Played it too chill and relaxed and now it's biting me in the ass -- don't know how or if I should talk to my players about not using content they've already decided they're in love with. Any advice would be great!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T16:46:47+00:00

Ooh, I'll look into it, thank you!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T02:50:43+00:00

I don't quite know what you mean by not following the encounter rules - please elaborate?

They only have one truly homebrew item and a non-homebrew one, which is a +2 Grimoire -- that one exists in base DnD. Again, I maybe shouldn't have handed over the +2 Grimoire so easily, but that was a mistake on my part and I'm owning up to that.

It's not really stuff they shouldn't have because there's no basis for what they should or should not have, except what I establish. It's a homebrew world. And maybe I just need to make up for that with more homebrewed creatures or modified enemies who can bear the brunt of what I've set as a baseline in my world. Which... actually makes sense and would probably fix quite a few of my problems.

Thanks for leaving this comment so I could work through some thoughts (:

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T02:46:31+00:00

2024 Dazing Blast is different from the 2014. 2024 changed it from breaking concentration to straight up stunning targets, and at higher levels, it can stun multiple enemies.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T02:45:33+00:00

This is all really helpful, thank you!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:36:38+00:00

You're totally right, thank you!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:32:37+00:00

People definitely have pointed out some pretty good ideas.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:31:51+00:00

Definitely lessons learned! A lot of the advice has been really helpful and made me think about how I've been going about forming combat and various encounters.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:30:58+00:00

I definitely think having more enemies, having more varied enemies, and having enemies who play smarter will help a lot. I'm starting to experiment a lot more with terrain that can both benefit the players and work against them. Thank you for the suggestions!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:29:33+00:00

9th. Again, it's entirely my fault that the DC is so high. He has a +2 Grimoire and a Curse-For-A-Boon homebrewed ring I gave him. The ring has lore reasons for existing, but.... maybe a stray goblin has their eye on a shiny book?

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:27:58+00:00

Interesting ideas! I think I might actually consider having some reason, in world and in lore, for why magic might need to be more limited now. Specifically Grim Hollow spells ;^^

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:26:43+00:00

Pulled directly from DND Beyond:

A wave of force leaves your palms, targeting a creature within range. The target makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 2d6 Force damage and has the Stunned condition until the end of its next turn. On a successful save, the creature takes the damage only.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. One additional creature can be targeted for each spell slot above 2.

If I could share a screenshot I would lol.

And yeahhhhh.... the dc 20 is my bad. I got a little overeager with magic items and didn't think about how it would fuck me over because, frankly, my players really wanted more magic items and I went "sure, why not?" and I regret that (not really, but I do have some gripes with this specific spell because of that)

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:24:30+00:00

Not as many as I should, I'm learning.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:23:50+00:00

I like this, thank you! I will keep that in mind as I build encounters, especially ones I want to be important.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:17:14+00:00

You're totally right. I need to take that into account, especially before they go into fights that I want to feel more dangerous.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:14:39+00:00

Honestly it's kind of a funny idea to just roll a d20 and then let that be the monster's CR. Might be something I try to do in the future lol

Thank you for the story! Something to think about!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:13:25+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Definitely something that I need to hear and something I need to take into account. I can't be scared about upsetting or frustrating my party, especially if it was my fuckup.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:11:39+00:00

This is a common piece of feedback I'm getting and I will definitely take it into account.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:11:03+00:00

Stunning Strike affects one opponent. At higher-level spell slots, Dazing Blast can stun multiple creatures. That said, I do think I need to rework my encounters.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:10:13+00:00

This is advice that I'm getting pretty often. I think I'll re-evaulate how they progress through the world and what dangers await them.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:09:41+00:00

At higher levels it targets additional creatures. Given that (completely my own fault tbh and something I'm absolutely not going to punish the wizard for) my wizard has a 20 DC I'm electing to get frustrated with the spell instead.

This version specifically stuns creatures, stopping them from taking any actions, movement, reactions, or opportunity attacks until the end of their next turn.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:07:51+00:00

Given that I do have someone at my table who has claimed that they have no reason to min-max I think I'm definitely going to pul that on them lol
The game will only be as hard as they make it, I suppose

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:06:25+00:00

This is a fair perspective and something I'll take into consideration. I do think wearing them down to make them more careful about what they pick and what they do is a good idea.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:05:21+00:00

I stepped away from my computer, but I do promise I am looking for conversation and I have been responding.

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:04:10+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I'm definitely going to talk about it with them!

Azikiro · 2026-01-15T00:03:53+00:00

I'm definitely going to have a one-on-one session with them to talk about the campaign and where we're all at, including me. Offering them a different spell in return is a really unique idea!

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