Cassandra Macdonald

Recent & Upcoming Releases

September 17 2024

D&D Player’s Handbook (2024)

(Dungeons & Dragons)
Revised 2024 Player's Handbook.
Replies (156)
September 26 2024

Dungeon Master's Screen (2024)

(Dungeons & Dragons)
4-panel screen revised for the 2024 rules.
Replies (59)
October 1 2024

Monstrous Menagerie II

(Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition)
The sequel to the acclaimed monster book!
Replies (54)
November 12 2024

D&D Dungeon Master’s Guide (2024)

(Dungeons & Dragons)
Revised 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide.
Replies (120)
February 18 2025

D&D Monster Manual (2025)

(Dungeons & Dragons)
Revised 2025 Monster Manual.
Replies (91)
July 1 2025

D&D Dragon Anthology

(Dungeons & Dragons)
A book of 10 dragon-themed adventures.
Replies (40)
October 1 2025

Heroes of the Borderlands

(Dungeons & Dragons)
New D&D starter set.
Replies (601)
November 1 2025

Forgotten Realms Player Guide

(Dungeons & Dragons)
First 5E player's guide for the setting.
Replies (254)
November 1 2025

Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide

(Dungeons & Dragons)
DM’s book digs into different parts of the Realms.
Replies (11)

Cassandra Macdonald is a perpetual storyteller with a love for indie RPGs weird and unique. She was inducted into the cult of D&D at an age most would consider "too young", and hasn't quit since. Best known for her breakout DM's Guild title Skullport: Shadow of Waterdeep and the sci-fi western RPG DIESEL, she's been tinkering and homebrewing for over a decade now, and Must Be Stopped™. If you'd like to try, she can be challenged on Twitter @theicequeer.

How do Temporary Hit Points Work in D&D 5E?

On their face, temporary hit points are simple enough: they’re hit points that stack on top of your “normal” hit points, and go away first when you take damage, serving as a buffer against harm. However, they can create some confusion due to how they interact with a few other mechanics. Here’s a few of these specific interactions: This is the part of a weekly series of articles by a team of...

Sep 26, 2021 4

How Do Death and Resurrection Work in D&D 5E?

In D&D 5E, character death is a persistent threat, but it’s not nearly as punishing as it may initially seem. When your character’s current hit points are reduced to 0, your character becomes unconscious, meaning they immediately drop anything they’re holding and fall prone. This is a dangerous position to be in because of… This is the part of a weekly series of articles by a team of designers...

Aug 30, 2021 39

How Does Mounted Combat Work in D&D 5E?

Mounted combat in D&D is often a point of confusion because unlike past editions, the systems for it are fairly slim. This is the part of a weekly series of articles by a team of designers answering D&D questions for beginners. Feel free to discuss the article and add your insights or comments! Mounting A Creature To mount a creature: You must be within 5 feet of it. It must be willing to...

Aug 2, 2021 60

How Do Opportunity Attacks Work In D&D 5E?

An often-misunderstood element of 5E D&D, opportunity attacks allow combatants to strike fleeing combatants before they can leave. An opportunity attack, generally, follows these rules: A creature provokes an opportunity attack when it moves out of your reach. It uses your reaction for the round. It allows you to make a single melee attack with a held weapon or unarmed strike. It does not...