Alien Technology

{
  "name": "Alien Technology",
  "page": 268,
  "__prop": "variantrule",
  "source": "DMG",
  "entries": [
    "When adventurers find a piece of technology that isn't from their world or time period, the players might understand what the object is, but the characters rarely will. To simulate a character's ignorance about the technology, have the character make a series of Intelligence checks to figure it out.",
    "To determine how the technology works, a character must succeed on a number of Intelligence checks based on the complexity of the item: two successes for a simple item (such as a cigarette lighter, calculator, or revolver) and four successes for a complex item (such as a computer, chainsaw, or hovercraft). Then consult the Figuring Out Alien Technology table. Consider making the item break if a character fails four or more times before taking a long rest.",
    "A character who has seen an item used or has operated a similar item has advantage on Intelligence checks made to figure out its use.",
    {
      "rows": [
        [
          "9 or lower",
          "One failure; one charge or use is wasted, if applicable; character has disadvantage on next check"
        ],
        [
          "10-14",
          "One failure"
        ],
        [
          "15-19",
          "One success"
        ],
        [
          "20 or higher",
          "One success; character has advantage on next check"
        ]
      ],
      "type": "table",
      "caption": "Figuring Out Alien Technology",
      "colLabels": [
        "Int. Check Total",
        "Result"
      ],
      "colStyles": [
        "col-3 no-wrap",
        "col-9"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "ruleType": "O",
  "reprintedAs": [
    "Alien Technology|XDMG"
  ]
}