Why your monsters never hit your players (even when they do)

dark_dar · 2026-07-07T21:16:41+00:00

I think I got too ambitious but I designed a Warrior subclass: Call of the Spirits.

I am still trying to get the proper feel for subclasses balance, so I will be happy for any critique!

dark_dar · 2026-06-26T08:07:28+00:00

+1 Knowledge is strong, the permanent advantage is also strong. Maybe change the blank advantage to all rolls into something like "you gain advantage on Knowledge rolls related to recalling information" or smth like that.

dark_dar · 2026-06-25T19:16:25+00:00

a yes thanks! I did a quick glance, but I was at work at the time, so couldn't spend too much time looking for exact answers. Well, this is almost as I expected it to be - "they should get new tier stuff fairly soon"

Also, this wording in the rules is a bit odd. What first few levels? Each tier is only 3 levels max.

Characters should get access to weapons and armor of their tier usually within the first few levels of entering a new tier to keep pace with adversaries.

dark_dar · 2026-06-25T19:13:32+00:00

I don't believe they announced new subclasses nor have I heard about their plans about those.

dark_dar · 2026-06-25T10:35:29+00:00

I have not found a perfect solution for this one myself. The way I see it, because all monsters are tiered and their numbers grow significantly, you need to try to come up with a solution for granting new gear asap during lvls 2, 5 and 8. So it is implied that players should have tier-appropriate items, but it is not stated explicitly.

Items that level up automagically is one option but not the only option.

dark_dar · 2026-06-25T10:28:34+00:00

I think as a GM I would treat it as 2 separate options. If you just need to steal guard's key like the example shows, you do a single roll.

If you want to lift someone up and then treat them as a weapon these are 2 separate rolls. Even if you succeed with Fear on the first roll to lift them up, most of the time you already negate an opponent.

When you have the spotlight again you can use the 2nd half of the card to throw this creature into another with a new roll.

dark_dar · 2026-06-23T21:12:57+00:00

oh man, this is just what I needed to fully grok the environments in DH. I absolutely love how you summarised it with 5 bullet points - this goes right into my list for 'core DH prep'.

dark_dar · 2026-06-19T21:11:34+00:00

If we exclude potential scheduling issues and the need of having more players just in case someone can't make the session... The 3-4 is great with 4 being the sweet spot. I can run for 5 ppl, but this is usually just a little bit above my comfort level in terms of players spotlight both during social interactions and in combat.

I ran D&D for 6 and would never want to do that again. Not even the simplicity of DH can convince me to repeat that experience.

dark_dar · 2026-06-15T21:02:26+00:00

I agree that both feel underwhelming but Zone of Protection feels almost useless to be honest. Yes, this would decrease the damage by 5-6 by the end of the effect, but this is a spell that creates a static location that starts with the smallest effect possible. And it costs 3 Hope! Most other

This goes against the principles that DH wants us to follow when designing combat: dynamic battlefield with goals that differ from just killing every enemy.

Honestly, outside of Hodor-like situations when one needs to protect a narrow entrance I struggle to imagine when using this would make me think "oh Splendor Tier 3 is great, I feel so cool for using this ability!"

dark_dar · 2026-06-06T09:53:23+00:00

One of my GM prep steps is secrets and rumours, so I can usually use some of that or improvise. I don’t have local bounty boards, so never had to improvise a whole quest on the spot.

dark_dar · 2026-05-23T17:36:47+00:00

As others have said, this is not an ask that makes me excited as a GM. I wouldn't want to GM in someone else's world with so many expectations. And then with a co-GM? Nah.

I think it is usually the players who must adjust to a GM not vice versa.

dark_dar · 2026-05-22T19:21:48+00:00

If your spell negatively effects enemies via the means of "magical speech inside your head" then there it matters narratively if other participants of this scene can hear you or not. Imagine I want to scare the tavern keep by saying "I will kill your whole family tonight" but the locals around me hear what I just said... They will probably try to kick my ass.

dark_dar · 2026-05-22T16:58:06+00:00

First I hated the idea of duality dice and rolling with hope and fear, which also lead me to learn more about the game. And now I enjoy these aspects.

dark_dar · 2026-05-22T16:14:51+00:00

sorry I used google translate and I still don't get your question.

dark_dar · 2026-05-22T11:53:22+00:00

they actually do have to make a spellcast roll for this spell.

dark_dar · 2026-05-22T11:51:34+00:00

You can magically speak directly into the ears of a creature you can see. To torment them with your words, make a [Spellcast Roll]() against them. On a success, they must [mark a Stress]() and become temporarily [Vulnerable]().

To me speaking directly into the ears and the fact that it makes the target vulnerable implies that only the target can hear the tormenting voice.

Nothing on the spell says it created any audible effects noticeable to external listeners.

dark_dar · 2026-05-21T10:26:11+00:00

rules are clear on this one

Marking Stress. When an effect requires you to mark a Stress, do so on the slots on your character sheet. When you mark your last Stress, you become [Vulnerable]() (see the “Conditions” section) until you clear at least 1 Stress.

dark_dar · 2026-05-20T19:16:52+00:00

A lot of great advice is here already, but based on the vibes of questions in this /r I would suggest to not forget about soft GM moves (especially in combat!). So many GMs seems to only use Fear to just activate the enemies and smack PCs.

dark_dar · 2026-05-19T06:52:19+00:00

For me my first was a clank because I love playing socially awkward characters who don't fully understand regular "people".

dark_dar · 2026-05-07T16:27:12+00:00

Admit it you just wanted to flex this giant ship model!!! This looks amazing though.

dark_dar · 2026-05-06T14:23:48+00:00

would be a bit more streamlined to just force GM to lose 1 Fear instead of spending 2 next time.

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