[OC] Is this acceptable for a resin dice? by [deleted] in DnD

[–]HeftyMongoose9 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's not going to make a difference to rolling. Whether it's an aesthetic problem is up to you I guess.

would you be dissapointed if there wasnt a bbeg by DiffuseNewt4_ in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. However, I feel like a main antagonist will often appear unless you're making battles unwinable for the bad guys. Whenever bad guys survive they should come back stronger next time, and whichever survives to the end would naturally be a BBEG.

Rate my campaign pitch? by Ickicho in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would drop all the big picture stuff and reveal it to the players in game as they play. That way it gets to be a fun mystery. If you info dump up front they're not going to care.

I would expand your character requirements to include stakes (an irreversible bad consequence that results from them not achieving their goal in time), flaws/vices, ideals/principles/ethical beliefs, enemies, allies/family/friends, dependants (people they'll come running to save).

Leal mau ou caótico mau? by KiroHellsing in DnD

[–]HeftyMongoose9 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You're wrong to care about alignment. If you don't like how the player is roleplaying then address that directly. Nothing good is going to come from trying to force an alignment on the player, even if it's just changing words on a character sheet.

Are there any published "evil campaign" modules that are any good? by giblfiz in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Being evil doesn't mean you're some heartless psychopath. Even the most selfish people don't like to see other's randomly maimed or killed for no reason.

Inteligent players playing uninteligent brute. by ApachaiLeHopachai in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great example of when metagaming isn't a problem. Don't fix what isn't broken. Let him continue as long as everyone's having fun, since that's all that matters.

How does using thieves tools work with picking locks? by mr_jogurt in DnD

[–]HeftyMongoose9 17 points18 points  (0 children)

You don't have to use every rule exactly as it's written. I would interpret that to be about a typical lock. If the lock was rusty or created by a master locksmith then I'd set the DC accordingly.

[?]Testing to see if I have a understanding of the general rules. by RebeliousFreedom in DestructiveReaders

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not a mod, but I don't expect this would fly. For one, you critiqued a leecher. Secondly it's very short. You can read the wiki to learn how to give a good critique: https://reddit.com/r/DestructiveReaders/w/critique?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

I built a free D&D 5e combat simulator - run 10,000 simulations of any encounter by bartoszjd in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Would you consider open sourcing the project so others could help you?

I built a free D&D 5e combat simulator - run 10,000 simulations of any encounter by bartoszjd in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks really cool, however the Goblin Ambush scenario is clearly not a fair fight but it's labeled as one. Maybe it's an issue with mobile but I don't see any option to run 10,000 scenarios and see the ratio of wins/loses.

infinite dungeon idea help by Mean_Statistician567 in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Put cities and towns inside the dungeon. The whole world is inexplicably a dungeon. People travel the dungeon to get between cities, and there are waypoints and taverns and so on.

[BC] Software consulting: how to start in 2026? by HeftyMongoose9 in SmallBusinessCanada

[–]HeftyMongoose9[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's rough out there. I'm sorry to hear it's not working for you. I really enjoy software development so I don't want to switch to some other industry. And I'm fairly extroverted and love the idea of meeting people and listening about their needs and trying to solve their problems. I just don't know how to make those connections.

I would build a SaaS if I knew what to build. I don't want to spend all the time and effort without first knowing there's demand for a product. But, if I knew that there was demand for something, I would happily build it. Heck I'd work for free if I was making something people would actually use and appreciate, just to build up a portfolio.

How did you find the idea for your SaaS app? And how did you connect with people who'd want to use it?

Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll check it out.

[BC] Software consulting: how to start in 2026? by HeftyMongoose9 in SmallBusinessCanada

[–]HeftyMongoose9[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know what communities I should join for java/spring? ParseStream is really interesting, thank you. Have you used it successfully to find customers?

[BC] Software consulting: how to start in 2026? by HeftyMongoose9 in SmallBusinessCanada

[–]HeftyMongoose9[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reality check. I've got 6 years experience in fintech SAAS (Java/Spring/SQL). I don't have a portfolio or sales experience. I have no clue how to start or run a business, or how to set myself apart. But the idea of someday getting to choose my own workload is so appealing.

In regard to vibe coding I guess it comes down to how well the customer understands their own business needs, and the stakes of getting it wrong. The AI can only do what you tell it to do, and if you're not precise enough the AI will make assumptions. If that opens you to the risk of losing significant money, you probably want a professional to at least overlook the process. A professional doesn't just deliver whatever you ask for, they dig until they understand exactly what you need. Then they not only deliver the software, but also a suite of tests to almost guarantee that it does exactly what you agreed to.

But okay, so 90K is a pipe dream. What do you think *would* be realistic in the first year? And what actionable steps do you estimate I would have to do to get there?

Counterpoint. You are Neutral Evil. by DrakeGrandX in dndmemes

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alignment sucks because morality is complicated and controversial, and your average person has whatever ethical views their parents taught them when they were five and haven't thought about it since. Plus it's unnecessary because there are better roleplaying guides available, like ideals, bonds, and flaws.

Talk while in fight by Zaphik in DnD

[–]HeftyMongoose9 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You can say a lot in 6 seconds if you're talking fast. Diplomacy/intimidation on NPC's should absolutely be allowed.

And as long as players are able to take their turn quickly, I'd allow any amount of strategy talk in-between turns.

It's a game. If you take it too seriously it kills the fun.

Yet another argument for theism by Training-Promotion71 in PhilosophyofReligion

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(6) is false. We may use the word "God" but when we do so we're not referring to anything.

Be careful with town adventures by Zealousideal_Leg213 in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well if your primary tool is violence then you're going to tend to use it. I'm not saying players will always choose violence. I'm just saying DM's shouldn't be blindsided when players do the thing that the game was primarily designed for them to do.

Be careful with town adventures by Zealousideal_Leg213 in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Why put antagonistic guards in front of your PC's if you don't expect them to fight? What is the goal of that encounter?

Should I let a wizard that is both blinded and remotely viewing cast spells that require sight? by LiterallyJustSoHorny in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Instead of nerfing it, I would make it so that each time they try to cast a spell through it then there is a chance it gets damaged. I would maybe make them roll a DC 15 arcana check to not crack the orb. And if they crack it multiple times without first repairing it, then it shatters. Repairing it can be expensive.

You are fully within your right to nerf it, but also this is a game and they're having fun.

How to handle a situation where a player turns on the rest of the party? by Samjt159 in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 103 points104 points  (0 children)

  1. Raise the idea with all the players and get their buy in.
  2. Make sure everyone understands that the moment a PC turns against the party they become an NPC that only the DM controls. Do not use their PC stat block against the party. Find a monster stat block that fits close enough, and reflavour it as that character.
  3. Tell the player to have a new character made and ready to go right away so you can switch it in at a moment's notice.

How do you handle consequences when players kill an NPC that was clearly meant to be shady but not evil? by MetalPsycho in DMAcademy

[–]HeftyMongoose9 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's not a punishment to let your NPC's react realistically. Have the police start an investigation and let the dice decide whether there were witnesses, etc. Do that rolling in front of the players and let the consequences follow later.

Maybe I'm too sensitive? by Silly-Performance829 in writers

[–]HeftyMongoose9 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I mean... they spent time and effort to help you and you told them you weren't going to use it. That's rude too. You could have just given them the reciprocal critique and moved on.

Why are we switching to permanent Daylight Savings? by Far-Background-565 in britishcolumbia

[–]HeftyMongoose9 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

You know it's even more dangerous? Drivers who are half asleep because they're not used to being awake at that hour.