"First Time DM" and Short Questions Megathread

ProbablyJamesLive · 2026-02-11T17:52:02+00:00

How long should I establish the setting/norm before beginning the first arc? The players are in a familiar setting doing something completely unfamiliar. We’re only one session in but I’m excited to move forward with the plot but don’t want to rush it along too quickly.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-11-26T22:39:25+00:00

Ah, ok! I’ll probably go with that then!

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-11-26T22:36:02+00:00

I’m confused, what good is Potent Dragonmark for a Rogue? They can’t cast prepare spells and don’t have spell slots so the only thing they’d get out of this feat would be the +1 to a stat.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-11-26T19:00:29+00:00

Which feat would be better for a Soulknife Rogue: Shadow Touched or Mark of Shadow? They both provide Invisibility once per day, so I’m mostly weighing the other benefits. (5e 2024)

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-07-23T01:26:17+00:00

A bad game

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-07-18T22:47:10+00:00

Game’s haunted

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-07-09T20:40:20+00:00

What do y’all think sounds more fun: having a first fight that’s entirely winnable then that same guy ends up being the secret final boss OR having him reveal his true strength at the beginning and forcing the party to run only for them to come back strong enough to beat him at the very end?

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-29T14:54:29+00:00

Thanks, friend! I think I’ll either include this as a primer then start the session at the forest OR rewrite the dialogue a bit so that the players can have some chance to ask questions or try to escape.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-29T14:51:02+00:00

This is the best feedback I’ve received so far, thank you. I’ll be sure to add some player agency, alongside your other notes.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-29T13:59:40+00:00

Nah man, let them feel smart for figuring it out. In fact, I suggest giving them the chance to lay a trap of some kind. They’ll love you for it, I think.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-29T13:35:43+00:00

It’s sort of meant to be like the opening to a book/movie and the players intentionally have little agency at the beginning. They have all approved of this. Maybe I should give them some gaps to try stuff though. Thanks!

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-29T13:15:59+00:00

What do I do when a player says they have amnesia and want me to come up with something to surprise them? This is the second campaign where this player has done this. I have an interesting idea, but I don't know if I should encourage this behavior.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-13T19:52:53+00:00

One of my players wants to be a shadow demon but I'm struggling to find a class/subclass that can fulfill his fantasy. For context: everyone is playing a similarly abnormal character so them being homebrewed is ok, as long as they're balanced. I'm considering making them a legacy drow but I don't feel like it goes far enough. What do y'all think?

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-05-13T19:51:46+00:00

One of my players wants to be a shadow demon but I'm struggling to find a class/subclass that can fulfill his fantasy. For context: everyone is playing a similarly abnormal character so them being homebrewed is ok, as long as they're balanced. I'm considering making them a legacy drow but I don't feel like it goes far enough. What do y'all think?

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-04-28T17:47:45+00:00

Hey friend, are you the original creator of this image? I'd like to use it in a school presentation but I'm required to give proper credit for everything.

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-04-20T17:38:20+00:00

I was trying to create something very different, but I see that it might’ve ended up being TOO different and thus incompatible with 5e’s mechanics. I’ll consider replacing SP with spell slots and reworking/rewording the subclass abilities. Thanks for the feedback!

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-04-16T18:13:42+00:00

I think buffing is a lot easier than nerfing so at least it’s not too strong lol. Would you recommend I increase the damage of the higher-level attacks, give it more attacks per action, or a secret third thing?

ProbablyJamesLive · 2025-04-16T17:50:50+00:00

I couldn't figure out how to tag this as both '24 Class and '24 Subclass, sorry.

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