Recent content by DeathMutant

I use the CON score -- not modifier -- for calculating hit points at 1st level. For subsequent levels, the CON modifier is used. It is a simple rule change, fair and that is how it was done in 4e too.

Cantrips scale based on character level and the character level for NPCs is their CR so a "standard" Lich, with a CR of 21, inflicts 4d8 with each Ray of Frost. If the Lich uses all 3 Legendary Actions to hit the same target it not only inflicts 12d8 Cold damage but, effectively, immobilizes it...

I've got a (Tiefling) Fighter 2 / Warlock 5 (Fiend) that loves these single-turn combos: Against multiple targets: Fireball + Action Surge + Fireball For a total of: 2 x 8d6 or 16d6 damage to multiple targets Against a single target: (Transfer, already cast) Hex + Scorching Ray (4 beams; 3rd...

In my Primeval Thule game, where you need to be tough to survive, the hit points of 1st level PCs are calculated as the maximum value on their class Hit Die + CON score -- not CON bonus. At 2nd level and beyond, it is always the average value on the new class' Hit Die + CON bonus; as per normal...

In the olden days, I believe that you lost 1 point of CON -- permanently -- when you were resurrected.

If you want a large number of short (2, 4 and 8-hour) self-contained adventures you might want to check out the "Adventurers League" section of the DM's Guild ( http://www.dmsguild.com/ )

As a DM, I have never killed a PC but my players have(!) In one (Adventurers League) game, an enemy used non-lethal damage to take-out a PC but the rest of the party just assumed she was dead and unloaded 2 high-damage area effect spells that included her KOed body within them and killed her...

I assumed that the designer's intent, for ghouls/ghasts to *not* have proficiency in their bite attacks, is to encourage the DM to have the monsters paralyze their prey (with a claw attack) first then follow-up with a bite attack (with advantage and an auto-critical if it hits). This is similar...

Note that a Firebolt cast from a 5th level character (cantrips scale based on character level, not class level) does 2d10 damage so your average damage would be 11 (not 5.5). Also note that your Barbarian should be attacking Recklessly anyway, thus giving him Advantage, so using an action to...

I am running a Primeval Thule game with no "Surgeless-Healing" (to borrow a term from 4e) and it is working-out quite well. All restoration of hit points requires the expenditure of Hit Dice with one exception: Goodberries. A creature can benefit from only 1 Goodberry per day, however, so it is...

This is one reason that I stopped DMing or playing public Adventurers League games: Too many tier 2 characters being run by tier 1 players. This issue is not really limited to AL but the "catch-up" rule allowing characters to instantly jump tiers (from 4th to 5th level) is a contributing factor.

FWIW, I would allow you to attack/make a grapple attempt from a standing ally's square but you are Squeezing at the time (see PHB p.182) so would attack with disadvantage and any attack, like an AoO, against you would be made with advantage. If your ally was prone there would no penalty other...

How about multi-classing as a Fighter and using Action Surge to Ready an Action to attack again when <an expected event> happens on someone else's turn thus giving you another chance to inflict Sneak Attack damage? The event could be as simple as an ally shouting "Strike!"

Yes but that is not obvious *until* the end. I wanted to build-up atmosphere and menace -- without being a direct threat -- as the party explores the house.

I plan to make the primary antagonist the Death House itself(!) It is no longer just an inanimate structure but a cursed, malicious entity trapped within Strahd's demi-plane. For example, * The party will hear regular (once/minute) but faint, low-frequency "thumping" sounds when the house is...