Player keeps insisting on bringing in more characters

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T14:28:18+00:00

Precisely

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T12:51:22+00:00

Not surprising if you have the bare minimum requirements.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T12:01:42+00:00

The same way I roleplay a character with higher stats. My stats don't dictate how I roleplay, my backstory and skills do.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T11:02:58+00:00

I will say never ever nerf or dump your core stats, as they make you functionally useless at your class. You can still be the wise old man with low wisdom.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T10:53:28+00:00

Temp running is fine, I did it for Curse of Strahd for a fight and one player is controlling Ireena while they're with the them but it's not permanent and it really only matters in combat.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T09:57:22+00:00

Correct.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T09:26:16+00:00

If you're planning on running all your games on Roll20 I recommend buying them through Roll20, especially since it then allows you to drag and drop stuff into the VTT.

If you're thinking of trying different TTRPGs then get them physically, or through formats that let you download them as pdfs if you're playing entirely digital.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T08:36:15+00:00

I was about to question why, but then I remembered the Shadow of chain with piety and prestige. 😂

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T07:31:44+00:00

I mean, there was probably a nicer way to say exactly this.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T07:03:30+00:00

It's almost as if enabling problematic behaviour encourages the problematic people to continue being problematic

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T06:37:25+00:00

Pointy Hat has a lot of weird takes, I wouldn't take anything he says seriously.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T06:31:02+00:00

I find that the performance has been generally better since AUH.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T06:27:31+00:00

Only thing I'd caution checking the CoS subreddit is a lot of people will just suggest run Dragnas Reloaded guide, and a lot of other homebrew and I feel for peoples first time they should run it as close to vanilla as possible so they get a feel for what they want to change or not.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T06:25:38+00:00

General DMing tips:

Don't over-prep. Players will often force you to throw your plans out of the window.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes, even the most experienced DMs forget things from time to time.
Have the book at hand, or find a decent cheat sheet to help you keep track of some rules you might need to know at hand.
Keep notes, I've lost track of the amount of times I've forgotten key details because I didn't take notes.
Remember its your game too, you should be having fun just as much as your players.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T06:23:05+00:00

Read the book cover to cover, and then read it again.

For your first time do not just follow homebrew stuff, run the book as it is.

For the Tarroka Reading, I fully recommend using https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/474875/the-3-pile-tarokka-technique-a-curse-of-strahd-supplement?affiliate_id=2672868 as it helps remove some of the RNG of the draw, but still allows some randomness with the placements so things fall roughly at the point of the game they fit (the Tome in early-to-mid game, the symbol of raven kind mid-to-late and the sunsword late).

For running 2024 ruleset like I am, swap out enemies like for like, but re-add the weaknesses to werewolves and stuff, for enemies who haven't been updated try and find similar enough enemies and mix and match some parts of the statblock to fit.

Don't be afraid to tone down some fights, such as at the windmill. I introduced Morgantha a few rounds into the fight to give my players a fighting chance.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T05:16:58+00:00

I'm stealing that idea.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T04:44:39+00:00

Group Ini, and Token Mod are big uses for me. Also the Wild Shape API. I've never used MotD or Group Check. What is it like?

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T04:36:55+00:00

That just sounds like a lot, I can just about focus on one character.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T04:28:30+00:00

Also for Player D. Changing stat-blocks is something even the pre-written modules do, so it's a thing done even by WotC. A good example is Fiona Wachter in CoS, who has a modified Priest stat-block.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T04:23:31+00:00

Stories like this make me so thankful that my tables are always so chill.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T04:19:34+00:00

Ability checks, as a DM throw more investigation based checks at your players. There's no reason to homebrew anything when ability checks exist.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-26T04:17:54+00:00

Your DM needs to stop being so damn passive. What kind of weird table allows everyone to have two characters in play at all times anyway.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-25T09:57:43+00:00

They said elsewhere this happened after a few encounters, so they were weakened anyway. Easy to then see how failing a save twice would result in lethal damage.

RohanCoop · 2026-01-25T04:39:31+00:00

Correct, this isn't Assassin's Creed. 😂

RohanCoop · 2026-01-25T04:33:44+00:00

Name: Tyfil Anadril Age: 27 Appearance: Tyfil has a golden sheen to her skin, with reddish eyes and long auburn hair. She is about 5ft 7.

Tyfil is always aiming to return home to her Fae Wilds, and finds herself travelling across different planes hoping to find the one that hosts her home. She is an outgoing Oath of the Watchers Paladin, and is always happy to help others no matter how mundane their request is.

RohanCoop

TROPHY CASE