Recent content by Melfast

Sorry, I thought I included the quote that was asking about taking a two-weapon attack while wearing a shield. Hopefully this introduction makes the answer clearer. You can't. Per SAC (2014, but it is still posted), you have to have both weapons in hand when you make your first attack. So, no...

In regards to 2 WPN fighting hijinks, I just rely on the SAC Ruling that says: Can I make an attack with one weapon, then draw a second weapon with my other hand and qualify to use two-weapon fighting? To use the two-weapon fighting bonus action (PH), you must have both weapons in hand when...

That's been my impression as they 4e monsters. They have a lot of good ideas, but seem overdone in some cases. I'm also getting a bit tired of Matt Colville's attitude about his game and everyone else. I get you have to market your game, especially given the success of his Kickstarter, but it...

I think the art is pretty cool -- we get two dragons, a company of adventurers, and a good use of color. I realize art is subjective, though. I still kinda feel that some reactions are more based on a general dislike of Hasbro/WOTC, and less on the art itself.

I'm planning to get pretty much all of it. The 2024 core books look to have much more new and improved content, and there is a lot of stuff coming out for 5e that I remember from the old days. No matter how many other games I bring my players to, DCC, Cypher System, PF2, Fate, etc., we always...

I was just looking at this product on their website. Good timing for me to have you cover it!

TSR crashed in part because it put out too many products that competed with each other. 3e and 4e put out a ton of products that could look intimidating to new players. It looks like a huge investment to get into the game, and it looks overwhelming to learn. 5e took a different path. Fewer rule...

It seems to me the problem may be related to expectations, and how each person sees the game being played. Some people may be used to games where dice rolls can allow anything to happen as long as you roll high enough, where others expect that the rolls are bounded by the narrative. The classic...

This is one of those weird things that I've only seen clarified by JC and Mearls tweets. They said anyone can use a tool to try and pick a lock or disarm a trap (since nothing in the rules appears to require proficiency to use a tool), but you only get the proficiency bonus if you are trained...

Having ability score draining monsters can be really scary for a low level party. We had a TPK to shadows once upon a time. I think they are fair though if the players have a chance to learn about them. I strongly believe players need to spend more time preparing for their adventures. They seem...

We were fighting giants, and they proceeded to grapple our fighter and paladin, and drop them down a deep well. This is obviously not a grapple build, but it does come up in games. I expect my Giant Barbarian to be using it once I have two attacks per round and maybe before that if I need to...

Technically, I think picking a lock or deactivating a trap are Dexterity checks, and not Sleight of Hand checks (neither of those two checks are listed under Sleight of Hand in the PHB). However, they are listed as actions under the Thieves Tools section in the PHB. So, I think you only get to...

Familiars scouting can be a problem. On the other hand, they are likely not large enough or heavy enough to discover traps, they can't open closed doors, they may have limited views of areas, they may move slowly, their scouting will take time if the party expects to draw maps and check things...

I think the new rogue is fine. It has several improvements, like weapon mastery and cunning strike. Reliable talent comes on board 4 levels sooner. The sub-classes also all seemed to get a boost that makes the sub-classes better. The rogues in our party consistently do great damage -- often more...

This is a player choice to emphasize combat vs. being broad in their skills. If you always make Intelligence and Wisdom dump stats, then you won't be as good at skills involving learning or such as a character who chooses to put some points into them. I'm ok with that. I rarely have a 8 or 9...