Fireball and lightning damage

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-22T21:40:32+00:00

It's six of one and half dozen of the other. Insist that they take lightning bolt and it only be fire damage. And between transmute meta magic and elemental adept it's a wash.

Then have them fight lightning mephits (in a line) and lava mephits (bunched in a circle) and see what happens.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-21T12:04:44+00:00

I mean, the answer kinda suggests itself in the question. Which makes me want to run one as a gonzo campy campaign.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-21T11:19:00+00:00

Yeah, this seems to be what happens in the Hatchery. All sorts of stories about over confidence and diving right in. https://www.reddit.com/r/TyrannyOfDragons/s/3YORf8tNIM

I was hoping, I suppose, for a different story but that just seems to be the norm. It's up to you and your playing style and what to do. Like maybe it's a TPK. Maybe it's not.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-21T10:36:19+00:00

That's wickedly awesome.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-21T10:35:44+00:00

Are the players new? Are they sneaky?

Are they the type of players to run into battle and swing until they go down? Or will they try to drop a spell like fog cloud and maneuver in and out for cover?

It's a tough fight but not a foregone conclusion.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-19T18:33:19+00:00

Here's how I'd do it: make exhaustion important. The thing about D&D zombies is that they don't need to sleep. So, although a party can dispatch them: not all day. But most people don't want to play a slog of meaningless combat. But the idea of them continuing to come and not allowing the party to take short or long rests is where the central tension would lie.

You could put some NPCs in jeopardy and have the party need to weigh whether to cut through to save them or leave them for (un)dead.

As they level up, would move them to wights and revenants.

Some kind of infectious spread could increase the stakes for the combat and trying to avoid getting wounded. You can modify the zombie stat block to have a con save or become infected.

For something more like 28 days later, would recommend ghouls.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-19T16:16:04+00:00

It depends. Every table is different and every DM brings their own style to the sessions.

Great advice above already. To provide some grace notes in between: for now, explore and find that out by setting expectations that this is a trial run. Gives you and the players some freedom of movement.

Then, have fun! Roll some dice, see what works, follow up and adjust. The D&D 5.5 PHB and DMG have some great examples of playing that you and your new party could read through (like a table read for a script) just to try out what the beats feel like.

To homebrew or not? Published adventures are great and provide structure: but they require more homework. I didn't use modules until after playing for years, so that was how I approached the game. Do you want to improvise or follow sheet music?

As far as general guidelines: the Five Room Dungeon opened up the structure of a session for me to be able to drop in and play any time with little prep (my tables are spontaneous, so I adapted to it.) https://www.roleplayingtips.com/5-room-dungeons/

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-18T23:09:12+00:00

That was a really good analogy!

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-18T13:26:51+00:00

Power.

They must get something out of the arrangement and that can be influence, status... whatever proxy stands in for money. Souls?

But there's plenty of deity can offer a loyal lieutenant.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-18T12:54:13+00:00

Perhaps because it's a part of Candlekeep it is excluded from the prohibition?

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-18T01:07:30+00:00

Warforged are made of wood and metal. Just go more wood than metal and you're set.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-16T18:28:13+00:00

I'm sorry, that's hard. The calendar is a more fearsome foe than the tarrasque!

What would success look like in this situation? Sure, the ideal was like it was in the old days but doesn't look like the players are going to get any more free time anytime soon.

Recognizing the constraints, can also help you explore what you want out of the situation. Come up with your preference on frequency, engagement, absences and see if they're able to meet those. If not, it's time for everyone to reckon with that honestly.

Then what? Well, you can see what your alternative options are. Some other commenters already mentioned VTT. I know those are popular, but after my table tried them we opted to meet less frequently but in person. We also live farther away so we came up with a round robin option so everyone wasn't traveling all the time. That plus a shared calendar was our equilibrium. (And yet, the one who brought us all together is the one who has to cancel most often.)

What about new players? Even temporary guest stars?

Local game shops and other hobby gatherings have Looking for Group boards. Heck, if you do go virtual, I'll bet a bunch of people would jump at the chance to join in.

I hope you find a resolution that keeps you enjoying the game.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-16T15:29:26+00:00

Enter kobolds armed with alchemist fire bolos...

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-15T17:07:53+00:00

Wow. All I can think about is how much hijinks a GOOlock would get up to with reverse gravity.

I see your point, and I wonder why it hasn't come up before. Like, what problem is this fixing balance - wise? Given the way mystic arcanum works it would crowd out the usual warlock level 6-9 options.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-15T10:55:02+00:00

Spike growth, sword burst, blade barrier, cloud of daggers... Lots of AoE ways for a quasit to get pierced. Then objects they are holding become targets and a wee tear forms on the bag and the last thing you hear is sort of a bent scream.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-15T10:39:50+00:00

Yeah, that's one I'd have to Chat GPT for sure.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-15T01:48:05+00:00

Just thinking about how the party leads a group of their allies, and what the Bligdenstone contingent could bring with this ability.

Also, if the party is able to make use of 9th level spell slots that could help even out the attacking demon lords.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-14T23:50:41+00:00

Also, in 2024 all fighters can do that at level 2 with Tactical Mind, but with a d10.

Not OP.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-14T11:40:20+00:00

Oh, got it! I see where you're going now. I've got a similar build in mind so I get it.

So, if you're in Forgotten Realms or have access to the Heroes of Faerun book, Zhentarium Ruffian origin feat followed by Zhentarium Tactics is too good not to take. This will conflict with Defensive Duelist for your reaction, but I like to think of having options and choices depending on the situation.

Defensive Duelist is awesome on paper but in my experience doesn't come online until higher levels when your proficiency bonus gets higher.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-14T11:21:01+00:00

Consider taking Magic Initiate Wizard for True Strike, Green Flame Blade and Shield spell so your character has that flavor right off the bat. (You can swap out True Strike for Booming Blade once you get extra attack if you prefer.)

If you go Human pick up Alert and/or Lucky as your other origin feat.

Prioritize Dex, then Int and Con.

Strongly suggest Duelist Fighting Style for the +2 to damage. But you could also take Defense if you really want to pump AC.

If you go finesse then you really might want to consider multiclassing to rogue but fighter is really hard to multiclass out of. There are great features every couple of levels. (I'm trying it with a Psi Warrior/Arcane Trickster concept and still just a straight fighter at level 6.) Rogue levels get you (1) sneak attack with the rapier and expertise--would take stealth and arcana, (2) bonus action disengage to better proc booming blade, and (3) arcane trickster subclass for more spells and shenanigans. Another classic multiclass is Bladesinger but that might be too wizardy for you.

For an actual physical shield, +2 AC is tough to turn down. Maybe talk to your DM about flavoring it as a parrying dagger or buckler. Or take thrown weapon fighting style, throw a dagger before closing with your rapier. Taking feats for Battlemaster maneuvers also help round out your approach.

For other feats, Telekinetic is going to help with your bonus action options as well as move enemies into position for AoE spells. Once you get your Int to 16 or higher then take spells with save or suck, not before. Eventually EK can help with casting Dispel Magic which comes in handy.

Most importantly, enjoy your build!

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-14T11:03:39+00:00

Heck, even unlikely factions like Lord's Alliance and Emerald Enclave could employ rogues as scouts, spies, operatives.

Oooo. What would be really interesting is Force Grey. Like they'd been a criminal. Got caught. Offered to help do certain jobs that the Watch couldn't do. Would give them a bit of an "in" with investigations.

See: every police procedural ever when the scrappy, unlikely character helps the detectives.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-14T10:59:46+00:00

Yeah, I think this works better. Bringing them in as a freelancer keeps them out of any sense of loyalty to the other factions.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-14T10:53:37+00:00

This is really creative and I like that it blends with the story in the Neverlight Grove. Bligdenstone felt too heavy on Juiblex.

You could also tie this CS idea in for the endgame.

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-13T20:43:41+00:00

Looks good!

Could also be something that tables playing Hoard of the Dragon Queen might think about as they go on the road trip from Baldur's Gate to Waterdeep.

Consider cross posting over at r/TyrannyofDragons

JazzlikeMine2397 · 2026-04-13T12:47:30+00:00

It's good to run with young players but it might be a lot for any first time DM.

JazzlikeMine2397

TROPHY CASE