In Dungeons & Dragons, heroes, antagonists, and ordinary inhabitants can adorn themselves with tattoos that are either purely cosmetic or can invoke their own powers. In this list, we want to present you the best of these tattoos.
In the book “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything,” which contains the accumulated knowledge of the namesake Tasha, the famous sorceress introduces all the well-guarded secrets she has collected during her career on her adventures. In addition to new artifacts, spells, and even goodies, it also includes explanations of magical tattoos, which she explains as follows:
Magical tattoos combine magic and artistry with ink and needles, bestowing wondrous abilities upon their bearers.
The tattoos are initially bound to magical needles, which transfer their magic to a being.
Once inscribed on the body of a being, damage or injuries no longer impair the function of the tattoo, even if it becomes defaced.
During the tattooing of a magical tattoo, a being can customize the appearance of the tattoo. A magical tattoo can look like a brand, a carving, a birthmark, a scale pattern, or any other cosmetic alteration.
The rarer a magical tattoo is, the more space it typically occupies on a being’s skin. The sizes of the tattoos required for a particular rarity are as follows:
- Common: One hand or foot, or a quarter of a limb
- Uncommon: Half a limb or the head
- Rare: One limb
- Very Rare: Two limbs or the chest or upper back
- Legendary: Two limbs and the torso
All listed tattoos can be found in “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.” We have ranked them here based on their utility, their impact on gameplay, and of course – not to be underestimated – their coolness factor. After all, it’s about tattoos.
The Spellwrought Tattoo
- Brief: It allows for a one-time casting of a spell
- Rarity: Varies by spell level (cantrip and level 1 = Common, level 2 to 3 = Uncommon, level 4 to 5 = Rare)
- Appearance: Self-chosen design
The tattoo enables the bearer to cast a predetermined spell without needing material components. It can range from a cantrip to a level 5 spell.
The utility of this tattoo resembles that of a spell scroll, but unlike that, it is usable by any bearer, even if they do not belong to the class on whose list the spell is found.
When used, the tattoo glows faintly before it eventually fades from the skin. It is definitely not a useless tattoo, but it is significantly less spectacular than the others on this list.
