This is how I D&D
In the D&D 5th edition Player’s Handbook (PHB), Eldritch Blast is described as a beam of crackling energy.
(Notice how it doesn’t say “laser beam”).
That’s pretty cool, but I would like to think each Warlock would create a beam that honours their Patron. Or that their Patron would give them the ability with their own flare or flavour.
I have been getting some feedback on my last article around making adjudications and using what I like to call the Common Sense test when making them.
Basically, the common sense test boils down to you asking yourself ‘does this make sense?’
And if it does, all good. But if it doesn’t then you are within your rights to change it. Or even disallow it.
Continue reading “Examples Of The Common Sense Test In Action”
Don’t be afraid of overruling the rules in Dungeons and Dragons.
You are the DM, which means you have final say. Even over what’s written in the books.
That’s not to say however, you should make up a whole bunch of random stuff whenever you feel like it.
There are some guidelines you need to stick to.
Continue reading “Overruling The Rules In D&D – With An In-Game Example”
After watching Web DM’s video on making your D&D game more deadly, I quickly jotted down 37 ways you could make combat more challenging (and deadly) for your players without going down the road of changing the rules.
Continue reading “37 Ways To Make Your Dungeons And Dragons Battles More Deadly”
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition had a lot of cool features.
One of them being masterwork items.
Masterwork items simulated well-crafted weapons, armour, and items found in the world, which gave you minor bonuses when used.
The most popular of these were masterwork weapons.
I am was a member of a lot of D&D groups and forums and one type of post comes up again and again.
It’s what I call the “Can I have…” post.
I see so many GMs posting on these forums “Can I have a vampire as a Patron for a Warlock?” Or “Is it possible for a Hill Giant to be a Wizard?”
I am not sure what these posters are actually looking for – whether it’s validation of their idea or permission to include these in their games.
Whatever the reason it strikes me as a contest of creativity vs. rules.
Worlds are created as much by taking things away as it is by adding things.
There was a recent discussion on Facebook around GMs restricting choices from the players – specifically around races and classes – in their campaigns.
And a few people felt this was alienating and silly, and reeked of a GM power trip.
In my opinion, this view is misguided.
I hate Experience Points (XP).
As a GM I have always hated doing the math after every game and I dislike creating XP for individual encounters.
The time it takes could be spent playing or, if you are like me, sleeping after a late night session.
The last thing I feel like doing after a gaming session is calculating XP.
I was playing a game the other week and experienced railroading in the extreme, which I hadn’t experienced in a long time, and it left me frustrated and deflated with the rest of the game.
(I have since left that campaign due to not liking the rules, but that’s a whole other post.)
The game started great.
Continue reading “Why Railroading Is Damaging Your D&D Game”