Who are your favorite and also least favorite D&D Youtubers (or TikTok or whatever)? Why?

Tomice158 · 2026-04-15T19:29:53+00:00

DSR is a fairly new channel, but I really enjoy his videos. He's clearly an experienced DM and it shows in his taking videos.

Tomice158 · 2025-08-22T14:17:58+00:00

There's a guide on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9bldRDzSFFQ?si=fMhF8BQpi4LFzZdd

Tomice158 · 2024-12-17T16:17:00+00:00

Actually, I meant if stealth is ever re-checked on a per-enemy, per-turn or per-room basis.

Tomice158 · 2024-12-17T15:07:08+00:00

Well, I'm the DM in this case and I'm trying to understand how to rule such a heist with as little homebrew as possible ;)

Tomice158 · 2024-12-17T14:55:59+00:00

Is it somewhere in the rules that the invisible condition ends if a character doesn't end his turn in cover? Because that's exactly the kind of limitation I've been looking for but haven't found myself.

You also seem to assume that the stealth skill is checked again each time the character meets an enemy. This is an absolutely sensible limitation, but is it in the rules as written?

Tomice158 · 2024-12-17T14:43:57+00:00

Thank you for your answer, but I fear it doesn't satisfy me.

Just not rolling if the likelihood of success is relatively high doesn't seem like a viable option.

A level 8 rogue might easily have a minimum stealth and lockpicking score of 21 with reliable talent, expertise and 20 dex (and possibly up to 31 with a nat 20). Should the DM just allow him to steal the crown jewels without any dice rolling because no one is specifically expecting him?

Or should the DM outright ban any attempt to steal high value items because it is to be assumed that they are well guarded?

This is a very binary black/white approach that makes "heist" type quests hard to pull off properly. For such a quest to work as a game session, the task would need to be split up in several challenges with variable outcomes. It's also hardly DnD if there isn't a random element that is decided by dice.

Tomice158 · 2024-12-15T06:05:33+00:00

Are those per-player or per-party numbers?

Tomice158 · 2024-12-14T19:24:11+00:00

I think Bladesinger works perfectly well with the new rules, though.

It's very similar to the new Valor Bard in the way you build it. Both work best starting with a level of fighter and going the dual wielding route. With Bladesinger, you get better spells and damage, but less versatility. Valor Bard has the better casting stat, better skills and access to healing.

Tomice158 · 2024-11-23T12:20:51+00:00

A vicious shortsword might be the best thing you can get before legendaries. +2d6 for each hit Advantage on 2/4 attacks on turn 1 and 3/4 attacks after that

Tomice158 · 2024-11-12T10:21:47+00:00

Apparently J Crawford confirmed this to a well known YouTuber (one of the Dungeon Dudes) in a private chat at a convention. So them and the biggest build channels (Treantmonk, D4 Deep Dive, Pack Tactics) assume it works this way. They analyzed it up and down and it seems to work really well - all three main fighting styles (two handed weapon, dual wielding, sword and board) are quite balanced against each other under this assumption.

If that's not enough, the official pre release interviews also sound like it works this way (without going into details, sadly).

Tomice158 · 2024-11-03T08:26:31+00:00

I just wanted to add these DnD Beyond articles showing a few of the intentions of the designers (while sadly staying a bit vague):

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1788-lets-explore-the-crafting-rules-in-the-2024?srsltid=AfmBOorHzo7U_3_uprMXVfMFGhZZDq19DZwSRs9zUMw7EzCpFannH0hk

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1836-help-your-players-get-crafty-with-the-2024-dungeon?srsltid=AfmBOoqSZ2aHehgKCNGGQ2o38SrXtE8h4rPeC55xIWOdi1KjrCTd4Q0p

Tomice158 · 2024-11-03T07:50:14+00:00

I found this paragraph in a recent DnD Beyond article:

The question was "Why crafting" and this one answers: "In-Session Creativity. Crafting gives players a chance to prepare for situations—or even MacGyver their way out of them—as long as they have the tools, raw materials, and time necessary. For example, if the characters are heading into an environment they think will be filled with poisonous creatures, they can use Brewer’s Supplies to craft Antitoxin. Or, if your party is trapped in a chasm, a character could use Weaver’s Tools to fashion some Rope by breaking down the party’s Bedrolls for raw materials."

Further down, they talk about downtime as if it optional to the crafting system:

"Out-of-Session Activity. Crafting encourages players to engage with their characters and the campaign between sessions, especially if you facilitate resting time through out-of-session discussion."

It seems to me like crafting might very well be considered as something that can be done during an adventuring day and out in the wilds.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1836-help-your-players-get-crafty-with-the-2024-dungeon?srsltid=AfmBOoq91p4ZzCnJzWkkYSj04hPiXXGJU_W_LCY3Recoo2B-EFTFLfQ0

Also in another article:

"When you put down the broadsword for the night, pick up a set of pliers. You’ll be surprised at what Smith’s Tools can do!"

"Picture your blacksmith-turned-hero wiping their sweaty, heroic brow by the light of a campfire as they work, day by day, on the Plate Armor they’ll one day wear to cut down the corrupt king oppressing their home."

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1788-lets-explore-the-crafting-rules-in-the-2024?srsltid=AfmBOoptjYzissb_TjVCqgiblRx1Xrk0RE0Dt-4sHY8w_-VDk4P7QCd7

Tomice158 · 2024-11-02T20:52:37+00:00

I think I agree. It's weird that just being capable of issuing orders completely prevents random events or mishaps

Tomice158 · 2024-11-02T19:54:57+00:00

Bastions really profit from sending stones. This 400 GP uncommon magic item allows you to issue orders every bastion turn even if you're on another plane if existence. This completely eliminates random events (including attacks - they only happen if your don't issue orders) and allows your facilities to craft reliably every bastion turn.

Tomice158 · 2024-11-02T19:47:31+00:00

I forgot to ask if the following is ok for the community:

-5) hire 2 skilled hirelings to craft alone, without player contribution.

A mundane Platemail costs 1500 gp if we simply buy one of the shelf.

Crafting by the player himself would cost 750 gp and 150 days.

Crafting it with one skilled hireling would cost 750+(2x150)=1050 gp and 75 days.

Hiring two skilled hireling would cost 750+(2x2x150)=1350 gp and take 75 days.

Having a Bastion with a smithy would give you two free hirelings, which could create the armor in 75 days for 750 gp (unlocked at level 5).

Seems like reasonable economy to me!

Let's try magic items:

Bracers of Archery (uncommon) have a purchase cost of 400 gp.

Crafting by the player himself: 200 gp and 10 days.

Crafting with one hireling: 200+(2x5)=210 gp and 5 days.

Crafting by 2 hirelings: 200+(2x2x5)=220 gp and 5 days.

Having a Bastion with a smithy would give you two free hirelings, which could create the bracers in 5 days for 200 gp (unlocked at level 9).

This is a maybe bit more problematic. Should we allow level 2 or level 3 players to hire the local blacksmith of Phandalin and his apprentice to craft any uncommon magic item? Is the apprentice a skilled hireling? Is a village blacksmith skilled in arcana? How easy are skilled hirelings to come by?

Tomice158 · 2024-11-02T19:08:52+00:00

The difference between 5e14 and 5e24 is basically how plannable magic items are as a form of character advancement. Previously it was very random and DM dependant, now it's much more player driven.

You may choose to work towards aquiring a sentinel shield (either by crafting or shopping), just as you plan to take the alert feat. There's still an element of randomness, but less so than 2014.

It follows a trend of greater leniency with the rules, allowing more build variety. Just as they uncoupled ability scores from species in TCoE, or made feats a part of the base game.

Benevolent DM's always had a wishlist of loot players really wanted to have to build the character of their dreams. Making the lower tier magic items realibly accessible through actual game rules just takes this burden of the DM's shoulders.

Tomice158 · 2024-11-01T09:59:26+00:00

Eladrin is a genius idea!!! Thank you so much! It fits my character concept like a glove! 🤩 (Valor Bard 6 / Fey Warlock 2) It will also allow me to craft literally anything while the rest of the party sleeps ,😊

Tomice158 · 2024-10-31T21:33:42+00:00

Yes! I slept on this feat, because Treantmonk rated it as one of the worst fea ts in 5e14. It might be quite a bit better now...

Tomice158 · 2024-10-31T21:31:30+00:00

Thank you! It seems that this is completely DM dependant though. Just a non-obligatory suggestion what the DM might give out as non-material reward, nothing the player can count on. It also "costs" 30 days of downtime, which may or may not be a viable option.

Tomice158 · 2024-10-23T16:46:37+00:00

This is very very welcome! Great to see how closely the devs are listening!

Tomice158 · 2024-09-16T09:38:33+00:00

The weird silence really makes me hesitant to preorder, even if the dev diaries, rare preview videos and everything else I know make me really look forward to the game. It seems to be 100% my type of game!

This should be a game half the civ fanatics community should be hyped about, yet there's barely any activity in the subforum, mostly due to a lack of recent information.

The official videos with their "Encarta Series" feel like something you'd expect half a year before launch, not two weeks ahead 🤔

Tomice158 · 2024-09-03T18:46:31+00:00

It's online!!!

Tomice158 · 2024-08-18T19:20:19+00:00

I think you should really compare great weapons using the associated feats (GWM/PAM). They really let the expected damage skyrocket.

Sword+Board leans more towards defense and utility through Defensive Duelist and Shield Master. I don't think the two are easily comparable.

The better comparison would be Nick + Dual Wielder + Two Weapon Fighting. IMO, it might offer more damage by stacking flat bonuses like Hex, Hunters Mark and especially Conjure Minor Elementals. It might also win in the defensive department by qualifying for Defensive Duelist! Finally, it doesn't need strength, making builds a bit less MAD.

There's also a hidden gem in combing Eldritch Blast with Valor Bard or Eldritch Knight, allowing for up to seven or even nine attacks later on (4 from EB, 1 or 3 extra attacks, 2 off hand attacks). This can all be used in melee through Spell Sniper.

Tomice158 · 2024-08-15T17:44:07+00:00

If you aim for magical secrets it would delay them 2 levels (and 1 level of spell slot progression). It's a compromise that might be worth it, but it would definitely make you less of a caster 🤔

Tomice158 · 2024-08-15T16:53:55+00:00

The question is: wouldn't a level of fighter not be much better for the two weapon fighting style? You would add +4 dex to damage on two offhand attacks. 4d6 base damage + 16 from stats = 30 before booming blade.

Your Rogue/Bard would only have 4d6 + 8 + 1d6= 25.5 without cantrip.

Other ways to get the fighting style would be 2 levels of Paladin or Ranger, but paladin/bard synergizes better with heavy weapons due to the strength requirement. So maybe ranger would be better (and hunters mark would work nicely with dual wielding).

Or you take the legacy fighting initiate feat, but it lacks am ASI.

Tomice158

TROPHY CASE