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I kinda wish there were a stronger mechanical connection between rituals and skill challenges, since both seem intended for non-combat encounters.

In explaining targeting, the PHB does give examples of powers that target objects, presumably in contrast to creatures. The following bit in the DMG addresses a technically distinct but related issue. If you let the drow use Darkfire on a door outside of combat, can you still tell the cleric...

Rituals seem an afterthought in the overall design of 4E. In the first three core books, they received one chapter of attention, the very last in the PHB. They almost never appear in published adventures, and we've only a couple of DDI articles that mention them. Sure a good DM can make...

In my next campaign, I want to try a couple table rules that I hope will better engage players during others' turns. (I call them table rules, since they don't meaningfully change the mechanics of the game.) First, players roll all the dice. If a wizard fireballs the party, each player rolls...

I encountered the same issue. It turns out that iTunes converts the podcast into a movie, so you should look in the Movies section of your iTunes Library. When in doubt, check the Recently Added smart playlist to figure out where iTunes put something. From there you can use Get Info...

Building upon the perspective that Mike Mearls offered in his last Ruling Skill Challenges column, I would classify social skills as follows. Bluff manipulates an NPC's perceptions and expectations, ideally preying on his character weaknesses. Diplomacy appeals to an NPC's motivations and...

I wonder if most other RPGs expect players to have started with D&D. Their new players are new to that game, not to role-playing. I don't know, perhaps WoD is an exception? I'll be interested to see how well Dragon Age does at pulling in new gamers who have experience with the video game but...

I think the new red box seems to offer quite a lot for $20. DMs get enough rules, tokens, and maps to run their first game, all of which are still usable with other Essentials products and even existing products. Players can create their own characters, suitable for both the beginner adventure...

No, I just got the impression that they were dedicated much of their attention this year to the Essentials line, planning to resume non-Essentials production afterwards. Honestly, I'm glad their attempt to broaden the player base won't be half-hearted. Assuming the Dungeon and Dragon magazines...

Well, I think we've all noticed that D&D is a game, not a scientific theory. During a fight IRL, you don't really have the luxury of moving 60 feet while your enemies stand still. IRL, you rarely go from full effectiveness (positive hp) to unconscious with no intermediary states. Undoubtedly...

The Explore Fairhaven series of articles stand out in my mind as probably the best Eberron articles released for 4E. Great material for DMs there, perhaps enough to inspire a Fairhaven-based campaign. I do wish we Eberron fans would get more articles like those, but I also wonder about the...

I didn't ask for explanations, but I did ask for more encounter groups, and I am open to this sort of fluff, if done concisely and/or evocatively. As a relatively inexperienced DM with very little free time, I find encounter groups a much more useful building block than individual monsters.

I want more products filling the middle ground between complete adventures and atomic building blocks. I have monster manuals, but I want examples of well-designed encounter groups and sets of encounter groups, ideally with some narrative logic and flavor. I like the Ultimate Toolbox for its...

Were I in your position and had the time, I would model the poison as an artifact. For each level of concordance, design some modifications to her visual appearance and some minor powers and effects that might arise during play. For example, initially her eyes appear red and once per encounter...

I was just perusing the tables of contents for Dragon and for Dungeon, and I noticed a definite trend in the balance of crunch versus fluff. If you look at Dungeon 173, the most recent complete issue, we see three adventures, a few how-to columns and articles (Dungeoncraft, Ruling Skill...

I've had good luck with the craft storage aisles of stores like Joann's.

I can't remember the last time I had to log in. Yeah, it makes DDI a heck of a lot more pleasant to use. I use Safari and MobileSafari.

If the PCs forfeit initiative, let the monsters strike first. If the PCs don't use teamwork, give them smaller challenges. If everyone's having fun, what's the problem? If your players are feeling frustrated, I would recommend talking to them out-of-game. Suggest they elect a leader. It...

Your players will take their cue from you, so focus on enthusiasm (fun) more than strict adherence to the rules (work). Show them right from the beginning that it's more than just pushing game pieces across a map and rolling dice. In combat especially they'll take their cue from you, so have...

I'll add to the Evernote love by saying that it's immensely handy as a general life organizer. I love being able to jot down ideas on the go with my iPhone. For gaming, it's good, but the one additional feature I would love is the ability to create hyperlinks from one note to another.