D&D 5E A guide on streamlining combat

[abirdcall]

Where is that rule from?

If a character rolls a 20 on a death save, it counts as two successes. When they reach 3 successes, they are stable at 0 HP.

You're thinking of rolling a 1.

Read the rule again.

 

[Oofta]

Where is that rule from?

If a character rolls a 20 on a death save, it counts as two successes. When they reach 3 successes, they are stable at 0 HP.

From the PHB:

Rolling 1 or 20. When you make a death saving throw and roll a 1 on the d20, it counts as two failures. If you roll a 20 on the d20, you regain 1 hit point. ​

 

[Nikosandros]

You're thinking of rolling a 1.

Read the rule again.

Yes, you're right. My apologies.

 

[pogre]

My groups have always enjoyed combat and flown through it in 5e.

I never saw the problem until I watched some other groups when I ran the D&D club for the high school I teach at. A big part of it is to know your character and know the rules.

I do like the OP's suggestion of roll first and then see if you need to figure out if you passed.

 

[DND_Reborn]

This is a big problem with our group. Our newest member has a tendency to be on his phone during the session and then also forgetting abilities. During the enforced break we have right now, the DM told him to LEARN everything his characters can do! We can all tell he is getting a bit frustrated.

Otherwise, he often asks what we rolled, because he knows in "chunk" terms on the d20 what should succeed or fail for a given roll.

 

[Flamestrike]

This is a big problem with our group. Our newest member has a tendency to be on his phone during the session and then also forgetting abilities. During the enforced break we have right now, the DM told him to LEARN everything his characters can do! We can all tell he is getting a bit frustrated.

Otherwise, he often asks what we rolled, because he knows in "chunk" terms on the d20 what should succeed or fail for a given roll.

6 second rule man. When the PCs turn comes up he has 6 seconds to tell you what he's doing or he takes the Dodge action and his turn ends.

Its time for this player to sink or swim.

If he really wants to be there, he'll put his phone away and start watching the battle, and thinking and reacting to what is happening with other combatants. It'll encourage him to know his character, watch the battle, and speed the whole thing up.

 

[DND_Reborn]

6 second rule man. When the PCs turn comes up he has 6 seconds to tell you what he's doing or he takes the Dodge action and his turn ends.

Its time for this player to sink or swim.

If he really wants to be there, he'll put his phone away and start watching the battle, and thinking and reacting to what is happening with other combatants. It'll encourage him to know his character, watch the battle, and speed the whole thing up.

LOL I agree. The worst part is the initiative is displayed via TV for the whole table. Everyone know whose turn is coming up. But I think some of the issue is players looking up stuff to decide what they want to do so they aren't aware as much what has just happened when their turn comes. Even with spell cards and such they are spending time flipping through things.

I wasn't surprised when I ran a quick 1E AD&D session for this player and he loved it. There just aren't as many options in a sense and it made his decisions easier.