tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61476691625914077592024-02-20T22:24:36.157-05:00The Pink Dice ChroniclesChronicles of an Elder GM Running, Hacking, and Sharing Advice on TTRPGsTherisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.comBlogger539125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-59701646431380492972021-10-27T17:47:00.002-04:002021-10-27T17:47:31.270-04:00Starting Equipment for 5E Sidekicks<p>This table gives the starting gold and magic equipment for a sidekick at any level. </p><div><br /></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-d7f33d1a-7fff-5f8c-9e40-fa67cb0643af"><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="55"></col><col width="111"></col><col width="217"></col><col width="208"></col><col width="177"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Level</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Starting Gold</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expert Equipment</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spellcaster Equipment</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Warrior Equipment</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALL</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Armor, One Simple Weapon, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two Tools</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simple Weapon, An Arcane Focus OR Holy Symbol OR Instrument</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chainmail, One Simple Weapon, One Martial Weapon, One Martial Weapon or One Shield</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">25</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">70</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">90</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">110</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">130</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">165</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">195</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">220</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">300</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">450</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1000</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1750</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2750</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3625</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4500</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5000</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5500</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5875</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon, Any rare magic item</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, Any rare magic item</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon, Any rare magic item</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6250</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leather Studded Armor instead of Leather Armor, Any uncommon potion or ring, Any rare potion or ring OR uncommon weapon, Any rare magic item</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon potion, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any uncommon wand, staff, rod or instrument, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any rare wand, staff, rod or instrument, Any rare magic item</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any Armor instead of Chainmail, Any uncommon weapon, Any rare weapon, Any rare magic item</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /></span>Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-7006676703834493162020-12-28T17:24:00.002-05:002020-12-28T17:24:45.352-05:00An Analysis of Two House Rules in 5E: Disadvantage Shooting into Melee and Flanking<p> A game I am currently playing in is using a couple of houserules that Pathfinder players will be familiar with adapted to 5E. Given the nature of these rules, I wanted to investigate how much they affect play, in particular, how much they favor melee over ranged attacks vs base 5E. The rules can be summarized as follows:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>An attacker firing at a target engaged in melee combat (i.e. threatened or threatening a target with a melee weapon) has disadvantage<br /><br /></li><li>An attacker flanking a target with an ally (i.e. an ally is on the opposite side of the target) gains advantage on their attacks.</li></ul><div>These rules should not be confused with existing 5E rules:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you're using a ranged attack (Ranged Weapon like a bow, throwing a Melee Weapon with the Thrown ability, using a spell that makes a Ranged Spell Attack), if there is an enemy next to you, you have disadvantage on that attack. Certain feats or class features might negate that penalty, but by default, you the attacker are distracted and suffer disadvantage when there's an enemy next to you while making a ranged attack, whether or not that attack is targeting that close-up enemy.</li><ul><li>This rule can generally be avoided through movement.<br /><br /></li></ul><li>If you are making an attack, especially a ranged attack or one with a Reach weapon, and you're shooting/reaching past a creature/object/foliage/whatever, your target may have half, 3/4, or total cover against your attack. Half Cover will give them +2 AC, 3/4 Cover will give them +5 AC, and Total Cover will mean you can't even make an attack against them. Ultimately, the DM makes the decision of whether a creature has no cover, half, 3/4, or total... but you should generally expect that shooting through combat might give them at least Half Cover, if your DM remembers to apply the rule. </li><ul><li>Notice this rule can generally be avoided in melee combat by repositioning as a ranged attacker. </li></ul></ul><div>Let's consider a dex-based fighter with a rapier and a longbow. We will assume the target has AC 15 and that the fighter is 5th level with 18 DEX, +3 proficiency, and 2 attacks. Normally the fighter can make two attacks with the rapier or two attacks with the longbow:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>For both the rapier and the longbow, 2 attacks, +7 attack vs AC 15, 1d8+4 damage</li><li><a href="http://pinkdicechronicles.blogspot.com/2013/06/expected-damage-corrected.html">Expected damage</a>: 12.35</li><li>Generally a ranged fighter can keep out of melee range, so no disadvantage normally appears in combat.</li></ul><div>Now, let's consider with the house rules:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Assume our melee fighter can gain advantage half the time</li><li>Melee expected damage: 13.57</li><li>Assume our ranged fighter is firing into melee 40% of the time</li><li>Ranged expected damage: 10.29</li></ul><div>How big is this difference? Well, consider the ranger's hunter's mark:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>For two attacks, the expected damage from hunters mark in the normal case is 4.55.<br />The difference between the ranged fighter and the melee fighter is 3.28 or about the equivalent of 70% of hunters mark or a different equal to about a d4 difference in damage. </li></ul><div>What does this tell us?</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>These two house rules effectively favor melee over ranged attacks by about 25% in the case of an equal comparison. </li></ul><div>It should also be noted that this affects all ranged attack spells. When considering spells, this greatly reduces the power of major cantrips such as firebolt (a staple of Eldritch Knight) and Eldritch Blast, a staple of Warlock. It does not affect the rogue's sneak attack, making it more advantageous for classes like melee fighter and barbarian. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>For the warlock case, for 5th level eldritch blast is converts a 3.575 damage beam into effectively a 2.332 damage beam when the target is engaged in melee. With the conservative assumption that this happens 40% of the time, that is an overall weighted reduction to 3.077. It is the equivalent of dropping the 1d10 damage to a 1d8. </div><div><br /></div><div>The takeaway from this analysis is that if you make house rules, make sure you understand the impact you are having on the underlying system. If you start with the assumption that ranged and melee attacks are balanced in base 5E, this clearly moves the favor to melee. If you assume that melee had the advantage already, which may be the case with certain optional feats in play, it probably makes that gap a lot wider. </div><p></p>Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-19481027741634546572020-11-20T13:17:00.001-05:002020-11-20T13:17:34.900-05:00An Analysis of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything: Optional Rules, <p> Tasha's Cauldron of Everything starts off with a set of optional rules for customizing characters. These rules have drawn a lot of discussion on the internet, so I wanted to do a dedicated post just to address them For reference, we're talking about pages 7 and 8 under "Character Options" in TCoE.</p><p>As a quick summary, these rules give optional rules for:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Adjust racial ability scores, languages, proficiencies, and personalities</li><li>Making your own lineage (race)</li><li>Changing skills and subclasses after the game has started</li></ul><div>Okay, let's address the racial customizations and adjustments first, since this comes first in the text, and is, by far, the most talked about optional rule on the internet. This change adds some interesting dilemmas. In particular, once must assess whether all of the races are still balanced if you can move ability scores wherever you want them. Let's look at some specific extreme examples:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Human: +1 to everything</li><li>Variant Human: Two +1s and a feat</li><li>Mountain Dwarf: +2, +2</li><li>Satyr: +2, +1, Magic Resistance</li><li>Kobold: +2, Pack Tactics, Sunlight Sensitivity</li></ul><div>Obviously, I am leaving out a lot of detail. I am assuming you have the sources for reference and we can talk based on that. Let's boil it down to some equivalencies:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Does + 1 to everything really equal two +1s and a feat between human and variant human?</li><ul><li>The core of this equivalence is that most classes are dependent on no more than 2 ability scores for their core features. Feats often contain a +1 ability score increase in them. This seems to hold since these races are in the PHB, and there hasn't been a lot of controvery over this particular equivalency.</li><li>Note that feats are optional. Based on my own experience stacking feats breaks the CR system completely and can result in totally overpowered one-trick pony builds that make the game less fun. However, feats are a great way to customize characters and give them flavor. My compromise with feats is to organize them into 3 categories, offence, defence, and utility, and allow PCs to take no more than 1 feat in each category. This avoids feat stacking, but allows for customization.</li></ul><li>Does the +2, +2 Mountain Dwarf build have fewer other abilities to justify shoving these modifiers anywhere?</li><ul><li>The mountain dwarf gets only that +2, whereas the Hill Dwarf gets some HP. I think these two balance, since a +1 ability score can easily result in +1 hp per level.</li><li>Let's compare against elves. Elves get a useful skill proficiency and something better in the advantage on saves. High elf gets really good proficiencies, probably as good or better than dwarf. Elves are common in play, so I think this shows balance.</li><li>I have very seldom had a dwarf in my campaigns. This change will give it a slight boost, and I think that is suitable for this case.</li></ul><li>How about the Satyr magic resistance?</li><ul><li>I think the Satyr is pushing the limits. Magic resistance covers a lot of NPC abilities in the game. They get a bunch of other abilities. However, if you compare these to some of the other non-typical races, like Drow or Duegar, they are probably comparable. There are really two classes of races: normal races and monster races. Drow and duegar and satyr seem more like monster races.</li></ul><li>Is the kobold balanced? </li><ul><li>+2 is good, pack tactics is situational for combat, so I think this balances. </li><li>However, sunlight sensitivity and other "negative traits" are often the bane of the DM. Inevitably, in the first session, there will be some move by the player to counter the negative like "I wear goggles" or "I wear a veiled cloak". If the DM allows these counters to the negative to stand, then the balance is broken. Players don't like negatives, and I think balancing a system around negatives is a bad idea.</li></ul><li>Do these changes break balance?</li><ul><li>I think the answer is probably no, at least in that there is no greater imbalance that there was before. Each DM should probably be assessing their own comfort level with balance for the style of game their running. For example, in one of my current games, it is strictly RAW and a very limited set of very balanced races. I even added race / class combo restrictions to fit the setting. That works in that game. In my other game, I have opened up the races to be basically anything, and that works in that game, because balance isn't really a big consideration.</li></ul></ul><div>The rules for making your own lineage / race, seem to be balanced with normal races (not monster races), although somewhat boring. They are balanced. I think if the DM allows them, they probably need to add some structure. My hope would be eventually we get a race builder section in a future supplement. That would be good, especially if they could release it with a summoner class that has a build-your-own eidolon feature. That might not fit, however, with the simplistic design of 5E. We'll see. i do like the Summon spells approach that I talked about in my last post.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Changing skills seems like a logical ruling. However, I think the GM needs to balance this by placing a limit on how often. I don't want a character customizing their skills every single time the story changes location and circumstance. Tying it to level up help some, but that may also be a point with milestone leveling when they know what the next location will be. I think this rule needs to be replaced by a higher level rule: don't force players to play characters they don't like.</div><div><br /></div><div>Changing your subclass generates similar discussions from my perspective. However, I love that they include story-driven changes as a reason, and as a DM, I totally support that. If the story dictates a change that the player wants to make, I think that is a great reason and time to change.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, I think they are missing a rule I add to my games. Every players has until the start of their third session to make character changes. This gives them a chance to adjust their character to the style of play of the group and DM. This lets players take risks in building their character that they might not normally take with an option to change it if it doesn't work out as expected. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are my overall conclusions:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>These rules are fine and balanced because ultimately a +2 is very small compared to a d20.</li><li>The DM still needs to choose whether to allow some of the traditional monster races in their games or not. Some of these monster races released are more powerful than the normal races.</li><li>These rules will probably encourage a wider variety of races in play with a wider variety of classes, which makes the game more interesting for everyone.</li><li>The rules for changing are good. Be careful how often you let a player change.</li><li>Don't force a player to play a character they don't like. </li><li>Do what makes sense for the story. </li></ul><div>So how will I apply these to my games? In my game where I opened it up to all the races, I will allow the optional race rules. I will probably not allow the rules for changing things in my games at this time, but I will keep an eye out for allowing changes to be made when story drive or when the player is unhappy. These provide a framework for that. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-14733752177172528032020-11-19T12:45:00.000-05:002020-11-19T12:45:44.053-05:00An Analysis of Tasha's Caldron of Everything: Spells<p> I am going to be evaluating "Tasha's Cauldron of Everything" for incorporation into my own games. I figured I would go ahead and record this analysis on my blog here so other folks can follow along and glean some useful information from the time I spent. I tried to find an in-depth analysis elsewhere, but at this time none so detailed as this seems to be available. You will not find any of the text in its entirety in this blog. I will be referencing the first printing of the book, so please refer to that as you read along. There are no released errata for the book at the time of writing, although there are errata from other books that affect some of this content.</p><p>There are 21 spells in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. This includes Booming Blade, Green-Flame Blade, Lightning Lure, and Sword Burst cantrips that were originally published in Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. There are 9 spells that allow you to summon creatures of various types. Three spells are notably named after Tasha. The spells cover levels from cantrips to level 9. Below I am going to capture some comments on each spell.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Blade of Disaster</b> -- Using weird as a point of comparison, this seems like a very powerful spell. Where as weird will probably end quickly due to saves at this level, this lasts much longer and does substantial damage. I would consider it probably more powerful than weird, but you always need options with the plethora of enemies at this level.</li><li><b>Dream of the Blue Veil </b>-- Teleport to other worlds in the Material Plane. Be careful with this one. If you allow it into play, support it and make it part of the campaign; otherwise, drop it from being allowed.</li><li><b>Tasha's Otherwordly Guise </b>-- I'm going to compare this one to Tenser's Transformation. This feels a lot like a caster-focused version of Tenser's. However, where Tenser's Transformation lasts 10 minutes offering additional utility out of combat, this is pretty much combat-focused because of its duration. It is disappointing that several of the features are available from other sources, including races, at much lower, so I think this is a niche spell for only certain types of builds. It doesn't feel overpowered at all. </li><li><b>Intellect Fortress </b>-- Comparing this to Protection from Energy, this is a great spell. It will be situational, but with Psionics coming into play, it will be useful. Also, with Baldur's Gate 3 around, I expect Mindflayers will be a lot more common, so this may help with that too.</li><li><b>Tasha's Mind Whip</b> -- Comparing to Mind Spike, this spell seems to make a nice trade from the utility spell nature of Mind Spike to the combat nature of Mind Whip. At higher levels, you can target more creatures, which makes it a useful, but not overpowered spell, at higher levels. </li><li><b>Tasha's Caustic Brew </b>-- Comparing to Chaos Bolt (a favorite of one of my players) and Witch Bolt, this spell seems consistent in damage and capability. It is nice to have a line spell at this level. I love the requirement to use an action to stop the ongoing effect. This would be one of my spells of choice for level 1, but isn't really overpowered. </li><li><b>Mind Sliver</b> -- This is a really powerful cantrip, especially since it has an additional effect beyond damage and it does an atypical damage type that rarely has resistances. If I compare it to Eldritch Blast, I would call it balanced. </li><li><b>Spirit Shroud </b>-- Compared to Spirit Guardians, this seem like a useful alteration for the melee combatant. It would work well with Bladesinger. It is not OP at all.</li></ul><div>Let's look at the SCAG cantrips that were pulled over. </div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Booming Blade</b> - Some good rewording to make the spell clearer; otherwise the same. </li><li><b>Green-Flame Blade</b> -- There was lots of unintended consequences of the original spell regarding the use with reach weapons, Twinned Spell from Sorcerer, and Warcaster. I suspect there will be a lot of discussion on this spell on forums and eventually in Sage Advice, so keep an eye on it. They errata'd this, so you should be using this new version from here on if you are playing RAW. </li><li><b>Lightning Lure </b>-- The lesser-used cousin of Green-Flame Blade got the same update with targeting self instead of having a range. Similar changes would be expected. It is also errata'd.</li><li><b>Sword Burst</b> -- Also reworded and errat'd. </li></ul><div>And finally, let's consider the summoning spells. My biggest pet peeve with summoning spells and similar abilities that allow you to have player-controlled companions is allowing large numbers of them. I have a standing house rule that a player gets their PC and up to 2 creatures they control in combat so as to not slow the game to the point of boredom. Let's look at these spells and see if they are going to be a problem. </div><div><br /></div><div>These summoning spells all include a stat block that has built-in increases based on the level at which the spell is cast. It is always one creature. I consider this the perfect solution for these types of spells. Based on the own summoner class I homebrewed badly, this is a great solution, since it avoids the pesky unique game-breaking abilities (if given to the PCs) of many of the monsters already in game. I'm not going to do a detailed analysis of every stat block, but it seems to be an equivalent level of creature minus the class features, so not overpowered, but probably useful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, so overall, the spells in TCoE seem balanced and useful. I would consider not allowing Dream of the Blue Veil in many of my games because it is not relevant. It looks like with these new spells, psychic is becoming more important and entrenched into the core of the game, supporting psionics, and these spells help with that. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-81214829091905572672020-09-12T00:13:00.004-04:002020-09-12T00:13:57.903-04:00The Importance of the Little Details<p> Tonight I started a segment in a small village with a straightforward plot. A seer, that the party needs to get a prophesy from, is having terrible nightmares. Since the nightmares block his prophetic dreams, they have to figure out how to get rid of them. Seeing how the party is all monster hunters, they suspect a monster.</p><p>I improvised a lot.</p><p>The rich local who ran the caravan stop, trading post, and stables, with a walled compound is not to be trusted -- the local healer told them so. It was clear she hated him. </p><p>When talking to the old man, he spoke to them through a small window in his front gate and quickly sent them away.</p><p>They sent in their little invisible mascot, a mischievous sprite named Freelay with a penchant for apples, into the compound to check things out. When he didn't return, they sent his mount, a Tibetan mastiff named pip to track him and found he was still inside. They talked to the man again and gained entry after some good social skill usage. He was obviously hiding something. He had an orchard and a small building where they tracked Freelay to. The man didn't let them into the shed, but he coerced Freelay out, who was now drunk. It quickly came out that the man was making hard cider from his orchard and was hiding the fact he wasn't paying taxes on it.</p><p>He also told them not to trust the healer. The hatred was there too.</p><p>With social interaction, the story came out. The rich man and healer were engaged, but she wanted to remain a healer and he wanted a wife to live and stay in his manor. </p><p>Enter Odin -- the party's eccentric old coot who never skips an opportunity to fix a wrong. He drags the man to see the healer, makes them sit down and talk. By the end he helps to heal their differences, and after 15 years, they agree to marry. The local caravan master marries them. The players are all laughing and having a great time.</p><p>All improvised. Had I not added these heartfelt little details of things going on behind the scenes, not necessarily relevant to the plot, the party wouldn't have experienced the most wonderful story. </p><p>Being a GM isn't just about organization and planning. Sometimes it is about adding random details and figuring out as you go how they might fit together in some bigger story that isn't part of the plot. Let the attention of the party guide you and give them the story they seem interested in.</p>Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-50827171157924042562020-04-13T09:34:00.000-04:002020-04-13T09:34:50.567-04:00Designing a DungeonDungeons set so much of the tone for D&D and similar games. Everyone has their story of that great dungeon crawl where something amazing, crazy, or stupid resulted in one of those epic gaming memories. We all love a good dungeon crawl. But what makes a dungeon crawl good and how does the GM design that perfect dungeon?<br />
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Dungeon design is often about balance between realism and attain a dramatic story effect. If you are rolling up a random dungeon, you are not designing. Put away the dice, cards, and random map generators, and let's do some thinking.</div>
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Only you know what you are looking for in your game for your plot. It depends on what your players want. It depends on where the story is headed. Before you get started on dungeon design, have your goals in mind. In fact, if you can, design a few rough encounters you might like to see. Leave the details for later.</div>
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A dungeon was originally built for a reason. Answer the questions: Who built this dungeon? What was it part of? Why did they build it? Do a quick sketch, as to what it looked like when it was originally built. What sorts of things would be in this dungeon for its original use? Let's take an example of an old dwarven dungeon that was home to an ore processing area. They would melt down the ore and make metals out of it. It connected directly to several mining tunnels that went off to a whole network of mineshafts.</div>
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Now, let's add some time. Whatever this dungeon was originally used for are times past. Whatever this dungeon was a part of is now likely ruins or long gone. That is some seriously destructive power to raze away a castle, a fortress, or whatever else was above. These same force has likely affected the dungeon below. Tunnels have collapsed, earth has moved. Earthquakes may have ripped sections of ground apart. Water has seeped in and caused parts to sink. Meanwhile, some new residents have moved in. Things from above and below can find residence here, safe from all except the most daring adventurers.</div>
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For our old dwarven dungeon, we will assume earthquakes had driven the dwarves away hundreds of years ago. Most, but not all, of the mining tunnels have collapsed. One has now opened to the surface to allow creatures inside. Several ceiling collapses have provided other entrances to different portions of the dungeon.</div>
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So now, let's figure out from our encounter ideas what sorts of things we want to live in this dungeon. What kind of conditions would attract them? If there are several things living in the dungeon, how do they survive. Will these different monsters fight against each other? If so, what natural barriers keep them apart in the dungeon. How do these creatures get food and water?</div>
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A pack of wargs has taken up residence in the entry tunnel where they stay warm in the bitter cold and still have access to the surface for hunting. Deep in the dungeon, one room has sank and collected enough water for a small lake. Goblins have set up their village there and even have brought fish to the lake to provide food when they are too scared to head outside. The deep mining shafts and tunnels have brought in cave dwellers from below. Rust monsters now multiply in the dungeon, slowly eating the dwarven metal tools and metal doors. A roper and cloaker have also set up homes, not too far from the goblins, where they can catch one now and then when it wanders too far from the village.</div>
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The best details come when we combine the old with the new! The goblin village uses old mining carts for the huts in their village. The cloaker has taken up residence in a room where the old leather cloaks of the dwarves still hang. Goblins have gathered old dwarven mining implements, with handles long rotted away, and made traps to keep longshanks and large monsters out.<br />
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Now, we just need a map. The map is really what sets the tempo and the choices for the PCs, so we can set a lot of the tone. How many ways in (and ways out) do we give the PCs? How far do the PCs have to travel to meet the goblins or other inhabitants? How far will they have to run to retreat away from them if things go poorly. Will they have multiples paths so they can bypass encounters and traps? Will the paths be easier to traverse in one direction as compared to the other? Keep in mind that a dungeon is a three dimensional structure. Climbing is a good skill to put to use.<br />
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Also, as you draw the map, keep in mind that the PCs are undoubtedly a disruption. Trodding through, ripping open tunnels and doors, they are changing an unchanging world in a drastic way. With this disruption comes all sorts of consequences. Tunnels may collapse. Spells and traps may be triggered. In our Dwarven dungeon, the PCs may run into those rust monsters and find their only escape is an old dwarven lift. Too much weight and attacking rust monsters may leave them plummeting into the unknown. Knocking a hole in a wall could empty that goblin lake right into the room their in. Nothing is static. Any next step could cause major changes to the dungeons, unleashing new threats and blocking paths, including ways out.<br />
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As you pull together the final concept, throw in some details, things to both make the dungeon real and to detract from threats. There may be dwarven stonework of master miners lining certain rooms. Piles of old ore and materials may lay about. Books in sealed rooms might have dusty old pages that still tell stories of the mines, the kingdom of the times, maybe even treasures that might be found. Right down lines of description and ideas, complete or not. You never know what you might need to improvise out of your notes. No GM plan ever survives contact with the PCs, but it will go well, because you have prepared a well designed dungeon.</div>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-38269619152958476432019-11-10T20:34:00.002-05:002019-11-10T20:34:33.939-05:00Fixing Passive SkillsJeremy Crawford has recently rules that passive skills are 10 + mods and that a skill that is rolled can't be lower than that. Let's ignore that and see what makes sense. Consider that passive skills are a tool for the GM to save time and avoid rolls giving away things going on. In addition, keep in mind that class features like the rogue's reliable talent, already give a minimum value of a roll of 10 on skill checks, and we don't want to overshadow that.<br />
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First, passive skills are not the same as the active versions. In 3.5, this was quite clear in the way we split up skills. Spot, listen, and search were all different skills. Now, all three of those are combined in Perception. Passive skills cover the more spot and listen aspects for scenarios when the PCs aren't specifically focusing on looking and listening. Active skills cover the cases where the PCs take actions to do those things and do things like search. The DCs to see something between active and passive are different. For example, an item stuck inside a drawer is impossible to see passively, but perform a search, and it is obvious. <b>The DM should determine the DC based on the skill in use and whether it is active or passive.</b><br />
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Second, active skills are initiated by the player, take a roll, and roll against an active DC. Because the player is doing something, there are potential consequences. With these potential consequences, comes the need for the player to describe the action. Why? Because <b><u>an active skill action can potentially trigger a trap, alert a foe, and otherwise cause some consequence.</u></b><br />
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Third, taking a skill action uses PC focus. When focusing on one thing, it is possible to lose focus on other details. For example, if a PC is searching drawers, they will be less likely to see an enemy sneaking up. If a PC is searching for berries to eat in the forest, they will be less likely to see the dangerous plant the party is approaching up ahead. By using focus, a worse result can be generated than if the PC was doing nothing. This is represented as both the DC for using the active skill and the swingy-ness of the dice. <b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Active skills use focus and and take actions, both of which have consequences.</b> The PHB directly reflects this interpretation in the following areas:<br />
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<li>The PHB lists the Search Action which reflects a Perception of Investigation check.</li>
<li>The PHB lists a Use an Object Action which can be used for certain tool usage, a form of skill check.</li>
<li>The PHB lists Hide as an action, which uses a Stealth check.</li>
<li>The PHB lists a Grapple (also DMG lists other similar actions) which rely on an ability check and require using an attack from the Attack action.</li>
<li>The PHB Healer's kit uses an action related to the Medicine check.</li>
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Passive skills, in a historical sense, are closely related to Pathfinder's "Taking 10". If you read the description of this ability, you can quickly see how this is very similar. In many ways, "Taking 10" lays out a set of criteria where passive skills make sense:<br />
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<li>No immediate danger (which can also be interpreted as not being in initiative order)</li>
<li>Not distracted (no impending danger or other action going on)</li>
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Pathfinder goes on to also define "Taking 20". There is no specific rule in 5E that corresponds to this, but I think the interpretation can be simply "Don't make PCs roll for things that have no consequences." That makes sense in almost every game system.</div>
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Taking these aspects into account, it is easy to see that <b>passive and active forms of skills are vastly different</b>. They can have different difficulties and have different consequences. As a GM, I use <b>passive skills as a tool for situations where a PC is rewarded for their skill choices to give them an advantage </b>going into a situation. <b>Active skills, however, are a player tool for interacting with the world and making choices that have consequences</b>. I don't mix the two.<br />
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<br />Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-35338470503624780152019-09-29T18:59:00.000-04:002019-09-29T18:59:19.581-04:00The Battle of SeikungSeikung was not the warm welcome they had expected. The city, as they had heard, was under quarantine. Othinn, however, was lucky to find Commander Yan Xi, an old acquaitance of his in command of the Wu Jen in charge of maintaining the force bubble that cut of Seikung from the rest of the world.<br />
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The stories were bad. A wave of bad luck had spread over the city. These weren't stubbed toes and rotten vegetables. The city had fallen into chaos and people were dying. The Imperial Wu Jen and Imperial guard were brought in to quarantine the city. Even a few of them, too near the city, were affected by the bad luck magics.<br />
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Whistler was too motivated, after having made the trek from Tulpa to stop now. There was word his wife was here. Well, maybe his wife, but surely her body, taken from him by some fiendish creature.<br />
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The party had, under direction of Commander Yan Xi, been given the orders to enter the city and investigate. Amelia, being from the city, lead them through. The results of this bad luck magic were devastating. Her shop had been ransacked, but she was able to locate Chang Hua, her faithful friend, hiding. The party avoided bad luck, with Shinji, the most superstitious of the group, keeping himself covered in talismans and permanently in a cloud of incense. An old rival of Whistlers had taken over most of the city with thugs that they had to avoid.<br />
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The party encountered a terrible group of Oni, which they fought off. The Oni were clearly hateful of Drianna and there was the impression given that they were hunting her. There was mention of an army coming for her.<br />
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The party overnighted in a building not far from the Huà irén Temple, aka the Malefactor Temple, that seemed to be the source of the bad luck magic. Jerdun, having been trained by a malefactor, used his special knowledge of their ways to counter the bad luck and gain entrance to the temple.<br />
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Once inside, they were attacked by a Dvarapala, a great guardian construct that kept people out of the temple. The battle was fierce, but they found success. Entering the room of the main temple, they found malefactor priestesses, being held by Jorogumo, spider sisters, that attacked the party viciously. Shinji, taking to the air with wings to avoid their attacks, was the first to fall. Taking a heavy dose after an attack from one of the Jorogumo, he was trapped like a fly by a spider, and fell unconscious.<br />
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In the background, as the battle raged, a large creature, later identified as a Teratomorph Giagante, was ripping through the fabrics of reality, powered by the malefactor magics of the priestesses. Drianna took to her broom and tried to quickly rush the priestesses out of the room, only to be caught by the amorphous limb of the teratomorph and shoved through the rift, leaving her simply gone, with no idea from the party what her ultimate fate was.<br />
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Othinn and Amelia battled side by side, fighting off the Jorogumo and then attempting to take out the teratomorph. Jerdun and Whistler battle from the other side with Snazzy taking the brunt of the Jorogumo's piercing venomous attacks.<br />
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In the final push to kill the teratomorph, the creature rushed and attacked Amelia and Othinn. The creature engulfed them and after only a few moments, they disappeared, presumably annihilated, by the creature. This gave Jerdun and Whistler and Siphon enough time to heavily damage the creature. It feel into a heap and then seemed to be sucked through the rift, sealing it.<br />
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The party had triumphed, although at a heavy price. Drianna was missing, Amelia and Othinn were presumed dead by annihilation, and Shinji had fallen into a deep coma from the venomous attack.<br />
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Jerdun fashioned a stretcher from found items and strapped Shinji to it. Jerdun, pulling Shinji behind him, still covered in talismans, with Whistler by his side made their way out of Seikung. In the following days, the two recovered at the local Wu Jen camp, along with the malefactor priestesses, although Shinji never woke.<br />
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The bad luck curse was extinguished by their actions and the city was reopened, although the gruesome cleanup promised to take weeks, and many of the still living inhabitants left the city for good once they saw the aftermath.<br />
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After rested and recovered, Jerdun and Whistler payed homage to their fallen colleagues and finally Whistler set out to speak to the Malefactor priestesses that he rescued.<br />
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Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-23940640046388864832019-09-21T14:17:00.001-04:002019-09-21T22:37:13.686-04:00PinkDiceGM: Why I am Done with Twitter<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3DCZej-MTY/XYZjqaBJmjI/AAAAAAAADZM/wrGEQiKCX7oLhIF7_mvjN-p9tJQE4UH4QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/2017-01-21%2B23.59.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3DCZej-MTY/XYZjqaBJmjI/AAAAAAAADZM/wrGEQiKCX7oLhIF7_mvjN-p9tJQE4UH4QCK4BGAYYCw/s320/2017-01-21%2B23.59.45.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
I am done with twitter; maybe I am done with the gaming community. The twitter gaming community seems to condone the "Dear Men / White Men / White People" messages being put out in the community. I am a middle-aged overweight cis white male, and according to these people that makes me the problem. I have been called out, as part of this larger group by people preaching hate. My actions are not considered. There was immediate backlash when I tried to call this out as unfair. I am truly deeply hurt. I think less of myself. I think less of my contributions to the community. When I needed a positive message or just a helping hand, there were none, not from strangers, not from people I admire.<br />
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My daughter came and hugged me when she saw I was leaving twitter. It made me cry. She knows how much I put into this. I don't like to quit, not as an example to her. I just can't be healthy in this environment, this community anymore. I can't be an ally and a voice for diversity and equality in a community that thinks it is okay to focus its hate on me for existing.<br />
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Like others who were told they were the problem because of their race and/or gender, I am leaving with my bad experience. There is a point you live long enough sometimes that you become the thing you hate. For me, that is just being a overweight middle-aged cis white man.<br />
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The solution for the community is simple. Hold just individuals accountable for their hateful behavior. Anything short of that won't solve the problem.Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-71679833213129611872018-12-29T11:25:00.003-05:002020-04-13T09:43:06.098-04:00Top Tips for the New Player of D&DWelcome to D&D! You are entering a new world of roleplaying and gaming unlike the video games and tabletop board games you've played in the past. If you have never played a tabletop roleplaying game before, or even if you just haven't played D&D before, this list of tips is for you. I'm not covering mechanics here -- the rulebook and DM will do that. These are the things the rulebook won't cover.<br />
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<b>1. Communicate with your DM.</b> Your DM should be giving you information before the game ever starts about what rules to use to build your character. Generally, all you really need is the Player's Handbook (PHB), although other source may be allowed. Talk to your DM about what they expect you to have completed and when they want it done. A good DM will often have a "Session 0" to go over this kind of thing and make sure everyone is on the same page. Often session 0 is where characters are built, together. It is good to work with your DM to establish boundaries in your game on violence, sex, and other topics, especially if there are things you don't want in your gaming experience. D&D is a flexible system, and most campaigns have a theme that you can use to design an appropriate character. If this game doesn't seem to fit what you are looking for, bow out early and look for a better fit. No gaming is better than bad gaming. If you are new, you may not know what you are looking for, and that is okay too.<br />
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<b>2. Communicate with the other players.</b> D&D is a story of heroes (or sometimes, villains). You and the other players are building those heroes. Everyone wants a chance for their (player) character (PC) to shine, so talk to the other players and make sure you aren't building characters with too much overlap. Also, you will want to work together to interweave your backstories and characters (depending on your DM's requirements) to make a more interesting party of adventurers. Building a character is often a balance between playing someone that you find interesting, someone that will be interesting to the other players, and someone that has ties for the story.<br />
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<b>3. Prepare some plot hooks for the DM.</b> When you make your character, your backstory is often what the DM uses to tie the story to your character. If you are an orphan ninja assassin that has no association with anyone, there aren't many options of how to connect things. Make sure you tie your character to places and people (living!) in the setting, so the DM can get you into the story. With a good DM, you'll also get some free information based on your backstory as you go.<br />
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<b>4. Avoid underhanded conflicts with other PCs. </b>The classic tale is the Paladin and the Thief. The Thief decides to steal from the party at every turn, the Paladin eventually catches the thief, and a PC fight breaks out. You might think this sounds fun, but it usually is a big problem. Just because it is what your character would do, doesn't mean it is fun for everyone at the table. Instead, follow the plot that your DM presents and try to cooperate with your party. It works a lot better and is less likely to make the other players or DM upset with you. Your party is your team. You can disagree. Don't head towards battling it out.<br />
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<b>5. Understand that you have options.</b> You are playing a character, not a character sheet. This world supports you attempting to do anything your character might reasonably know to do, whether it is on your character sheet / in the rules or not. Use your creativity, but also play your character. Sometimes your PC will do the wrong thing. Sometimes they won't have the knowledge to figure things out. Sometimes, there will be moments for your character to shine. Use those moments well.<br />
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<b>6. Understand that your choices have consequences.</b> When the PCs hit, the game world hits back. If you kill a guard on the street in cold blood, be prepared to be hunted down, tried, and executed, and roll a new character. The game world will react to your actions. Don't expect it to be either fair or easy. Your choices matter. When the going gets tough, retreating to fight another day is always an option.<br />
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<b>7. Roleplay. </b>You are playing your character in game. Speak as your character when playing as much as you can. Try to establish a voice for your PC. Use a different voice or some other indicator when you are speaking out of character. Talk to NPCs as your character. Talk to other PCs as your character. It will feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but over time, you will get used to it. A good gaming group won't judge you for roleplaying. They will all be doing it with you.<br />
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<b>8. Share the spotlight.</b> Sometimes you need to be in the spotlight; sometimes you don't. Be in the game. When the party makes a decision, have your say. When a question comes up that involves your expertise, pipe in and ask how you can help. But, when other PCs have their moment, stay out of the way. More importantly, when you think you can, set up other characters for their moment. Ask other PCs about what they can do to help. Help that other PC do the totally awesome thing in combat. Don't be a player just waiting for their turn. Get involved; be involved; get others involved.<br />
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<b>9. Don't tolerate a bad experience.</b> There are thousands of stories I have heard over the years of bad gaming experiences involving gaming groups members wielding their power to roleplay uncomfortable and inappropriate topics. I have heard stories of racism and intolerance. If you find yourself in one of these situations, speak up, and if necessary, leave. Don't go back, but also don't give up. Our community tries to fight against these bad experiences, but they still happen.<br />
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A good way to open the dialogue with your DM on these situations is suggesting the use of safety mechanisms in your first session. A simple mechanic like the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/x-card-rpg">X-Card</a> is a good way for your DM and group to show they are serious about no one at the table having a bad experience.<br />
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<b>10. Be prepared.</b> Read the rules, prepare your character, and bring the supplies you need to the session. Take notes. You are part of a group. You are not there to have the DM spoon-feed you fun. What you bring to the group helps to make the fun. That means bringing the physical items you need and the mental attitude you need to make the fun game for everyone.<br />
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These things are good to consider, but you will learn a lot more as you play. For more tips, tricks, and advise, check out my archive of tios over on twitter @pinkdicegm.Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-8554815190830246462018-12-28T15:42:00.000-05:002018-12-28T15:42:20.151-05:005th Edition D&D for DMs of Previous EditionsHaving been a player and GM of role playing games for over 35 years, I have played every edition of D&D and a lot of editions of other systems and games. D&D 5th Edition is something different, and it breaks a lot of the expectations that were established in other editions. It also continues the history of many of the core concepts. I have gathered together here 10 tips for experience DMs from older editions that are approaching this new system.<br />
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<b>1. Play it by the rules as written first.</b> This is probably the most important advice I can give to a new-to-5E DM. Play the system without any optional rules per the rules as written before adding in optional rules and before making changes. This is how it was designed to be played. Understanding this RAW perspective will ensure that you understand changes and options before you add them in. If you modifiy the system without first understanding it, you will likely break it.<br />
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<b>2. Embrace the streamlined nature and reduced detail.</b> 5th Edition does not include all of the details from 3.5 / Pathfinder and other previous editions. This is done purposefully to make the game streamlined, easier to play, more accessible, and quicker at the table. You can drastically reduce the amount of time spent at the table on boring stuff (like math) and increase the fun. That is the design. If you are playing 5th edition, remember that this is in many ways the core goal. Use advantage and disadvantage instead of modifiers. Ignore facing. Use the simple actions and rules. Use ability checks and skill checks. Breaking away from that goal too much, may mean you should consider a different system. Instead, embrace this idea and start to think in this new way.<br />
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<b>3. Remember the playtesting.</b> Over 100,000 playtesters put fifth edition through it's paces. This is not the bloat that 3.5/d20 was. The core is a tested system. If something seems unbalanced, the most likely cause is misinterpretation of the rules. If you see an issue, hit the forms to discuss, and you'll quickly find out the issue. 100,000 playtesters were rarely wrong. 5E core (PHB) is well balanced. Don't let your intuition from previous editions get in your way. A lot of DMs have tried calling out core mechanics of classes as overpowered. They aren't; ignore that little voice until you see it in play.<br />
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<b>4. Wording matters.</b> 5th edition relies on exact wording and definitions. A round and a turn are different. Rolls, saves, and throws are different things. Learn the lingo. When you are at the table, make sure the exact wording of features, spells, and abilities are available. It makes rulings far easier.<br />
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<b>5. Understand and use bounded accuracy.</b> 5th edition uses a concept of bounded accuracy. Instead of modifier numbers and HP and AC increasing so drastically from level 1 to level 20 as in previous editions, there is only a small increase. This means that +1 and +2 modifiers are just as important at level 20 as they are at level 1. This means also that monsters and foes can be used over a much broader set of levels. Those goblins from level 1 can be used in a group as a challenge at level 5 or 10. This design principle makes smaller gains useful and important. It also makes encounter design much easier for the DM. The transition from an easy fight to a deadly fight is a large range. You don't have to tune things so perfectly to get it right. You can also draw from a much broader set of CRs when building encounters.<br />
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<b>6. Magic items are not required.</b> There is no assumption of magic items in 5th edition. In fact, in the RAW, there are only modest magic items giving as starting equipment at higher tiers. (I have translated this to levels <a href="http://pinkdicechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/04/5e-starting-gold-and-equipment-for.html">here</a>.) Having magic items is a big boost. This means that magic items are rarely bought or sold, often have a huge impact on balance, and should be considered a big deal. Don't hand them out like in previous editions, or you will run into major balance problems. I have DMed a couple hundred sessions and have never had a magic weapon over +2 in play.<br />
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<b>7. A healer is not required.</b> There is no need for a dedicated party healbot in 5e. Throw out some minor healing potions and healing potions, and you are good to go. Roles are very fluid in 5th edition, so let the players play what they want. There is no need to prod the players towards a specific party composition.<br />
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<b>8. The official books and adventures are really good.</b> I have not regretted a single book purchase I have made of 5th edition books. The adventures are solid and the non-adventure books are good. The artwork has been very good overall, with few exceptions. Unlike previous editions where they were more hit and miss, you can be sure that the 5th edition books from WotC are solid. Wizards has had some problems with misprints and book bindings. If you contact their customer service, they will take care of it.<br />
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<b>9. Everything old is new again.</b> 5th edition has been excitingfor this old DM from previous editions because they are bringing back all of the great stuff from previous editions. Eberron is back. Ravenloft is back. The Realms are back to normal. Spelljammer has been hinted at. 5th Edition is grabbing all of the best things from all editions and bringing it in. I am so excited for everything that has been released and everything that is coming. Because of the high quality of books being released, there are only a few every year, but they are great, and a lot of your old favorites are coming back. This is true for classes, races, and even magic items. As a DM, there is a massive homebrew community out there. You can find almost anything converted for 5th edition. Balance may be an issue, but if you learn the system, you can tune it to your liking.<br />
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<b>10. Customize it.</b> Once you get the system down, there are lots of optional rules and house rules around to make it what you want. Have fun and make it your own. I have run a lot of different kinds of campaign in 5th edition, and I customized the rules for almost all of them. Keep in mind that feats and multiclassing will make the PCs substantially more powerful and that breaks the CR system. Making and scaling monsters is easy. Check out Mike Mearles over on YouTube for some great tips during his Happy Hours.<br /><br />Another great tool for customization is DnDBeyond. These digital online tools are solid and always improving. They have a nice system for sharing and finding homebrew. It is a great systems for generating some NPCs in a hurry too. The tools work well for both planning and in game.<br /><br />Also keep in mind, that though 5th edition works great for OSR-style games, it is very hard to find 5th edition players that can understand and enjoy 5th edition OSR style games. If you advertise an OSR game and use 5th edition rules, don't mention 5th edition. Players are desperate to join games, and will join an OSR-stye 5th edition game, even though it isn't what they are looking for.<br />
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<br />Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-36676314228914206832018-10-18T13:57:00.001-04:002018-10-18T14:21:47.205-04:00The Halfling Bard and The Barbarian Hireling"Stand in Front of Me"<br />
(sung to the tune of Stand By Me)<br />
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When the night has come<br />
And the land is dark<br />
And the moon is the only light we'll see<br />
No, I won't be afraid<br />
Oh, I won't be afraid<br />
Just as long as you stand<br />
Stand in front of me<br />
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So Hireling, Hireling<br />
Stand in front of me, oh, stand in front of me<br />
Oh, stand, stand in front of me<br />
Stand in front of me<br />
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If A vampire should swoop in<br />
Or a skeleton should attack<br />
Or a goblin should swing his short sword<br />
I won't cry, I won't cry<br />
No, I won't shed a tear<br />
Just as long as you stand<br />
Stand in front of me<br />
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And Hireling, Hireling<br />
Stand in front of me, oh, stand in front of me<br />
Oh, stand now, stand in front of me<br />
Stand in front of me<br />
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Hireling, Hireling<br />
Stand in front of me, oh, stand in front of me<br />
Oh, stand now, stand in front of me<br />
Stand in front of me<br />
Whenever I'm in danger, won't you stand in front of me?<br />
Oh, stand in front of me<br />
Won't you stand now?<br />
Oh, stand, stand in front of me<br />
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If you do use this parody song elsewhere, please give credit to PinkDiceGM.<br />
<br />Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-53439710219469919952018-06-08T19:26:00.002-04:002018-06-08T20:43:13.915-04:00Skills for Creature Info in 5EFor my own reference, I have put together the following table for skills that can be used to identify information about specific creature types:<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-b08fe06b-e1bd-4401-18f0-915e30db50d3" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="112"></col><col width="154"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">TYPE</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">SKILL</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Aberration</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arcana, History</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Beast</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nature, Survival</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Celestial</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arcana, Religion</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Construct</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arcana, Tinker</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dragon</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">History, Arcana</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Elemental</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arcana, History</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fey</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arcana, History</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fiend</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Arcana, Religion</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Giant</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nature, Survival</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Humanoid</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">History, Religion</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Monstrosity</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">History, Survival</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ooze</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">History, Arcana</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Plant</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nature, Survival</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Undead</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Religion, Arcana</span></div>
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Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-7979708726004251592018-04-20T14:20:00.002-04:002018-04-20T14:20:56.080-04:00The Middle Ground on Feats<div style="background: none !important; border: none; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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Feats are an optional rule in 5E. Playing with them can drastically alter the balance of the game. Stacking multiple feats can even generate borderline broken, overpowered characters. To avoid the issues with feats, but keep them in the game, I came up with the following feat classification for 5E that limits characters to feats based on the type. This keeps multiple feats from stacking to maximize only one aspect of a character to the point of being broken. </div>
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This includes the feats I had in play at the time it was written. 5E feats are being added all the time, so new categories (maybe racial feats?) and feats may need to be added.</div>
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Drop me a line if you find this useful in your game.</div>
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FEATS<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Feats have been divided into 3 categories given below. Each character may take feats through normal RAW, but may take no more than one feat from each category. Feats marked with * appear in more than one category and count for every category in which they are listed. For example, taking the Dragon Hide feat does not allow a character to take any other offensive or defensive combat feats. </div>
<table style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: none !important; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: none; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">Offensive Combat Feats</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">Defensive Combat Feats</strong></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">Non-Combat Feats</strong></td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Alert</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Defensive Duelist</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Athletic</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Charger</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Durable</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Actor</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Crossbow Expert</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Heavily Armored</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Dungeon Delver</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Dual Wielder</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Heavy Armor Master</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Healer</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Elemental Adept</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Inspiring Leader</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Keen Mind</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Great Weapon Master</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Lightly Armored</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Linguist</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Grappler</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Moderately Armored</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Lucky</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Mage Slayer</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Medium Armor Master</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Magic Initiate</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Martial Adept</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Mobile</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Observant</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Mounted Combatant</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Shield Master</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Ritual Caster</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Polearm Master</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Tough</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Skilled</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Savage Attacker</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Resilient</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Skulker</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Sentinel</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Dragon Hide*</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Bountiful Luck</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Sharpshooter</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Dwarven Fortitude</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Drow High Magic</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Tavern Brawler</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Fade Away</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Fey Teleportation</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Spell Sniper</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Flames of Phlegethos*</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Prodigy</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">War Caster</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Infernal Constitution</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Squat Nimbleness</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Weapon Master</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Second Chance</td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Wood Elf Magic</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Dragon Fear</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Dragon Hide*</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Elven Accuracy</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Flames of Phlegethos*</td></tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; padding: 5px !important; vertical-align: top;">Orcish Flury</td></tr>
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Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-37883434214766300362018-04-10T18:44:00.002-04:002018-04-10T18:50:49.291-04:00My Experiment with OSR-style 5E<br /><br />For those of that have been in the game for a while, there is a certain happy nostalgia that goes with playing earlier editions again. After hearing the ambitious goal that 5th edition would be a complete edition covering every time of game that folks wanted, I was intrigued. Could 5th edition really recreate the old AD&D style game?<br /><br /><br /> After playing 5E for a few years (since it came out), I decided to try an experiment to see if I could run an old-fashioned dungeon crawl. I decided to pick up "Veins of the Earth" by Patrick Stuart with art by Scrap Princess and give it a try. I placed it carefully as a whole new Underdark found under Kara-Tur, the Asian-inspired eastern continent of the Forgotten Realms. The party would be a band of new adventurers sent to explore this deadly new world. It would be dangerous, but the rewards would be many.<br /><br /><br /> I put together a set of modified rules, gather pieces, parts, and ideas from various articles on the internet and my own experiences in 5E and AD&D. Here were the house rules I used:<br /><br /><br /> ALLOWED CONTENT<br />PHB: YES<br />Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide: YES<br />Unearthed Arcana: NO<br />Elemental Evil: NO<br />Volo's Guide To Monsters: Yes (including monstrous races!)<br />Xanathar's Guide to Everything: Yes<br /><br /><ul>
<li>Ability scores will be rolled (1d4+2d6) 7 times and drop the lowest. Place on any ability score. </li>
<li>HP is rolled after first level, min of 1. </li>
<li>No feats. </li>
<li>No multiclassing. </li>
<li>Starting equipment per PHB. </li>
<li>No base stat above 20. </li>
<li>No player may use a race or class they have already played in this campaign for a backup character. </li>
<li>All backup characters start at level 1. </li>
<li>Tracking of ammunition is in effect. </li>
<li>Variant encumbrance rules are in play (PHB 176) </li>
<li>DMG additional actions are in play (Disarm, Overrun, Shove Aside, Tumble, Climb onto Larger Creature) </li>
<li>There is no crafting in play. </li>
<li>No backstories are required and roleplay will be lighter and entirely player driven. </li>
<li>Backup characters are required. </li>
</ul>
<br />CRITICALS<br />Criticals can be very disappointing when a player rolls min damage. Critical rolls will now get max damage + rolls rather than just multiple rolls. For most criticals this means the 2x crit would now be max damage plus normal rolled damage. In the case of a 3x crit, the damage would be max damage plus twice rolled damage and so forth.<br /><br />RESTS<br />Sleeping (i.e. long rest) in heavy or medium armor gives you only 1/4 (instead of the normal 1/2) hit die back and does not relieve levels of exhaustion. You may take only 1 long rest in a 24 hour period. Long rests last 8 hours. Short rests last 1 hour.<br /><br />FALLING<br />A falling object or creature may fall up to a maximum of 500ft per round.Falling damage is 1d20 per 10 feet fallen. Falls under 10 ft do no damage.<br /><br />CANTRIPS<br />Characters with cantrips from any source only gain the ability to cast a cantrip 6 times per day. This is the total of all cantrips cast, not per cantrip. This is reset at the end of a long rest.<br /><br />BATTERED CONDITION<br />When a creature (PC, monster, NPC, foe, etc) drops below 1/4 hit points, they are considered BATTERED and roll with disadvantage for all attacks, saves, and checks. This does not apply to death saving throws<br /><br />DEATH ROLLS<br />Players, get one death roll. A failed death roll means the PC is dead. Taking damage while at zero hit points does not result in a failed death save. However, if the PC takes additional damage equal to the maximum HP while at zero hit points (or after just reaching zero hit points) they are killed instantly.To be clear. if a PC at any time takes damage equal to or greater than the sum of their maximum hit points and their remaining hit points, they are killed instantly.<br /><br />HIRELINGS<br />The party may hire up to two hirelings (at a time). Hirelings will be level 0 (background and race rolled randomly by GM (appropriate to the location), but no class levels) and will not engage in combat. They will be controlled by the GM, but will usually follow PC commands. They will attempt to defend themselves from danger. In dire situations, they may retreat to a safe positions or run away altogether. They may assist by doing things like carrying equipment and supplies, acting as a torchbearer, driving a vehicle, repairing equipment, fixing meals, scribing maps and spells, and other non-combat tasks. They may have certain tool proficiencies. Generally hirelings will not join the group without at least 14 days of pay in advance and may require "hazard pay". <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />Now the setting is meant to be literally dark, so I added some lore and supporting rules:<br /><br /><br /><ul>
<li>First explorers to the setting have found there is a ubiquitous magical darkness, referred to as "The Bleak", that pervades everything. It causes sight and light to function differently. </li>
<li>Darkvision functions without light. Low-light vision doubles the effective range of light sources. All darkvision and low-light vision are limited to a range of 60 ft. </li>
<li>Torches and lanterns functions as follows: </li>
<ul>
<li>Torch 10 ft radius dim, 5 ft radius bright light </li>
<ul>
<li>A torch dropped to the ground goes out after 6 seconds (1 round). </li>
</ul>
<li>Lantern 15 ft radius dim, 10 ft radius bright light </li>
<ul>
<li>Can lower hood to reduce to 5ft radius dim light </li>
<li>A lantern on the ground will continue to burn. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Keep in mind that if you set a lantern down as a free action, you can draw a single weapon as part of your attack action. </li>
<li>Specialized lanterns are not in play (bullseye) since we do not track facing </li>
<li>Lamps function as a lantern, but do not have a hood<br /></li>
<li>Light-producing spells do not work and radiant damage is always halved in the setting due to its oppressive magically-infused darkness. </li>
<li>The following races gain low-light vision: bugbear, hill and mountain dwarf, wood elf, rock gnome, goblin, half-drow, half-orc, hobgoblin, orc, tabaxi, tiefling, yuan-ti, </li>
<li>The following races gain darkvision: duergar, drow, deep gnome, kobold </li>
<li>All other races are assumed to have normal human-equivalent vision. </li>
<li>Class-based vision features function normally, however they are limited to 60 ft. </li>
<li>Polymorph, wild-shape and other transformations may add blindsight, tremorsense, and other 'seeing' like senses. None of these will allowing seeing (on a map) at ranges over 60 ft. The GM may provide additional information at ranges greater than 60 ft where appropriate. </li>
<li>A character starting combat has disadvantage on initiative if they cannot see their own square due to darkness or if they are unable to see any enemies due to darkness. </li>
<li>The blinded condition applies when unable to see in darkness. </li>
<li>Automatically fail skill checks that rely on sight. </li>
<li>Attack rolls against the character have advantage if they cannot see the attacker. </li>
<li>Attack rolls by the character have disagvantage if the cannot see the target. </li>
</ul>
I run with a usually run with a group of 6 and this was no different. I clearly labeled the game as an OSR game and explained to each player the nature of this game. It was going to be dark, deadly, and lighter on roleplay. All of the rules were laid out in a post on roll20 for the game. Everyone was supposed to know what they were getting into.<br /><br />Several players from my other games joined this game and seemed to enjoy it. However, when recruiting new players, some folks see 5E, are desperate for a game, and will join even though the game isn't for them. I had several players drop from this game, and at least half of them did so because they ignored the OSR nature of this game. Others, clearly dropped because this just wasn't the game for them. Finding OSR players, even after you explain what OSR means to you, is tough. The world of players expects 3.5, 4th, and 5th edition style games. Finding the right players is hard.<br /><br />We lost about 1 PC per session. Most of the deaths came from PCs charging into fights head on without being careful. Those that made it stayed back, attacked at ranged, hid, or used the other PCs as meat shields. It was clearly the tactics I remember from AD&D that worked well. The combats went as expected. Traps just worked like they were supposed to. 5E did remarkably well.<br /><br />As a GM, it was a tricky but fun level of freedom to throw balance to the wind and let the party encounter something that could kill them in one blow. I didn't have to tune every encounter. They PCs, being in a foreign environment with totally new monsters couldn't use metagaming. They could use their knowledge skills to try to reason things out, but sometimes being wrong meant putting everyone in danger. Choices mattered.<br /><br />Overall, the experiment was a success, except for the difficulty in finding the right players.<br /><br />I probably won't run a game like this again. It doesn't use my skills in a way that makes the game most fun for most players. With the right group, I might run this sort of game by request, but I think for now, I will stick to a bit less OSR version of 5E that I typically run.<br /><br /><br /></div>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-27061315945263393342018-04-08T00:28:00.001-04:002018-04-08T00:48:06.278-04:00Avoiding PCs Using the Same Action Every RoundFor me, a good combat in D&D 5E involves players engaged, thinking, strategizing, and playing off of each other. Every player hangs on seeing what the other players are doing. The action is intense and varied. PCs work together. Players aren't just waiting on their turn. Not every combat has to be this way, but there are times when I want this level of combat.<br />
<br />
For me, as a GM, one thing that breaks this type of combat is a PC simply taking the same exact action over and over. They are on cruise control. They aren't surprising the other players with their actions. They aren't working together as part of the team. Now, I have played with awesome players and I can tell you this isn't a player problem. Some classes do one thing well in combat and they use it. That is the way the class plays out based on its designed. As a GM, I want to help solve this issue in my games. I want players to have options.<br />
<br />
The first solution that fixes most of the problems is putting together interesting combat. Add some terrain. Add weather effects. Add cover. Mix melee, ranged, and caster foes. Use tactics. Have the battlefield change over the course of the battle. Have foes and/or allies arrive and flee the battle. Use foes that play off of each other, use combinations of abilities, and use tactics.<br />
<br />
To make it more effect I add all of the extra actions from the DMG. I also rule the RAW so more interesting things can happen: if you can grapple an opponent and lift them, you can wield them as an improvised weapon. They and your target both take the damage. A PC strong enough to grapple two foes can even smash them together as improvised weapon damage. I encourage players to shove foes off of cliffs, take cover, and use tactics to have fun.<br />
<br />
One PC type that was problematic for a while was the ranged attacked with a bow / crossbow / sling. I make X attacks with my weapon, sometimes with special abilities, and it repeats round after round. To fix this problem, I put together some interesting ammunition:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<dl>
<dl>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 636px;">
<colgroup><col width="171"></col>
<col width="250"></col>
<col width="76"></col>
<col width="105"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Type</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Description</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Rarity</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Modifiers</b></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Whistling Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deals no damage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flask Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ammunition contains a flask that
breaks on a hit. Common liquids that are placed in the flask can
include water (for dousing flames), oil (make a target slippery
or flammable), acid (acid damage).</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Range is Halved</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Streaking Arrow</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">When fired into the air, it leaves
behind a visible trail that can be seen for miles</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deals no damage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Caltrop Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the caltrops contained
within are dispersed per the normal rules for caltrops.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncommon</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deals no damage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Grappling Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the ammunition deploys a
grappling hook attached to a 50ft rope of spider silk.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncommon</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disadvantage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lantern Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the ammunition ignites,
providing light equivalent to a torch for 1min.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncommon</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deals no damage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blunt Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deals bludgeoning damage,
optionally nonlethal</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncommon</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Entanglement</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit the target becomes prone
and restrained until it uses an action to free iteself</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncommon</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deals no damage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Immovable Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit the ammunition becomes
immovable until a specific word is spoken. Refer to immovable
rod for details.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncommon</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 636px;">
<colgroup><col width="171"></col>
<col width="250"></col>
<col width="76"></col>
<col width="105"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Type</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Description</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Rarity</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Modifiers</b></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Healing</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the ammunition deals
normal damage and then heals for 3d10.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The target can try to be struck,
giving the attacker advantage.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Dispelling</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, it behaves as Dispel
Magic</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Faerie Fire</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the target is targeted by
the spell Faerie Fire</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Lockpicking</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the ammunition destroys a
single lock</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disadvantage</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bang Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the ammunition deals an
addition 1d10 thunder damage in a loud boom that can be heard
for 300 ft</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Dominate</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the target is subject to
the spell Dominate Person</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Silence</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the spell Silence is cast
on the target or location</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blinkback Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the target must make a DC
18 Wisdom save or be immediately teleported adjacent to the
attacker</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Tracking</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Once fired, the attacker knows the
distance and bearing to the ammunition at all times until the
effect is dispelled with a specific word</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Very Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Antimagic Arrow</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, the ammunition generates
an antimagic field with 30 ft radius. Within this radius, spells
automatically fail, spell effects cannot manifest, and summoned
creatures are unsummoned. The effect lasts for 1 minute.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Very Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blink Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The arrow can blink in and out of
the material plane (into the ethereal plane) along its path to
bypass solid objects such as walls. The attacker must be able to
discern the location of the target. The GM may add additional
conditions to hit it the target is not visible to the attacker.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Very Rare</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ethereal Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The ammunition travels through the
ethereal plane and can only hit targets that reside in the
ethereal plane.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 636px;">
<colgroup><col width="171"></col>
<col width="250"></col>
<col width="76"></col>
<col width="105"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Type</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Description</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Rarity</b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Modifiers</b></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Rift</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">On a hit, a rift is opened to
another random plane and all objects and creatures within 10ft
of the rift are sucked through. The rift then immediately
closes.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arrow / Bolt of Slaying</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The target must make a DC 24
Constitution save or it is immediately dropped to hero hit
points. On a successful save, its hit points are reduced by half
its maximum hit points.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="171"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Temporal Arrow / Bolt</span></div>
</td>
<td width="250"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">As a free action, the possessor of
the ammunition can choose to have it hit any target as a
critical hit. The arrow must be fired by the possessor at that
location in the future, or a temporal paradox will manifest
causing the possessor to be completely erased from all
timelines.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="76"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Legendary</span></div>
</td>
<td width="105"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</dl>
</dl>
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<br /></div>
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I put these arrows into play and more interesting things start to happen. So far, I've just scratched the surface with them in my game, and I will be bumping up their use in my games ahead.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So that leaves another specific class that I've seen time and time again use one action over and over in combat: the warlock and eldritch blast.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Warlock gets the best cantrip in the game with eldritch blast. Throw agonizing blast on top of it and you mostly can't beat it. The warlock gets very few spell slots, and although they recharge on a short rest, they are too few and too valuable to use all the time in combat. The warlock usually falls back on eldritch blast.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I posed the question out to the twitter community as to what they do in their games to encourage other actions besides the typical warlock spamming of eldritch blast. The results were not good (refer to <a href="https://pinkdicechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/03/how-to-not-help-gm.html">this post</a>). After digging through the results, I was able to pull out some of the gems. Here's the summarized list:</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Allowing the warlock to request new options from their patron.</li>
<li>Allow eldritch blasts to build a sorcery point like pool of corruption that can be spent to do other things.</li>
<li>Give them magic items, especially something that gives more spell slots / store spells.</li>
<li>Buff the warlock, giving them a faster spell progression.</li>
<li>Add invocations to scale their familiar to make them more useful in combat at higher levels.</li>
<li>Expand Eldritch Blast into multiple versions that do extra / other things.</li>
<li>Add invocations for Eldritch Blast to allow grapple, disarm, shoves.</li>
<li>Let the warlock use a different spell list.</li>
<li>Add an escalating chance of failure with repeated use eldritch blast.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Magic items are obviously a great way to add options. However, there is no real guarantee who in the party will get them. With warlock, it is difficult to specialize a weapon just for them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I considered looking at a warlock rewrite, but I'd prefer not to jump too far away from RAW warlock. Building too much homebrew in throws players and the game off and turns a lot of players away. Besides, warlock is awesome for roleplay and in non-combat encounters and I don't want to lose that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ultimately, here is the solution I came up with, inspired by a couple of the comments: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>For spells that use an attack roll and do force damage, a caster can choose, before an attack roll is made, to instead do one of the following in lieu of the normal force damage:</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><i>Disarm the target, using the normal spell attack roll</i></li>
<li><i>Shove the target (either 5 ft or prone) using the attack roll in place of the normal Strength(Athletics) check</i></li>
<li><i>Perform the help action to grant advantage on an ally's next attack vs the same target before the start of your next turn</i></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<i>The choice to take one of the above actions may be done independently for each attack granted by the spell.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>The following spells would be affected by this houserule:</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><i>Arcane / Bigby's Hand (Clenched Fist)</i></li>
<li><i>Chaos Bolt</i></li>
<li><i>Eldritch Blast</i></li>
<li><i>Mordekainen's Sword</i></li>
<li><i>Spiritual Weapon</i></li>
<li><i>Steel Wind Strike</i></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I proposed this as a change to my 5E game that has warlock in play and another soon to be in play. The rule was generally liked and the very next combat, it was in use and useful. It broke up the combat. I don't think it will always be used in every combat, but it worked well so far.</div>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-21247936057751899792018-03-12T20:57:00.002-04:002018-03-12T20:57:47.317-04:00How To Not Help a GMI am an experienced D&D 5E GM. I have played it since it came out and I have GMed over 100 session with more than 40 different players in 5E. I know 5E pretty well. Still, like with all systems, there are problems. I decided to ask the community for some possible solutions for an ongoing problem I have with warlock players.<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Most of the warlocks in my 5e games often just use eldritch blast over and over in combat. Any suggestions for breaking the cycle an d getting them out of this rut? I'd really like too encourage the use of other options. We are at levels where flying is likely.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
It didn't take long for the nerf hammer to come out in the comments, so I tried to stem the flow and look for solutions that players might actually like.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>A key part of the solution needs to involve expanding options, not nerfing eldritch blast or simply designing an encounter to nerf it. If your only approach to avoid redundant battle actions is taking away their best option, there is likely to be player resistance.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>For example, for archery PCs, I added a whole new set of ammunition that gave them some magical options at reasonable prices. One of these was blinkback ammunition that, on a hit, teleports the target to a square adjacent to the attacker, encouraging teamwork.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Unfortunately it did not take long for me to regret asking the question. The response were overwhelmingly not useful, and I found myself having reexplain and defend my position over and over again. It was mentally exhausting and quickly put me in a bad mood.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also unfortunately some of the responding folks apparently thought I was female (My pinkdicegm handle has turned into an unintended gender experiment.) and decided to mansplain me to the point that I had to block them. Another twitter commentor was kind enough to clobber them with a clue-by-four about how rude they were being.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The non-useful comments fell into a number of categories. Many folks stopped by to disagree with my premise (not useful). Some decided that I must just be ignorant of how the warlock class works and decided to explain how it worked to me again. Some folks told me I had bad players that weren't playing it right. Many said that it was perfectly fine for a character to just repeat the same action over and over again in combat with no variation like a fighter using a sword. (I am glad I don't play in those types of games.) Some folks ignored information in my original post and subsequent tweets. I saw the classic explanation by one commentor to another commentor what I meant (It is generally bad form to speak for other people.). Many folks that commented told me how they or their players played the warlock, which as a GM searching for a solution, didn't help. Others suggested multiclassing as a solution (Am I supposed to force players to multiclass from Warlock?) In the end I got 4 responses that agreed with my assessment, but that had no advice. All in all I got 18 useful comments.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is my rough breakdown of the results:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Insisted it isn't a problem / there is no fix / that's how they work 15</li>
<li>Explained how warlocks work / that they need short rests<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 15</li>
<li>Told me it was a player problem / ask player<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 5</li>
<li>Suggested nerfing/banning/using immune enemies<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 12</li>
<li>Told me it was just like another class using a weapon<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 6</li>
<li>Noted that I was getting no useful feedback / being mansplained<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1</li>
<li>Ignored that flying was a factor<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1</li>
<li>Explained to another commentor what I meant<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 1</li>
<li>Told me how they play a warlock how their players play a warlock<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 11</li>
<li>Suggest multiclassing as a GM solution<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4</li>
<li>Players who attacked my example solution (blinkback arrows) 2</li>
<li>Agreed with my assessment but had no advice 4</li>
<li>Useful suggestion<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 18</li>
</ul>
<div>
Of the 18 good comments I received, I believe only 2 or 3 were things other folks had actually used in their games. Tested solutions certainly are more helpful, but even solutions made up on the fly can be very helpful. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With less than 20% useful comments, I thought I might share a few tips on how to give good advice when someone asks for help:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Read carefully what kind of help they are looking for. Read to see if they have responded to other answers / questions with additional information so you aren't repeating other conversations.</li>
<li>If you aren't sure of the experience or understanding of the person asking for help, ask them a question about what they have tried already. Don't assume they are ignorant / inexperienced.</li>
<li>If you don't have a useful answer to the question they are asking, don't leave a comment.</li>
<li>If you see bad behavior (not just bad advice) call people out on it. Bad behavior left unchallenged in our community will spread.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-33671893615833886842018-02-11T21:59:00.001-05:002018-02-11T21:59:38.145-05:00Why Do I Prep?<br />
<ul>
<li>So I don't have to draw maps or explain complex tactical situations at the table</li>
<li>So I can have the right terrain and minis</li>
<li>So I can prepare dynamic lighting and tokens in roll20</li>
<li>So I can prepare music and background soundscapes</li>
<li>So I can practice appropriate voices before the session</li>
<li>So I don't forget my best ideas</li>
<li>So I can collect and organize my thoughts about all the things that could happen</li>
<li>So I can think about NPCs and foes and their motivations</li>
<li>So I can take the time to create and scale just the perfect foes to move the spotlight around in the party</li>
<li>So I can bring fresh new ideas to the table without falling back on things I have already used and am comfortable with</li>
<li>So I can plan literary style elements like foreshadowing and foils</li>
<li>So I don't waste time thinking and letting players get bored</li>
<li>So I can choose the best way to handle different potential scene</li>
<li>So I can work in connections between PC backstories and the plot</li>
<li>So I can practice pronunciation of new names</li>
<li>So I can use a premade setting</li>
<li>So I can review stale or new rules that might come into play</li>
<li>So I can prep vignettes for players to read before the session with world info</li>
<li>So I can get excited about what is coming up in the game</li>
<li>So I can feel confident and unstressed at the table</li>
<li>So I can practice my dialogues and choose just the right words</li>
<li>So I can make cool handouts</li>
<li>So I can make cool props</li>
<li>So I can prerecord special sound effects for foes and NPCs</li>
<li>So I can give players a heads up when a PC-driven storyline is coming up and make sure they can be there for it</li>
<li>So I can prepare details that PCs might want to know</li>
<li>So I can venture outside of my comfort zone</li>
<li>So I can create mechanics to support new scenarios</li>
<li>So I can make combat more interesting with details and skill challenges</li>
<li>So I have something to come back to when we miss a few sessions</li>
<li>So I have recorded memories of our games</li>
<li>So I have something I can refer to to reuse content</li>
<li>So I don't get caught off guard</li>
<li>So I can be the best GM I can be</li>
<li>So my players can have the most fun possible</li>
</ul>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-43000632616899097352017-09-07T13:30:00.000-04:002017-09-07T13:52:42.631-04:00An Unexpected Gender ExperimentWhen I resurrected my gaming hobby several years ago, I did it as a father bringing his 4 daughters and wife into the hobby. For me, this was a really cool experience and I wanted to share it so I started this blog, the Pink Dice Chronicles. Now, years have passed, daughters have grown up and moved out and it is me and friends just playing now. Along the way though, I found that I wanted to help more people in the hobby, so I started a twitter account, and the PinkDiceGM twitter handle was born.<br />
<br />
On twitter, I accidentally started an unexpected gender experiment. I left off anything to indicate my gender, not on purpose. With a name like PinkDiceGM, I must be a woman, right? So the experiment began without me even noticing it.<br />
<br />
Now I've been around the internet (been online since '92) and I know there are always jerks and trolls. Twitter is no exception. When I ran into jerks here and there, I did what I have learned to do. Engage politely, and then block if needed. I had to do this a lot. The biggest difference, in hindsight, was my experience was filled with a lot more people arguing semantics. At first I didn't think anything of it. Now I wonder. Were these arguments targeted at me because of my perceived gender, because they certainly weren't based on merit of argument. I also had the experience of having to block several followers for plagiarizing my content. When you post a #GMTip one day and see someone else posting it reworded the next day as a #DMTip, it feels rotten. Again, I block.<br />
<br />
At least once along the journey I was also accused of being an overly sensitive millennial, which anecdotally I also find amusing. Keep in mind that I've been gaming for over thirty years across every version of D&D. I'm no millennial; my daughters are millennials, not me, not that it matters. It's just another useless label.<br />
<br />
Throughout all of these negative experiences, no one ever stood up for me. I had to stand up for myself. Is that just part of our culture, to let folks fight their own battles, even when someone is obviously being a jerk? I don't know.<br />
<br />
The other side of the coin I saw was the attraction of people looking for women in gaming. Several times people tried to include me in special lists and refer me to people as a "woman in gaming". I felt a bit of disappointment, as did the people that made the mistake, that I wasn't a woman. Being an overweight middle-aged straight white guy in the hobby is nothing special, and my voice isn't that unique. For me it is sad in two ways. It is sad that we have so few women in the community. It is sad that my contribution is somehow judged differently by my gender, for better or for worse.<br />
<br />
I remember the countless horror stories about being treated badly at the table. I recall the entire groups of people that have been ignored or portrayed poorly in our gaming culture. I hold to heart the matra "Not about us without us". In these times ahead, it becomes even more important for us to focus on protecting those in our community. Complacency is the enemy here. If you see someone unfairly attacked, get involved. If you see diverse voices and ideas being ignored, say something. Keep in mind, that for everything you might believe, the opposite might as well be true. We don't all have to always agree, but we should all be working to allow all voices to be heard without fear.<br />
<br />Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-45226835407362772482017-07-09T22:38:00.002-04:002017-07-09T22:38:29.568-04:00Tales from the Yawning Portal: DMing the Tomb of Horrors Tomb of Horrors has always been a favorite of mine to run as a session or two for fun. When Tales of the Yawning Portal popped up with a 5th edition version, I had to get it and run it. Luckily my group was totally on board for a different experience for a few sessions, so away we go.<br />
<br />
I've run ToH in multiple systems and I have seen the ins and outs. I know all the tricks. I know what fun looks like and what frustration looks like. ToH is a great experience dating all the way back to Gary Gygax's original group. Let's take a look.<br />
<br />
My game was run with 5 players, although we swapped out a couple of players along the way. It lasted about 3 sessions of about 4 hours each. All of the players started with multiple 14th level characters, so they could switch to new ones as characters died. My party ran no rogues, which was just weird.<br />
<br />
This is all my opinion. Your game may go differently, your gaming group may have different problems and successes. I'm not going to argue that I am right about any of this in the context of your game. As always, do what works for you.<br />
<br />
Here's my recap of the good and the bad at a generic spoiler-free level.<br />
<br />
GOOD<br />
<ul>
<li>I set expectations that this is a PC-killer dungeon. Players were told to make several PCs and be prepared for them to die. If you don't set this expectation, your players will likely get upset.</li>
<li>I let all options from my list of playable content into the game.</li>
<li>I let the PCs have all the mundane equipment they can carry 3 uncommon and 1 rare magic item of choice, and one totally random magic item from all the tables in the DMG.</li>
<li>I relaxed the rules for spells -- no preparing, no selecting. You get your spell list. Spell slot limits still apply.</li>
<li>I had a banner map printed (https://www.bannersonthecheap.com/) and covered all of the area with labeled cardstock stuck on with mounting squares. It was OK, but I would prefer a different approach that I give in the spoiler section. I oversized all of the squares and made them weird shapes to attempt to hide secret passages.</li>
<li>I explained that all skill checks require a complete description of what you are doing, what you are touching, where you are looking, etc.</li>
</ul>
<div>
BAD</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I gave the party maximum HP at every level. This turned out to be too much. Average HP at every level would have been better.</li>
<li>I let them be level 14. This is great except there are too many "I win" spells for casters. If I had to do it again, I would stick with 10th level (or lower) characters, giving a maximum 5th level spell in play.</li>
<li>I think some players had seen the ToH before, so I should have modified it more. Having a preprinted map didn't allow for that. </li>
<li>I never use a DM screen. For this one, I should have, and probably should have slipped a copy of the map with notes to it.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
For here on down, we're talking specifics so SPOILER ALERT!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="spoiler" style="display: none;">
<div>
<ul>
<li>This adventure isn't polished for ease of use. The wording is often confusing for encounter descriptions, the text to read aloud is difficult and easy to stumble on. I understand that a lot of this is from the original version, but it makes it difficult for your typical 5E DM. Prepare in advance.</li>
<li>Rests aren't addressed very well. Can the party take a short rest or long rest in the tomb? My recommendation is that short rests are allowed in the tomb. If the party wants a long rest, they have to leave the tomb, because of magic that disrupts sleep. If the party leaves the tomb for a long rest, everything resets.</li>
<li>There is a brief blurb on ethereal and astral plane. Unfortunately, I had to change this form my party. If you teleport, misty step, dimension door, or any other similar spell, not only does a deadly demon appear immediately and every time, it can attack you no matter what planar state you are in. It is the only way to avoid teleport cheats to bypass everything.</li>
<li>The whole tomb is full of secret doors that lead between areas. If you show an overarching map of the tomb, the party can pretty easily start to figure out where to look for secret doors. It is probably best to use a map for just the current area, and remove it once the party moves on Of course, this means managing a lot of smaller maps, but the effect would be much better for confusing the players, especially when one of them gets teleported to another section.</li>
<li>Use a 5ft square map. Mine was 10ft squares and it made it difficult to manage initiative-based "escape the trap before it kills you" segments.</li>
<li>Adjust the pit depths and sizes to get the effect you want for your party. 5E jumping and climbing are different, so adjust accordingly. For me, this meant making them require help from an ally with a rope and possibly a grappling hook. It is more of a flavor thing.</li>
<li>Character death is going to happen. Have a plan for how players get new characters into play. I just let them join the party where they are.</li>
<li>Check all the monsters and scale for the party in play. For every 50% increase in party size over 4, you have to more than double HP/damage. Combat should be deadly. I didn't scale anything and the combats were all one round. It was boring and uneventful.</li>
<li>Improvise details, change the directions that rooms are oriented, even change the order of some of the rooms. ToH is well-known and easy to research. Be prepared to run it for people who already know some of the secrets. Swap the entrances (Areas 1, 2, 3) and some of the details about how they look.</li>
<li>Prep handouts. The riddles are good. A key either on the map or as a handout is good for area 10. The word 'wend' through my players for a loop, assuming it was 'wind'. In text, it would be clearer, rather than spoken.</li>
<li>Area 14's gender changing archway is pretty old school. I would probably replace it with something else. Gender isn't binary and this mechanic requires it to be. A lot gamers don't use alignment, so that change may be hit or miss too.</li>
<li>I had to prod the party several times. In particular, getting them to area 17 required a bit of a hint to keep searching.</li>
<li>Area 18 was a little confusing. My party long-rested, so it reset, giving away its secret. Another good reason to not allow long rests in the ToH.</li>
<li>The corridors between 21, 22, and 23 were very confusing and impossible to convey when using a map. I would replace the whole trap with a trapped corridor. In each direction after reaching the crossroads, half way down the hall a group of tentacles emerge and start grappling and strangling the party. I would make this a Dex save to avoid them and a Strength(Athletics) check to break free. It gives strong characters a nice chance to shine.</li>
<li>For the door at 24, I allowed the party to investigate an idea of the shape of the slots in the door, indicating they had a point at the tip. This was enough to prod them onward.</li>
<li>Area 33 was confusing without a map. The southern section of the room starts to go up. Basically if a party members doesn't drag a PC out of the area or they don't move out on their own, they are crushed. This really only makes sense if the door closes and locks behind them to this area? </li>
<li>In general, adding more mechanisms to keep the party from hanging back or easily leaving the dungeon would be great. There are some traps that automatically reset that aren't easily bypassed that helps.</li>
<li>The efreeti that appears in area 30 grants 3 wishes. I would set some limits:</li>
<ul>
<li>All wishes must be made within 10 minutes. After that, he vanishes.</li>
<li>The wishes cannot reveal anything about areas 32 or 33. It is blocked by antimagic fields.</li>
<li>The wishes cannot be an "I Win" spell. </li>
<li>Or course, they cannot wish to change any of the above conditions or for more wishes.</li>
</ul>
<li>Acerak needs to be tougher. I gave him the ability to automatically succeed on 3 saves / long rest. He probably needs to have a deadly attack. I would give him a kill attack that takes a save. On a successful save, the target loses half of their hit point max. On a failed save, the character is dropped immediately to zero hit points. That captures the demilich that I think Acerak should be from the old AD&D days. I might be really corny and allow the save using any saving throw, and set the DC at 15 to 17. That gives Acerak a 50% chance of killing a PC per round.</li>
<li>If the cursed gem of wishing makes it in with Acerak and a wish is made, the party dies at the end of the round. The wish my party made actually generated another demilich to fight. This is how my game ended with TPK -- two demiliches and a party killing gem explosion. It lasted a little longer because of death ward and one party member was a half-orc. 1 hit point saves from death did nothing really.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-77698512633354955592017-02-26T09:48:00.001-05:002017-02-26T09:48:51.634-05:00Two Groups in the Same Campaign: Madness or Brilliance?For years I have been planning an Asian-inspired campaign, in fact, since before D&D 5E even came out. Originally it was to be a Pathfinder campaign. Instead, something better came together out of a combination of 5E, some homebrew, and the Forgotten Realms Kara-Tur setting. The campaign concept evolved over a period of years to become a group of monster hunters in Asian-inspired Kara-Tur somehow getting caught up in the Blood War, the eternal war between demons and devils. I knew to do this right it was going to take a lot of homebrew and a lot of prep. In the end, there are 3 custom races, 7 custom classes / archetypes, a whole new weapon set, and several house rules. Prep involves coming up with lots of place names and character names in a setting I am not particular well-versed in, either specifically or by genre. To save myself a lot of work, both of my Roll20 groups play different parties in the exact same campaign. Prep once, play twice.<br />
<br />
Half the prep is a wonderful thing. It turns out, however, that running two groups through the same campaign has far greater advantages. As GMs, we all put together those interesting fights, only to have a quick series of failed saves or critical hits skew the fight into something different than we planned. We've all had players miss clues and drag the campaign off in unexpected directions. The question lingers: was it bad design or was it just a crazy random happenstance. Now with two groups in play, I often get those answers. I learn what is design and what is random.<br />
<br />
A good example was a recent mission that both parties undertook in the town of Trunau. Something was killing commoners in one part of the city. They needed to figure out what was killing, find it, and kill it. It is a classic trope: investigate, locate, and kill. Both parties followed the same rough path through investigation, each clue leading to the next. One party had great luck at determining most of the special immunities and resistances of the monster. The other party had no luck. Both parties ended up camped out in the middle of town at night trying to catch the creature. However, one party upset the local guard captain so badly that a PC was temporarily jailed, while the other party followed rules of honor and kept in the guard captain's good graces.<br />
<br />
In the yokai fight, one party made most of their saves. The summoner failed and had to stay back during the fight. They knew very little about the yokai and charged into melee, killing the monster quickly, but still getting badly hurt by the tentacles flying in every direction. The second party almost entirely failed their saves. Being frightened, they couldn't move in on the creature. The summoner instead summoned a giant snake onto the monster which easily grappled it. The snake then moved the yokai within range of the PCs so they could attempt to hit it. This party had several PCs with little or no ranged weapons and it was a challenge. Unfortunately, despite the much longer fight, the yokai couldn't seem to hit anything and the PCs mostly walked away unscathed, with the giant snake taking most of the damage.<br />
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By seeing the different ways this investigation, hunt, and eventual combat went, I learned a lot more about the overall design. I learned where things pulled the PCs in a consistent direction. I learned where dice rolls made a huge difference and where they didn't matter. If I were writing this campaign to share, running two or three groups through it simultaneously would have been the optimal approach for testing the design. By choice, I would run 3 groups through: 2 to test the initial material, and a 3rd to test the material after I made some tweaks.<br />
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Now this approach isn't for everyone. Trying to run two or more games at the same time takes some serious time commitment and organization skills. It turns out, it also takes some thorough notes to keep the parties straight and the information that the parties know separate. It is a real challenge, but if you are up for the challenge, there are some definite advantages that come out of it.<br />
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Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-68866343715239987052017-01-29T18:52:00.003-05:002017-01-29T18:52:39.187-05:00Abyssal Winds: A New Style of CampaignI've GMed over 100 sessions of Dungeons and Dragons 5E now, with over 40 different players across multiple campaigns. I think I have finally learned enough to make a meaningful commentary on the system. I really love it, except for one thing: my bad guys, NPCs, and monsters are always getting ran over by the PCs as they sprint through encounters. They don't even think about it anymore. Bing, bang, bam -- they run in and kill the baddies. I had a level 15 take out a level 21 lich in a round and a half without breaking a sweat.<br />
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My new campaign has been years in the making and I really wanted to get a different feel from combat and NPC interaction. The party is a group of monster hunters in Kara-Tur, the Asian-inspired part of Forgotten Realms. To slow down the action, I really have emphasized two major changes: making NPC interactions trickier and making monster interaction trickier.<br />
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For NPCs, the PCs now have to navigate the subtleties of honor and tradition. Each PC has 7 stats now: the traditional six plus honor. Honor rolls are used to figure out how to say and do the right thing when approaching an NPC. Botch the honor roll, and the PC is going to say something insulting or commit a faux pas that will make even the best charisma not matter. Honor is a gatekeeper that slows down milking the NPC for information. It makes the party have to work for information. It also works quite nicely with the near-Ebberon levels of politics I have brought into the setting.<br />
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For monsters, I pulled heavily from monster hunters across popular culture, most notably Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy has the scooby gang, and before every fight, they spend their time figuring out what the creature is, what it wants, and how to kill it. I want the PCs to ask that one relevant question: "Does it have any weaknesses?". In Kara-Tur, my monsters often have only one weakness. You walk into one of these monster encounters without doing your research, and you'll end up dead. That werewolf can't be hurt unless you have silver weapons. The troll regenerates without being hit by fire in a way that makes the PCs ineffective without it. The players are now using investigation, perception, and a hodge-podge of techniques to gather and assemble information before they jump into a fight.<br />
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The results so far have been magical. They two groups I am running through this campaign are roleplaying more, interacting more, and scheming more. NPCs suddenly are an obstacle, not just a formality. Monsters are dangerous again, even for the monster hunters. It is by far the best start to a campaign I have ever had.<br />
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It is even more pleasing that all of this interaction and roleplaying actually reduces my preparation time. I can build a generic village, throw down a few useful location tags, and keep a list of names. The players send their PCs looking for specific people to talk to, specific locations to find, and I improvise the interaction in-game. The only real detail I need in advance is some rough semblance of the local customs that I can reference with the honor rolls. Add a scenario with monsters and a little local political intrigue, and I am ready for a session or two missing that really plays well.<br />
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I'll keep an eye on it as it continues and share my results here as things progress. I am very optimistic that this will be my best set of campaigns yet.<br />
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<br />Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-80507082897897451412016-10-30T13:00:00.004-04:002016-10-30T13:02:24.487-04:00It's All About the Crits: Critical Successes and FailuresWhen you roll a 1, something bad happens; when you roll a 20 something good happens. It is a simple roll in many systems that can be the curse or bane of players and GMs. Today we're going to be discussing it in D&D 5E, however this rule applies lots of places.<br />
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Lets get some terminology out of the way first. An attack roll is made when a creature attempts to hit a target using a weapon (which could a natural, like a fist or claw) to hit a target. A saving throw is a a creature trying to resist or avoid an effect of something like a spell or a trap. A skill check is used when a creatures applies its knowledge to answer a question or its skill to perform a task. For our purposes, this creature will be a player character.<br />
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For attack rolls, a 20 deals double damage dice, and a 1 misses in 5E RAW. These two effects nearly cancel each other out over the long haul, although not perfectly (math left as an exercise for the reader). Every PC on every attack has the same change of a critical failure (miss) or a critical hit. This does a nice job of reflecting the crazy randomness and risk in a battle. A couple of crits one way or the either can results in an unexpected outcome.<br />
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Now, let us insert the favorite houserule that something worse than a miss happens on a critical fail. In many cases, a significant percentage (if not all) of these critical failures ends your turn. These failures include things like dropping your weapon or clumsily falling down. Here's where an unintended consequence pops up. A level 1 character gets to attack once. A level 20 fighter gets to attack 4 times. Because every attack has the same chance of a critical fail, the level 20 fighter is 4 times more likely to have critical failure during their turn than a level 1 noob. Even worse, is that a critical failure may cost the level 20 fighter some of their subsequent attacks during the turn. It makes the level 20 fighter look like a complete clown at fighting.<br />
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For skill checks, there are no critical failures or success in 5E. Let's assume once again we insert the critical failure / success houserule. First our level 1 noob untrained in athletics wants to jump onto the roof of a house DC 25. Does out noob succeed with a 20+0 as if they had all the skill of a level 20 fighter maxed out in acrobatics? How about if that fighter has a +10 in acrobatics and rolls a 1 tying his shoes DC 1? Does that means he fails? The bottom line is that critical failures and successes don't seem to fit, because they make the unskilled perform unrealistic tasks and they make highly trained characters fail at the mundane. Sure, the GM can try to moderate this, but ultimately the base rule doesn't fit, because it breaks the assumptions of what "being skilled" means.<br />
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Lets try one more -- the saving throw. Once again, 5E doesn't have critical fails or critical successes. Lets add them. Again, the level 20 maxed dex fighter trips jumps into the fireball, and the level 1 noob jumps behind the fighter, does a tuck and roll over the nearby wall, and takes cover. Clearly we aren't doing any better with the realism with this than we did with the skills.<br />
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Ack! So that means we don't use our favorite houserule? What ever shall we do to get our failures? I share this sentiment. Failure is the best part of the games. Most of the stories told and retold (Aoefel and the acid pit) revolve around failures, not successes. From my playbook, here are a few options:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Use GM intrusion style mechanics from the Cypher system. For 5E, it could look something like this:</li>
<ul>
<li>On a roll of any one, the GM can make an intrusion i.e. add a complication to the scenario.</li>
<li>If the player doesn't accept, they have to give a hero point back to the GM. If the player has no hero points, they have to accept.</li>
<li>On an accepted intrusion, the player receives two d6 dice called hero points. The player then immediately hands one of the 2 d6 dice to another player and gives a reason for doing so.</li>
<li>In the future these hero points can be added to any roll (limit of 1 to a roll) before its outcome is known.</li>
<li>A player can only have as many hero points as their proficinecy bonus.</li>
</ul>
<li>Allow crit fails on attacks only, and only on the last attack in the attack action. This gives everyone an equal chance of a turn-ending effect without the higher level classes losing all of their extra attacks.</li>
<li>Just play with RAW and use the plot to set up your own critical failures. Put the players in a scenario where they can fail and don't give them limited or complex information to figure out what will happen.</li>
</ul>
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So those are my thoughts on critical fails, critical successes, and 5E. Have other thoughts? Drop me a message on twitter @PinkDiceGM.</div>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-14225303811359782772016-10-03T21:07:00.000-04:002016-10-03T21:07:36.147-04:00A Stern WarningDreden slammed his fist against the table. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!"<br />
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"Yes," said the two hobgoblin warriors who faced him across table.<br />
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"You cannot go above ground. We cannot be discovered, " said Dreden, his brow furrowed so that it was nearly touching his nose. "This mission will fail if you disobey."<br />
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"Yes, commander," the two repeated, one slightly before the other.<br />
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Dreden sat into the chair, lumber creaking under his muscular hobgoblin physique. The two warriors seemed fidgity. It was the white cloaks and the white helmets. They were too bright, too clean, and too civilized when they were above ground.<br />
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"Now what is the status of the tunnels?" Dreden spoke slowly. His face was normal again.<br />
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"The southern tunnel is slow going. There is bedrock under the river." said one warrior.<br />
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"The northern tunnel is a day ahead, so far as we can tell, " said the other.<br />
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Dreden frowned. "Escort Gitrid to the forward camp so she can make the assessment. We don't want any mistakes."<br />
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"Yes, sir", replied the warrior. "We're just being cautious after the first tunnel flooded."<br />
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Dreden leaned forward. "I can respect that. We lost too many to the first mistake. Still get Gitrid to help you. She bores me, she drinks too much, and I don't care for her company. Let her do something useful."<br />
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The warrior nodded.<br />
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"And check back at the end of a fortnight." Dreden paused while the warrior look confused. "The battle plans will be ready by then, and I want you to report back then. Now GO!"<br />
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The two slammed their arms to their chests and spun with a quick exit.<br />
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Dredn returned to pouring over his maps, scratching at his side. These white cloaks did seem, unnatural.<br />
<br />Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147669162591407759.post-38271712346694855092016-09-25T21:39:00.001-04:002016-09-25T21:39:50.840-04:00Numeneric Thoughts: Flying ThingsSome of the things that fly in the Ninth World:<br />
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<ul>
<li>There is a winged creature with feathers, webbed feet and a large circular mouth. This so-called suckler bird likes to land on large pieces of shiney metal and glass and suck the debris off it. A large flock of them can clean all the windows in a good sized town in a day. The young, however, have been know to attach to eyeglasses, mostly just frightening the wearer.</li>
<li>Numenera hunters near Beoth reported disturbing some sort of nest before leaving town. A week later small flying disks appeared, cutting through timbers of local buildings. The residents were able to take shelter in stone buildings after one resident was killed, but are scared to go outside.</li>
<li>There is a four-legged animal in the Wyr river valley that can spread its limbs and glide. The 3 foot creature has generally been content with swooping down and grabbing live food from the river, but recently it has taken to snatching livestock and small animals in settlements near the river.</li>
<li>Stirthal is home to a "wandering spirit from the sky". When someone is hurt on the streets of the town, a bright red machine drops out of the sky and works to repair their wounds. It seems to speak a foriegn language of clicks, chirps, and screeches. After it completes, it flies off into the sky and disappears again. </li>
<li>There is an insect swarm in the Pytharon Empire that has been attacking those carrying numenera recovered from a local ruin. The victims are found dissected with not a drip of blood nearby.</li>
<li>There is a large animal in the Salted Marshes that can take to the air despite its large size. Travelers said they have seen it as a bright streak in the sky at night.</li>
</ul>
Therisnospoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05527063087932828811noreply@blogger.com0