Recent content by strider13x

So I'm a douche? Wow, :):):):) you Awesome Adam. Now I'm a douche.

It not an issue at my table when I DM. My players tell me an intent and I make call. My players trust I am acting in the interest of fun and fairness. It appears to me when these discussions come up it arises more when that trust has eroded between players and DM. That's no fun and I don't play...

The problem doesn't exist in that it's a DM call. The players don't get to decide "I'm flanking so give me my bonus". They can state the intent, but the DM gets to rule if and when Advantage is given. No need to specifically qualify if a monster can avoid being flanked, the situation will inform...

I only play in point-buy games, or pre-gens. Keeps everyone even and honest. Other than that I'm open as long as the type of game is agreed on in advance. PvP and house rules are fine if I'm aware of it.

Yeah, because everybody is standing so still during a fight... That is the issue with gridded combat, it assumes everyone is static. In an actual fight to the death it isn't so simple, who is letting someone get behind you like that? Only the DM (and some special abilities) grants advantage, not...

Mines of Madness!!

Went from AD&D playing really loose (I was like 10), to 2nd edition following all the rules (pre-skills and powers era). Moved to HERO System for the crunch. Mostly missed 3e, then rediscovered D&D just before 4e Essentials because my son was 7 and old enough to try. This is where my rpg world...

Skill challenge. This allows you to describe the scene rather than focus on the tedium of map drawing. Failures lead to lost time or fights, requires 3 successes in a row to find the end. Time should be essential to make it important enough for the players to want to complete!

Overall I would say let the dice decide when you as DM are not sure, apply Advantage or Disadvantage as appropriate. Keep in mind the motivations of the people that are being fooled, does the orc guard from the previous example really have motivation to be suspect of the additional crate? Or is...

Throwing in my 2cp on this example... The Barbarian stated his goal and is focused on looking for illusions. He should gain advantage on his passive score (+5). But that focus will cost him, he is alerting the goblins in the other room because of all that incessant tapping!

Stances are another thing that could add to the Fighter. Offensive Stance, +1 hit, -1 AC. Give them 3-5 Stances they can select from round to round to make the player feel warm and fuzzy about the mechanics.

Complexity can lie in the description of HP loss, not every strike draws blood so use HP to describe more interesting effects. Not as mechanically interesting I know but that's the beauty of HP!

Salmon would work just as well. I would say a shield could be "worn" (as in you do not have to drop the item), but you gain no AC benefit on the round the bow was used.

Gnome Rogue Arcane Trickster Charlatan who convinces everyone he is an Archmage! But be useful at least...

I can picture the player entitlement now... "But he's at 1/2 HP and is supposed to run away! You're DMing wrong!" I would leave tactics in the modules/adventures rather than in the MM.