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The arbitrary nature of Random encounter tables should be removed. Arbitrary meaning 'random' in this context.

I think a 'Quickling' build with Mobility and Charge might work on a rogue (or others with a single attack). For the charge bonus you only need to move 10' straight. And can attack anywhere along your move. Attacking on the way out is just as doable as attacking on the way in.

According to the errata, this was resolved by changing the save to be Constitution.

If a player wants the Minions aspect and is not tied to using the dead, my preference is to make an Animate Object equivalent of the class using Manikins as Skeletons and Stuffed Dummies as Zombies. Maybe add in a few Specific spells for long term Animates like Swords/Weapons and Animated...

Anyone who can see the area when the spell is cast recognizes the terrain as hazardous. If you don't see it then you make a perception check.

This has a very Sword & Sorcery feel and I expect many of the Spellcasting subclasses simply wouldn't be options. And any of the main full spellcasters would need to rely primarily on weapons and armor early (or those of their minions) but eventually have enough available HP to source some of...

I like to run a combination of 'HP as Plot Armor/Stamina/Luck' and Lingering Injuries so 'damage' is usually just loss of HP (a quickly regenerating resource). Heroes can usually 'take damage' as part of a challenge and not actually suffer injuries. Whereas on criticals, failed saves with a...

I'd give an extra feat as a "carrot" to counteract "the stick" of knocking the top feats down into a less potent range (CE, GWM, PAM, SS). And going 'crazy' and capping stats at 18 instead of 20. Old Skool.

There are groups and scenarios where I would consider dropping the "Save every round" or Concentration mechanic from a spell. It would be largely contingent on the group being willing to break from 'D&D genre' conventions and be willing to abide by more Fictional/Narrative genre conventions...

DM call, but probably could be based on their Wisdom (patience). One or two times their Wisdom score. I wouldn't consider 'Webs' a valid terrain in the catagory of 'Underdark'. It is a terrain hazard one could encounter in many terrains (forest, mountains, shore). Kind of curious how he'd...

Favored terrain is tough as a Ranger for the OotA campaign. Either you choose something that never works, or always works. To have choice maybe it needs a special focus for a campaign entirely in the Underdark - Wet Caverns, Dry Caverns, Mushroom/"vegatative" caves, and Rock climbs. With no...

Our group is nearing Neverlight Grove after passing through Sloobludop and bypassing Gracklestugh. Having them travel super fast just means they have less random encounters and will probably be behind the curve for the set piece encounters. The drow pursuit doesn't matter much, and drow is a...

The Concentration rules are born out of the "Buff Suite/5 Minute Workday" style of play that developed over the years. The cycle was allowed to begin by the emergence of the "5 Minute workday" which happened at our table within hours of beginning AD&D in 1981. Some players adapted to AD&D's...

Lowering the HP and raising the damage will balance out the Challenge. Pretty sure I saw Mike Mearls tweet about this earlier in the week.

As a DM I follow myself and the group. When MMearls and the DMG (or the Sage, Jeremy Crawford) differ it just reinforces the quote from Sage Advice, "We expect DMs to depart from the rules when running a particular campaign or when seeking the greatest happiness for a certain group of...

We don't just damage "the balance of play" at our table. We take it to 0 hp, and give it 2 failed death saves.

The read the 3.0 PHB cover to cover. My eyesight went to crap since then, so now I just skim.

The Skilled feat gives 3 skills or tool proficiencies. So I'd just give everyone either a feat or 3 extra skill/tool proficiencies (the Skilled feat). If not everyone wants it, I'd just skip changing anything. Losing ability points to fund an early feat is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Don't worry there's still such a thing as Sympathy as well.

I still require saves when taking certain kinds of damage (see the Lingering Injuriy option in the DMG). Basically when they get hit with a critical. It seems like one of the main reasons for dropping the 'Save on Damage' aspect is that it is fiddly. Yet most of the alternate methods take...