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The work I do in decision theory leads me to believe that we need to be careful and exacting when we talk about something like "Bad DM/Player" issues. A clear and specific definition of the situation, followed by as non-subjective a justification as possible is required. In short, we have to...

Inspired by the named spells and magic items that have been floating around since practically the beginning of D&D, legacies of real players, I am considering offering my players the option to use downtime and money to craft a new named spell, magic item, or perhaps feat when they hit each new...

Apologies, I will try to clarify. And try to keep in mind that I do not pretend to be an authority here, I am just reporting things as I see them. D&D was born from wargames, through a move to expand the rules for a very niche (mostly white male) hobby. It didn't begin to take on more role...

I would argue that the current success of D&D (and other RPGs to a degree) is less the resurgence of a fad, and more a revitalization movement. The spirit, along with the tools of the game, have been completely transformed such that they are disturbingly different to those who continue to carry...

My opinion is yes, and no. I believe that anything they update just means more options for everyone. Those who don't want to use something can pretend it doesn't exist, others can harvest it for parts, and some will fall in love with it. Everyone wins. I say no as well because I am selfish, and...

It is perfectly fine if you do not like watching, say, critical role, acquisitions inc., or dice camera action, but I believe that such streams largely dispel the outmoded concept that D&D is about "tactical skirmishes, loot boxes, character advancement as a mini-game."

I tend to think of that as more 70s style dice.

In my opinion the real takeaway from this should be the use of the terms "low skilled" and "not working enough." This is an issue that will only become larger until we adjust our ideals as a nation (and perhaps other nations as well) about what it means to be a meaningful person. For a long time...

Isn't this the point where team work and role play are supposed to me emphasized? If I am playing a wizard, I would prefer to help get the melee into range with a big bad then to just DPS it. If I wanted to just DPS I would play a Warlock. The Wizard and Cleric are supporting their team (In...

Super excited for Aquisitions Inc book. I just wish we knew an exact release.

If he can go straight to CE for murdering a whole orphanage, does he go straight to LG if he saves one? If he can shift alignment, he can shift back. If he can shift back, does it really mean anything to label him anything to begin with? That's the problem with moral labels, they are always...

This is a good example of why I hate the alignment system. As Mark said, Buffy worked well with others and followed a code (Lawful), until she didn't. She risked her life to save innocents (Good), until she didn't. All of the characters presented in these stories change "alignment" frequently...

One thing to keep in mind with regards to both the luxury items and the success of the starter sets is that traditional gaming spaces and composition are radically changing. These items may seem like extravagant, even wasteful uses of storage space and money to a well established gaming group...

Why would you need to interrupt it? I would say, "A short rest is a period of downtime, at least 1 hour long, during which a character does nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, and tending to wounds" implies the ability to engage in light movement to tend wounds, fetch food and...

As I see it the spell is no different than camping and resting, it just has more security. You are not necessarily safe with rope trick, and could still fall victim to an attack while resting in your pocket dimension. As such, I don't understand the need to view it as a healing spell in any way.

Where I am from (Louisville, Ky) D&D is experiencing a golden era. We have organized adventure leagues and pick up one-shots at bars and clubs, along with conventions and gaming stores. A lot of new and young players are getting into 5E, watching streams of D&D on twitch, and organizing their...

I think it may be useful to mention that those players who come to the game BECAUSE of what they have seen on streams like Critical Role are likely being encouraged by what they have seen because it fulfills some primary needs for them. As has been said, it is important to have an open and...

Came at the perfect time for me, as multiple members of my group have recently purchased trained animals, and one has an obsessed halfling devoted to them. The thing to remember for those talking about power level is that these are not "things" that the PCs own in the technical sense, these are...

It isn't as straight forward as that unfortunately. We are not even sure h. habilis should be considered the first homo in reality. "Opinions differ as to whether the species A. aethiopicus, A. boisei, and A. robustus should be included within the genus Australopithecus, and no current...

This greatly depends on how you are defining intelligence.