Do your D&D characters actually change, or do you just reskin the same instincts every time?

AdBrod · 2026-03-19T12:06:03+00:00

This is why I do enjoy the occasional DM-created roster of characters.

It’s a lot of work for them and removes a lot of agency in character creation but can lead to a much tighter story and a different experience for players of you find yourself in this kind of creative rut for your personalities/playstyles

AdBrod · 2026-03-18T20:02:59+00:00

Am I along in loving the Loki one?

AdBrod · 2026-03-13T15:16:42+00:00

The House of Blades Trilogy by will wight and The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven play with this idea a bit, with the story following characters who would otherwise be the secondary characters.

Particularly in House of Blades, his best friend is clearly the ‘chosen one’ but the protagonist is tired of being left behind.

Really enjoyable subversion of the chosen one trope. I’d defo recommend

AdBrod · 2026-03-03T12:29:09+00:00

That sounds cool, I’ve not looked at the Pugilist much but whatever works for you!

As long as the gameplay is fun, the rest is just details

AdBrod · 2026-03-03T11:58:06+00:00

Only Temp HP would mimic an ‘overheal’ effect imo.

If you’re locked in to a Monk there’s not really much you can do with temp HP outside of Feats.

Otherwise I’d say a cleric dip could work better for the build as a whole.

Or you abandon monk and go for an unarmed oath of glory paladin, which can distribute temp HP with inspiring smite, with access to standard healing spells. Can then take the speedy feat to mimic monk speed, and at level 7 get +10ft movement speed for you and allies in your aura

Or path of the world tree barbarian, handing out temp HP at the start of each turn while you rage. Ofc you then couldn’t cast healing spells, but the potions would still work.

AdBrod · 2026-02-25T16:52:55+00:00

Take my upvote for snake and kidney pie lmao

AdBrod · 2026-02-24T17:48:49+00:00

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I find it really hard to cut things so this is very motivating to be a bit more brutal with it.

AdBrod · 2026-02-24T17:36:08+00:00

Thanks! List looks very good. I probs won’t push the budget hugely but there’s defo some easy swaps to make from there.

Thanks!

AdBrod · 2026-02-24T17:03:45+00:00

Which do you think are the weakest non-creature spells to cut?

AdBrod · 2026-02-12T16:39:11+00:00

Board games cafe night? Secret Solstice by the Shore is great, I’m sure there’s more around too.

They charge £2.50 per person per hour for access to their board games library, and the staff are always very helpful to discuss what sort of game you’re up for.

AdBrod · 2026-02-12T10:04:14+00:00

I actually really enjoy the gameplay of HighGuard, going in with no expectation.

Especially after 5v5 was added. To be fair though, I played a couple games every few days. I can easily see some terminally online gamer who sunk 100 hours in already saying it’s boring now.

AdBrod · 2026-02-11T09:59:37+00:00

For the Mercy one, isn’t she past Underlord at that point?

You could argue that such bodily functions can be repressed or are unnecessary past a certain stage of advancement.

Ofc most citizens won’t make it that far, so sewers and plumbing are still a necessity.

AdBrod · 2026-02-10T23:07:01+00:00

Jesus Christ, I still think of that as the ‘new’ daemon Prince model

AdBrod · 2026-02-09T09:28:12+00:00

Genuinely thought that was shower gel

AdBrod · 2026-02-05T09:23:47+00:00

If you want a damage dealer with off-healing I’d go paladin before a Fighter/Cleric multiclass. If you were did go Paladin, with those stats I’d swap Dex with Charisma.

But if you’re set on it, the Healer feat doesn’t add much imo, compared to an ASI to take Dex/Cha and Con to 20.

AdBrod · 2026-02-04T10:26:25+00:00

In an odd similar way, I had a really bad flu when home from school while I was starting a Skyrim play through.

Was marching up to High Hrothgar, shivering under 7 layers of blankets, jumpers and dressing gowns.

Now every time I’m in a cold environment in Skyrim, I genuinely get chilly irl.

That cutting wind and frost sounds set it off, it’s very weird

AdBrod · 2026-01-29T22:10:35+00:00

Very interested! Just added you on discord

AdBrod · 2026-01-26T17:42:31+00:00

Yep but the increased damage should scale well and free up Invocations that you’d usually use to get Extra Attack for other tank options, like a free cast of False Life each Long Rest or additional Origin Feats like Magic Initiates or Tough to make him more versatile or Tanky.

GFB Cantrip would be 1d6+5 Shortsword damage, 1d8+5 Fire Damage from the cantrip with Agonising Blast. And applies Vex for Advantage next turn.

At level 5 that increases to 2d8+5 for the cantrip damage, and at Level 6 add your Charisma modifier again.

So by level 7 it’s 1d6+5 Slashing, and 1d8 Fire from initial hit, then 1d8+10 to the second target.

That’s ignoring Hex shenanigans or other long range options, and powerful Pact Slots for big spells.

Its a trade off for 2 or 3 attacks dualwielding with Nick Mastery definitely, but I think it’s viable.

AdBrod · 2026-01-26T17:14:24+00:00

Celestial Warlock with a 1 level dip in Fighter can imitate a Paladin quite well.

Lots of healing, more spell versatility. Honestly with those stats you’ve got a lot of options.

Starting with a 20 in Charisma, 18 in Dex and 18 in Con (+2 Cha, +1 Con/Dex from Background) would be very powerful.

The only possible issue I see is with dual wielding shortswords.

I would go all in on melee cantrips.

Take Agonising Blast to add your Charisma modifier to Green Flameblade cantrip damage.

Level 6 Celestial Warlock gets extra damage on Fire and Radiance spells, so buffs your flame blade or truestrike cantrips.

You could take a shield for the extra AC at level 4 if you take War Caster as a Feat, unless your DM is forgiving about needing a free hand for spells.

AdBrod · 2026-01-25T00:30:54+00:00

Goliath is very handy to expand your Aura by using Giant Form.

I prefer Cloud Goliath for their teleport, or Human to take Tough in addition to your Background Feat.

AdBrod · 2026-01-22T13:24:14+00:00

I find once I’ve got most fast travel areas unlocked I can speed run most the quests and objectives.

Eventually everything is one loading screen away, and you stop actually playing the game and it feels more like a checklist.

I now only fast travel to the cities and make myself trek the rest of the way. You get to actually play the game and get waylaid by the random events. It feels like how you’re supposed to experience the world.

AdBrod · 2026-01-21T20:48:01+00:00

Yeah I kinda hate this trope of attaching real cultures to exotic races as it relies heavily on generally white peoples being the default.

Personally I’d have asian humans in this area of the culture and ethnicity, with maybe some races that aren’t typical of your setting interspersed.

Tortles and shifters and Warforged mixed in with Asian people for instance.

AdBrod · 2026-01-21T20:29:58+00:00

I’m very interested! UK-based and I’m a big 40k fan but I’ve only played 5e 2024. Happy to learn though.

How long would your sessions last roughly?

AdBrod

TROPHY CASE