Recent content by Psychometrika

Advantage is the same as +5 only we you you need a 10, and tapers off from the middle of the distribution for any other number. Advantage also gives you almost doubles the chance to crit, where static modifiers do nothing. So, actually they function quite differently.

Thanks. Broadly speaking it is "OK" as it mostly does not impact the game, even though I am not in complete agreement with the premise. There are some corner cases, particularly magic related ones, where those external elements can be temporarily ignored that are problematic however. Mind...

While I don't agree with the premise (I thinks of stats as intrinsic qualities), I'd be fine with it at my table. Good role playing is always welcome even if I think it is a bit silly.

4 out of 5 rating for Curse of Strahd Great production values. Gorgeous art that is very thematic. Individual locations in Barovia seem well fleshed out and well written. Captures the gothic feel very well. Very little supplemental crunch. Most of which is obtainable by free downloads...

Hmm...I would build Gandalf the Grey as a powerful outsider approximately on the level of a Balor with spells per day that match the feats in the book. He is functionally the equivalent of an "Angel" (Maia are spirits not ordinary mortals) in the lore anyway, so I don't think classes really fit...

Whoops...1d10+cha...but the point still stands. Also, you seem to be conflating the different definitions of "expect". One is predictive (I expect it to rain tomorrow) and the other declares necessity (I expect you to get to work on time). Obviously, if the other classes received cantrip...

Personally, I never expect any class to take anything. That said, if those theoretical optional class choices made those cantrips the optimal choice by a clear margin I would expect to see that choice more often even though as DM or player I don't pressure people to play a particular way...

Of course not. However, none of those classes have abilities directly tied to a specific spell like the Warlock is to Eldritch Blast. You can work around not having it with Pact Blade or other cantrips from the Pact Tome, but the Warlock's limited number of spell slots relative to the full...

I have it too. Some thoughts: Great production values. Gorgeous art that is very thematic. Individual locations in Barovia seem well fleshed out and well written. Very little supplemental crunch. Most of which is obtainable by free downloads. Reads like a setting book with an adventure...

Great thread. I rarely like most fumble systems since the mechanics of the game often mesh poorly with the narrative of a character growing in skill. In basically all editions of D&D and many other systems, the number of rolls you make typically increases as the character gains experience. Thus...

Alert 24 Love this one! Athlete 20 Actor 22 Charger 11 Crossbow Expert 22 Defensive Duelist 17 Dual Wielder 20 Dungeon Delver 21 Durable 20 Elemental Adept 20 Healer 22 Heavily Armored 20 Heavy Armor Master 21 Inspiring Leader 23 Keen Mind 18 Lightly Armored 20 Linguist 18 Lucky 10 Mage Slayer...

I used to play primarily Pathfinder, where there are a ton of options and you can minmax to your heart's content. With bounded accuracy and relatively few customization options the whole concept of optimization is pretty shaky in D&D 5e. Outside of maxing your primary stat and picking the...

I wonder if by retailers they mean Amazon. Now that we are past the initial release and given the glacial release schedule, I don't see hardcover D&D books (or any RPG book really) being a meaningful revenue stream for your FLGS. I was looking at the ICv2 sales reports and the entire RPG market...

I think that bladesinger is well balanced as a wizard, but falls short in the melee department. As it should though! If the Bladesinger was as good as a fighter in melee in addition to all of the wizard spells it would be overpowered. I'm not sure if that capture the fluff well though. Some...

Guys, you aren't going to win this one with logic. It's fairly obvious the sheepish one dislikes multiclassing, and this is a way to make it unappealing without out right banning it.