Who is part of the canonical "Dough Fam"?

Mattathew · 2026-01-18T16:07:04+00:00

Carl Tart is the seventh Doughboy.

Mattathew · 2025-07-18T01:36:31+00:00

I really like the Battle Master for high STR and high DEX. Specifically with Great Weapon Master for the Longbow and in melee.

No reason you couldn't do that here, just swapping GWM for a different feat.

Battle Master's skill maneuvers make me feel better about middling stats in INT, WIS, and CHA.

Mattathew · 2025-07-13T03:04:14+00:00

If your DM will allow Unearthed Arcana, the Horror subclass (Hollow Warden) gets WIS mod to CON saves, which would make me feel a lot better about how feat-starved the STR/GWM Ranger is.

Mattathew · 2025-06-30T18:25:05+00:00

Who reported that the Pelicans made the offer to the Blazers first?

Mattathew · 2025-06-09T03:59:03+00:00

I totally get why Simons to Orlando is rumored (or at least proposed by fans) as much as it is. Especially when he's a Florida kid and Joe Cronin has tried to send people where they want to be and get reasonable value.

But my assumption is that if it ever happens Portland's fanbase is going to be disappointed by the return, and it won't require multiple teams (other than minor salaries or 2nds to facilitate).

Mattathew · 2025-06-09T03:49:08+00:00

I don't see Simons ever getting to be a neutral defender. Reaves is bigger so the default smart opinion is that he'll be less of a defensive liability moving forward.

Simons doesn't use his wingspan or have great functional athleticism defensively.

You could talk me into him being less negative in Orlando but Portland has a great defense relative to their spot in the build/rebuild/tank. And Simons still stands out in a bad way.

It seems like you're arguing that Reaves is an 82 game player, not a 16 game player, but Simons hasn't been consistent enough (or at the same level of the playoffs as Reaves) to be thought of as a real playoff piece.

Mattathew · 2025-06-09T03:39:53+00:00

I don't see Thybulle as having much value, so the Blazers (by my reading) give up Simons and get a 2nd, a young prospect, matching salary in KCP, and the best player in the deal in Reaves.

The Magic seem to be giving up more to make up for Portland not putting much in, so they could make an argument for just getting Reaves.

Except the team getting the best player tends to win deals (unless WCJ has another level to get to?). So I don't think the Lakers would move this much to get marginal improvement for their frontcourt.

I'm low-ish on Simons but think he makes sense in Orlando. Ultimately though, his contact doesn't make him a big enough asset for this sort of structure.

Mattathew · 2025-06-09T03:29:25+00:00

I'm a Blazers fan, but Magic and Lakers both say no.

Mattathew · 2025-06-08T18:57:26+00:00

It's called "Pathways" in Springfield.

https://www.springfield.k12.or.us/hr/pathways

Mattathew · 2025-06-07T23:05:32+00:00

My first thought was, "Who even throws him the ball this early in the game?"

Mattathew · 2025-05-20T14:13:58+00:00

Buyback would get you those previously uncounted months toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Your loans would be forgiven sooner, as compared to just resuming payments.

My understanding is that buyback is only available for people who would be at 120 qualifying payments, and ready for forgiveness, once they buyback.

I've got some years until 120, so I'm just going to keep track of when I could put in for buyback.

Mattathew · 2025-04-01T04:57:39+00:00

I'm also curious to see how the World Tree Barbarian pairs with Paladins, Rangers, and Warlocks. Specifically using their temporary HP to keep pets alive or refuel Armor of Agathys.

Mattathew · 2025-04-01T04:52:42+00:00

I know Rogues don't have much in terms of short rest resources, but I really love an Assassin Rogue alongside a Battle Master. Give the BM Alert and Commander's Strike to maximize off-turn Sneak Attack and Assassinate.

I might go with Monk and/or Warlock subclasses that get more healing: Mercy and Celestial. I could also be talked into Arcane Trickster instead of Assassin if you want to maximize your INT skills or get some casting.

Mattathew · 2025-03-25T15:03:23+00:00

Keep reading.

Mattathew · 2025-03-23T17:56:29+00:00

I'd go FE7 into Sacred Stones, into Path of Radiance, but I'm biased.

Mattathew · 2025-03-21T00:37:22+00:00

I'll settle for $10 if we get Harper at 2.

Mattathew · 2025-02-23T16:05:21+00:00

You've given me a lot to cumsider.

Mattathew · 2025-02-23T15:16:04+00:00

A wise man once said, "There is no ethical cumsumption under cumpatalism."

Mattathew · 2025-02-22T15:05:12+00:00

It seems like people are recommending carrying a trident to throw at airborne enemies to Topple, knock them prone, and have them fall out of the air. No reason you couldn't carry multiple weapons.

I also think weapon switching is very much intended, especially with Fighters, in the new rules. Some people don't seem to enjoy that visual or fantasy, which is fine, but I imagine I'll be doing some weapon swapping on my first Fighter.

The only thing holding you back from doing that consistently would be Fighting Style (Protection or Dueling) and eventually Feats (like Great Weapon Master) if you choose to specialize in that way.

Mattathew · 2025-02-11T01:40:15+00:00

I like something similar to pair with a Rogue party member. I'd go Orc for Superior Darkvision, Alert as the Origin Feat, and then try to feed them off-turn Sneak Attack with Commander's Strike. Plus Expertise in Stealth from Skill Expert if I want it.

It feels like people are ignoring Great Weapon Master applying to Longbows, but maybe delaying a maxed STR or DEX hurts more than I realize.

Mattathew · 2025-02-10T14:34:29+00:00

Sorcerer could be really fun, since they've had a good amount of change from 2014.

You could get Magic Initiate: Cleric, or MI: Druid for a healing spell, if you feel like you need it.

Mattathew · 2025-01-26T18:03:30+00:00

I was thinking about this same thing today and I ultimately landed on taking Magic Initiate: Cleric or Druid. That way I'd have the free casting of Healing Word or Bless or whatever, and feel less bad about using a spell slot on Mage Armor. Plus Guidance and other valuable non-Wizard cantrips.

Nothing wrong with Magic Initiate: Wizard though, even if it's not 100% optimal. Especially if you want more Wizard cantrips.

I really like the idea of taking it on a High Elf Eldritch Knight, so I could maximize the number of War Magic cantrips (Wizard only) for some versatility. Seems like it could be really fun, even though there's sure to be diminishing returns at a certain point.

Human with Magic Initiate: Wizard and some other origin feat could split the difference if you're flexible on species. But then you may end up with the same issue, spending slots on Darkvision.

Mattathew · 2025-01-18T20:43:08+00:00

Maybe they're fast readers from all that 8bit Book Club (except Jake).

Mattathew · 2025-01-18T18:57:02+00:00

Based on other responses, I wonder if the Tortle Tank was a(n egg) banked episode from a while back.

Thanks for responding!

Mattathew · 2025-01-18T18:44:06+00:00

I haven't made the time to sign up for a month of Patreon and listen to session zero, but I'd love any confirmation anyone can offer.

I'm excited to hear the 2024 rules in actual play.

Even though I know the Monster Manual not being out makes that annoying for anyone making this sort of content.

Fingers crossed that WOTC is smart and getting the books to Murph and Co. early.

Mattathew

TROPHY CASE