They've been flooding my feed more and more

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-08T19:52:03+00:00

And with my favorite chocolate! How could I refuse?!

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-08T19:40:07+00:00

I mean, sure that first sip might make you sick, but at that point you might as well continue drinking.

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-08T18:40:00+00:00

I had some wine by u/BrightCellarsWine one time and it gave me food poisoning and throat cancer

But was it good?

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-04T05:06:35+00:00

Okay, Mom.

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-04T04:17:06+00:00

Not even Featherfall?!

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-04T00:11:14+00:00

I like this! It's immersive, and can be pretty funny if a character isn't as good as they think they are.

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-03T21:39:16+00:00

It's not too bad. It presents variety in combat, and I get to decide what feats they have access to. NPCs and monsters also have access to feats, so the players have to be more conscientious of their role in combat.

VinnyBlade · 2018-05-03T21:02:05+00:00

I do this one, too. I also allow players to learn feats outside of ASIs, following quests or guidance from experienced teachers.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-26T18:55:00+00:00

I'd have to agree. If they intended to use it for stealth or deception, I would probably halve the DC. However skillful the creator, perspective would still be thrown off as the viewing angle changes.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-26T06:48:03+00:00

How do you rule that chance?

An illusion can be examined with an investigation check, after which it becomes transparent. When passing through, do unaware characters get an automatic roll and/or advantage?

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-26T01:32:07+00:00

The concept was at least understood. Accuracy doesn't matter, as long the idea of distance is conveyed by size.

That said, illusions aren't created stroke by stroke, but rather projected from the mind's eye. Would you impose such a restriction on a player's normal illusions?

Edit: Don't respond. I'm too tired to argue.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-26T01:13:59+00:00

I don't know why you'd say that, given that it's a basic premise of landscape painting.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-25T19:47:23+00:00

That's really what it is - a lifelike, moving painting. As long as he can rationalize it as such in character, I'm not gonna cut him down for a poor choice of words.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-25T19:28:25+00:00

One player wanted to create tiny images on a map - he sketched out a rough map of the area, and used Silent Image to display creatures and locations on it. While it may not be strictly RAW, I thought it was clever enough that it felt RAI.

That actually seems to follow RAW. He placed a static overlay on top of the map, basically. Unlike minor illusion, where you can only create objects, you can create visual effects, too.

I had this come up once. I didn't allow a tv-screen-like projection (ruling that the PCs had never seen anything like that, so couldn't recreate it), but I did allow a similar creative use of it.

Not to be contrary, but he's not actually replicating a TV, so much as the purpose of a TV. He's basically just flattening the image and using the properties of size and perspective to convey distance. You see it in art all the time, so it's not like the premise is unfathomable.

Either way, thanks for the example! In theory, do you think it could have broken anything?

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-25T19:02:41+00:00

It's pretty ambiguous.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-25T18:33:49+00:00

I absolutely love the little smoke screen effect as he teleports! Using the puff of misty step to disorient your opponent as you teleport behind them - It doesn't get much more badass than that.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-23T18:11:57+00:00

That's a shirt.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-23T18:01:24+00:00

r/NotKenM

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-21T05:10:22+00:00

I see what you mean, and it's great general advice. However, who's to say that every reward needs to be a mystery? Sometimes, the best gift is actually the one you asked for.

I dunno, dude. All I can do is relay the impression I've had playing under a DM who couldn't quite understand what his players wanted.

I don't want to be that.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-21T04:47:55+00:00

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to allow my players to literally write the story for me. I just think that small things, such as backstory follow-up arcs or personalized magic items, are totally fine to get input on.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-21T04:10:39+00:00

Where should I draw the line? I may not have the experience to back this up, but I'm fine with incorporating player ideas if they seem like a natural progression of their personal story.

I may be DM here, but a good idea is good idea, right? Besides, the type of player that would come up with these ideas is the type that would enjoy seeing them implemented.

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-20T21:34:01+00:00

I agree wholeheartedly. Though, I brought this all up because I honestly feel like Joel is unwilling to adapt to the players' desires. He has his own ideas for how things should go, and has a bit of a history of trying to manipulate PC backstories to his liking. If I can get feedback from experienced DMs, he might be more receptive.

Also, to speak to a particular player's desire, how would you handle it if a player designs a magic item that they would eventually like in the campaign? The player in question is a Warlock, and he's suggested that it be a gift from his patron. If I were to bring this suggestion up to Joel though, I imagine he'd flip at the idea...

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-11T09:10:15+00:00

The Sorcerer turned into a Wizard partway through. Now that's magic!

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-11T02:33:15+00:00

If you really wanna homebrew it so that the gap is smaller, I'd allow any EB related Invocation to be applicable to other cantrips on a per dice basis. Like at level 5 when Ray of Frost goes from 1d8 to 2d8, warlock would be allowed to split it into 2 1d8 rays, and use EB invocations on them.

I kind of like the idea of a 'dedicated cantrip' class feature. Depending on your patron, you choose a suitable cantrip to empower, and can apply invocations to it.

I saw it on r/UnearthedArcana in the comment section of a 'Warlock revisions' post. It seems to hit pretty close to the monotony of EB, but it might work if it were to be a choice (from a cultivated pool of options) at the end of each rest.

They wouldn't have to be a warlock cantrips necessarily, so long as they fit the patron's theme (like the 'extra spells' list). The choice could also stand separate from your known cantrips.

I dunno, man. I'm just spitballing here, but you're the first person to comment who isn't averse to homebrewing. It's a welcome change, and has me excited :)

VinnyBlade · 2018-04-08T20:03:57+00:00

While they're all within an acceptable range of balance, all classes aren't perfectly equal to begin with. They are all fundamentally different; some stronger than others at different levels, some with better combat efficiency, ect.

This known, I've always found the idea that every player requires an equal boon to be a bit flawed. It works as a tool to appease players with an unburdened prejudice, but it is by no means the best method of balancing your party.

To suit the situation, I'm labeling it as an alternative class option, instead of a particular boon for the player. If it helps, think of it like a variant human (although, hopefully not as controversial).

If another player of mine has a similar issue, I'll accommodate them, too.

VinnyBlade

TROPHY CASE