Governments are complicated and replicating them in DnD is no easy feat. Because they add a lot of new, complex mechanics to interact with, it’s easy to see why hardcore world builders would want to install a government system in the fantasy world they are creating. However, governments are hard to simulate even with a …
Many times when walking through a dungeon your players will encounter traps. Some of these traps are simple and some of them are elaborate, but they all hinder the players’ progress in some way or another. One nagging question that sticks out a bit though is why are there traps in the first place. If …
Predatory video games love their pay to win mechanics, but what if we want to put those mechanics into DnD in the form of a pay to win dungeon? This dungeon concept has a simple design that can be used as either a fun one-off mechanic or as course correction when you end up giving …
Consumables in Dungeons and Dragons are a bit iffy when it comes to their rules. In 5th Edition crafting is all but absent from the game and the rarity system is bad if you want crafting to be a mainstay of your game. Despite these rules being bad for crafters, they do shed some light …
Dungeons and Dragons is a very open game. Your players could decide to walk off in any direction, look at anything, or pick a fight with anyone. This is one of the primary hurdles that dungeon masters have to face in their games and it is often hard to plan around. You can’t prepare everything …
Maps are a staple part of fantasy adventure. They’re not just pieces of paper that tell you where to go, they’re a visual representation of the places you could explore, as well as a rich and detailed plotting of how each area relates to each other. It’s easy to see why maps are great for …
Does your party play recklessly? Do you play with a vetran group who wants a bit more challenge? Do you have players who run characters with no regard for getting wounded, hurt, or otherwise suffering? If you answered yes to any of these questions then adding a wounds mechanic might be for you. These are …
Most people don’t randomly choose enemies when they’re doing their session preparation. Much like a painter choosing the colors for their artwork, you have to choose a selection of monsters that work well together. The themes can range from basic enemies like the undead to complex creatures from a jungle ecosystem. No matter what you …
When players think about Hit Points they generally think of it as a physical attribute. They imagine it’s how badly damaged they are or how wounded they appear. But what if we were thinking about HP all wrong this whole time? What if instead of representing your actual health HP represented your endurance? Let’s talk …
Does combat take too long in your DnD sessions? Are you spending hours on just a handful of rounds? You’re not alone. This is a common problem that many DMs face and it can be hard to fix. If you’re struggling with this, there is a simple rule that can help: the 1:10 rule for …
