Search results

  1. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Superiority Dice? How many and often?

    1) Superiority Dice? Personally, I think it is a strong starting point – we have a working class to build from and they are not generally considered under or over powered. 2) How many and often? As a starting point I think my general answer would be slightly more if they refresh on a short...
  2. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Superiority Dice? How many and often?

    I think if things settle on the Battle Master/'maneuver' paradigm then we'll so more effort on the precise balance. It this time the Warlock is probably the best comparator since Superiority Dice reset on a short rest.
  3. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Warlord with Chevalier as Subclass

    I think I might make some House rule modifications to some Battle Master maneuvers and Action Surge for when you miss. Instead of a 'Damage of a Miss' effect just regain the resource. I think a Mounted Knight Fighter Archetype patterned even more off the Battle Master/Cavalier would be another...
  4. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Warlord with Chevalier as Subclass

    Last night I was thinking about the Warlord by combining Valor Bard with Battle Master and then decided to drop the Bard (spells) because Superiority dice and Inspiration were so close anyway. So working design is to use the Battle Master heavily as the core (I suspect as the design team...
  5. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Crossbows and dual-wielding

    Crossbow Expert is on my house rule list so I don't entirely disagree with Cap. My preference is add back Deadly Strike as a general alternate for Extra Attack (available to all Extra Attack classes) that let you roll multiple weapon dice instead of multiple attacks. (Basically a free Vital...
  6. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E The Hidden Secret of NPC Party Members

    I prefer not to get too hung up on the 'red shirt' category. My NPCs, mounts, and pets might all play the role of 'red shirt' in an encounter but that doesn't make them a classic red shirt (Easy to kill and they all must die). I may want them around for a long time. They are handy though when...
  7. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E The Hidden Secret of NPC Party Members

    Which adds to the statement that HD really do matter. NPCs with low HP die (just once in my campaign, not often) or are left in town, by their own decision or the party's. But, I would disagree that you want them to die easily - that proves little narratively when the King's Elite Guard drop...
  8. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E The Hidden Secret of NPC Party Members

    Normally this is called Using Red Shirts and it is completely worth the narrative effect (for some play styles). Often in D&D, creatures are only as scary as their displayed abilities, and it is very difficult to effect PCs with deadly effects. So the most efficient way to display deadliness...
  9. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E The Hidden Secret of NPC Party Members

    I agree an increase in Hit Dice is not tied to an increase in DPR. However, DPR only matters over time which is (Rounds Active in Combat * DPR). As Rounds Active in Combat approaches zero, DPR becomes irrelevant. Hit points is the prime determinant of Rounds Active in Combat.
  10. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E XP Chart and High-level NPCs

    My solution is that the "Adventuring Days" are spread over years. My world is not so full of monsters and challenges that the party can go from one adventure to the next with a mere long rest between them. It might be weeks, months, or years before there is a threat worthy of the name...
  11. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Crossbows and dual-wielding

    And now back to the scheduled program... "Light" as a thing, descriptor, and property. "Light" as a synonym for illumination. No one seems to have an issue distinguishing this, despite it being a game term. "Light" Crossbow - another way of saying not-heavy crossbow. "Light" as a weapon...
  12. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E The Troll miniature - then and now

    In comparison to the 2e AD&D line from Ral Partha
  13. Trollz.jpg

    Trollz.jpg

  14. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E [SPOILERS] Out of the Abyss Escape Scenario: To Fudge or not to Fudge?

    At this point I expect the force at the camp to only be down, 1 Elite (Jorlan), 4 quaggoth, 3 drow, and most of the spiders (which can easily be replaced). The party so far has only tied and manacled the slept drow (subpriestess, elite, and a drow guard). The rest flee north and are currently...
  15. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E [SPOILERS] Out of the Abyss Escape Scenario: To Fudge or not to Fudge?

    I tweaked it slightly from 'by the book' 0. The entire party was 2nd or 3rd level from previous adventuring (Harried in Hillsfar plus some RP experience from the 14 days in confinement). 1. Since the supply caravan was missing I had the drow split and send a detechment toward Menzo late one...
  16. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Levelling NPCs?

    As the party gains levels I let the NPCs increase in Hit Dice to the party average minimum (so JimJar doesn't gain HD until the party hits 7th but Ront and Stool gain HD soon as the party hits 3rd). Generally nothing else changes as I prefer the PCs outstrip the NPCs in power level (except in...
  17. jodyjohnson

    D&D 5E Five new players. 1st level PCs. First monster they meet is...

    The entire canyon is a mimic with a trapper as a doormat.
  18. jodyjohnson

    Last D&D Survey Results In! Plus What's Up With The Ranger?

    I'd like to see them eventually just print the "many perfect sauces" option for the Ranger and nail what the "No spells" camp wants, the "Autonomous Pet" camp wants, and the "favored foe slayer" wants. And then eventually release the 'joke' Unhinged version that does it all. Same with Psionics...
  19. jodyjohnson

    More level-up choices to take?

    My main issue with adding more character choices is that generally speaking an ability that lets a character do 'X' implies that without that ability folks can no longer do 'X'. 5e follows the path of saying 'hey, basically everybody can do X', some characters are just a little better at it...
Top