Recent content by Lazybones

I tried this one when it came out, but as someone who ran thousands of hours of DM-ed campaigns in the first game, I just couldn't get into it, mostly because it was too difficult and time-consuming to build in the NWN2 toolset.

I use the encumbrance rules also. It's easy to do on a VTT, where the weights are calculated by the software. But even on a tabletop, it's not that hard to eyeball things. My experience is that most player characters carry about their weight limit minus a few pounds, so in most cases a flying...

While I agree that the power level of PCs has increased, I disagree with the assertion that the challenges haven't kept pace. Some subtle new changes to monster abilities make them much deadlier. For example, the life drain from a wight or wraith no longer has a save, making it much easier for...

I would not allow the options you suggested (closing your eyes or looking away) as solutions. I read "can't" as "unable to," not the temporary, player-initiated conditions you described. I agree with the sentiment of the poster above; if you know the thing that you're scared is standing behind...

Line of sight is defined on p.45 of the DMG; the wording there has nothing to do with whether the target can see and has more to do with the obstruction, if any, between two spaces. If they'd wanted the spell to be dependent on what the target can actually see/perceive, I think the spell would...

I don't really have a need for a starter set right now, but I have been intrigued by how the previews have looked and might end up getting it anyway. I mostly run homebrew these days, but I was a huge fan of the 3e FRCS hardcover back in the day and might get the two Realms books for the...

I like to make my games as sandboxy as possible (in terms of giving players freedom to make decisions beyond the default storyline I've created), but for me at least, it does involve considerable prep. My current campaign is set in a city state in an island archipelago. It has a series of quests...

One of my groups is playing 2024 characters in a mod I created using the 2014 rules. Haven't had to do much except bump up the encounters a bit (usually it's just something small like adding an extra monster). I am one of the people you mentioned who hasn't allowed mixing in of old subclasses...

Just chiming in to say thanks to The Firebird for posting that link; it looks like an amazing resource and I've already grabbed a few maps to use in the adventure I'm currently building (I especially like the village map generator). I've been doing the same thing with the maps in Dyson Logos's...

The change to the conjure spells was identical to my house rule, so I'm glad to see that. Also glad that they clarified that temp HP granted by certain spells like polymorph expire when those spells do, that was another house rule at my table.

Here is my list from my current 2024 campaign. We're also keeping the flanking rule and the optional diagonal movement rule. Most of these are just clarifications to preempt some of the arguments/exploits I've seen discussed on this board. A creature can lose the Invisible condition granted by...

Others have provided more examples, including in the post directly above yours. I have no problem with people who prefer to lean more on DM rulings than clear rules; over the years I have made thousands of those rulings in-game, and have no doubt that I will continue to do so. All I'm suggesting...

It's all about the edge cases. If it said, "It takes an Action to tie a knot," what happens when the party rogue asks if they can do it with their Fast Hands trait? Now the game has to stop while the DM adjudicates the situation. My 5e 2024 game is still too new for me to make a definitive...

Pretty much every session. I do appreciate that the 2024 MM tried to include more higher-CR threats, such as tougher versions of the low-level humanoid foes, but there are just too many times where what I'm looking for is something just a bit different. Even on the rare occasion where I'm...

In my last high-level campaign (we wrapped up at 17th), I had a player who ran a rogue who'd taken a few levels of wizard to access bladesinger. He was extremely difficult to lay a hand on and could zip around the battlefield almost at will. With the Elvish Accuracy feat he also got a lot of...