D&D 5E D&D 'frequently asked' questions?

[darjr]

#1 question I got over and over, every time, every roll......"which dice do I use?". Every. Single. Roll.

I’ve got a set of dice where each die is a different color/pattern. I tell them “roll the red one” or the “dotted one”

 

[The Green Hermit]

IDR, does the PHB give an example? Pretty sure in previous editions they usually include a " DM, and players x, y, & z" step by step example of what their players do and how their players describe it.

Sort of, but not really.

 

[MGibster]

What are the areas of D&D that new players would find a short article explaining how it works useful?

I think something on readying actions would be helpful. I sometimes run into people who try to hold their actions, usually in order to determine what an NPC is doing before the PC acts, and they get confused when I tell them they can ready an action but they can't just hold your action and act later. I then explain to them that readying an action means you declare what action your character performs when a particular set of circumstances are met.

 

[R_J_K75]

Sort of, but not really.

Thats not good for someone new to the game.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Can't believe anyone hasn't said it yet:

"How does surprise actually work?" - with various examples.

Because it's some weird-ass naughty word in 5E. Like odd. And everyone who claims they're running it "right" no doubt honestly believes that, but last time I read a thread on reddit about it, there were multiple popular and incompatible opinions about how it "actually works".

 

[R_J_K75]

Can't believe anyone hasn't said it yet:

"How does surprise actually work?" - with various examples.

Because it's some weird-ass naughty word in 5E. Like odd. And everyone who claims they're running it "right" no doubt honestly believes that, but last time I read a thread on reddit about it, there were multiple popular and incompatible opinions about how it "actually works".

Think it has been mentioned but I agree. Theres too much DM fiat in surprise and I dont think thats right.

 

[CleverNickName]

General questions that have come up several times in the past few months:

• "Can I do (whatever) as a Bonus Action?" (this question is usually followed by "Well then what -can- I do as a Bonus Action?!" in an exasperated tone of voice.)
• "Why are my attacks at Disadvantage? I have darkvision!"
• "How does leaving a threatened area provoke an opportunity attack, but entering one doesn't?"
• "Can I take the (feat) more than once?"
• "What's the difference between cover and concealment?"
• "Why does a long rest restore all my hit points, but only -one point- of exhaustion?" (This is part of an ongoing argument concerning the nature of damage, what hit points are supposed to represent, and what it means to "rest" and to "heal.")

When using the Shield Master feat:

• "Can I use the Shield Bash first, then make my two weapon attacks?"
• "Can I shove AND knock them prone?"
• "Does the Shield Mastery feat give me proficiency with shields? Why not?"

When trying to use a shield as a weapon attack:

• "Can I bludgeon the skeleton with my shield?"
• "How much damage does a shield bash do?"
• "Wait, why is it an Improvised Weapon? I'm proficient with shields!"

 

[R_J_K75]

I think that one thing this column should reiterate is that the 5E rule set was meant to be a guideline rather than all encompassing leaving the DM the ability to rule as they see fit based on the table and the column is going to make suggestions to fill in the gaps.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Think it has been mentioned but I agree. Theres too much DM fiat in surprise and I dont think thats right.

Apparently it was and Google Chrome was just messing with me lol when it said 0/0 for mentions!

 

[R_J_K75]

Apparently it was and Google Chrome was just messing with me lol when it said 0/0 for mentions!

Well Google is evil.