Recent content by Neonchameleon

Hardly complex to say "or a pact magic slot". They just decided not to put any warlock options there. The thing is figuring things out isn't hard and the warlock is IMO easily the most interesting class to play both thematically and mechanically. Throwing out the best class in D&D 5e just to...

I don't want feats and subclasses unified. Layers of choices and customisation are a good thing.

Long is relative to opportunity cost. Chains of two feats are chains of eight entire levels of character customisation and chains of three are chains of twelve entire levels. This isn't Pathfinder or even 4e. These in reality are long chains. I've said before and I'll say again 5e's lack of...

Of course the AoE Cure Wounds main purpose is if you have multiple people in the party on 0hp; it's no more spell slot efficient than simply casting Cure Wounds. But for getting people from 0 to 1hp it can be really good.

A PbtA style playbook is an example of a class without levels. Your starting character has a role and distinct abilities that can be silo'd away from other classes, but when you level up your advancement is picked from a list rather than lockstep (so in the Apocalypse World advancements below...

As I said yesterday in another thread a class system and a level system aren't the same thing. PbtA games have classes but not levels and Daggerheart defangs levels. Meanwhile D&D 5e's are almost uniquely constraining (3.X for example has skills, 4e has powers, and AD&D is random equimpent...

The thing here is that although the Titans are niche outside combat (there are uses for turning into giant flying monsters that are strong enough to carry people and giant siege attackers) this is a druid; it has wild shape, familiars, and one of the best out of combat spell lists. When a...

And would require a lot of feats. But this ties into my core problem with 5e from the player's side. How few character development choices you make. Once you've hit level 4 in 5e then, with most non-charisma casters, you are likely to make only a single character growth choice that's not just...

With very rare exceptions you've got that backwards. Subclasses are what feat chains aspired to be. But feats neither have the power budget nor combo protection of subclasses and so can only ever half-ass the job unless you're running a classless system. The Lich and Death Knight are closer...

The big thing here is that the damage doesn't go up - but once you hit level 14 you get a free grab (control isn't damage but is similar) and even a bonus action gobble for more damage. I'd like one to come with huge admittedly.

My broad thing here is that I love classes but hate levels. And that I normally consider stats and skills together to be redundant - pick one. Classes give you a good starting point for creating your character and can be used for worldbuilding, manual balancing, and to silo abilities away from...

Feat chains shred customisation in favour of cookie cutter builds planned in advance. The good thing about these feat chains is that at least the middle feat can be chosen from a list rather than was preordained when you picked your feat at level 4.

Quick reviews. First, great idea. Second why no warlock? Anyway, on to what is there. Pestilence Cleric It's a cleric with a domain. None of them are amazing - nothing above B grade (meaning up to B+). First the necrotic + poison combo at least makes them less bad - but monsters like wraiths...

One part practice, one part visualisation and knowing which skills you are looking for. You don't just want good players but ones that vibe with the game you want to run. And a big part trying rewarding certain things and seeing how they respond.

It's part finding the right players, which takes both luck and sifting. It's also part of developing the right players, which involves turning yourself into the type of GM that rewards and encourages the traits you want to see. Which is especially true when you have new players.