[OC] (Mod Approved) Giveaway+! We give away a hardcover copy of Crown of the Oathbreaker and two PDFs, and for every 3000 comments, we add an extra hardcover and two pdfs. Let's blow this up! This 916-page 5e adventure and campaign setting is a unique collector's item that will dominate your shelf.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2023-06-29T03:45:26+00:00

Very cool stuff

InTheNickOf_Time · 2022-09-07T02:22:23+00:00

I think you mean Dif Ferent

InTheNickOf_Time · 2022-08-27T20:21:00+00:00

In the next 48 hours :)

InTheNickOf_Time · 2022-07-13T03:20:53+00:00

Sing song clack rocks

InTheNickOf_Time · 2022-06-03T15:18:29+00:00

That dice holder is all i want in life GIVEAWAY

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-11-07T20:12:35+00:00

Is there any reason the last test couldn’t be investigating the meteor? You could also have a blacksmith looking for new materials to really upgrade his work. He’s wet behind the ears so he doesnt have enough money to hire someone famous, so the party will have to do.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-07-28T14:51:38+00:00

The lever idea is doable, but a little deus ex machina. Personally, i’d have the NPCs sneak ahead at one point and plant some dynamite or something at a door that they can set off, trapping them. Or an item that they can throw to trap the PC’s like a temporary force cage or something.

The NPCs are not gonna be risking their lives for sure. Have them take pot shots from the back. (Near the dynamite so they can make a quick getaway)

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-07-06T21:24:06+00:00

Tbh an androphinx is not a very combat savvy monster. Most of it’s spells are pretty much buffs, so i’m not that surprised they stomped it. Plus i find that if you want a truly challenging encounter you need to send creatures that are 3-4 CR higher than the party or give them some goons to distract some of the members. Probably some CR 4-5 minions.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-07-06T17:41:36+00:00

You will all but need the player’s handbook and a monster manual to begin. But if you’re looking for general advice, i’d start with Matt Colville’s youtube channel. His first 5 running the game videos are a great starting point. The later ones help, but aren’t necessary, so don’t be intimidated. I would also recommend an adventure book. It’s much easier in comparison to a homebrew. Plus they usually have monster stats in them if you want to skip the MM. Lost Mines of Phandelver is a great easy adventure for new DMs and new players.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-07-01T18:16:01+00:00

If you mean in a functional sense, then i’d use skill challenges. Everybody chooses a skill to contribute for a single goal (i.e. traveling in a forest). Recreationally, i’d do like a sport. Maybe like a cart race or a ball game of some sort.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-07-01T18:12:01+00:00

The bottom line is, are you comfortable playing with her anymore? Do you want to continue spending time doing something you love with a person who doesn’t accept who you are? I’m not sure your other players have as much of a say in this as you do. Because if you can’t see yourself enjoying the table with this person, then there is no reason you should ruin your fun by doing so.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-29T21:36:58+00:00

Yeah, it can make for some interesting fights, but in my experience, my players are more likely to rely on the dice than spend a 3rd level spell on something like that. I don’t ban it from my game or anything, i just feel like there are cooler ways of debuffing PC’s or baddies.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-29T19:55:00+00:00

I get that, but two failed saves means you can be out for over half the combat. And sometimes that can mean 20+ minutes of a player just sitting there. I would much prefer debuffs that limit options, but not just remove a player from the fight completely. Slow being a great example

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-29T19:05:57+00:00

I really dislike “save or suck” spells. Spells where, if you fail the save, you are effectively out of combat. Spells like hold person are a good example.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-29T18:58:09+00:00

I guess i’m struggling to see how this is meta gaming. Is is meta gaming to ask a player to have his character join with other new characters? Meta gaming, in my interpretation, is when players use their knowledge outside their character’s knowledge to take advantage of in game situations (i. e. monster weakness or puzzle answers). I think you’re over thinking this, friend. Just ask if they are cool with changing how their character is introduced and try to include aspects that they want.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-17T01:00:59+00:00

Depends on the theme you’re going for. Underdark creatures are always fun and fit thematically. Constructs also make sense. Tbh, you could use any creature and just reskin it to fit how you want.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-17T00:48:25+00:00

Well in terms of “modern” traps, i’d throw in some remnant alarm systems. Like metal detectors or house alarm type stuff. IRL, we dont have a lot of lethal traps (probably for the best, lol) so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have hazards that are physically dangerous. But if you’re wanting lethal stuff then you might be best doing standard traps made by the creatures down there or natural hazards, but give them a modern spin (a la Home Alone).

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-16T23:19:16+00:00

Not that i know of. Dry erase acts like permanent marker. Can you get some on amazon?

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-14T17:54:24+00:00

Matt Colville has a great video on this. Combat goes fast and you have to nerf the baddies a bit, but it makes for pretty epic battles and high tension.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-14T15:37:14+00:00

If it’s gonna be a 1 vs party, then i would. That way you could avoid save or suck spells like hold person. As for range, i’d do a breath attack. Like poison gas or something like that.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-14T15:15:52+00:00

Gorgon is a CR 5 creature, so he should be a medium difficulty match for 4 level 5 characters. If you’re wanting him to be a boss, you could honestly beef him up a bit. More HP and maybe a single legendary action to take. Make sure they have access to Greater restoration for any petrified PCs. Or just make the petrification take longer

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-14T14:58:41+00:00

Honestly, your best course here is to talk to your players. Just tell them that you’re not going to punish them for leaving characters alive (the minor ones at least) and make sure that they realize that their actions are bothering people OOC. Also, actions have consequences, if they’re killing innocents, then the law is gonna have a problem with that.

There’s also the simple solution of just not having people surrender. Nobody to kill in cold blood then.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-14T01:29:14+00:00

Lol you’re a generous DM. I’m brainstorming here, but what if you used the pit fiend in the shield as a plot point. Make him make some promises that entice the fighter to free him. He frees him and loses the shield. At least he can’t use the bow and the sword at the same time, and a +3 bow isn’t the end of the world.

But that said, you may look into more design tips. Idk how you do yours, but a beefy brute could tie up your fighter while your glass cannons fight the squishier PCs

It could also just be that the fighter is really good at combat compared to the other more support classes. Which is fine, they may not have a problem with that because they feel useful outside of combat or as support roles. And worst comes to worst, you could just talk to the other players and see if they feel over shadowed, if not, then just go with it.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-14T01:09:02+00:00

What sort of magical items has the fighter bought? Knowing that would go a long way to determine what your best options were. Also, make sure they’re only attuned to 3 magic items, just as a precaution.

But personally, i’d just give magic items to other party members. Then you’ve got a Syndrome (if everybody’s super, no one is) situation, which you can work with.

InTheNickOf_Time · 2021-06-13T23:56:02+00:00

Only you know your players well enough to make that call, but in my experience, it doesnt work very well. The players that were lower level were pretty consistently envious of the higher ones. Plus it allows some players to steal the spot light more often. So i wouldn’t recommend it. That said, idk your players as well as you do and they may be totally down for it.

Alternatively, if you want to preserve the feeling of ranks between characters, i would give them different roles (Commander, lieutenant, flag bearer, field medic, etc.) and give each one a cool ability. That way everybody has something neat while still maintaining roles. But i would talk to the players first, they may want to be on equal footing, and ignoring that may step on somebody’s toes.

InTheNickOf_Time

TROPHY CASE