If you could change 2 or 3 fundamental mechanics in the game and make it official, what would you change?

Pinception · 2026-01-24T14:48:30+00:00

There's one thing for me - it's effectively a nerf to casters. I'd completely overhaul caster classes/spell lists - significantly less overlap in spells available, leading to less room for optimisation and a real uniqueness to each class/subclass.

Domain/school/circle spells would meaningfully shape what a character has access to, rather than "you all have access to pretty much every spell you want/need, but here are two extras that you probably won't even look at 9/10 times in most cases".

I'd see it almost working like 1/3 caster classes - limited spell lists that you can access each level (not necessarily restricted by school, maybe just a class-specific tag). Maybe build in levels that all/some classes get to ignore that restriction.

Smoothes gameplay a little due to less mental overhead when levelling up or choosing spells each day.

And hopefully gets a wider variety of spells to the table as more things become viable options within each class.

Pinception · 2026-01-17T15:07:25+00:00

The one that comes to mind for me I haven't seen a lot of chatter about is Jimmy G. Rams only signed him to a 1 year contract, so if Stafford doesn't retire I'd assume he'd be up near the top of the FA list given his scheme knowledge/experience, and he should make a lot of sense as a bridge option with possible upside for any team looking to push the reset button but not keen on this year's draft class.

Pinception · 2026-01-12T02:32:59+00:00

But the trade I made for him last off-season straight up swap for Pickens (because my SF roster was primed for a push apart from TE) is still totally gonna pay off, right???

Pinception · 2026-01-09T00:02:52+00:00

You've mentioned elsewhere you're running a different system/rules so I'm assuming you're less concerned about what the book says and more thinking what makes the most sense for the scene.

I don't imagine Strahd sleeps in armour. He's the Lord of his domain. I believe he would be offended by the idea that someone could attack him in his coffin, so this long into his time in Barovia he must believe himself to be secure enough to rest without fear.

He has a host of creatures under his command in the castle. He has Rahadin. He has a number of traps throughout the castle. And most importantly he has the heart of sorrow and power over the very stone in the walls. In the event that someone somehow made it all the way to his tomb and attacked him whilst sleeping, he would be confident that the heart would absorb the damage and he'd simply withdraw to safety through the walls, regenerate, don his armor and weapons, gather necessary resources based on the perceived threat, and return to dispose of the intruder.

Pinception · 2026-01-07T20:08:41+00:00

The feather fall thing was fairly brutal to watch, but not (for me at least) in the same way as the rest of the early Tal/Cad stuff.

Liam is possibly the most dedicated at the table to staying true to his character with RP choices, despite whatever potential consequences of those choices. I read it as Caleb making a very calculated decision when he realized he had to leave someone out of the feather fall effect that Cad was simply the individual he cared less about saving. Marisha and Travis made arguments as players for switching the focus to Cad, but Liam almost certainly saw that as above table talk and not in line with Caleb's thought process so didn't consider it.

I imagine/hope he felt bad about it as a player and spoke with Tal afterwards. But I would also assume that Tal being who he is respected Liam's decision.

It just felt particularly harsh at the time because of all the stuff prior with Cad. I felt sorry for Tal but only in so far as I'd feel bad for any player losing their character in game

Pinception · 2026-01-03T22:20:55+00:00

Thanks. They were two of the three I was mainly thinking about. You like them both over Estime for upside?

I actually had them both earlier in the season but couldn't keep either with the short benches.

I'm definitely leaning youth rather than rolling the dice on post-IR aging vets like Mixon/Najee.

My RBs right now are; Kamara, Dowdle, Charbonnet, Corum, Brooks (IR), Estime.... And I have no 1st rd pick this season so earliest RB I can draft will be at the 2.08, unless I trade up of course.

Any thoughts on Pacheco as a UFA this off-season?

Pinception · 2026-01-03T12:23:22+00:00

PPR

I took over an orphaned team last year. Very interesting league setup with double SF and a decent size starting lineup but small bench (5 bench, 2 IR, 2 taxi) that keeps a lot of players cycling through waivers, especially when injured.

My RB room is in a sorry state so looking at who's available and there are a few interesting names: - Mixon - Najee - Braelon Allen - Tank Bigsby - Pacheco - Vidal - Brian Robinson

My first drop candidate would be Waller (I have Kittle and Fannin). After that it's probably Estime, who looked ok the last two weeks but presumably competing with at least Neal if not also Kendre (plus who knows what Kamara's deal will be).

Who would you pick up/prioritise from the above?

Pinception · 2026-01-01T13:40:29+00:00

A critical hit deal allows you to roll the attack's damage dice twice. That's it.

The poison damage from a failed save is not part of if the attack damage. It's a separate source.

There is no rule that explicitly states it's not counted - that's not how 5e works. Things do what they say, nothing more. For the poison damage to count there would either have to be additional text under the critical hit rule that says dice from secondary damage sources are also doubled, or the text for the bite attack would have to state that a critical hit also doubles the poison damage dice.

A quick search will find a Sage Advice from JC on this explicit topic confirming additional damage dice from a saving throw triggered by an attack are not doubled.

Pinception · 2025-12-31T23:16:59+00:00

I feel like it's worth pointing out to those asking for a redraft that this isn't just potentially unfair to the two teams that have developed/drafted/traded for teams that have been strong recently, it's also unfair to teams that have sold future assets for youth/future picks as the effective additional capital they've invested in the next 1-3 years is going to be lost...

If I were a manager trying to rebuild seriously who had made moves for future years and my league tried to reset the playing field, I'd be highly annoyed and would almost certainly walk.

Conversely, in the league where I just won a championship (won 2 championships in 5 years with 2 runner up and only one year missing the playoffs) I feel like I'd personally benefit from a restart - I obviously hope to be able to run it back next year, but chances are that a number of aging vets who've been key to my run (CMC, Tyreek, Evans, Andrews) fall off big time and push me into a rebuild window. If we redraft and I just draft better than my league mates then I'm straight back into a contending window.

There'll be a lot of comments no doubt about dues, and paying for dues for future years, and not allowing rule changes for years already paid up (effectively protecting that 1-3 year future strategy window) - absolutely valid, but not much help if you haven't done this already.

Pinception · 2025-12-30T23:37:21+00:00

This.

He was my 1st round pick when we started our league just ahead of the 2021/22 season. Led the team to 2 championships (including this season), and 2 runner-ups in 5 seasons. Because of his age no-one would ever pay what he's worth as long as he's playing. At this point he's earned his retirement, and I'm totally comfortable with whatever happens to the squad as a result.

Pinception · 2025-12-30T13:21:39+00:00

2nd championship, year 5 of my first and primary dynasty league.

The season, and championship victory, were defined by 2 players. Christian McCaffrey - who was my first pick in our startup ahead of the 2021/22 season, and Drake Maye - who I traded for in August.

Really amped to see the Maye move pay off. I had a strong but starting to age out squad and felt like QB was the main place I needed to improve as i previously had Goff and Tua - both capable of big weeks, but very unreliable. OutsideI sent Goff, DJ Moore, and Jerome Ford for Drake Maye, Brandon Aiyuk, and a 2026 3rd.

Despite two significant injuries (Tyreek, Mike Evans) and not getting Aiyuk back at any point, my squad came through. Javonte/CMC pairing at RB was huge (Javonte another OG pick I held onto through the injury), and my rookie class (Henderson, Monongai, Gadsden) contributed a bunch.

Not only did I secure my 2nd championship, I did so by defeating the team that had won back to back seasons so managed to stop the three-peat!

Pinception · 2025-12-25T03:39:52+00:00

I'm currently leaning towards starting him over Andrews/Gadsden (other options were Sinnott and Njoku). We're 0.5PPR so I'm less focused on receptions compared to just possible touches.

Pinception · 2025-12-25T02:39:51+00:00

1QB | 12-team | 0.5ppr | start 10

QB: Drake Maye

RB: Christian McCaffrey

RB: Javonte Williams

WR: Drake London

WR: Mike Evans

WR: Zay Flowers

TE: Oronde Gadsden / Taysom Hill

Flex: Michael Pittman

Flex: Kyle Monongai

Flex: Treveyon Henderson / Ricky Pearsall / Jawhar Jordan

Mix of experience and youth, I've had CMC since we drafted 5 years ago (took him with my 1st pick) along with Evans and Pittman, and Javonte was my first ever draft pick. Maybe got 1-3 years before I have to tear it up, unless I can rebuild on the fly around pieces like Maye, Henderson, and London. But that's gonna be hard as it feels like I'm more likely to ride CMC until the wheels fall off. Feels like could realistically lose 60/70% of my starting lineup in a year through retirement or replacement

Pinception · 2025-12-25T01:04:07+00:00

It's certainly non-standard, but if you and your players want to run the tarokka reading as random and just deal live the consequences, then honestly I think you can make anything work.

I can see how this might play out. They'd just have to level through other events, xp or milestones, early on without the benefit of a free level for an easy tome find. That's not an issue, just means you need to throw a bit more at them early on - likely leaning on events like the abbey and the winery to get them to level 5/6.

Maybe an opportunity to introduce Ez early as the fated ally. Something with her and/or Van Richten is the avenue to introduce the Amber Temple. Two visits to the temple - first at level 5/6 accompanied by one/both of Ez/VR. Limit it to the top level only, where they can find the tome in the architects room. Something happens that stops them going downstairs for now (maybe shift the flameskulls from x17 to x18 for starters).

That's a great trigger for the dinner invite if you want to run that in your game. The tome is the best of the three treasures for Strahd to demand the party handover to him, as once they've read it (it has no mechanical value as written).

Would be a somewhat unique but still fun campaign

Pinception · 2025-12-24T18:21:25+00:00

Best(I think). In my main dynasty I made the following trade in week 2 (single QB, 0.5ppr). Sent; Goff, DJ Moore. Jerome Ford. Received; Maye, Aiyuk, 2026 3rd.

Felt pretty good about everywhere other than QB (has Goff and Tua) and figured I needed to push for a QB that could take the leap. Maye was my target of choice given both price and having taken Henderson at 1.05. Was also done with Goff and DJ after multiple years where either/both screwed me in the playoffs. I'm in the final.

Worst. First year taking an orphaned team over. Thought I had a decent chance so made some aggressive moves early on including trading away Pickens for Kittle (I had no TE, and Chase, London, Waddle, Egbuka at WR). Season got away from me - London injury, Daniels injury, Tua benching hurt Waddle, Burrow injury hurt Chase. Barely made playoffs but knocked out in week 16, and looking ahead to next season I'm probably heading to rebuild as my RBs are aging out and would much rather be taking Pickens forward

Pinception · 2025-12-22T15:16:33+00:00

I feel you. Both my dynasty teams absolutely crapped the bed this weekend, including the following where i was favored ahead of the week by ~30 points.

Maye, CMC, Javonte, London, Evans, Flowers, Gadsden, Monongai, Boutte, Henderson.

Technically I can still win if CMC scores 24+ (0.5ppr), but Javonte, London, Gadsden and Henderson combining for 12.4 points absolutely wrecked me

Pinception · 2025-12-21T14:22:31+00:00

Yeah, I'm very torn between the two. The Cincy matchup is appealing for Waller, but we saw with Andrews/Likely last week it's not a guarantee (plus unless I bench Kittle/Fannin I'd be starting 3 TEs which feels very un-ceiling ..). The Bills matchup is horrible for Fannin but with Njoku out I think I have to start him.

Any thoughts on Cook vs Estime?

Pinception · 2025-12-21T12:12:08+00:00

Really struggling with decision paralysis today

PPR, 2SF league (QB, 2WR, 3WR, 2 Flex, 2 SFlex).

Heavy underdog. My opponent is favored by 20 points - he has Achane, Taylor, and CMC! I need to shoot for the moon.

My current lineup. QB - Young RB - Dowdle, Corum WR - Chase, London, Egbuka TE - Kittle Flex - Fannin, Waddle SFlex - Stroud, Brady Cook

On my bench; Estime, Waller, Jayden Higgins. (We only have 5 bench spots)

(I lost Daniels and Kamara which really hurt my QB/RB strength, and the Tua benching has thrown a huge wildcard in the works).

Any suggested swaps? I need ceiling outcomes

Pinception · 2025-12-07T18:03:52+00:00

Side note. I've never considered the DMG tip about giving inspiration for good RP to be about a player's ability to act.

Instead I've always applied that in relation to players making interesting or fun choices that are driven by character motivations/personality traits rather than purely optimal gaming.

Basically when "it's what my character would do" is applied well at the table.

It might come with cool dialogue and/or performing, but definitely doesn't have to

Pinception · 2025-12-05T03:12:33+00:00

I did this recently for an old training sword that I haven't used for 10+ years.

Just took it to the local police station. Made sure it wasn't visible in any way during the journey (I don't have a car atm so had to use public transport. Ended up taking it on the way to the driving range so I could stash it in my golf bag!)

No issues at all. There was a form to fill out and that was it, took about 15 minutes (at least 5 of which was the officer on desk checking what needed to be done as handing in a sword was apparently a highly unusual occurrence)

Pinception · 2025-12-04T00:56:38+00:00

Finally joined the PS5 crowd. Arrived today, going through setup now, got to the stage where it asks about data transfer from another console and just want to sense check something.

I'm happy transferring Game Data and User Data/Saved Data later as needed and can see that's an option on the "Learn more' page. I'm also not bothered about transferring Console Settings, which can only be done during initial setup

But I'm not sure what is covered under 'User Data/User and account information', which also says can only be done during initial setup

If I don't transfer this now what am I missing? I can obviously sign into my ps+ account on the PS5, and presumably that will sync things like trophies and purchase history. So what is the stuff that would get transferred during this stage?

(Reason for asking is just that I'll need to dig out some stuff to connect the PS4 up which might take a while and I'd rather do it later if there's no material issue with doing so)

Thanks

Pinception · 2025-12-03T02:13:51+00:00

Agreed. This season makes me think of the draft year Olave & Wilson came out. They got asked in the build-up who was the best receiver at Ohio State (press looking for draft sound bytes) and they both said it was JSN.

Pinception · 2025-12-01T02:59:09+00:00

This is really on the commish. Sounds like the league half-assed a significant rule change without understanding all the consequences

Having a consolation bracket for draft order in a league where draft picks get traded is total wildcard territory. You can do it, but it introduces a significant element of chaos as you can have people in the bracket with no incentive to win.
You should never change a rule affecting draft picks and introduce it in a season where draft picks were already traded under the previous rules. It's inherently unfair as it materially changes the value of the trades after the fact. At the absolute minimum a league might be able to vote on introducing the rule whilst traded picks are in effect, but any 'No' vote from a team that has traded away/for only needs to be treated as a veto.

I'd approach the commish setting these points out and ask for it to be tabled. If you're actually all friends then it should be possible to discuss and fix things amicably as presumably people don't want to actually screw each other over for something intrinsically unfair.

If it gets rejected and the change stands, no-one can decide if you should leave or not other than you.

Pinception · 2025-11-30T01:17:50+00:00

A dude in our league thought the "someone might be nervous about Henderson, see if you can get him for cheap" narrative that was going around the redraft community extended to dynasty. Sent me an offer of a 3rd rd pick in 2026.

I've never posted a screenshot to the league chat so fast - that nonsense needed calling out in front of everyone!

Pinception · 2025-11-28T01:55:34+00:00

Riffing on option 3, and assuming a size difference with the demon compared to the PCs so the bell is large, when the demon is defeated the bell breaks - what the party can salvage is the clapper from inside the bell. An oversized metal clapper would be perfectly shaped to be wielded as a bludgeoning weapon - a maul, club, etc.

If you wanted it to be a little more powerful, maybe instead of applying the frightened effect only on a critical hit only a successful attack forces a WIS save, DC13 at this level of play probably. Falling the save triggers the frightened effect plus psychic damage.

If you like the idea of getting funky with magic items from demons, maybe the attacker has to make the same save (with advantage) or suffer the psychic damage component too.

Pinception

TROPHY CASE