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  1. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Detect magic and Gargolye

    You're saying that certain confirmation of the presence of a threat, makes that threat less scary? Tell that to PFC Hudson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S8V254QqTE EDIT: hard to believe that's the best clip I could find. Curse you, DMCA!
  2. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Magic Resistance at Level 3? Warlock Familiars

    To each his or her own. The sidebar effectively puts SR extension in the hands of individual DMs, and that's A-okay with me. All I'm saying is that IF the DM allows Imps, Quasits, and Pseudodragons to extend SR to their masters... then that ability should likewise apply to Familiars gained via...
  3. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) So, what style of play is this called?

    That's a fairly common shared world style, assuming the 3 DMs are also players in each others' campaigns. In other words, you're talking about a single group of 3-6 players. If you're talking about 3 different groups, each of which is headed by a single DM who meets with the other dedicated DMs...
  4. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Detect magic and Gargolye

    This seems like a misalignment of expectations. Seems to me that the player assumed that Detect Magic = detect supernatural. Which is reasonable. Is the player young, or an otherwise inexperienced gamer? 5E is relaxed in many ways but it still bears plenty of gamey elements, and spells are...
  5. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Magic Resistance at Level 3? Warlock Familiars

    That's definitely a ruling a DM can make. Another ruling is that the warlock does get the magic resistance. "Appearing in an unoccupied space within range, the familiar has the statistics of the chosen form, though it is a celestial, fey, or fiend (your choice) instead of a beast." It all...
  6. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Unseen Servant, fun with

    I agree that chopping a tree seems improbable with 2 Str. If you want an Unseen Servant to fell trees, better to give it a saw.
  7. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Unseen Servant, fun with

    Unseen Servant has always held a special spot in my heart. Maybe because boy, would I sure like to have this spell in real life. The 5E version has some welcome specificity that nevertheless inspires some intriguing, undefined possibilities. I'm curious how this community feels about the topics...
  8. Zaruthustran

    Sagiro's Story Hour: Now That It's Over

    Hi Sagiro, long time no see. So glad that you're writing (have written!) a book version of your excellent story hour. I'm curious: do you intend to also make available an omnibus that collects the storyhour as-written? With the D&Disms intact? I love the story and characters, but also groove...
  9. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Help With My Dark Sun One-shot

    Addendum: here's more development that covers some plot holes (why the PCs? why the NPC captor villain? how did this water-tower last this long without being plundered?) The PC and the NPC captor villain are two keys to the ziggurat. Without the keys, the ziggurat is impregnable. Maybe it...
  10. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Adding freebies to a warlock's spells known list?

    Another option is to have the PC take one level of any other spellcasting class. The Warlock will be able to cast any spells known with Warlock slots. Cleric will grant the entire 1st level cleric spell list, plus (1st level) domain spells. That's a huge amount of versatility. Wizard also...
  11. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Help With My Dark Sun One-shot

    I like the idea of starting in a flying ship which crashes. I did the exact same thing for a one-shot I ran for my buddy's bachelor party. It's an effective way to get everyone amped up quickly, and limit options / railroad. For a one shot, railroading is a *good* thing. It's...
  12. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) What's your favorite race/class combination?

    Of all time? Elf rogue. It's a classic. In this edition? Anything human. The feat is worth it. Or, High Elf. The cantrip adds so much character. My current favorite oddball combo? Halfling monk. Way of Open Fist for the push/prone on flurry. Really fun with the ability to move through enemies.
  13. Zaruthustran

    Rodney Thompson Leaves Wizards of the Coast

    To be honest, I was just going for the alliteration. Grace and Genius are 100% on-target at face value. Grognard was intended to convey "awareness of, respect for, and ability to produce satisfying mechanics." If that's a misuse of the term I apologize. Point being: the man came up with some...
  14. Zaruthustran

    Rodney Thompson Leaves Wizards of the Coast

    Rodney is that rare combination of grace, genius, and grognard. He had a huge part in creating the finest edition of my favorite game. I'm grateful, and wish him continued challenge, success, and happiness.
  15. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Understanding Passive Checks

    Sure. What I find strange is that the bonus from Observant doesn't apply all the time. "I keep an eye out for bandits while we travel"? Applies. "I scrutinize that tree for hidden sniper"? Doesn't apply, apparently. Based on what I'm reading here, the consensus is that you're Observant, until...
  16. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Understanding Passive Checks

    I'm curious how others handle the Observant feat. It's very clear: "You have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores." What I find odd is that the +5 doesn't apply to active checks. Your character is very observant, unless he's actively...
  17. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Convince me we're doing the Warlock wrong

    This. Warlocks are decent in combat (assuming Eldritch Blast). But they excel at noncombat and exploration. Even a first level Warlock can cast two Charm Person spells every hour. Given enough time, whoever you've captured is going to roll a 1 on that saving throw and become your best friend...
  18. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Dual wielding and improvised weapons. Technically broken?

    This combo has been discussed at length on this forum in 2014. The big hiccup is that the Dual Wielder feat requires weapons. A shield is not a weapon. So, it doesn't work with Dual Wielder. Of course, you can use a shield (or a leg of lamb, or carrot) as an improvised weapon. From a rules...
  19. Zaruthustran

    Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana: Modifying Classes & Spell-less Rangers

    I found the examination of each class to be the most fascinating portion of the article. Reading what Rodney considers core/fundamental elements, and a peak at rationale behind design choices. For example, the Barbarian's Rage as a defensive feature, and the bonus movement as a means to enable...
  20. Zaruthustran

    D&D 5E (2014) Char OP Advice - Bard/Pally UA Dex Spearfighter

    Fit'so a cool notion. But like Travathian says: really think about what you want to accomplish. You're already a Lore Bard, right? So you already have spear proficiency. You have Bracers of Defense, so you have good unarmored AC (and by the way, those Bracers don't work with the Monk's...
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