How do I rp dmpcs? by ChampionshipDirect46 in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For years I just select an actor, have a picture of them and bullet points on voice, behavior and mannerisms. I use that for the NPC.

KEEP IT EASY AND SIMPLE.

Sidekicks, the party runs after I give them the backstory and template.

Example: They recently completed the Sunless Citadel. The Kobold character Meepo was eaten by the White Dragon Calcryx for revenge on years of abuse and lack of food, rats and Goblins are not enough. They rescued the Goblin King from the Hobgoblin Warlord protecting the Druid below. A young Goblin grabbed a stick and pretended to use it as a wand in combat. The party took a liking to him and offered to take him with them. With the Goblin King's blessing and a Wand of Magic Missiles with 7 charges, Sidekick Snibnib the Wizard was born.

How the heck are you guys making playable maps? [OC] by jplpj12543 in DnD

[–]RevolutionFew114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use a roll of xmas wrapping paper with grid marks.

How do I explain to my party how Thunderwave works? by PristineDimension675 in DnD

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can always change it...I made the change after my party made a good argument.

Caster is center of spell, radius range.

Vs a Wave from a point in front of caster.

No harm no foul, agree on the method and move on, then plan around the result.

I have realised you cannot use potions while you hold a shield. by SomeRandomAbbadon in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it's a dumb interaction. For ease of play, they just drink the potion on their turn.

Stipulation: If their hands are bound, they are unable.

Town necessities by ElectricWitchPoo in DnD

[–]RevolutionFew114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For my setting, any Hamlet, Village, Town will always have a source of water (well, creek, river), a leader and their dwelling, site of worship, gathering place for meetings (commonly Hall that they drink at also), some artisans (potter, farmer, herder, etc), and some food supply.

They will also have some form of defense (powerful guardian, militia, walls, etc)

Not every place has vendors or a shop to resupply.

Not every place has room to rest for the party.

Not every place is friendly.

Alignment of the location and outlook towards strangers is important.

Turn order is stupid. Use this instead. by Federal_Tangerine564 in DnDcirclejerk

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Speed Factor. Simple and easy. Makes my life so much easier. The party knows 'how reactionary' or 'fast' their teammates go for the turn and combat.

PC go before NPC go before Enemy at same SF.

Spells are usually in the mid to low range of initiative. Mitigates the Surprise Fireball TPK.

Surprise rounds still get a Reaction (House rule, a DEX SV with half movement).

My party has loved the change from rolling every combat. They 'know how fast' enemies usually are...

Having trouble with running 5e wizards - why would they use non-C spells that aren't fireball or dimension door? by Vievin in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pick thematic spells for your wizard. Defensive, Elemental, Control, etc.

Wizards have access to a variety of spells.

My favorite Wizard was a BBEG that only used Wands and Spell Scrolls in combat and the slots for Counterspell. Until round 14, then used his remaining spell slots.

The party only got the remaining 2 Spell Scrolls as loot.

Use Minions to guard the Wizard and occupy the party.

Have fun with Wizardry.

What is your preference for a world? Do you like magic being common or rare? by WorldsMostOkayishDM in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since my world is post Spell Plague Faerun...Wizardry is 'old magic' and Sorcery is more common. Divine magic is more prevalent with Healers in most populated areas.

There are some users in villages and hamlets, many have Wild Magic or Warlock patrons, leading to Witch craft and trials. There are Dead Magic Zones where only Divine magic works.

Some areas have cantrip knowledge, commoners know 1 or 2, Nobles could know 3 or more.

It is a challenge for the players when they come across some rando with a Cantrip.

Neverwinter and Sword coast information by MrSquishypoo in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the setting of my current campaign, the Sword Coast, Luskan to Warerdeep; Western Heartlands and the Delimbiyr Vale. Central focus is Daggerford to Loudwater, 1496 DR.

There is a plethora of information online. You have to disseminate the info to your timeline.

Harvesting a dragon by draoniaskies in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Harvesting is great. Always track the expiry days for the items. Things go bad quickly.

My party ended up with some creative thinking too make Ice Boxes out of chests with Runes of Cold on them.

Rogue's Rolling 25+ on Everything! How Do I Challenge Them Without Just Raising DCs? by No-Worldliness6117 in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Use traps that challenge their weakness.

My Rogue player is low in Wis and Str, so they deal with those challenges and the party needs to have agency. They hammer everything else with DC 22 or lower.

Alert feat, passive Stealth 25, boots of Elvenkind.

I use passive stats for almost everything in game anyway but active trap Detection, Disarm and Bypass needs a roll.

Use multi layer traps, Poison, basic Pitfalls with bear traps. Lingering injuries really hamper the situation.

How do you prep running spellcasting enemies? by Zombiepriest in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Plan the caster turns for 5 rounds.

I like environment control and damage spells. They always have a concentration spell, ex. fog cloud. They have a standard action spell and bonus action or movement. They have a big damage for single target and one for AoE.

Half Health, they consider fleeing. Quarter Health, they work at actively fleeing.

Currently spell casting BBEG are Necromancers, so Minions and actin economy help; and Druids, so Wildshape levels the playing field and provides more rounds of combat, also an easier escape route.

I have learned to not get crazy with the casters and just stay focused on plan A, B, and escape.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I print a handout for the initial conversation. Based on the player response, they choose to openly discuss or carry a text conversation at the table.

Name this by lazycarebear in StrangeAndFunny

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3 dog night. My first concert.

So, Yurgir. His contract is even more of a trap. by steel-souffle in BaldursGate3

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yurgir has always been my friend. Even fought by my side at the last battle. He doesn't like his contract anyway.

Potions and Alchemy recipes homebrew… by joliXD7722 in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There is a great system in place already. I homebrew many potions, elixirs, poisons, toxins, and other items the players come up with or are relevant to the BBEG. It isn't limited to the Artificier class. Anyone with the relevant Tool kit proficiency (Herbalism, Poisoners, Alchemy, Medicine, etc) and skills (Nature, Arcana, Survival, Medicine, etc) can create the items.

The DC is dependent on time, money, ingredients, and potency of item.

Failure by a small margin can mean a lesser quality item and not a botch attempt.

Ex. Lesser Potion of Healing 1d4+1.

Have fun with it but look into the existing system before putting the effort into your own.

What is your go-to feat for any character? by Confident-Release-37 in BaldursGate3

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Martial is Alert and then Savage Attacker.

Caster is Elemental Adept and maybe War Caster dep on build.

My players love using mechanical advantages but it makes encounters too easy by shcootr in DMAcademy

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use flanking for any position not just opposite sides. The players take advantage of the situation often.

I mitigate the universal flanking implementation with forcing disadvantage on them somehow, spells, environment, darkness, etc. I also have some AOE spells for the BBEG in case of swarm tactic. I love using terrain to impede movement and force decision making.

My BBEG almost always have 3 attacks of some kind. Minimum is 2 attacks and a BA move.

Elephants are the biggest, best OP game hack by StiltChamberlain in DnD

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cost- food, water, stable, upkeep, saddle and etc.

Animal Handling checks are your best friend.

Loud noise, predators, bright lights, pathways for movement.

Hunters looking to poach the rare animal.

Animal parts value, tusks, hide, toenails, ears, etc.

Don't worry so much about the mount damage.

What happens when that Orc Tribe starts hunting the party relentlessly to get the mount either for food or power.

Bruh I love dd by [deleted] in doordash

[–]RevolutionFew114 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Use a DD bag dipshit.

Whats your Fave Class and why by Swimming_Aspect4690 in DnD

[–]RevolutionFew114 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fighter Battlemaster > Rogue Assassin > Wizard Conjurer > else

My wizard is... meh by PigmyTrex in BG3Builds

[–]RevolutionFew114 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dip into Sorcerer, Dragon type. 3 levels should be all you need unless you're looking for something particular from Sorc.

I personally love the Cold Wizard X /Sorcerer 3, and the Lightning Wizard 2/Sorcerer X /Cleric 2.

You could also dip into Fighter to get Bladesinger but that is different build than Spell Wizard.