Recent content by jcrowland

On being able to understand you (language dependency) it would be interesting if you allowed Supernal as a language (is it in the playtest?), then you could cast command on nearly anyone. On the restriction of hazards, I've always ruled you could Command say "Approach" and if there was a trap...

Back on topic: One other thing: Noble "Trait" is the "Position of Privilege" rather than 3 henchmen.

I think for many of us, we've always done this since the OD&D/1E days and never really stopped. Back when 3rd came out, there were discussions of "playing 3E like it was 1E". It's why I am jazzed about this edition, stuff I've been doing all along (DM "Hacks") won't seem so jarring to 5E rules...

I sort of do both now: Pick the four skills (or use the background skills as written) explicitly AND if it comes up in play that perhaps you should get a bonus, I'll adjudicate. Character chooses "Sailor" background, then chooses: Acrobatics, Intimidation, Perception, and Slight of Hand. During...

I mostly use FR for the map (when I play realms). I have the original poster maps and so that is what I use. As far as lore. I do whatever...I'll likely run the Rise of Tiamat adventures as-is, but I am not trying to "capture" the sundering in the game. If the PCs trek from the Sword Coast to...

I fail to see the need for a discussion with the players if there are no mechanical consequences. If I say "True Neutral" and play in such a way that you say "Chaotic Evil", so what? Have NPCs who are aware of his actions treat him as CE and let the player think whatever he wants to think. Its...

How many times has anyone played Village Of Hommlet? I have DMed it countless times. As a standalone adventure, part of Temple of Elemental Evil, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, the 4E conversion in Dungeon (Hommel Lane?) and its 5e version. Each of those more than once. I've always used...

I'm with TomB here... I'd like to se less in-combat healing and more in-combat damage mitigations: More blocks, parry's, and dodges, for example, as interrupts to damage. This, at the very least, would lessen the 4E yo-yo. Instead of : Max HP - take damage - healed - take damage -take damage...

Well, Random die (no stat) is fine for initiative...I wouldn't storm away from 5E in a hissy fit. However, I like the idea of having a character that reacts sooner due to inherent abilities. I think Dex-based initiative assumes everyone "perceives" a combat has begun and is physically reacting...

I agree. "Cleaving" as in using a meat cleaver, is what you are thinking of, and while more accurate than "hacking", it does run into what we in D&D think of when we think of a cleave. Personally, I am a big fan of the K.I.S.S. principle. Make weapon damage types differentiated by their...

A quick bite for thought Just as a quick thought experiment: What if a round was 18 sec? If 5E retains some version of a Standard action, a Move action, and a Minor action, they could be 9 sec, 6 sec, and 3 sec respectively. Perhaps using a model like that, one could exchange a Standard for a...