This is how I D&D
Surprise in Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, as a rule, is okay.
Probably not as good as it was in 3rd edition, but it’s workable (I kind of dig the ‘surprise round’ concept or 3rd edition).
However, I think it would work easier if you simply made it a condition.
So, here it is:
Continue reading “Surprise As A Condition In D&D 5th Edition”
This is a bit of an on-going experiment, but I decided to strip Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition down to its core to see how close I could replicate the earlier editions of the game.
Or, in other words, make it more like an old school D&D or OSR (Old School Renaissance) game.
And surprisingly, it works pretty well.
Continue reading “How To Surprisingly Turn D&D 5e Into An Old School OSR Game”
One of the big issues I have with spellcasting in D&D 5th edition is the restriction on casting spells that require concentration.
The rule as written in the Player’s Handbook is as follows:
Some spells require you to maintain concentration in order to keep their magic active. If you lose concentration, such a spell ends.
If a spell must be maintained with concentration, that fact appears in its Duration entry, and the spell specifics how long you can concentrate on it. You can end concentration at any time (no action required).
Normal activity, such as moving and attacking, doesn’t interfere with concentration. The following factors can break concentration:
Casting another spell that requires concentration. You lose concentration on a spell if you cast another spell that requires concentration. You can’t concentrate on two spells at once.
I understand the reason the designers did this – to limit the number of spells a caster could have “up” at any one time, but I feel like the pendulum swung too far.
Continue reading “Spellcasters Have A Concentration Problem”
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”
I hate gnomes.
Not the race themselves.
But the way D&D have dealt with them.
In 5th edition there are two versions: forest gnomes and rock gnomes (which are basically tinker gnomes).
I dislike both of these subtypes.
But, it’s not just the subtypes I dislike – there is a larger issue here.
D&D has never really decided where gnomes fit in.
And this issue has been prevalent throughout all editions of D&D, so I am not picking on 5th edition here.
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.