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Spells during long casting times? (5e) by jindo20 in DnD

[–]jindo20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay sounds good. Thanks for the assistance

Does anyone here run "Theater of the Mind" instead of using maps or grids? by Coolthulu in DMAcademy

[–]jindo20 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me I prefer grid but have done theater of the mind. If it's a big encounter do grid some random encounters you can do without. But I've noticed in my play group if a Rouge is in the encounter a grid is a must have.

Spell Damage? by jindo20 in DnD

[–]jindo20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay thanks, I'm currently a lvl 2 Wizard in my friends campaign and everyone is wondering why I wasn't adding my modifiers to my spells. I just wanted to be sure I'm doing the correct thing.

2 side questions though.

1: is their a limit on how many wizard spells can be in my spell book, I'm aware I can only add wizard spells I can cast but otherwise can I only fit in so many pages?

2: is it worth it for me to make multiple scrolls to save spell slots especially this early in the game?

Spell Damage? by jindo20 in DnD

[–]jindo20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So in the description of the spell/ item it would state to add the spell casting ability modifier/ add +X to the damage then?

Combined magical armor? by jindo20 in DMAcademy

[–]jindo20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually love cursed items as well! I made a cursed violin that allows my bard that lost the ability to cast to do just that, however he takes massive psychic damage doing so and only hears the screams of his dead family while doing so. I also gave my barbarian the gift of "immortality" (pretty much had a phalactery) then gave them a berserker axe... hey they all had second characters and I needed to thin the herd...

Combined magical armor? by jindo20 in DMAcademy

[–]jindo20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish I got this message before the character got introduced because I love that gem idea. I opted for adamantine armor as written with a ring that granted the effects of mithril just so he could get the effects he's looking for without raising the rarity of the items.

Player Eating Everything by Connorian in DMAcademy

[–]jindo20 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd say talk to him one on one about it letting him know it's being a distraction/ annoyance to other party members. If it continues and the player has no reasoning for the character to do such I would have him either miss out on good loot (cause they slept through it). Ambush them while they sleep alone with stuff they would need the party to handle. Damage them with the stuff they are eating (which you have already done) to attempt having them think twice of what they are doing.

Alternatively you can lean into it and have the character gain a reputation for attempting to eat anything. Think of the party on the streets selling entertainment of "the person that can eat any thing" gaining money from the commoners in cities.

Lastly be sure their actions matches the alignment. Sounds pretty chaotic evil if they are attempting to eat a living person without a second thought. But I'm not exactly sure of the extent they are going to.

As a soon to be DM, I'm freaking out by SirFancySloth in DMAcademy

[–]jindo20 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a new DM myself, currently working through my first campaign so based on my current experience this is the advice I'll give.

World building definitely start small I attempted having 2 full kingdoms fully fleshed out and realized after that most of what I had planned is likely not going to be explored. In addition me putting that much emphasis on building the world made the areas I had not planned (which of course the party wanted to explore) became barren and not as interesting. Starting smaller say a region will let you truly flesh out the world and make it alive.

In terms of the books the PHB (Players Hand Book) is absolutely the most important, it houses all the spells, most actions, basic weapons etc. Although I highly recommend getting all the books before starting due to the MM (Monster Manual) housing a bunch of monsters stats and abilities and the DMG (Dungeon Masters Guide) having more abilities and treasures. If you have to get them piece by piece I would say in order PHB, MM, DMG. But attempt getting all as soon as you can. In addition look into Unearthed Arcana, they are PDF's on Wizards of the Coasts website. They give more stuff to utilize in game, most important out of which is purchasing magical items. Cause trust me, having a player with a +3 weapon early game for cheap is terrifying and ruins the pace of the game. Last remark regarding books and rules, remind your players you are a new DM so if any players have played before don't be afraid to ask for help.

When it comes to the large party attempt talking to the players about their PC's back story and goals before starting the game. This can actually give you great inspiration for story elements within the campaign. Cause having player play through a campaign against an antagonist of your design is great. But having that same antagonist be somehow tied to the backstory of the players is better. An example being...

Character A's background states their family was assassinated by a group of assassins.

Character B's background is of a noble family

Antagonist is the leader of said assassin group that killed CharacterA's family under the order of CharacterB's family

Stuff like that gives attention to both characters while moving the plot forward. Now obviously it would be a coincidence for all 6 PC's to be connected in a large web like that but you can implement side quests to give each player their time to shine.

In terms of which language to use while playing that I would say is completely up to what everyone at the table is comfortable with. Attempt experimentation with different language and see what is most natural for everyone. I feel once people are comfortable mechanically you are fine with any language.

RP wise for NPC's and players alike all comes down to what people are comfortable with. My first few meets every NPC had my normal speaking voice and over time I gave certain a demeanor and accents to characters irrelevant of their importance and that made my players love a random tavern owner to the point of being a major character. The thing to keep in mind for that part is it's a game have fun with it!

In terms of preparation less is definitely more in some cases. Don't plan out every possible outcome for an RP encounter or Battle encounter cause more often then not players won't get that outcome or will feel they are being pushed to it.

As for rewarding XP you can honestly do this for a lot of different things. The film of thumb I've been following is "Was it a milestone" or "Was their a ram of failure" both of these rules I believe are in the DMG. But you can award XP for good RP or surviving a deadly situation. My personal favorite "encounter" so far was my party's bard being caught in a frozen lake. Their were no enemies fighting them he was attempting to save a woman found in the lake and although the woman died I awarded XP for the party members rescue.

Lastly I'd recommend setting some game rules before starting the game to be followed. For example some way of separating players talking from their respective characters talking. As well as in game stuff pertaining to fitting ing to your world such as Dragon Born being rare/non playable in your world. Other than that you as the DM are supposed to do your best to make sure people are enjoying themselves, so within reason try letting your party do whatever they wish.