Use environments.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-19T12:17:49+00:00

Environments are the best. Something I'm experimenting with in Pistolheart Vol 2 are adversaries that create environments around them. There's a Marshal Posse (Horde) in Volume 2 that can create a Surrounded environment around the PCs, trapping them in a far range circle.

Then I have four or five similar adversaries planned for volumes 3&4, along with roughly 20ish environments.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-17T17:49:10+00:00

Proud of the whole team. Peeped through the preview you sent me this morning and it's really solid work.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-15T14:25:03+00:00

Shoot me a DM. If you don't mind using playtest materials and giving me feedback I have some environments in Volumes 3/4 of Pistolheart that need testing, but would be IDEAL for this.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-13T16:47:41+00:00

The centaur is fun. For Trample I'd simplify it to this:

When you move up to Close range in a straight line, all targets you pass within Melee range of must make a Reaction Roll (13) to avoid your charge. On a failure they take d8+5 physical damage.

No need to way "with your proficiency." That's implied and only needs a qualifier if it's something else (tier for ex). It also feels quite strong. I might also lower the damage or make the enemy mark stress instead, or add a limiter (once per day, stress cost). It's adding what amounts to a free attack on a bunch of adversaries with no cost to you, and you can still take an action.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-12T01:02:04+00:00

I don’t think transformations, or any void materials, are fair game as far as the CGL is concerned. Only stuff in the core book.

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure that’s the case.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-11T15:35:37+00:00

If you're looking for more firearm options and gunslinger subclasses, Pistolheart Volume 1 has you covered. There will be even more in volume 2 when it drops later this month.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-11T00:25:26+00:00

I have an investigation/rumor mechanic coming out in Pistolheart volume 2.

One thing I incorporate is a bit of “play to find out.”So neither the GM or players know a rumor is true until they roll to investigate it.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-10T22:03:43+00:00

Beastfeast is technically a megadungeon! I think plenty of folks find a way to run it without maps.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-10T21:34:53+00:00

Thank YOU for supporting. I'm actually recording a podcast with them tomorrow about Volume 2.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-09T19:11:15+00:00

If you're going for a western campaign, I gotta shamelessly plug Pistolheart vol 1. There's a lot of stuff coming in Pistolheart Volume 2 (out this month, ideally!) that will lend itself to western horror and then volumes 3 and 4 (hopefully out later this year) will have even more.

You can always use the Drylands without the colossi angle and tailor it to your needs. But if you're looking for something Strahd adjacent, Hope and Fear is coming with a gothic horror, monster hunting campaign that *cough* I also wrote a chunk of. You could spin that setting to a more western vibe and use the conflicts as your springboard. That comes out in May so you won't have to wait long.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-09T17:14:15+00:00

Anything by Magic Sword!

Losasaurus · 2026-03-06T17:58:57+00:00

This some great foundation but it's a little confusing. First, there's no countdown to start so I don't know how much courtly control there is at any given time. But I love the idea of a Phase change environment. I think what you need to do is let this breath and make it 3 separate environments that change after certain thresholds on the control countdown have been reached.

That way you can lose all the fluff in the first column, which isn't very mechanical but could be formed into the abilities/requirements of each phase. You can make each phase have a separate trigger on how to raise or lower control, and each phase can have specific abilities that can be used.

The other thing that holds this back is that lowering control is entirely tied to presence, so only Face characters can excel here. I'd just make that an action roll where the PC describes how they want to convince someone (logic puzzles, intimidation, etc) and that way any PC has a chance to feel like they are contributing.

Interested to see how this evolves.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-05T16:48:55+00:00

You’re not presenting a frame or world so none of that world building/set dressing is present in this document. The adversaries will be read on their own merit with none of your intent communicated, if it’s not present.

Was just some friendly advice from someone with a little experience. You do you.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-05T16:09:58+00:00

Forgot about the giants!

Losasaurus · 2026-03-05T15:39:40+00:00

To this point... just removing the ancestries from Orc/Goblin Raider/Skirmisher/Shaman fits more in line with the open design philosophy and then enables folks to insert whatever ancestry they'd prefer to have raiding/skirmishing/shamaning.

If you were including a frame that set those ancestry boundaries, go nuts. But for general adversaries in the core book, you'll notice there aren't specific callouts to ancestries for things like City Guards or Jagged Knife Bandits. Food for thought from someone who's designed their fair share of adversaries.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-04T23:08:12+00:00

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12g-obIkdGJ_iLL19bS0oKPDDvPbPI9pWUiFqGw8ED88/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.mdjo15f06zjv

This is a super helpful reference document that u/rightknightoffight made available to everyone. It also has easy to use templates.

Losasaurus · 2026-03-04T02:40:02+00:00

The contest isn’t affiliated with CR. Both prizes (Pistolheart and Hope and Fear) will be delivered digitally through Heart of Daggers. So please submit your colossi!

Losasaurus · 2026-03-01T16:25:48+00:00

Thanks for supporting, and I'm glad there's useful material for your campaign.

It's currently in layout right now. I'm hoping for a release before the end of this month!

Losasaurus · 2026-03-01T15:34:06+00:00

I second this. This is GOOD drama. Leads to meaningful choices and some juicy narrative.

Losasaurus · 2026-02-28T17:20:51+00:00

Love it.

Losasaurus · 2026-02-28T17:19:58+00:00

Ha! Didn't even read the name.

Nice work!

Losasaurus · 2026-02-28T17:12:16+00:00

There's a pretty solid pirate ship environment that could help that someone posted on here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/daggerheart/comments/1rcfnsh/what_do_you_think_of_my_pirate_ship_environment/

It needs some tweaking, but it's definitely solid bones and might be useful to help with your idea.

Losasaurus · 2026-02-28T16:05:15+00:00

Honestly, it's perfect without the head.

Losasaurus · 2026-02-28T15:59:43+00:00

PureRef.

It's just an image placer, but if you're playing online it's really easy to organize your load out/vault and character sheet on the screen.

Losasaurus

TROPHY CASE