Rat Ring

Rat Ring is treated like a standard combat encounter, but the “combat” is a race. The course is full of hazards, terrain, and other rats. Each participant enters initiative using their rat’s Dexterity modifier.

Step 1: Acquire or Build a Rat

Players obtain a rat before the race through:

Trapping one (basic stats)

Buying or breeding (enhanced stats)

Modifying (alchemical, mechanical, magical)

Polymorphing someone they trust... or don’t

Use Giant Rat as a base statblock and customize from there:

Faster breeds = +10–20 ft movement

Hardy rats = +HP, advantage vs poison

Smart rats = Can interact with obstacles in creative ways

Magical rats = Can use a cantrip or one racial trait (with recharge)

Step 2: Run the Race – Turn-Based

Initiative is rolled at the start of the race.

On their turn, each rat takes their movement and 1 action, just like normal combat.

Actions include (but are not limited to):

Dash – Gain extra movement

Dodge – Disadvantage on obstacle attacks this round

Shove – Contest another rat’s Dex or Strength

Investigate – Look ahead for traps or alternate paths

Interact – Chew, jump, squeeze, or push something environmental

Treat the entire race as a linear dungeon crawl, except they’re all tiny rodents moving at high speed.

Winning the Race

First rat across the finish line wins.

Others may finish or be eliminated depending on injuries.

Cheating is allowed if done before the race—sabotaging food, spiking bedding, charming rats.