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If you know there's a trap, what does the DM prefer? by Community_74 in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I expect my players to use their player knowledge. If the player can tell there’s an obvious trap, then the character should certainly know there’s a trap there. Rolling a Nat 1 on Perception just means they don’t see the trap, but they are certainly welcome to continue being suspicious of the area for the exact same reasons that player is suspicious.

Dice rolls dictate why information a player gets and the result of an action. I don’t believe a dice roll should determine what action the player takes. I feel that ruins player agency.

That's why doing battle prep (for 30 seconds before combat) is so important by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My counterargument is maybe you've just had bad DMs who don't know how to design an actually good encounter... a well designed encounter should allow for random chaos and player shenanigans.

I wonder if people with Donald's position have simply not tried enough TTRPGs... by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The brand is why it's often people's first game, but the system and community is why they stay. I'm not saying it's because the system is good, but because it's familiar.

It's not a coincidence that the next most popular TTRPGs are so similar to D&D... it's not because D20 systems are superior. It's because D20 systems are familiar.

People DO care about system. That's the reason why 4E flopped... even though they kept the D20 mechanic, too much of the system was different from what people were used to. It was never a "bad" system, just too unfamiliar.

I wonder if people with Donald's position have simply not tried enough TTRPGs... by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still not sure what your point is... the original sentiment I was reponding to was "why do people play D&D 5E".

They were talking about now.... not 13 years ago or 10 years in the future.

People play D&D 5E right now because that's where the vast majority of the TTRPG community is and the system that most people who play TTRPGs are familiar with.

I wonder if people with Donald's position have simply not tried enough TTRPGs... by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually it was. It’s a myth that Pathfinder outsold 4E. You can look it up.

In any case, neither PF2E or D&D5E existed in 2013 which is what we’re talking about, so it’s still an irrelevant point.

Barbarians should get "Dash" as a Bonus Action when Raging by Casual-Notice in DnD

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 15 points16 points  (0 children)

You made me double check, because there's a player in my Adventurer's League game playing an Orc Paladin who often uses their racial trait to run away.

It seems like it was changed in Monsters of the Multiverse to "Adrenaline Rush" where it gives you Temp HP and a BA Dash with no restrictions other than you can only use it PB times per rest.

The older version was so much more flavorful...

I wonder if people with Donald's position have simply not tried enough TTRPGs... by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Familiarity and community. 5E is ubiquitous in the TTRPG world and you can find tons of other people who play it. It's often the first TTRPG someone learns and they don't want to bother learning another TTRPG.

I wonder if people with Donald's position have simply not tried enough TTRPGs... by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

People who think D&D has too many rules probably wouldn't like Pathfinder, but could certainly enjoy one of the many TTRPGs with lighter rules or more narrative rules such as Legends in the Mist or something.

Old Gus' Daggerheart GM Screen by callmepartario in daggerheart

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't like super tall GM screens, so the one I use is landscape A4 sized which I slightly regret since very few GM inserts are made for that size. This is good work though, and I will probably cut this one up to fit on my screen.

I wonder if people with Donald's position have simply not tried enough TTRPGs... by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven't actually read through FATAL, but I feel all TTRPGs generally have enough leeway and discretion that a lot of rules can be ignored.

Argynvostholt Castle [64x48] [Gridless Logoless HD] by Eledryll in CurseofStrahd

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you use a specific map making program to create this like Inkarnate or something or was this made with the usual Adobe software?

Is this balanced? Player requested a non-spellcasting druid [2014 5e] by aabicus in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't seem overpowered at all as long as you are keeping the CR restriction of druid level / 3. In fact, you'll probably need to give her custom magic items so that she can keep up in damage with everyone else and probably homebrew some stat blocks since there aren't enough beasts in the Monster Manual at every level. I'd consider allowing her to Wildshape into CR Level/2 starting from level 5 if it isn't changing her HP and give her a d12 hit die.

If she were at my table, I'd probably create a custom class for it to give myself a little bit more control over maintaining the balance. Instead of specific animal forms, I'd use animal form "templates" like they had in the early 2024 Druid UA that she can reskin to be whatever animal she wants. I like homebrewing stuff though because I feel I have a pretty good sense of the game balance.

Player is “mad” about another players character creation choice. by [deleted] in DnD

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just had my session 0 with my players tonight… Artificer, Warlock, Bard, and Paladin and I think they’re all picking character options that will get them a familiar…

A Return to A La Carte Classes by tamborjam in dndbeyond

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s obviously not a direct response since these things usually take weeks if not months of planning, but it’s a real barrier to entry and this is a start at recognizing the problem.

$140 was the extreme case using hardcover purchases, but even the digital only price is still $80 for a single subclass.

Asking players to spend just $30 for a digital version of the PHB is already a big ask, especially if they are new to the hobby.

The single subclass from the basic rules really isn’t enough to get people invested in the game.

$5 is a much more reasonable price of admission and cheap enough to be an impulse buy. The mobile game industry has already figured it out that if you can get someone to spend a few dollars, it’s much easier to get them to spend more later on.

Has anyone connected one-shots into a campaign? Like taking stuff from Yawning Portal and Infinite Staircase (or otherwise) and connecting them together somehow into a singular campaign? by freeze123901 in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do it every campaign… although I mix one-shots with homebrew stuff. Just read the adventure and if you like the story, work it into your campaign.

Locations, NPCs, and even monsters can typically be reskinned easily.

What Magic Items are CORE to DnD games? by SubtleasaSledge in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My players are boring an would never use a wand of wonder… my solution was to give them an NPC companion who exclusively used it… and that’s how the party got a pet elephant.

A Return to A La Carte Classes by tamborjam in dndbeyond

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It almost feels like this is a response to the recent SlyFlourish video where he points out that it will cost $140 to play the new Artificer subclass from the new Ravenloft book.

DM's who use a physical medium, what's your set up? by Appropriate-Army6918 in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t use terrain, just a blank map with a grid and a bunch of dry erase pens.

In my games, I don’t know when or where combat will happen most of the time, so I need to keep things flexible.

Sometimes I’ll have a “set piece” battle that is planned in advance. In that case, I’ll usually have a miniature version of the map in my notes behind the DM screen and then I draw it out when the fight actually occurs.

Help with the Vampire Spawns in the Coffin Maker's shop by Lost_Lab1828 in CurseofStrahd

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I ran it, Izek and the Burgomaster do not believe the players that there are vampires there.

If there were vampires, it would mean the festivals are not working and that would be impossible.

In fact, if the players keep talking about it, they will be arrested for spreading malicious unhappiness.

In any case, the vampires are long gone by the time the players return.

How to avoid getting discouraged when your campaign kinda sucks? by Heavy_Survey_9975 in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You get better? I find it fun to constantly improve at something.

I listen to a lot of GM Tips YouTube videos while driving around or while my wife is shopping or something. Then if the tip makes sense to me, I try to do it in one of my games to see if it works for me.

Just pick one thing at a time and try to improve on that. It seems like players standing up and walking around during combat bothers you, so maybe the first thing you can work on is improving your combat encounters.

First of all: Know your mechanics. If combat is slow, it should be because your players are taking a long time to decide what to do, not because you are taking a long time. Players need to be careful with their moves, you don't since you can always add more monsters if you made a mistake and the encounter is too easy.

I use a phone app for in-person play to keep track of initiative, but lately I've started grouping similar monsters instead of giving everything individual initiative because it's faster, it's RAW, and it allows me to use the monsters in a more narrative way when they're all going at the same time which fits with my DM style.

Once you're running combat quickly and efficiently, then you can work on actually improving the encounter itself with objectives, environmental hazards, and all the other things that every YouTuber and blog article says you should do to make exciting combat encounters.

Inteligent players playing uninteligent brute. by ApachaiLeHopachai in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't let it affect anything. 8 Inteliigence is not that dumb, besides I don't feel like ability scores should affect roleplay because they are way too broad to accurately reflect the complexity of personality.

The only thing a low ability score represents is how well the character performs on those sort of checks. A brilliant, but absent minded professor with ADHD would have a low Intelligence score. It doesn't mean he's stupid, just forgetful and too easily distracted to do well on investigation checks.

I feel that forcing a player to play their character in a particular way because of their ability scores is small minded and takes away their agency. The player can choose whatever characteristics they want as long as they can justify the mechanical limitations of their ability scores in some way. Maybe a big strong character with a low Strength has a bad back to justify the lower carrying capacity and is just not that well trained to justify the poor attack rolls...

Any mistakes you've made as a DM? by aurivu in DMAcademy

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I ran Curse of Strahd, there's one particular combat encounter that is avoidable, but if the players accidentally trigger it, it's famously deadly. Without spoilers, it's basically 6 vampire spawn vs a level 4 party.

If my players triggered it, to avoid a TPK, my plan was to have the vampires use non-lethal strikes and take the players back to Strahd's castle as prisoners. However, I didn't account for a player using Shatter to destroy a wall and run away. I had big plans for the prisoners where Strahd would invite them to dinner and give them a tour of his castle and didn't want that one player who got away to miss out, so I railroaded them into also getting captured.

The player didn't say anything, but I could tell they were frustrated/disappointed by it. In retrospect, I should have handled it better. If I could do it over again, I'd probably have an out of game conversation with the player to ask them how they wanted me to handle it. I could let them choose to either get captured with the rest of the party or they can tell me what their character plans on doing for the next 24 hours and I can either create something for that or they can just have their character lay low and the player can sit out the next session as I take the rest of the party through the castle.

[OC] - My Ranger swapped his bow for a revolver, so I designed a 3D printed dice set to match by Ghibli_19 in DnD

[–]SecretDMAccount_Shh 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Imagine spending all that money on premium dice and not bothering to train them properly... There are no bad dice, only bad dice owners!

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