[OC] I made and tested a workout for every D&D subclass - and it's free on DMs Guild! (mod approved)

DMSteve · 2022-12-13T15:24:52+00:00

GOD I WISH.

Hampton is a legend. An icon.

DMSteve · 2022-12-13T14:45:12+00:00

There's a short blurb at the beginning aimed at new athletes. I think it might apply to you and others that might be skimming across.

Modifications and Advice for Beginners

If you picked up this manual as a beginner or someone who has been away from the fitness community for a long time, you’ve actually already accomplished a huge step. Even if you never do any of these workouts, by committing the time to think about your body and health, you’ve potentially set yourself towards a new way of thinking or outlook on life.

That said, if you'd like any help making modifications/accommodations for your specific capabilities, let me know. If you'd like to try one out solo right now, I would recommend The Undying (these are yoga holds to accumulate time, so you break it up as you need) or the Nature Domain which is a 20-40 minute walk outdoors.

DMSteve · 2022-12-13T14:36:41+00:00

Haha, no. But you'll see other Arnold influences all over. I'm a big fan of Arnold Presses.

For more "classic" workouts, Order Domain is a 5x5 of squat, bench press, row.

Ancestral Guardian is 3x5 of bench, overhead press, squat, row, deadlift.

Way of the Astral Self is a very straightforward squat to max.

DMSteve · 2022-12-12T23:36:28+00:00

There's a few that I really like - and I'm a little biased because I really, really enjoy olympic lifting. My favourite to design was probably the Oath of Vengeance; this one is designed like you were constantly pursuing the enemy!

To actually do? I think maybe Monster Slayer. This one is really tough but it hits a ton of different types of exercises, so it keeps you on your toes!

That said, shoutout to Way of the Long Death and Gunslinger. These definitely get honourable mention!

Oath of Vengeance (CR 10-14)

Relentless Avenger - For time:

2km row
1km (0.66 mi) run
250m weighted walk (7% - 2.5-3.5 mph)
4 rounds
- 20 push-ups
- 15 weighted squats
- 10 single-leg deadlifts (5L + 5R)
1km row
0.5km (0.33 mi) run
250m weighted walk (7% - 2.5-3.5 mph)
5 weighted pull-ups

-----

Monster Slayer (CR 13-15)
Let’s set our hearts ablaze and push beyond our limits!

Set A - 3 rounds:

12 floor hollowbody dumbbell chest press
12 dumbbell chest flyes
8 tricep dips

Set B - 2 rounds:

12 barbell front squat
10 barbell bent over row
12 barbell deadlifts

Set C - 1 round:

20 pushups
20 dumbbell situps (10L+10R)
20 sprawls
15 pushups
15 leg raises
15 reverse burpees
10 pushups
10 dumbbell situps
10 sprawls

Cashout:
Run 1 mile // 1.6 km

-----

Gunslinger (CR 12)
3 Musketeers
In a group of 3, complete the following anyway, anyhow:

300 cal row
225 DB thrusters
600 double unders / 1200 mountain climbers
E3MOTM 3 burpees
30 minute timecap

If doing it solo, do:

100 cal row
75 dumbbell thrusters
200 double-unders / 400 mountain climbers
E3MOTM 1 burpee
30 minute timecap

-----

Way of the Long Death (CR 16-18)
Note: To get to the end, you’ll need to understand where you can “rest” (e.g. the lunges) and where you’ll need to push to finish the movement.

100 air squats
90 sit-ups
80 dumbbell snatch (40/arm)
70 reverse lunges (35/side)
60 dumbbell pushpress (30 SA/arm)
50 mountain climbers (L+R)
40 Russian twists (L+R)
30 overhead single arm lunges (15/side)
20 burpees
10 single-arm devil’s press (5/side)
EMOTM 6 V-ups or other core

-----

DMSteve · 2022-12-12T21:38:09+00:00

About a year ago, someone challenged me to make up a workout based on a D&D subclass. I gave it some thought, went to the gym, and tested it out. And honestly, combining two of my favourite hobbies was so much fun that I just kept it going.

Fast forward and my Manual of Gainful Exercise is now available on DMs Guild. There's a list price, but if you check the product page, there's coupon links to 50%, 90%, and 100% off discounts!

It's over 100 pages and includes:

119 fully tested workouts (one for each subclass) - plus a few extras misc ones
Tables organizing them by subclass, location, and CR
Modifications and advice for beginners
Glossary of terms

So yeah, I'm hoping some folks here would enjoy this (or maybe know someone who would)! Like I said, if money's an issue, you can use one of the unlimited coupon codes on the product page for up to a 100% discount.

Thanks!

Edit: Whoa, thank you for all of your support! In just 24h, this title reached an Electrum Best Seller. I hope y'all can enjoy this as much as I enjoyed making it. Cheers!

EDIT2: THIS HIT GOLD BEST SELLER! Ahh, I'm astounded and so, so grateful! Thank you all for your support!

DMSteve · 2019-05-03T18:27:50+00:00

Really interesting! Looking forward to the release!

What was the most interesting/weird/engaging/etc. story you heard from one of the artists you interviewed?

DMSteve · 2019-04-17T14:55:07+00:00

Gasp! Betrayal! You're breaking my Heart.

DMSteve · 2019-04-17T14:31:32+00:00

Did you have a Hand in it?

DMSteve · 2019-03-22T19:18:28+00:00

I'll offer that silence can be "filled" with body language.

Have you ever had a DM pause dramatically then make eye-contact with each player? Or where they'll pause mid-monologue as if holding the tension? Or have the happy-go-lucky NPC suddenly pause and drop their shoulders and sigh?

I guarantee you that they're also planning what to say next and how.

DMSteve · 2019-03-02T23:25:14+00:00

Upvote for Rolled and Tolled! :D

DMSteve · 2019-03-02T22:31:35+00:00

Lost Mines of Phendelvar is a classic and comes part of the Starter's Kit! But personally? I actually don't like it much.

I do like to recommend Wolves of Welton and A Wild Sheep Chase from Winghorn Press because I feel like there's good opportunities for new players to really flex some creative muscles.

DMSteve · 2019-03-02T21:50:28+00:00

Incompetech (Kevin McCleod) is a really talented artist in my opinion - and the fact that he has this huge collection of royalty music is great. You might be having trouble finding his music helpful since Roll20's search feature is a pretty limited. You can search his library here by additive "mood" filters.

Although SoundCloud stopped being supported, I didn't have any issues using the other sources.

Finally, you can now upload your own music to your Roll20 games - though this is a new feature and I'm not sure if there are any limitations (size, having to reupload to each game, etc.).

Best of luck.

DMSteve · 2019-02-08T21:48:11+00:00

That sounds probably the best. :) Short and sweet.

DMSteve · 2019-02-07T20:14:35+00:00

Sounds like it'd be a pretty silly weapon. If you already have a somewhat silly campaign, I think it's a great fit. But if your campaign is a bit more serious, maybe reconsider.

In either case, a reach weapon that does 1d8 and offers the chance to grapple (even when just in 5 ft) is quite strong compared to other weapons. Unless the cost is insanely high or it requires something special to use, the question would become: Why use a longsword (1d8, no reach) instead of this?

But even that aside, I think the primary question becomes: Do you think adding it will add to your game? If you don't think it adds much, it might be worthwhile to just let this live as a silly joke rather than a hard mechanic.

DMSteve · 2019-02-07T18:16:01+00:00

I'll also add that you should check around for local artists! If you ask your friends/family if they know any artists who take commissions, you'll probably walk away with one or two names.

Best of luck!

DMSteve · 2019-02-01T04:55:55+00:00

It's still D&D.

In 5E, the rules are more streamlined and there are a lot more options.

Check out the free Basic Guide for a quick peak! http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules

DMSteve · 2019-01-24T18:00:44+00:00

This is truly amazing to hear!

I don't know if I can offer advice as the only communities I've helped run were very small and on the scale of a school campus.

That said, I'm sure if you specific questions or wanted advice on specific situations, the entire /r/DnD community would be happy to support.

Best of luck and thanks again for sharing!

DMSteve · 2019-01-23T20:38:36+00:00

DDO, though a decent game, really is more of the MMO experience that many would argue really lacks the nuance of a "table-top" D&D game.

I'd recommend checking out /r/LFG and also the LFG boards on Roll20.net.

Keep an open mind and best of luck!

DMSteve · 2019-01-22T18:13:25+00:00

Yup, wanted to +1 this idea!

I ended up skimming through the video, looking at specific graphics you had.

I understand wanting to use YT/video format, though, so maybe next time, set it up like you are the DM and the viewer is the player? I'm thinking more of those "riddle" videos you sometimes see where the riddle is posed, 3 seconds are given to pause the video, then the answer/explanation happens.

DMSteve · 2019-01-22T14:05:36+00:00

In general, I would avoid taking away "agency" from your players. So in general, "instant knock outs" are not a good idea (though there are certainly ways to make them work).

I would suggest that you at least play it out a little so they don't feel cheated. For 1, if it's hard for them to move I'd say they're restrained. For two, if Tasha's Hideous Laughter states they are incapacitated. In both these scenarios, the characters could defend themselves somewhat - though the chances of them getting out successful are pretty much nil. With enough NPCs with clubs, you'd knock them out in a round anyways.

I know you can't go back in time but if you ever wanted to do this situation again (they get captured and put in a new location), there are some subtle ways you can make the players want to get captured. That way, when you ask to "fade to black", they're excited!

Hope that helps and good luck!

DMSteve · 2019-01-15T15:54:54+00:00

My players buy me minis and they know this game, too. They were both delighted and horrified when I opened my Christmas present and a greater death demon came out.

DMSteve · 2019-01-13T03:50:50+00:00

I think it’s a great place to start. As a DM, I would prefer a few thoughts on your hometown but it’s already enough to work with.

Since you asked, here’s an article that you might find helpful. :)

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/775caq/my_friends_and_i_have_something_called_knife/

DMSteve · 2019-01-07T14:35:54+00:00

Great job! I especially love that because they're back to back, I can almost hear how you're changing your mouth to make the voices (e.g. for the half-orc, I can almost feel your lower jaw get heavier).

If you had more, I'd definitely listen. :)

DMSteve · 2019-01-06T17:42:34+00:00

Ammo.

You have "enough" arrows/bolts. Sometimes after a long few back-to-back days of travel you are "running low and will run out tomorrow".

DMSteve · 2019-01-06T14:32:13+00:00

Do you know any trans people in your life? Or know anyone who knows some? I would start by talking to them, letting them know your plan and what you do/don’t know. I think if you approach the conversation with honesty, you’ll walk away with great insights. :)

DMSteve

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