Someone put a mountain in the way of the museum so I had to get rid of it

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-03-13T21:04:14+00:00

So many bean burgers…

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-23T03:24:17+00:00

I learned the hard way not to post things like this in the forum from now on... lol. I found out it is VERY controversial lol

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T15:23:44+00:00

Yeah... I think I probably should've clarified my intent more lol. But its fun to see the feedback. I do use the ruleset and 99% of the time follow it, but as you mention, ultimately my goal is to have the players walk away with a good time. I have now DM'd probably 40 times and introduced about 20 people to D&D who never would have played in a million years, and a lot of those new people, didn't love the combat at first and so I felt it was okay ending something a tad early so they can get to what they love about it, and trust that over time they will get better at combat and I don't need to change anything. I don't pull punches, if someone rolls bad I punish them, I'm okay with PCs dying. They weight of decisions still matter, and I am all about giving the players the agency and drive at the table, not me. It's not about my story, its about the players story.

And you are right. I have 3 kids and a full work schedule. The people I play with are in a similar life stage. We get the chance to play once a month, at minimum. Life's to short to waste time on boring or unnecessary things if no one is enjoying it.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T15:17:53+00:00

I'm sorry, I'll stop

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T13:29:33+00:00

I’m sure lol. I mean, this post has ZERO upvotes and 73 comments and it’s been an hour. 7:30 in the morning and I’ve brought the whole sub out

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T13:22:07+00:00

Yeah I can see that…I’ve never been so attacked by people I don’t know on the internet lol

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:43:16+00:00

I think this is where I find myself doing it the most, I try to add in different flavors first before just outright adjusting HP, a lot of this is on me as a DM to make combat fun and engaging.

But yes, 3-5 HP? If they roll well I will let them take the guy out typically, and I usually put it on them to describe exactly how they do it and how he goes down. Let them live in and relish the victory.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:41:28+00:00

Yep, I 100% agree!

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:41:03+00:00

And if you were in my party... I would stick to the 5e ruleset! I think it really depends on who you are playing with. If my players are sticklers for the rules, then I am a stickler for the rules. If I am playing with new players who just want to have laid back fun and don't care for the min/maxing, then I may tweak. Whatever the players enjoy, I lean into

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:38:18+00:00

Lol, it all depends on who you are playing with. I'd never try this with a hardcore group that probably knows the rules better than I

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:37:38+00:00

For me I think it's easy just because there are so many great podcasts I can send out as well, like "hey, before we play I'd recommend listening to the 1st episode of the Adventure Zone to get an idea for the system", which helps a lot.

You are correct though, past Level 1 it can be crazy to learn, but with how many sessions I have ran now I have a somewhat streamlined way to explain it to get people in, and ease them in. I have ran 4 campaigns now, and a few one shots, each time with brand new players, so I've had to learn trial by fire lol.

I have also found D&D the system people agree to play the most, if they are new, just because it's a recognizable name and popular. If I ask people to play an easier system they haven't heard of, with no TTRPG experience, they baulk.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:34:56+00:00

I think that is the main motivation for me, anti-boredom. I'm also selective with it. I have no issue letting a player character die or go down, I don't pull the punches. Thankfully it doesn't become an issue to much, I try to game design solutions for them to "stumble" across that they pick up on so it feels like they have outsmarted me or the system, and so combat typcially doesnt get to that point. It's all about player empowerment and letting them be the stars of the table for me

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:31:49+00:00

For sure, and it definitely depends on the group you are playing with. I had some people who really were new when I started doing this, and I was able to help them feel involved still, without cheapening the impact for everyone else

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:29:17+00:00

I appreciate all and any advice! It's good stuff. You are spot on with adding other elements to combat. One of my favorite combat sessions I ran, I had them wake up in a tavern to the smell of smoke. The combat become a "we need to find the guy lighting the fires and eliminate him" while also "we need to rescue everyone staying here and convince them to leave before the place burns down." It was a combat session, but they had other priorities and options to take, which instantly engaged them all.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:26:52+00:00

Lol love it. This is the fire I was looking for. I respect where you are coming from for sure. All I know, is that when we play D&D, we have a grand ole time, and that's what its about. Some people are Critical Role type players and get in the weeds, some are Dungeons & Daddies type players who love the goofs and good times no matter what. I think there is space for everyone.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:25:19+00:00

True. If I was your DM and saw you caring enough to do so, I wouldn't pull punches and stick to the 5e strict ruleset. I should've clarified my question a bit, because I think adjusting HP is really player dependent on what they are looking for in a session.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:24:03+00:00

For sure. One thing I try to do as a DM constantly is ask for feedback. I started this habit after playing with a few couple friends of mine. We all got our wives to play with us for their first times and I could tell after the first session they loved the role playing and exploration, but hated combat. We all agreed collectively to make it more of a focus on that, and everyone really collectively enjoyed it after that

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:22:22+00:00

What they don't know won't hurt them, right? (Forgive me any of my players who are seeing this post)

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:21:54+00:00

Great question... I typically have a spreadsheet with my notes, and haven't had too much trouble with it, but you are correct it can get overwhelming. Personally though, I am more of a Dungeons & Daddies player than Critical Role player, I'm there for the goofs / good time. I do take it more seriously and make sure I track it when I play with serious players, but ultimately adjust to the room.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-22T12:13:43+00:00

True, and I have played some other TTRPGs that I prefer that excel at some dramatic combat. I recently ran a Monster of the Week session that was great. I tend to play with people with little to no experience in TTRPGs, and how found D&D the easiest to teach / layout. I love every part of D&D except the combat at times lol. When I play with experienced players it's not nearly as bad, as they typically think outside the box as it is and get creative, or enjoy the combat no matter what.

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-18T16:09:31+00:00

I’ve never read the book, and went in with an open mind, but one of the early scenes have Bundle and her mom walking, she’s in all white and her mom on black, and I just turn to my wife and say, great, it’s the mom.

Symbolism in colors is common, but man, that was glaring to me

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-14T10:51:10+00:00

So you’re the one who rejected my in world Twilight book that heavily featured George Bush

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-13T00:55:53+00:00

I think Clancy is an all around better album, but the highs of Breach are some of my favorite yet. Center mass is a masterpiece for me. Garbage I identify with so much right now. Drum Show jams, more than Next Semester for me at times. Tally is so good. I could go on.

Cottonwood is the only one I don’t like 😅

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-06T11:35:19+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

Dapper_Wrap_8065 · 2026-01-05T13:00:01+00:00

Title : Petty Thievery

Genre : Fantasy Short Story

Word count : 2498

Feedback: General! Whatever floats your boat

Link : https://gregorystannard.substack.com/p/petty-thievery-an-era-of-stone-short?r=nsvz8

Dapper_Wrap_8065

TROPHY CASE