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Well, the UA Hexblade is modelled of Elric, with the Patron being Blackrazor aka Stormbringer or similar, tied to the Raven Queen instead of Arioch. Bear that in mind, in relation to being an Aasimar. For example, Elric wasn't especially Evil, but with Swordbringer in is hands, more often than...

I think D&D, from at least 4e through to 5e, definitely favours offense not healing, as an optimal strategy. So what you see is pretty common, although the level of 'plough on even if we might be losing' can vary. Remember, what's obvious to you isn't necessarily obvious at all to the PC's...

Well, I had a necrophillia scene to kick off the final battle in my campaign... I didn't play the act out, just described what the PC's saw (Strahd rises from where he was, on top of the naked corpse of Irena; some PC's especially the female ones can't help but notice his 'member'...) I wasn't...

It's a story thing, like shopping; not something to spend lots of time on around the table when (most?) people would rather be playing the game. So if your story wants to take a long time, so it feels more natural or whatever, sure, make sure the plots are slower, and just say "after a few...

YMMV. It's actually pretty hard to run a good published adventure for 5e, with old-timer hard core gamers, and find one that NONE of your players have actually read and/or played and/or DM'd before. Unless you want to convert something obscure, or run something 'fringe' which is usually lame...

Point buy is a bit like Vanilla, yes. But lots of people like Vanilla, especially if they can only chose one flavour... The reason most people have moved away from various more random methods e.g. 4d6 drop lowest, is pretty simple... Most players these days, favour long-lasting PC's. As...

This is a classic DM problem, not just for people who are somewhat new to being a DM, but one I've seen from an old-timer once, too. Basically, it's not the DM's job to "force fun upon the players". In fact, if you go too far down that road, you will probably force the campaign to end...

Are you saying Izek is tied up in N6, home of Henrik the carpenter? There's no Cellar in that place. Why is it burnt down? There is a large number of Vampire Spawn in the attic, who would be more than happy to accept the fresh meat the PC's have conveniently placed there for them... or were...

Sounds great, I would say just try and keep the ideas from spiraling under control, i.e. There are heaps of potential plot threads all over the adventure, try and let the players focus on their main ones of interest, and dont throw more and more at them until,they are ready. Especially newer...

I struggle to see why you would want to pitch Ravenloft to new players, I've always seen it as something for experienced players who want a change of pace in their DnD.

I love starting campaigns at first level, but for me a one of is different i would go with level 3 characters for all. While I've never run a one off for new players, I still think many would enjoy a fuller set of options without being overwhelmed and even if they miss stuff you can help them...

There is some decent stuff here, but as someone who has played in OotA and also struggles to add much genuine interest to wilderness travel... I'd suggest you add as much genuine choice i.e decision making, as possible for your players. For example the 20 day trip, are there genuine...

While i like a lot of suggestions here, i cant help but wonder how suitable CoS is for introducing newbies to D&D. I guess ive always thought its a great adventure for old timers to give them a change of pace. Adding personal quests for each PC, I know you want that to help them stick together...

Yes, the rules are not 100% clear. But you missed my appeal to Common Sense. As always, play your game the way you like...

I'm annoyed they released the exact same versions, as I've personally given them a lot of feedback on the Mystic, having played one under v2 and converting it to v3, which is still horribly broken in places (psionic focus, various powers, multiclassing) and also really missing a clear focus on...

No, you are wrong. PHB page 154, first sentence: "A tool helps you to do something you couldn't otherwise do" etc - read the whole paragraph. Bard gets to choose 3 instruments to be proficient in - why, if Performance means they can play all instruments equally? In real life, my sister...

I think tool proficiency is a pre-requisite i.e. a requirement to be able to even have a chance in success. For example, you can't try and disarm a trap with thieves tools, unless you are proficient in thieves tools, however you disarm using a Dex (investigation) check. To play a lute, you...

For me, these are the key quotes from CoS, about Mother Night - she doesn't seem especially "nice", in the scheme of things...

Well, I was a player in the 3rd ed "Expedition to Castle Ravenloft", and none of us got terribly invested in the Reading, beyond the usual "clues to get the McGuffins, then we can go kill Strahd". YMMV, it depends on your players, but as DM and Player, I've never really found many people, if...

As per Yawning Portal, by GH cannon the Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan is south of the Olman Islands, so basically just "off the map" in the original boxed set. More modern maps place it exactly, IIRC, maybe even the one in the Gazeteer. Certainly the one in the Savage Tide AP places it exactly...