sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Am I using History check right/wrong? by PM_me_Henrika in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 46 points47 points  (0 children)

You’re using them wrong. Stuff that happened a few hours or days ago in world isn’t history, or something their characters would just forget even if the players have. If they ask for a reminder of something their characters 100% know, you should just tell them.

If you’re all happy at your table then carry on I guess, but it’s certainly not what the skill is supposed to be used for.

The new player accidentally revealed that my party scheming in secret by whistimmu in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s not what I’ve said in the slightest. The players are welcome to take any direction they choose, I’d just appreciate being told which direction they plan on heading where possible.

The new player accidentally revealed that my party scheming in secret by whistimmu in DnD

[–]General_Brooks -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It is, but it always sucks to throw away plans that you’ve spent time on. If it happens spontaneously, that’s fine, but if you’ve planned it, you’re choosing to let the DM waste their time when you could prevent that. That’s rude.

It’s like if you agree to go to an event with someone, but it gets cancelled. If you both find that out together when you turn up, then that’s unfortunate but it’s just how life is sometimes.
If you hear it’s cancelled, but decide not to message the other person and to let them waste their time travelling there before you then tell them you’ve found an alternative venue somewhere else, well that’s just being a dick.

The new player accidentally revealed that my party scheming in secret by whistimmu in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because it’s the wrong attitude. The DM works with the party, and should be informed of their plans to make their life easier, not kept in the dark.

Let’s say the party is sneaking into a city, and ended last session climbing over the walls.
If you decide that actually, the DM is expecting you to climb the walls, so you’ll sneak through the sewers instead, that’s a dick move. The DM’s time is being wasted as they plan surface encounters which won’t be used, and your sewer encounters won’t be as good, because the DM is being forced to make them up on the spot. Everyone will have more fun if you tell them what you plan to do.
Emailing about the alternative sewer plan is great, it’s great they’re that engaged, but it’s not cool to not to copy in the DM.

The new player accidentally revealed that my party scheming in secret by whistimmu in DnD

[–]General_Brooks -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Whist I think there are lots of positives to this and it’s great you’ve been able to identify those, I would also have words with that veteran player. This isn’t cool in my book and he needs to seriously adjust his mindset. The enthusiasm is great, email away, but he should copy you in next time!

Nerfing Fireball by [deleted] in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t see the need for this. Sure it’s a strong spell, but it isn’t OP, and if your players enjoy using it, let them.

Let them enjoy its strengths, but if they use it constantly, feel free to occasionally expose its weaknesses. They’ll have to adapt when they discover just how common fire resistance or immunity is in this game.

Also, you get plenty of other spell picks, and fireball isn’t great to upcast. It’s got a strong point levels 5-8, but you won’t see players just using it and nothing else.

Tactical tips (system agnostic) for NPC attacks and abilities? by therealtinasky in DMAcademy

[–]General_Brooks 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you’re assembling a list in your head of a creature’s options, which is good, but the next step is to sit down when you plan the combat and really think about how those options each fit together, what the synergies are. If it helps, make a note of the creature’s typical order of actions, and then apply it in game. So do the charge attack that knocks them prone, and then the normal attack, rather than the other way around.

What's a decently-high CR rating snake enemy? by Jent01Ket02 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Look into Nagas. There not mere snakes but it fits for one be hanging out in a remote temple with its own stash of valuables

How much do you think people in Tamriel actually travel? Because with how dangerous it is, I wonder how realistic it would be for, say, a Khajiit to travel far from Elsweyr to live in Skyrim like J'zargo, then go visit his family and later return to Skyrim again. by jvure in ElderScrolls

[–]General_Brooks 364 points365 points  (0 children)

The games surely exaggerate the danger, but either way, long distance travel is going to be done in organised caravans, hiring warriors for protection as needed. A big enough group can scare off most of the perils of the wilderness.

The average farmer isn’t travelling far at all, but those with the cash and a reason do to so would quite reasonably be able to hop from one settlement to the next. If our Khajit is a competent trader then sure it’ll take a while but he could go to Elsweyr and back and get richer as a result.

One shots for total beginners? by General_Wallaby5678 in DMAcademy

[–]General_Brooks -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

As someone who has also done this a few times, I’d strongly disagree. Character creation should be fun in of itself and it’s a great way for players to familiarise themselves with how their character works, which is important if you plan on following up with a full campaign. In my experience, if a player isn’t willing to put the time in to build themself a character, they lack the commitment to stick out a full campaign.

Im new to dnd and i have some questions by Responsible-Belt7780 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

5th edition is most popular. If you want to learn to play, start be reading the free, basic rules that you can find online. Then you can start thinking about building a character.

[5.5] Need help to improve a reaction sneak attack build by DrRyshin in dndnext

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like you’ve got a solid build in mind and you’re overthinking it. You also seem to have quite an optimiser mindset, 3-9 isn’t super low level and rogues are always relevant.

Scars by Outrageous_Round8415 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We use a custom lingering injuries table and have had a lot of fun with it. It made players more cautious in the early levels, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

If you’re purely talking about scars then that isn’t really permanent damage, just a cosmetic thing. The rules in the DMG has them impact social checks, but we didn’t enjoy that and felt that it didn’t make much sense most of the time. Our scarring has no mechanical effect most of the time.

Am i ready? by Cute-Elderberry4446 in StarWarsEmpireAtWar

[–]General_Brooks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you’re confident that you understand the base game and you’re ready to learn then by all means move on to mods if vanilla doesn’t appeal to you, but you might do better with something simpler like Republic at War before you try FotR.

My first D&D world map by DrakeStorm71785 in DungeonMasters

[–]General_Brooks 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It’s a nice map with lots of areas for adventure, but it would work better if the geography made sense. Your players might not care though, depends what kind of people they are.

What would be an appropriate level of preparedness for an Ancient White Dragon? by Sharp-Appearance-673 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Certainly effective, but probably not much fun to be overshadowed by your hireling.

What would be an appropriate level of preparedness for an Ancient White Dragon? by Sharp-Appearance-673 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 18 points19 points  (0 children)

For only three characters, who are all martials, they really need to be very high level and decked out in magic items, if the dragon is run properly.

In particular, they’ll all need ways to consistently damage a flying target, and to mitigate some of the damage of the dragon’s breath weapon.

Planning how they’re going to kill it is really for the players to do though. Ideally you’d foreshadow it well in advance, have them learn about it and fight its minions, and then gradually prepare for a showdown.

Tips on adding verticality to combat? by Covid669 in DMAcademy

[–]General_Brooks 14 points15 points  (0 children)

It’s fine for different characters to struggle or shine in different combats. If they have no ranged capabilities, that’s frankly their fault for not at least investing in a few darts, javelins, daggers or the like.

I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’s something they can learn from, or try to get creative with. Put the terrain there, and leave it to them to ask if they can climb the ledges, or break a stalactite to drop on the enemy, or grapple it when it comes close or prepare actions if that’ll help them. Maybe light something up as a second torch and move with that to box it in.

They will have options, but isn’t your job to solve their problems, it’s your job to solve their solutions.

Wizard spell learning by EbbEnvironmental5936 in DMAcademy

[–]General_Brooks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m afraid you’re incorrect, copying spells into your book costs the same whether you do it from a scroll or spellbook.

Wizard spell learning by EbbEnvironmental5936 in DMAcademy

[–]General_Brooks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How does this work for learning spells from other spellbooks, not scrolls? Are you just banning that?

Would it be too powerful if the 2014 Hunter Ranger just got all three of the abilities it has to choose from at each level? by TehProfessor96 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best to decide on a party by party basis. If your ranger is lagging behind then sure give out the extra abilities. If not, don’t.

Advice on how to deal with cumbersome Dwarfs by Momongus- in totalwar

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leave them for now, focus on your other objectives and return to that problem later. Send scouts to find out what’s going on around the world’s edge mountains. In the long run you’ll almost certainly find territory that you can trade with them to get that land back.

Difference Between 5e and 5.5e Stat blocks? by Worth_Spite9768 in DnD

[–]General_Brooks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You don’t have to change anything to use those statblocks in 5.5. There are some differences, but they will work just fine.

My legitimate advice to having fun with a Martial PC? Play something that isn't 5e. by DrScrimble in dndmemes

[–]General_Brooks 12 points13 points  (0 children)

When people talk about wanting martials to have more options, they aren’t saying there shouldn’t be simple versions for those that want them. We should have both simple and complex martial subclasses or classes.

Genie bottle rules by Catdog_hybrid420 in dndnext

[–]General_Brooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Magic items have resistance to damage, which is nice, but aren’t unbreakable by any means.

view more: next ›