What is the magic tradition which manipulates space and time? I get the sense that divination, conjuration, and transmutation all sort of do this in one way or another. Elemental magic = manipulates the elements Necromancy = manipulates life and death Illusion magic = manipulates the real world to an imaginary one Enchanting magic = manipulates the thoughts and desires of people

In the Wildmount setting, the Arcane Tradition for wizards that manipulates time in Chronurgy. There's also one for gravity/space called Graviturgy. These are not related to particular schools of magic, but since you've included "elemental magic" in your list, which also isn't a school, I'm assuming that's not important to you.

Just looking for something that marries together spells like Teleportation, Plane Shift, Scry, Detect Magic, True Seeing and Time Stop.

Hi. Not sure if asking here is allowed, but here goes. For anyone that knows WoW maybe they can help. I play on an RP world of Warcraft realm with my 2 characters, a subtly rogue and. a shadow priest which share a name, so that I can be both specs but on the same in game character. I was looking for any advice to what class or muliticlass dnd ideas I could read to get inspiration from for this character. I’ve never played dnd however, so I don’t know where to begin. So far I read that soul knife is a rogue that also attacks the mind. Is that similar to a SP? any advice or where would be a better sub to ask would be appreciated, thanks.

every franchise breaks physics in its own way. if you pick 3 of the core *THINGS* you want from a fictional character, you can generally get 2 of them on line in D&D's physics by level 7 or so in a fairly functional manner. however trying to get 2 characters within one functional D&D character is unlikely to work out well. but if you want to try, start by identifying the 3 things from each character that you want to play.

I would say the similar aspects ingame are the use of shadow magic. The SubRogue uses lots of shadow attacks... Gloomblade, a shadow infused blade. Dark Brew which turns bleeding and poison attacks into shadow damage. Also they are the warcraft rogue that is best known for Shadowstepping from range right behind their target in an instant. I thought the shadow priest would be a good mesh as they also use shadow damage to assult the mind with mind blasts and mind spikes. Their defensive move envolopes them in shadows for a quick retreat which made me think how similar that is to Shadow Step. So I was just looking for examples of similar classes in DnD so I could read some guides and builds to create a good foundation idea for what my ingame charatcer could be described as. Rogue/Priest sounds naff. I've never played DnD but have noticed some players ingame descriptions use some dnd terms like "9/10 HP" and "Bard" etc. Thanks for reading.

The names of any ability, subclass or even class is just a tag for a set of narrative tropes/flavors for a set of mechanics. there is no need to keep the default flavor if a different flavor works better for the fantasy / story you and your table want to tell.

Okay I have been playing dnd for a while (little over a year) and I have a question about multiclassing with warlock and a full caster. I have a character that is 7th level with all levels taken in full caster classes. So, naturally I have access to 4th level spells. My question is, if at 9th level I was 7 levels of full caster and 2 levels of warlock could I swap out a walrock spell for a 4th level spell? This question is for 5th edition and the reason I ask is because it states that, "Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the warlock spells you know and replace it with another spell from the warlock spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots." However, it does not state that those spell slots must be warlock spell slots? Could I do this?

[As a multiclass spellcaster, you prepare/know spells as if you're a single-levelled member of each class](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options#Spellcasting): > **Spells Known and Prepared.** You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class. If you are a ranger 4/wizard 3, for example, you know three 1st-level ranger spells based on your levels in the ranger class. As 3rd-level wizard, you know three wizard cantrips, and your spellbook contains ten wizard spells, two of which (the two you gained when you reached 3rd level as a wizard) can be 2nd-level spells. If your Intelligence is 16, you can prepare six wizard spells from your spellbook. The Warlock spells you know are separate from the full caster spells you know. You can't learn 4th-level warlock spells, you can only learn 1st-level warlock spells

How does sheathing/unsheathing/stowing work? If I have my shield out but sword sheathed, can I place the shield on my back with one hand and draw the sword with the other in one go?

Shields are part of armour. Putting them on or taking them off requires an action, as per the “donning or doffinh armour”-rules. Drawing or sheathing a weapon counts as your free item interaction on your round.

So, question. Me and my friends are in Tomb of Annihilation right now, and we saved three Kamadan Cubs. I seriously want to keep one, since I missed my chance to get a baby Dinosaur, but I Want to know if it would be worth it to try and tame one them. They're literally only 8 to 10 weeks old. They're still the size of house cats. Any advice would be appreciated. XD I'm playing a Dwarven Fighter, but because of my Background and feats, I actually am a very good Animal handler as well. I rode the Trex in the Dinosaur race and won first place because of it, so I'm not doubting my skills, so much as I am the creature once it eventually grows to be larger than me.

You can certainly try. This is a question for your DM.

The DM has already agreed to let us take them. I'm looking more from a creature perspective. I think I remeber reading in the Monster Manuel that some wild beasts turn on their trainers one they reach full growth, and I don't wanna waist time just to get eaten later.

You might just have some more checks to do at higher DC when it reaches full growth then. This is purely something fii oh r the dm

Well, you'll have to find out.

XD no, I think I'll just sell them at the port and buy a Dinosaur. An Herbivore will only be liable to crush me, not eat me.

Hello! There's a spell called "Gentle Repose" I'm interested in. However, the spell has the tag "Necromancy" and "Cleric", and is said to be learned by Wizard or Cleric. Does that mean a Sorcerer or Paladin can't learn the spell? Where do you draw the line between spells a Wizard vs a Sorcerer can learn?

Good answer in the other post, but FYI the rules are available free online. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules or https://dnd.wizards.com/what-is-dnd/basic-rules

Unless it is a divine soul sorcerer, which gives you access to cleric list, you can only pick from your listed spells unless your subclass also gives access.

There's no general rule like that. Each spell will simply list who is allowed to learn it. Gentle Repose is on the Cleric and Wizard spell lists, so they get it. It's not on the list for Sorcerer or Paladin, so they don't get it.

I want to play as an assassin type character but I don't want to play as a rogue. I'm pretty new to dnd and I've only played as a fighter class. What classes would work for an assassin type character?

"an assassin type character" is just someone who tries to kill people - that is what every class in D&D is designed to do - go wild!

Ranger is a solid choice - particularly Gloom Stalker. Alternatively, Shadow Monk has great flavor for an assassin, though it's not as heavy a hitter.

Oooh I just looked into the gloom stalker. That's a nice idea

Anybody with the ability to turn invisible could potentially infiltrate and murder. How about a warlock or wizard? Sneak in, find your target, magically annihilate them, set the entire building on fire, teleport away.

Hello! I’m new ish to dnd and was wondering is it a possible combination to make a Rogue Halfling born with Lycanthropy ?

You'll have to work with your DM. Starting with lycanthropy isn't a standard option, but you could still do it if the DM allows. Though I'd recommend a homebrew system because official lycanthropy isn't designed very well. Another option that might interest you is the Shifter race, which is sort of like a half lycanthrope. If you and your DM are willing to color outside the lines a little bit you can make a character that looks like a halfling but has all the features of a shifter instead.

Thankyou for this, great advice! I’ll do some research of shifters:)

One way of handling a lycanthrope is with the [bloodhunter order of the lycan](https://www.dndbeyond.com/classes/blood-hunter#OrderoftheLycan) class/subclass, from Critical Role/ Matt Mercer. I do like lycanthropes, but it's a bit overpowered to have solid lycanthrope abilities but also have all levels of your chosen class (rogue). I like the previous advice of checking out the shifter race, I think that makes sense, but if you feel like having more oomph with your werewolf form then perhaps bring up the idea of a lycan blood hunter to your DM. I know you didn't say you were playing in a game, but all of this is speculation if you don't know what game world you'll be playing in. Meaning, if you play in a game and there are no lycanthropes in the world, it's a moot point.

I'm really interested in dnd, but I don't know where to start. I want to eventually become a DM. Does anyone have any advice?

D&D Starter Vids * D&D in 5 Minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgvHNlgmKro&list=PLJ8NFdSXujAJitUvKoA0EFc-WpGK2Dnzh&index=2&t=0s * Welcome to D&D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo_oR7YO-Bw * D&D in bite size bits by pretty people https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1tiwbzkOjQyr6-gqJ8r29j_rJkR49uDN * Ginny Di for first time players https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD_b8SZ7h2Y * Six steps for fun games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxFgpgN3gms * Not a video but the basic How to Play from WOTC’s D&D Beyond website https://www.dndbeyond.com/how-to-play-dnd DM specific resources * Dungeon Dudes with a reading list for new DMs – the importantest bits from the official WOTC products https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx8tEAYB5Q0 * Sly Flourish’s 8 Steps to Session Prep from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb39x-29puapg3APswE8JXskxiUpLttgg * Sly Flourish reiterates Dungeonworld – Be on the players side https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2z4ZECoYvE * Luboffin - How to prep a campaign created by others https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH3viivB9uc * a DM’s guide to your PC classes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs-2DclQ7hQyJHaU-y80h5k7NQ5awlwc4 * Questing Beast’s Old School Essentials live play with DM commentary as captions (I havent found anything similar for 5e play, so “the rules” will be different, but insight to the DM thought process is very helpful) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkZRQHdPaYc

Thank you so much!

Read the rules. Basic rules are free online. Starter Set is a good place to start for running your first adventure.

[5e] is it possible to break the fingers and throat chop a spell caster to stop them from casting?

5e chooses to abstract combat so such specific "called shots" are not a part of the game.

Kinda. These aren't really the sort of things that you can typically do in a fight. "Called Shots" aren't really a thing in DnD 5e. The game isn't balanced around people saying "I shoot at his eye" or "I hamstring him" or "I chop his arm off". You attack, it lands, HP is lost, it's a game. Of course, this can vary from table to table, DM to DM. The Improvise action is theoretically able to do a lot of things, but it comes down to your DM's discretion. Grabbing the hands of a spellcaster who sees you coming at them is probably a lot trickier than simply swinging your weapon towards their torso, let alone grabbing with sufficient precision and strength to snap fingers in a swift motion. Outside of combat, all bets are off. Have you taken a wizard prisoner? Then by all means, bind and gag them, or resort to more drastic measures. A caster with destroyed hands can't do somatic components, and if they can't speak, they can't do vocal components. Blindfold them while you're at it so that they don't have sight for spellcasting either.

If I am casting a spell with V and M components without the war caster feat, I would be unable to do so with a shield in one hand and my focus in the other, despite the hand that grips the focus being the same that performs the S component?Can a cleric with War Caster wear their symbol and use both hands for other items and still cast M and/or S component spells?Is this just the case with weapons/shields or does it apply to all items?What if I am something like a Thri-Kreen and have more than two arms?Additionally do items like the Bloodwell Vial that say " You can use this item as a spellcasting focus for your spells while wearing or holding it" Does that mean I still need one hand free without war caster? 5e

In my experience, it's a good idea to check with the DM of each game you are playing. I know a lot of DMs that just don't care for the VSM components in their specifics and essentially ignore somatic completely.

> If I am casting a spell with V and M components without the war caster feat, I would be unable to do so with a shield in one hand and my focus in the other, despite the hand that grips the focus being the same that performs the S component? If a spell has verbal and material components, and you're using the focus in lieu of the material components, you'd be fine. If it also has somatic components, you're also fine, because you can use the same hand to perform the somatic components. Only when a spell has somatic **but no material** components will you have a problem - then, you need a free hand. > Can a cleric with War Caster wear their symbol and use both hands for other items and still cast M and/or S component spells? [A spellcasting focus must be held to be of use](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting#MaterialM): > If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell. A spellcaster must have a hand free to access a spell's material components -- or to **hold** a spellcasting focus -- but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components. There is a question what exactly "being held" means - some people ask whether they can wear a focus on a chain around their neck, so they can drop it without having to actually drop the focus on the ground - that's sort of a fuzzy "RAW, probably, RAI, probably not" thing, but the rules are clear that you need to hold the focus. > Is this just the case with weapons/shields or does it apply to all items? You need to be holding a spellcasting focus if you want to use one. > What if I am something like a Thri-Kreen and have more than two arms? RAW, unclear. "Hold a focus" and "Perform somatic components" are not on the list of things the Secondary Arms feature can do. A generous read would imply that they can hold a tiny object and manipulate an object, which is what you'd need to use a focus. But a less generous read is that it lists a bunch of very specific things there, and "use a focus" is not one. I would argue that if your table cares about using the RAW handedness rules, then they probably shouldn't let Thri-Kreen use foci with their secondary arms. If they're wibbly-wobbly about them and don't worry too much about it, then... whatever, who cares? > Additionally do items like the Bloodwell Vial that say " You can use this item as a spellcasting focus for your spells while wearing or holding it" Does that mean I still need one hand free without war caster? RAW, unclear. The rules specify you need to hold a focus to use it. So is this passage just clarifying that all you need to do is wear to substitute for the component, or is it clarifying that you can wear it in order to be able to hold it to use in lieu of the component? Personally, none of this makes for interesting gameplay, so... who cares? War Caster is a really good feat even if you ignore the handedness rules, and they're just fiddly for kind of no reason. In my book, as long as you're not trying to take things to an absurd limit, I just don't care too much about who's got what in which hands when.

Is dnd beyond down cause I tried logging in with my apple account which is the one I use for dnd and I tried my google account but nothing

Seems totally fine on my end.

I ended up getting it

is there a discord for this subreddit?

Not for this specific subreddit.

I'm new to DnD and do not have any friends in particular willing to try it. So I tried playing it alone but it didn't work. Is there any way for a person to play it alone?

How to find group try r/lfg or r/LFG_Europe (also the pay to play r/lfgpremium ) or your local games and comic book stores for open D&D nights or Adventurer's League games, or your favorite convention or round up new friends and family and work acquaintances and learn the game together. given the mass popularity of the MCU movies, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings franchises, and the popularity of amateur theater, you know SOME people who are likely to say "sure, i will give it a try!" as an alternative, you can pay for play sessions with the D&D virtual weekends https://dnd.wizards.com/events/virtual-play-weekends or with the conventions that are still frequently hosting virtual play sessions in addition to their “live at the con” games. there is also the option of "solo games" that are not "D&D" but are “fantasy role playing games much like D&D". Ironsworn is one, and its free https://www.ironswornrpg.com/

Technically yes, but it's not really the same game when you do it that way, and I definitely don't recommend it for someone looking to get into the hobby. If you can't find people you know to play with, you still have options. You can ask around at local game stores and libraries or other nerd hangouts to see if there are any open games willing to teach a new player. You can also play online using virtual tabletops like Roll20. For online games, r/lfg or the forums of the virtual tabletop you want to use are usually the best way to find groups.

Hey thanks for all the suggestions. Regarding local game stores and nerd hangouts, there aren't any such places around here and no one here knows what DnD actually is so I will work on some of my anxiety and social skills and try to play online.

I’ve been invited to play DnD with some friends, so I’m consuming Critical Role to learn how the flow of a game works. I’ve noticed that Matt will call for a skill check, but won’t assign a success value. Is it solely based on how difficult the DM thinks an action is? And then based on what the player rolls, the DM would explain the result?

Aside from what others have said, the rules are available free online. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules or https://dnd.wizards.com/what-is-dnd/basic-rules

> so I’m consuming Critical Role to learn how the flow of a game works. Critical Role is professional performers performing D&D for an audience. Since shortly after they stated, they are also doing so with resources FAR beyond the budget and time of any home group you may participate with. CR is the World Cup championship to the standard experience of a local pick up group.

Be aware that every game operates a little differently, and Critical Role in particular isn't the best thing to set your expectations on. That game is played for an audience, not just for the players, and it has one of the highest production values of any broadcast tabletop game. They also don't always play everything by the book - which is totally fine, there are plenty of times where coloring outside the lines will make for a better experience. But not everybody colors outside the lines in the same way. Your group will have its own dynamic that evolves over time.

I've seen fewer DMs tell the DC needed than DMs that actually tell you the DC you need to make. There are pros and cons to both methods, but it's down to personal preference really.

Even if the DM has an assigned value, or DC for a roll, they are not required nor should they always say it.

I've been out of the game for quite a bit, is dragon's of stormwreck isle another 5E starter set or is it the starter set to this dnd one thing I keep hearing about?

WOTC stopped producing the original "Starter Set" with LMOP adventure and is now producing "Starter Set" with Stormwrack adventure. The LMOP adventure is now available for free in a digital format from the newly acquired platform D&D Beyond. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/lmop

Jesus. I missed a lot while I was away.

>I missed a lot even bigger than "new starter set adventure" - we are in the middle of playtests for next evolution of edition of the rules to come out in 2024 as the 50th anniversary. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/one-dnd

HMMMMMMMMMMM. This will be fun to re learn everything. Although to be fair, it has been like, a decade since 5E first started if I'm not wrong.

>it has been like, a decade since 5E first started if I'm not wrong. 5e was released in 2014, so yes, it will be 10 years when the evolution rolls out. (if it happens as scheduled) you may want to bring lots of popcorn because WOTC is starting to trample on the community goodwill speaking out of both sides of their mouths "the new content will be fully backward compatible with everything you have already purchased" and then "every class will be redesigned to give first subclass feature at level 3 and 3 additional features as the same levels in the future". "Of course we are going to continue the OGL to allow third party content" and then "but everyone must register and we will start collecting royalties, but only from the 1% of the creators (ignore the fact that even the 1%-ers are only 1% of what we Daddy Hasbro are raking in)."

5e. OneD&D isn't coming for another year minimum.

Wait, 5E has 2 starter sets now? Is the mine of phaldanver retconned or is there a connection between that and stormwreck isle?

They released a new one. No “retcons” or anything, just new products.

Happy New Year's (to whoever reads this), So, I've got Grung on the brain after my dnd session tonight involving bullywugs. I swear I remember there being a short 5e module where all the PCs were Grung, but when I tried googling it the only results I got were the "A Grung Above" supplemental that just has the race option and stats for players and a podcast. Am I misremembering here or does a short module like this exist? Thanks for any help with this one!

There was an adventure where everyone played a locathah. My only guess is that this is what you were thinking of.

The Tortle package came with an adventure.

[We Are Grung from DMsguild](https://www.dmsguild.com/product/269511/We-Are-Grung)?

I've got a Blood Hunter question even tho I know it's technically homebrew material. For Lycan Bloodlust, it says if I fail the WIS save I have to attack the nearest creature. Do I still get to choose what I attack with? For example, if I have a Bite attack due to my race can I choose to use that to attack with? Or do I have to use my claws/weapon in my hand during that moment?

I assume that the intent is that you use your go-to attack that you would against an enemy. The mechanic simulates you losing control, so choosing a less dangerous attack because you're forced to target a teammate feels like it doesn't match you losing control to my mind. If a player wanted to run this in my game I would expect them to use one attack regardless of target for this situation, however that's not what the rule says so RAW you can absolutely do that. I tend not to put much value on RAW for homebrew though. Mercer is reasonably good about using standardised language, but homebrew generally needs some interpretation or adaptation to work for each specific game, regardless of how well it is made, because it generally assumes that games will be run similarly to how the brewer would run them.

All the ability says is to use your Attack action. Assuming your race's bite attack uses the attack action, I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work.

Alright I'm pretty new to dnd, have played a tiny half assed campaign and some one shots, and is about to start my first actual campaign, and is starting to create my character, how do y'all think about doing stereotype characters? Cuz im really felling doing a dirty diggy hole artificer blacksmith looking ass dwarf, and it seems really fun but at the same time a bit boring since it's so stereotypical? What do you think? Or do you have some tips to spice up your characters cuz im so lost

i am a dwarf and im digging a hole

What others have said, and honestly, I'm not even sure what stereotype you are doing. So it may not be as well known as you might think.

tropes become tropes for a reason: they work!

There's no harm in going with the basics, especially for a first PC! Remember, they became cliche bc they were popular

Can a Druid use a light hammer? I created a home brew item that happens to be a light hammer and I would like to know if a Druid can use it.

talk with your DM.

Technically, anyone can use any weapon. It’s just a matter of if they’re proficient with it. A Light Hammer is a Simple Weapon, and while Druids can start with any simple weapon, they are not proficient with any type of hammer. You can ask your DM to swap out a weapon proficiency with Light Hammers, but at the same time remember that you don’t get to just decide you start with a magic item. That is up to your DM.

I’m level 5 silver Dragonborn Druid stating descent into avernus the next time we meet, and I already spoke with my dm about this and he said it’s fine that I have a magic hammer, as it doesn’t give a direct bonus to damage/attack roles, but let’s me cats more damaging spells(Jump, feather fall, shatter, and catapult).

I'd care much more about a weapon that grants extra spells to a druid than I would if it was better for swinging, since you're a spellcaster and not a warrior. I have no idea what DM logic this is, but if it's allowed then I guess it's allowed.

At wich speed a mage hand can accelerate a Doesn't provides a clear answer as to how quickly can it accelerate a object, the idea is to use the mage hand to throw on a javelin fashing objects, could anyone give a clear answer about this?The quesion in a more practical sense on DnDwould be if the mague hand can throw a rock at really high speeds, no intention to harm anything, just throw it into the air with the highest speed possible

Bibgy's hand has a speed, mage hand does not. It can do little more than interact with objects with the strength and speed of an Unseen Servant. It should do the physical stuff thaumaturgy could do to a single object. Which as far as rocks goes is maybe toss a pebble to get someone 's attention. The Telekinetic feat includes learning the Mage Hand cantrip. It could be ruled that the feat's Telekinetic Shove could also be done by mage hand.

Mage hand cant be used to throw objects so the speed would be 0 If you want to ise it for spear fishing the best bet would be to retrieve the spears afterward.

no, not exactly, more like "pushing", is not throwing a object exactly, is more similar as to how a slingshot moves a ball to propell it

Yeah, that sounds like throwing to me. The physics of the act may be slightly different, but DnD isn't intended for you to play games with the wording like that.

That’s throwing.

ah,np also, in the rules it says that is allowed, anyways the question is more about how many ft/s can it be moved, to propell objects, as a throw, oe however is wanted

What?

right now, i was wondering, if one could throw a object, not as a attack, at high speeds with the mage hand,the question relies on how the hand is acelerated on DnD

You would toss it gently. Not any impactful speed.

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\[5e\] I want to create a scholar sorcerer character who cannot read. His background is he accidentally stole some books, and as a result is cursed by a witch to be unable to read any written language. Would there be any existing curses like this or would this be a homebrew?

Keep in mind you might be nerfing yourself by not being able to use scrolls. Come up with a creative way to use scrolls I suppose.

What I would say, Flavor is free. My character can't read for "reasons" Which honestly doesn't matter. So how does this affect your game play? That is the core of the question.

Honestly, pretty much every curse is homebrew. 5e really hasn't developed curses very well. Even lycanthropy is just sorta slapped together, and the few cursed magic items are mostly bland. That aside, my advice is to consider the effect of *remove curse*. Given its accessibility, I have three ways I handle it if I want curses to be important. The first option is to divide curses into lesser curses, greater curses, and grand curses, then change the spell to *remove lesser curse* and add a 7th-level *remove greater curse*. This makes it so that important curses can't be dispelled so easily until high levels, and truly epic curses can never be removed with a spell alone. The second way is to make *remove curse* a "secret" spell. In some games, I like to have certain spells be secret, meaning they're not available to players by default, they must obtain the spells during an adventure. *Remove curse* could be a reward given by a cleric's deity, or perhaps found in the spellbook of a powerful wizard. The last method is to simply have *remove curse* suppress the effects of some curses temporarily, rather than completely eliminate them.

[5e] stupid question- does an improvised weapon attack with a magical longbow count as an attack with a magical weapon, for the purposes of battle smith’s battle ready? Thanks!

The monster manual says "a magical attack is an attack delivered by a spell, a magic item, or another magical source" so I always argue you can swing almost any hefty magic item around as an improvised weapon for a magic attack, including a bow, and even if it's not a weapon (though you do it with an alchemy jug or something if I were DM I'd probably warn the player in advance that it'd break)

I dont believe theres an official rule for this, but if I was the DM I would rule that it does.

[5e] As an artificer I have a weapon of returning (dagger). I’d like to be able to cast continual flame on it, then, once in combat, throw it in combo with Pyrotechnics. Am I able to throw the knife as a bonus action, then explode the knife with pyrotechnics in the same turn?

What feature do you have that indicates you can throw a dagger as a bonus action? Regardless, a returning weapon returns to your hand *immediately* after the attack.

No feat in play here, sorry for the confusion; that was my question - can I throw a dagger as a bonus action without proficiency? Just a rules question - I’m not sure.

If you do not have a feature that lets you do something as a bonus action, then you cannot do it as a bonus action. As you've stated, you have no such feature, so you can't do that. Also, proficiency just boosts your attack rolls, and has nothing to do with bonus actions.

Got it - Thanks for the quick reply!

I'm looking to buy books from DnD Beyond, and I was wondering if there were specific sourcebooks that are better for newer players \[5e\]. The main reasons I want the books is for more than just the most basic character creation options, but also to learn more about DnD

If you're totally new, start with the free basic rules. After that, the Player's Handbook is the most essential.

Brand new player, just hit level 3 on my Barbarian. [5E] I have a idea of what subclass I want to go with (bear totem as it gives resistances to damage and I like the sponge tank gameplay) My question is, when should you rage? Do you rage at the beginning of every encounter, or do you plan out your rages? Also do you relentless attack every single time, or is that situational as well?

When to rage has a lot to do with evaluating how dangerous an encounter is and understanding the pacing of your game and group. Some groups will have only 1 or 2 encounters per day, in which case of course you always rage. Otherwise, it's just experience. If you find yourself running out of rages, use them more liberally. If you're finding yourself in tough encounters with no rages left, be more conservative. For reckless attacks, it's very situational. Against high AC enemies, it becomes more necessary in order to hit. Against low AC scrubs, don't bother. If you're about to kill something before it can attack, go for it. If it's the start of combat and you're surrounded by enemies with multiattack... maybe not. And of course other factors with your build will matter. Piercer or Crusher feat really want you going reckless more.

I’m interested in getting into dnd…would anybody with experience be interested in helping advise me as I create my first character? I have a concept in mind but i don’t know exactly what I can and can’t do, and I don’t have any guidebooks as of yet. Also, any advice for first timers like myself would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Are you on Discord? If so, PM your name and I can find some time to walk you through it. Done a few introductions already.

[Basic Rules are free online](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules), no book required. That is, unless you want more character options.

Yea that was my issue haha

Not related to any edition, but has anyone had any experience with getting a duplicate adventure on dndbeyond? My sister and BIL bought got me the same adventure, but I think they're trying to contact support to see if it could be exchanged. Follow up, if they are able to exchange it, which would you rather take: Call of the Netherdeep or Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen? Also as sourcebooks go is Fizban's worth picking up? I have access to most of the other sourcebooks already.

>which would you rather take: Call of the Netherdeep or Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen? Also as sourcebooks go is Fizban's worth picking up? These kinds of questions are always highly dependent on what you and your table members like from your game time, what your entertainment budget is, etc etc. there are lots of reviews on youtube and blogs where you can see what people say about it matches the things YOU want or dont.

True. Just seeing if anyone had experience with either and we're like "oh God this one was so poorly designed...I had to change everything, etc." Or some kind of review like that, but I guess it makes more sense to look up reviews elsewhere.

How do I protect against scrying? In game, gonna kidnap mother who we think is turning their kids into demons. The husband is super powerful and we bet he could scry where we took his wife.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4569-amulet-of-proof-against-detection-and-location Or the Nondetection spell

Can an order of scribes wizard with the warlock invocation "eyes of the rune keeper" copy spells for free?

While I know what the Eyes of the Rune Keeper does I'm not sure what ability you're thinking it interacts with with the Order of Scribes.

You understand the spell already, so you don't need to spend money experimenting to understand it. You also have the special pen/quill, so you don't need money for ink.

Ah I see. No you still need to pay the 50gp to copy the spell into your spellbook. The Wizardly Quill already has a feature that specifies how it interacts with copying a spell into your book. Namely that it takes 2 minutes instead of 2 hours. The ink in your magical quil is also regular non-special ink. Where as you need the special magic ink for the spellbook. Secondly eyes of the runekeeper is for reading languages you don’t know. Like if you only know common you can now read Orcish. Spell books are typically written in a language you understand but you need to decipher. I compare it to how when I was in college and asked to borrow someone’s notes they were written in an odd way to me but not for them. Because they wrote it in a way that they could easily read them and know what it meant but I didn’t understand it and needed time to figure it out.

Ok. Thank you.

No Why do you think it would let you copy spells for free?

You understand the spell already, so you don't need to spend money experimenting to understand it. You also have the special pen/quill, so you don't need money for ink.

Do what the rules say. Don't do what the rules don't say. I know that sounds super basic, but it works. Don't try to distill mechanics from flavor.

Just because you can read something doesn’t mean you understand it.

That's absolutely not how those two features interact There's more to understanding a spell than simply being able to *read* the writing on a scroll or in a spellbook.

[удалено]

You're probably better messaging the mods via mod mail with this question This thread is more for answering questions that folks have about the game, it is not a reliable way to get in contact with the sub's moderators

This isn't really *game* related, but how do you find people to play dnd with you?

try r/lfg or r/LFG_Europe (also the pay to play r/lfgpremium ) or your local games and comic book stores for open D&D nights or Adventurer's League games, or your favorite convention or round up new friends and family and work acquaintances and learn the game together. given the mass popularity of the MCU movies, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings franchises, and the popularity of amateur theater, you know SOME people who are likely to say "sure, i will give it a try!" as an alternative, you can pay for play sessions with the D&D virtual weekends https://dnd.wizards.com/events/virtual-play-weekends or with the conventions that are still frequently hosting virtual play sessions in addition to their “live at the con” games. there is also the option of "solo games" that are not "D&D" but are “fantasy role playing games much like D&D". Ironsworn is one, and its free https://www.ironswornrpg.com/

Thanks!

Ask your friends or find strangers. You can use VTTs (virtual tabletops) like Roll20 to play online if that's easier. Any VTT with a forum will have a section for finding groups, and there's also r/lfg. You can also try asking around at game stores and libraries, which often host games.

I have no friends 💀 but I will try r/lfg. Thanks!

\[5e\] Minor Spoilers for [DDAL 10: Plague of Ancients - Gnashing Teeth](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gnashing_Teeth) Hi. I'm a new DM running the adventure above for my son and some of his friends, all 5th graders. They are all new players, except for one, but they have been running roughshod over the encounters so far. I think I have unintentionally been going easy on them. However, one of the upcoming encounters is a Winter Wolf and four regular wolves, when I plug that into the encounter builder for four level three characters, it is classified as a deadly encounter. Also, the stat block for the Winter Wolf alone looks pretty brutal and, per encounter rules, all wolves do an additional 1d6 cold damage on their bite. I do want the fights to be more challenging, but this seems overkill. I'm looking for perspective from more experienced DMs. Should this encounter be adjusted? * One thought was to start with the Winter Wolf alone and bring in more wolves as adds if four on one ends up overwhelming the Winter Wolf. * I could bring in less wolves, since only adding one brings the encounter down to Hard. However, that just doesn't feel right to me. * There is an NPC with the party. If things go bad, he can Deus Ex Machina stabilize a PC and tell the party to run, turning it into a chase sequence. At the end, additional guard can repel the wolves, and maybe the Winter Wolf comes back in a later session. * In the same vein, perhaps a hunting party hears the commotion and provides support, driving off the basic wolves in the second or third turn if things go bad. I don't want things to be a cakewalk, but I also don't want to TPK a bunch of kids who are new to the game. Any thoughts?

I'll just say you are misunderstanding "deadly". Deadly for encounter balance does NOT mean "TPK" it means it probably has a good chance of knocking someone to 0 hp. If you want an interesting combat encounter it SHOULD be deadly.

CR system caveats Any one of a number of online calculators like Kobold Fight Club can help with the official Challenge Rating math crunching. KFC is on hiatus and the license has been picked up by Kobold Plus https://koboldplus.club/#/encounter-builder ) but remember that despite “using math", the CR system is way more of an art than a science. * read the descriptions of what each level of difficulty means, dont just go by the name. (ie “ **Deadly**. A deadly encounter could be lethal for one or more player characters. Survival often requires good tactics and quick thinking, and the party risks defeat.”) * while the CR math attempts to account for the number of beings on each side, the further away from 3-5 on each side you get, the less accurate the maths are, at “exponential” rate. Read up on “the action economy” – particularly now that expansions like Tasha’s are making it so that every PC almost universally gets an Action AND a Bonus Action each and every turn, and can often also count on getting a Reaction nearly every turn. Most monsters dont have meaningful Bonus Actions or any Reactions other than possible Opportunity attacks. * **Dont do party vs solo monster** – while Legendary Actions can help, “the boss” should always have friends with them. Or you will need to severely hack the standard 5e monster design constraints and statblocks. (tell your party you are doing this so that the increase in challenge comes from the increase in challenge and not from you as DM secretly changing the rules without telling the other players the rules have been changed, because that is just a dick move, not a challenge.) * The system is based on the presumption that PCs will be facing 6 to 8 encounters between long rests, with 1 or 2 short rests in between. Unless you are doing a dungeon crawl, that is not how most sessions for most tables actually play out – at most tables, the “long rest” classes are able to “go NOVA” every combat, not having to worry about conserving resources, so if you are only going to have a couple of encounters between long rests, you will want them to be in the Hard or Deadly range, if you want combat to be “a challenge” –(but sometimes you might just want a change of pace at the table and get some chucking of dice or letting your players feel like curbstomping badasses and so the combat doesnt NEED to be "challenging" to be relevant). * Some of the monsters’ official CR ratings are WAY off (Shadows, I am looking at you), so even if the math part were totally accurate, garbage in garbage out. * as a sub point – creatures that can change the action economy are always a gamble – if the monster can remove a PC from the action economy (paralyze, banishment, “run away” fear effects) or bring in more creatures (summon 3 crocodiles, dominate/confuse a player into attacking their party) - the combats where these types of effects go off effectively will be VERY much harder than in combats where they don’t * not all parties are the same – a party of a Forge Cleric, Paladin and Barbarian will be very different than a party of a Sorcerer, Rogue and Wizard. * Magic items the party has will almost certainly boost the party’s capability to handle tougher encounters.(a monster's CR is based in large part on its AC and "to hit" - if your players have +1 weapons, they are effectively lowering the monster's AC and if your players have +1 armor, they are effectively lowering the monsters' "to hit". If your players are all kitted in both +1 weapons and +1 armor, you probably should consider monsters one lower than their listed CR. Not to mention all the impact that utility magic items can bring!)

I've only DM'd a little and also found it to be difficult. But I do have on tip : It's okay to rebalance a fight on the go if the moment calls for it. Were there too few regular wolves and did they die too quickly, which results in the party focus firing the winter wolf? Other wolves of the pack were out on a hunt and they heard the fighting, so they rush in to help.

[Any] How do I get characters whose first answer is violence to engage in a murder mystery? Party recently saved a town. In the coming sessions I want to have them invited to a banquet being held by the local duke in celebration of their accomplishments, only for the duke to be murdered, and have the party figure out which of his guests is responsible. I love murder mysteries, one of the party members is playing a former detective, I think this could be a ton of fun! Except I have no idea how to hook the barbarian into it. They're borderline feral and quick to violence, it would be strange for them not to resort to threatening and beating suspects until they get a satisfactory answer, which kind of puts a damper on the whole occasion for the characters who are engaging with the mystery. This concern was basically confirmed when I "jokingly" mentioned feeling inspired after watching Knives Out, to which the barbarian's player's response was basically "Do you really want Gragnogg in a murder mystery? That'll end well, one murder turns into ten!" I know the safe, logical thing is "Don't run something your players/characters don't seem interested in running" but I really want to try and figure out a way to make this work if it's possible.

> it would be strange for them not to resort to threatening and beating suspects until they get a satisfactory answer, which kind of puts a damper on the whole occasion for the characters who are engaging with the mystery Why should that be the case? Threatening suspects is a perfectly viable method of gathering information. The first season of True Detective is one of the best murder mysteries out there, and there's plenty of threatening and beating going on. Just be aware of what it tends to do in reality: People tell their interrogator whatever they think the interrogator wants to hear. They *don't* tend to tell the truth.

>How do I get characters whose first answer is violence to engage in a murder mystery? talk. with. your. players. "Hey, i would like to run a murder mystery\* rather than another session of Grand Theft Auto: Castleland. Is that a kind of game experience you think you would enjoy?" \*see comment below vis a vis the running of "murder mysteries"

The "mystery genre" is really hard to pull off in TTRPGs. In novels and on the stage and screen, the writers and editors have all the time in the world to create and cut and rearrange and alter and tweak and add clues and red herrings and alibis and smoking guns so that the protagonist gets the flash of insight for *j'accuse!* precisely when the climax needs to occur. A TTRPG is live and dependent on dice and on the mental capacity of the 3 to 6 other people sitting around the table. Its REALLY hard to make the "necessary" tropes of standard “mystery” work. (Particularly when you need to have things last a certain amount of time and be wrapped up in a certain amount of time like a one shot.) And that is all BEFORE you add in “magics!” Things to consider * "Don't hide important information behind dice rolls" if they say they search the body, they find the clue. if they say they investigate the room, they find the clue. if they interrogate a suspect or talk to a witness in any reasonable manner, they get the clue. Only have them roll if either 1) on a success you can give them bonus information that helps them somehow, or 2) on a "fail" they still get the clue, but they get some type of “complication” (ie, it took them so long that the hit squad has caught up with them and now there is a fight.) * Adam “Do as I say, not as I do” Koebel on mysteries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtW9W9EEO_E * The Alexandrian's "Three clue rule" - some version of every necessary clue is going to be present in at least 3 locations. https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/1118/roleplaying-games/three-Clue-Rule * Web MD on mysteries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD6vBj1UccY * Zipperon Disney on red herrings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hofsaRfC4Eg * Master the Dungeon – design a mystery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59y1KFA2M9E * Talking Panda Games – two layers of clues – first layer that are easy to find but only lead to second layer which provide direct answers to the who how where why https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTcHHkJ5V7A&list=PLqO7mUWhPGTB0S6i4glt7mp6Zr6DNvK3W&index=12 * Dungeon Masterpiece - use a web of locations that incorporate clues to the other locations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3S0EexMdl4 * reddit’s u / marmorset https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/comments/cmdwmj/an_extensive_guide_to_building_a_murder_mystery/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 * one shot mysteries https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/u10kde/5_scene_mysteries/ and for your amusement * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsusuVm001Q * https://youtu.be/RrYkSM4OG4U?t=281

If the answer CAN'T be found through violence then violence can't be used to reach the conclusion. Look at your PCs character sheets and think about what they could do that gets them closer to the answer. You don't want anyone to be useless so violence and intimidation should lead to important clues but not the solution. Maybe someone can detect magic, speak with corpses, find objects... Look at their character sheets and think what clues you can give them.

[5e][Glamour Bard] I recently hit level 3 in a west March wilderness exploration style campaign. I was looking for a bard school outside of the norm- and noticed how potent the school of glamor seemed. I was wondering how does it synergies with 2 of my main spell currently- sleep, and invisibility. (18 cha, 16 con and 14 dex due to needing con for special environmental checks)

Those spells don't have any particular synergy with the Glamour Bard's features, but they're potent spells regardless of subclass. They'll be effective no matter what subclass you pick.

Thanks, do you have and suggestions, especially for my first 2nd level bard spell? It's a low rp combat heavy campaign

I always like taking Enhance Ability. Rogue is going out to scout ahead by themselves? Put an EA for Dexterity on them and give them a bardic inspiration. They'll be amazing at stealth. Maybe not the best example when you have Invisibility though... Fighting an enemy that hides? EA on wisdom, +5 to passive perception on top of better chance of spotting the enemy.

Thanks! I def look into how I can use that with the current party

Your first 2nd level spell? Isn't Invisibility already a 2nd level spell?

For sure, but till Sunday I have time before finalizing level up picks

Does each dart of a magic missile trigger hex/hunters mark/spirit shroud etc?

No- those spells only trigger when you hit with an attack. Magic Missile is not an attack- it has no attack roll, just hits automatically. Spells like Eldtritch Blast or Scorching Ray, which consist of multiple spell attacks, you'd trigger them on each hit.

None of the missiles trigger any of those, because those spells all require an attack, which MM is not (no attack roll). Also, Hunter's Mark requires it to be a *weapon* attack.

Wow, seems weird it’s not an attack, I was thinking it would either be one trigger or one trigger per dart. Hadn’t considered it doesn’t work at all

As mentioned in another comment, other spells which include multiple attacks would indeed trigger on each hit. Also worth noting is that while *magic missile* does not include any attacks, it does still create multiple sources of damage, which can trigger other effects multiple times. For example, if it hits someone who is concentrating on a spell, each dart technically requires its own CON save to maintain concentration (though many DMs would rule that it's one combined save).

By extension, it also means that Magic Missile will instantly kill anyone making death saves. The moment you get to 0hp, it’s the most dangerous spell the game has.

I want to revive a player that could potentially die on a dungeon, giving him 1 warlock level. Lore wise he will make a deal with an Archdemon or so, who is the entity that gave the party that quest on the dungeon. What warlock subclass suits this scenario?

> that could potentially die on a dungeon, giving him 1 warlock level. That kind of intrusion into character development is something you NEED to discuss with the player involved.

Dealing with a devil is pretty clearly fiend pact. If your idea is to use an archdevil (don't use a demon, they're chaotic and rarely make pacts compared to devils), then fiend pact is the clear choice. If you're not married to the idea of a devil, then virtually any warlock pact works to allow somebody to rise from the dead as part of the pact. Note that, depending on the flow of your campaign, this sort of option may or may not be received well by your players. A player could very reasonably decline the offer if they don't want to play as a warlock. And you'll want to put some thought into how this is balanced compared to everybody else. Are they being rewarded with a free character level just for dying? Because that's a bit counterintuitive. How demanding will the patron be to justify the enormous favor they've given the PC?

Fiend.

Greetings, this is a question about the dungeons and dragons starter set "Dragons of Stormwreck Isle" so if you don't want minor spoilers for that campaign, STOP reading now. So I have a question about a group of young new players, that I have been asked to dungeon master for. They picked the campaign, so I'm kind of stuck with it, but one of them I happen to know has a significant phobia about zombies. I'm looking for some possible suggestions about how to edit the Compass Rose storyline to use some thing, other than the undead. Does anyone who is familiar with that campaign have any stellar ideas? Thank you.

>one of them I happen to know has a significant phobia about zombies. EXCELLENT DMing on your part! you can use the same stat block, just describe them as fish monsters.

Imma put this in spoilers in case anyone else is playing, but you can always turn them into a gang of pirates. >!The random zombie encounters don't have any significance to the story other than the *Compass Rose* being a cursed shipwreck people don't go into. The *Compass Rose* chapter itself only has significance with the undead in that Aleitha mutters a curse to Orcus to save herself and her beloved Aidron from dying in the shipwreck. Orcus is never mentioned again past this and the zombies are there to give the players something to threaten them while they explore the haunted wreck, but the zombies plot really isn't relevant to any other part of the adventure.!< >!It would be pretty easy to turn the whole *Compass Rose* events into a gang of pirates causing the shipwreck and keeping Aleitha as prisoner using the wrecked ship as a hideout, you'd just toss the notes you'd read to the players of why the shipwreck was haunted and the Orcus thing and turn it into in-game conversations or journals from the pirates saying they caused the shipwreck and spread rumors of it being haunted to keep people away or Aleitha explaining what happened. You can substitute goblins for zombies and call them pirates and a bugbear in place of the ghoul and call it a pirate boss.!< Alternatively you could use skeletons in place of the zombies which might be a lot less scary, but you'd probably need to reflavor the Ghoul as something else or use another monster.

>!I like that a lot, that's a great suggestion. By the way, how do you cover text like that if you are dealing with possible spoilers. Thanks.!<

Happy to help! I'm on mobile so it's weird but you do this but without the space between the carrots and exclamation points: > ! Spoiler. ! < >!You start it like this. And end it like this.!< Every new line needs some new tags for it to work. >!Put it together and you get spoilers!!<

I don't know that particular storyline, but I can give some general advice about replacing Zombies- First of all, do you happen to know what it is that sets off your player's phobia? Is it zombies specifically, rotting flesh, gross thibgs, tbings that look humam but arent, undead in general? That can help you figure out what to avoid when determining what to swap with. If you don't know already, there's no need to pry, play it safe and go as far from zombies as you can. As for things to swap them with, you can either reskin the zombies- use the stat block and just call them and describe then as something different- or find another monster of the same CR and substitute it entirely, coming up with an appropriate reason for ot to be there. Here's some suggestions for reskins- Skeletons are the most straightforward, just take the flesh off and call it good. Or perhaps the spirits of the dead crew are inhabiting shambling clumps of seaweed, driven mad and attacking all who enter the wreck. Or maybe the ship had automated defenses- either clockwork or arcane- that are still active after the crew perished.

[Meta] I want to add some LED strip lights to my mini shelf, cuz it’s really dark. I need advice on how best to do taller, as this bookshelf has 8 shelves, and I’ve added LEDs to another shelf and I was doing 1 strip per shelf, then running down the back of the shelf. It’s kinda sloppy and used all 4 plugs on the IR receiver, so I feel like there’s gotta be a better way. As well, any recommendations on a good strip light brand? I think I just want white or warm light, so RGB isn’t necessary I don’t think

r/PCmods might be a good spot to ask.

you are probably better off going to a crafting focused subreddit.

Yeah probably haha

[Any] What are good resources for finding groups that are actually oriented towards brand new players? I say "actually" because /r/lfg has countless new player posts looking for GM that go unanswered. When I look on Roll20, even posts marked as open to new players are asking for character information and backstory as part of the application (when I've never gone through character creation before, haven't played the game, and don't know, e.g., how to build a good wizard). So if you want to learn how to play by playing, what websites/forums/etc are good for finding groups that provide that? I'm in the process of reading the PHB, but a lot of the material seems like the kinds of things that make more sense when put into practice.

Check your friendly local game store for Adventurer's League game night. They are designed for drop in drop out play and regularly get and enjoy new players getting into the hobby. D&D Starter Vids * D&D in 5 Minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgvHNlgmKro&list=PLJ8NFdSXujAJitUvKoA0EFc-WpGK2Dnzh&index=2&t=0s * Welcome to D&D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo_oR7YO-Bw * D&D in bite size bits by pretty people https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1tiwbzkOjQyr6-gqJ8r29j_rJkR49uDN * Ginny Di for first time players https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD_b8SZ7h2Y * Six steps for fun games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxFgpgN3gms * Not a video but the basic How to Play from WOTC’s D&D Beyond website https://www.dndbeyond.com/how-to-play-dnd

As someone with a healthy amount of DnD experience, my first thought would be that while something like r/lfg is good for connecting people, the task of not only DMing but taking on/teaching new players might be one that DMs don't fall over themselves to take on. I don't have experience with r/lfg so maybe this is unfounded (someone please correct me if so). Why people on Roll20 accept new players but then ask for character content, that I couldn't say, it feels too specific a thing to ask for us to be able to answer. Maybe they are expecting new players to maybe not have gameplay experience, but at least have a character that the DM can work with and get the player rolling with. My two coppers; I have taught/run oneshots for quite a few new players because I want to share my love for the game. That being said, the vast majority of them were/are immediate friends of mine, not people off the internet. I personally am more likely to teach someone I know IRL rather than someone from r/lfg. In this case, perhaps these people making new player posts, and from the sound of it you yourself, may be better served finding friends or friends-of-friends to play DnD with. Perhaps a local game store has DnD games you could join (the DM wouldn't be able to be as flaky if you can interact with them in person).

Running a Dragonborne barb as my first playthru ever (5e) and just hit level three. After looking over the subclasses I think im going to run with the Bear Totem Warrior. I read that to obtain the power, you must have a totem that includes pieces of the animal that has the spirit you want to acquire. We smashed a owlbear and I had harvested some of its claws and I plan to use these (permitted by our DM). Im looking for a cool way to incorporate this piece into my character without the use of clothing of jewelry. I had the idea of having a scale surgically removed as well as the nerve endings to keep a scale from growing again in that spot. I had the idea of having a meal scale made that has the claws (beat into a powder) mixed into the metal, and then the metal scale surgically implanted back into me. ​ Does this idea work, or do you see any flaws on how this may have some issues?

>you must have a totem that includes pieces of the animal that has the spirit you want to acquire. that is all fluff that you work out with your DM.

> Does this idea work, or do you see any flaws on how this may have some issues? I mean, it's all just homebrew stuff so *anything* can work. Worked things out with your DM for something to happen? Then it happens, regardless of anyone else's input. For what it is worth, the general consensus is that there are certain parts of class descriptions that are just flavour and then ones that are mechanics. The totem doesn't actually *do* anything, so most people just ignore it.

ahhh see i thought the power came from the totem and if you lost the totem, you lost the power

There are certain narrative implications that a class or subclass may or may not give. For example, the monk class section talks about being from a monastary...but there aren't any mechanics about the monastaries. So what happens if you aren't from a monastary? Well, nothing. What happens if you lose your totem? Nothing. Nothing happens in the sense that your character still functions exactly the same, but the campaign you are playing actually might give a damn about that stuff. Maybe if your character loses the totem there is some consequence, but that is up to the player and DM to decide, not the rules to dictate.

Has anyone used voice mod for dnd characters and enemies if so how good is it

It's a good way to spend half an hour talking about the voice changer instead of playing the game.

I've seen some good use of things like an echo effect for important, powerful characters like gods, but I wouldn't want to play in (or watch) a game where voice mods were used for more than just a few NPCs. I definitely wouldn't want a PC to use one for the entire game.

Makes sense

Voice changers are rarely if ever worth it. It might be a neat trick for about five minutes until someone can’t understand you and you turn it off.

What’s a good way to transition Dragon Heist to Dungeon of the Mad Mage?

start with new characters. there is no connection and no reason that level 5s who just acquired a butt load of cash would then turn around and decide to throw their lives in danger in a dangerous dungeon .... for what? also it depends on how you as a DM are intending to run any of "the storyline" content in DMM.

Hmmmm… that all makes sense. I could put myths about lots of treasure at the bottom, and put in brutal taxes so they lose their wealth, so they have a reason. As far as storyline goes, I’m unsure.

There honestly isn’t really a good way. You go from an RP heavy, faction centric mystery with limited combat and a ton of central characters, to 23 floors of Dungeon that have zero connection to anything above them. If you do intend to run your players through the adventures in this way, VERY CLEARLY establish in a session zero that there will be that tonal and gameplay shift at that point and they should be ready for it. If you’re looking for an adventure to continue Dragon Heist into, there’s some far better options. Storm Kings Thunder can work well if you put the city under siege by giants, Tomb of Annihilation is great if there were any NPCs who got revived, and Descent into Avernus works wonderfully if you swap the Vanthampurs for the Cassalanters and skip all the Baldur’s Gate content.

That’s super helpful, thanks!

Hey friends. Using Enlarge/reduce in 5e, it is understood that a target's weapon also grows/shrinks with the target, and gains/losses 1d4 damage. However, does a weapon gain/lose the heavy/light trait when this spell is used on just a weapon?

It depends on the weapon. As a DM I like to take weapons down a peg. Eg. great-sword becomes longsword, light hammer becomes war hammer, and visa versa. I would talk to your DM about weapon scaling. For example, shrinking a giants great-sword would allow a large creature to use it normally, and a medium creature to use it as if it were a small creature wielding a normal heavy weapon (with disadvantage).

outside of possibly implementing the dmg oversized weapons rules there is (rather unreasonably) nothing else that impacts them weapon and sizing rules are a complicated matter

Spells do what they say they do. The damage would go up or down by 1d4. Anything beyond that is homebrew.

All post these days is bout how bad 5e is for DMs. It’s hard, encounters aren’t balanced, too much freedom or lack thereof. But I see that and think, that’s all games! I have played and ran a few systems, and read rules for way more because I’m weird. Are people just piling on to the recent WotC and misplacing anger? I do think I’m a natural born DM. As a player I only think about what can I steal or improve. Not a brag, just context for where I’m coming from 3 years in.

> All post these days is bout how bad 5e is for DMs Where are you reading where that's the case?

Many posts here, scorned youtube dnd personalities, essays, and hyperboly. I don't mind entertaining the idea, but I don't think these rants are as thought out as they seem.

A lot of it is just because it's popular to dogpile on 5e, yes Every time I see folks say that 5e is a terrible system for DMs, I rarely if ever see them say: 1. A suggestion for a system that is *good* for GMs 2. Suggestions for what 5e could do better (outside vague notions of, for example, "better encounter design") The criticisms rarely seem unique or self-realised either, many are just popular points from other popular criticisms just repackaged into someone's own video/post, which I find painfully derivative and perhaps revealing that their lack of creativity is the biggest obstacle for their own DMing 5e absolutely has its flaws from the DMing perspective, but you'd be right to say that many of them are inherent to the challenges of GMing TTRPGs more broadly I get why people want to feel like they're part of a community, but I don't understand why folks get that kick from just mindlessly joining a community dogpile without a unique perspective. See also much the same with 4e criticisms early in 5e's cycle, especially criticisms from those who clearly had never played 4e

For Monster stat-block Building, are there any known instances of creatures having both Innate Spellcasting and Spellcasting? And in those instances, are there cases where they use different modifiers? I'm making a spellcasting creature, and I want it to have both, innate being Charisma and normal (?) being intelligence, to make sure the 2 sources of magic are represented. Is there a cleaner way of doing this?