GMMichael
Guide of Modos
My brain's always on (after coffee), folks. Let me know how well it's firing...
Are hit points Meat or Mettle?
Doesn't matter. As DM, stop saying "hit" when an attack roll exceeds AC, and say "hurt" instead. If the player/situation calls for physical contact, a body got "hurt." If the player or situation calls for stamina instead, the attack roll "hurt" someone's feelings instead.
How do I remember to use Inspiration?
Always use it on your first roll of the session. Always. Soon, you'll start thinking "this is a waste," and actually think of a better time to use it.
How do I remember to give Inspiration?
Put your device across the table (or room, if you're playing online), where you can see it with a d20 on top of it. Every time you look at it, give someone Inspiration.
Killing big monsters takes too long! HP bloat!
13th Age solved this with the Escalation Die. Put a die on the table after the first round of combat, facing 1. Preferably red. That's a damage bonus to all PC attacks for the round. Next round, it goes up by 1, and so on.
PCs get too much power back with short/long rest! My PCs nova too often! The CR system is broken!
Okay. Monsters get the Escalation Die too.
5e doesn't do (insert various rules complaint) well!
Try another D&D edition. There are lots of them here: hpb.com
Or, and hear me out, try a different game. 13th Age comes to mind. Microlite20 if you want to play D&D with one page of rules, and like free games. O.L.D. if want to support EN World. Dungeon World if you buy Apple. So... many... options...
What else should we simply solve here?
Are hit points Meat or Mettle?
Doesn't matter. As DM, stop saying "hit" when an attack roll exceeds AC, and say "hurt" instead. If the player/situation calls for physical contact, a body got "hurt." If the player or situation calls for stamina instead, the attack roll "hurt" someone's feelings instead.
How do I remember to use Inspiration?
Always use it on your first roll of the session. Always. Soon, you'll start thinking "this is a waste," and actually think of a better time to use it.
How do I remember to give Inspiration?
Put your device across the table (or room, if you're playing online), where you can see it with a d20 on top of it. Every time you look at it, give someone Inspiration.
Killing big monsters takes too long! HP bloat!
13th Age solved this with the Escalation Die. Put a die on the table after the first round of combat, facing 1. Preferably red. That's a damage bonus to all PC attacks for the round. Next round, it goes up by 1, and so on.
PCs get too much power back with short/long rest! My PCs nova too often! The CR system is broken!
Okay. Monsters get the Escalation Die too.
5e doesn't do (insert various rules complaint) well!
Try another D&D edition. There are lots of them here: hpb.com
Or, and hear me out, try a different game. 13th Age comes to mind. Microlite20 if you want to play D&D with one page of rules, and like free games. O.L.D. if want to support EN World. Dungeon World if you buy Apple. So... many... options...
What else should we simply solve here?
