turn on a failed save.

The spell's damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17 level (4d6)

1st-Level Spells

Hippo's Girth

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You become enveloped in a thick, cushioning layer of fat. When you cast this spell you gain 5 temporary hit points, which refresh at the beginning of each of your turns for the duration.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the temporary hit points increase by 2 for each slot level above 1st.

Hornet's Sting

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

The stinger of a giant wasp emerges from your body. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet. On a hit, the target takes 2d10 poison damage and becomes poisoned for one minute. The target can make a Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a successful save.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.

Nimble Step

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

You walk with the delicate grace of an antelope, leaping lightly from place to place. Your speed increases by 10 feet and moving through nonmagical difficult terrain costs you no extra movement until the spell ends.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, its duration increases to 8 hours.

Predator's Instinct

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours

Your form becomes lithe and leonine, softening your steps and sharpening your senses. For the duration of the spell, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks, as well as Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks made to track or locate another creature. Additionally, you have advantage on attack rolls against creatures that haven't acted yet in combat.

Rush of Vitality

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

Vigor fills your body as your injuries melt away. You regain hit points equal to 1d6 + your spellcasting ability modifier.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you heal an additional 1d6 hit points for each slot level above 1st.

Tentacle Slam

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot line)
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You transform your arm into the tentacle of a massive squid before slamming it down with thunderous force. Each creature in a 15-foot line must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Watchful Eyes

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 8 hours

Channeling primal magic, you manifest a second pair of eyes on the back of your head. These eyes have darkvision out to 60 feet, and grant you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. They continue to survey your surroundings while you sleep.

Weasel War Dance

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Arching your back, you begin to grunt and leap about, confusing and disorienting your prey. For the duration of the spell, your movement doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity. Additionally, if you move at least 20 feet straight towards a creature right before hitting it with a melee attack, your target takes an extra 1d4 points of damage.

Whale's Retort

1st-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 10 feet
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

Conjuring a massive and powerful tail, you spin in place, slapping your enemy. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range. On a hit, the target takes 3d10 bludgeoning damage and must succeed a Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 15 feet in the direction of your choice.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.

2nd-Level Spells

Snatching Tongue

2nd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

Recalling the lightning speed and voracious hunger of the dire frog, you strike a creature within range with your tongue. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage. If the target is less than two size categories larger than you, they are grappled and pulled to an unoccupied space adjacent to you.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.

Spitfire

2nd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (20-foot cone)
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

Your throat swells, becoming a striking shade of crimson, before you spew forth a violent burst of fire. Each creature in the area of the spell must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increased by 1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.

Tortoise Shell Mantle

2nd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 hour

You have half cover for the duration of the spell.

Trampling Charge

2nd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You drop to all fours and charge up to your speed in a straight line. This movement doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity, and you can move through spaces your enemies occupy. At the end of your movement, each creature whose space you moved through must succeed a Strength saving throw or take 3d8 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.

3rd-Level Spells

Drain Blood

3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Lunging forward with fangs bared, you attempt to siphon the life force of your target. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 piercing damage, you regain that many hit points, and that target is grappled unless they're more than one size category larger than you. Until the grapple ends, you can make this attack again on each of your turns as an action.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 3rd.

Elemental Adaption

3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 hour

You have resistance to your choice of fire, cold, acid or lightning damage for the duration.

Third Eye

3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

A mystical third eye emerges from your forehead, allowing you to see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet.

Your third eye's gaze is bewitching. If a creature starts its turn within 30 feet of you and you can see each other, you can force the creature to make a Wisdom saving throw if you aren't incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature is incapacitated, and does nothing on its turn besides staring at your eye with wonder.

A creature that isn't surprised can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If it does so, it can't see you until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If it looks at you in the meantime, it must immediately make the save.

A creature can repeat its save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The effect also ends if you move more than 30 feet away from the creature or attempt to use your gaze on another target.

Tiger's Pounce

3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous

You leap forward with feline agility, landing in an unoccupied space you can see within 30 feet. This movement doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity. Immediately after landing, you can make a melee spell attack against an adjacent creature, which deals 3d8 slashing damage. If you hit, they must succeed a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, they are knocked prone, and you can use your reaction to make another melee spell attack against them, dealing 3d10 piercing damage on a hit.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the distance you can leap increases by 30 feet for each slot level above 3rd.

Toxic Blood

3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 minute

For the duration, whenever a creature hits you with a melee attack, each creature within 5 feet of you takes 2d6 poison damage.

Wings of the Roc

3rd-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You sprout a pair of feathered wings from your back, granting you a fly speed of 60 feet for the duration. You can't sprout your wings while wearing armor unless the armor is made to accommodate them, and clothing not made to accommodate your wings might be destroyed when you sprout them.

4th-Level Spells

Gulp

4th-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 5 feet
Components: S
Duration: 1 minute

Your gullet swells to unfathomable proportions as you attempt to envelop a Large or smaller creature within range. Make a melee spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target is swallowed. While swallowed, the creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside of you, and it takes 4d6 acid damage at the start of each of your turns.

If you take 25 or more damage on a single turn from a creature inside you, you must succeed a DC 25 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of you. If you become incapacitated or the spell ends, all swallowed creatures fall prone in a space within 10 feet of you.

Paralyzing Tentacle

4th-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You sprout cruel, hooked tentacles, dripping with venom. When you cast this spell, and as an action on each of your following turns, you can make a melee spell attack against a target within 10 feet. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 poison damage and must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. Until this poison ends, the target is paralyzed. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the poison on itself on a success.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 4th.

Rend the Earth

4th-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

Your hands become massive, shovel-like claws, granting you a burrow speed of 40 feet and causing your unarmed strikes to deal 4d10 slashing damage. Your unarmed strikes deal double damage to objects and structures.

You can burrow through solid rock at half your burrow speed and leave a 5-foot diameter tunnel in your wake.

Swarm Form

4th-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 minute

Your body bursts apart into a thousand chirping insects. You gain 50 temporary hit points that last for the duration. While you have your temporary hit points, you gain the following benefits:

• You can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and you can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny insect.
• You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage.
• You are immune to the paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained and stunned conditions.
• You have a fly speed of 10 feet.
• You can't cast spells or make attacks.

You can end the transformation as a bonus action, losing the temporary hit points when you do so.

Troll Hide

4th-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Your flesh grows sickly green in pallor, writhing and boiling with disturbing speed and healing mortal wounds in the space of seconds. When you cast this spell and at the beginning of each of your turns, you regain 2d6+2 hit points if you have no more than half of your hit points left. If you take acid or fire damage, this spell doesn't function at the start of your next turn.

If you concentrate on the spell for a full minute, any severed body members (fingers, legs, tails, and so on), if any, are restored.

5th-Level Spells

Evolutionist Backstories

Players wishing to use the evolutionist with the 'This is Your Life' backstory generator in Xanathar's Guide to Everything can refer to the following table: