DnD Advice

i joined a second campaign and tonight was session 0! everyone seems to be super excited but we kept getting distracted and cracking jokes and interrupting each other- even during combat, on someone else's turn. after combat, we still couldnt keep anything straight either because everyone was doing something different.

despite all of that, i think the DM did really well and im surprised that this is his first campaign. but i was wondering what advice you might give him (or me as a player) to help reign it all in and keep everyone on track?

That’s definitely a session zero conversation to be having! It’s important for the DM and players to have an understanding of how they want the sessions to go.

Talk with your DM before your next session and let them know how you’re feeling. Perhaps that session zero could be extended and that conversation of expectations can still happen!

My absolute favorite combination is Eladrin Way of Shadow Monk. So many different ways to teleport. They synergize very well together. I played a Pirate-esque character using this combo for a one shot and it was one of the best times I’ve had playing the game. Though, my current Changeling Oath of the Open Sea Paladin is very fun as well. Those don’t synergize like the monk, but the RP for this character is incredible.

I don’t really play Barbarians (I’m not super into melee) or Rangers (I think they are underpowered in 5e, especially for how I run my games and the games I play in.) I’d probably make a Goliath or Firbolg barbarian, just to capitalize on the size difference. Also haha funny passive firbolg who packs a punch and has a temper if tested. For the ranger, I would probably go with Eladrin and Horizon Walker for that teleport synergy and options. Again, I have never really given much thought to rangers at all.

I hope this helps, months later lol

It’s been a while since I checked this blog, so I hope you have already started your career in DnD! If you have, I’d love to hear how it’s going and how you like the game so far. 

If you haven’t, then I’ve got a few words. This ask is incredibly subjective and dependent on the person reading. Factors that might impact that are internet stability, neurodivegencies (or the lack thereof), group availability, computer hardware, and more.

In my case, I prefer running in person games over online games. My main group is comprised of old friends from high school, so we are all local and have the time to meet up. I’m also pretty bad ADHD (diagnosed since like 2005) so when I don’t have that in-person interaction, my ability to pay attention to the game in front of me plummets. I also just enjoy the in-person dynamic. With technology, in my experience, there can only really be one person talking at a time; you can’t get up and act out the scene; the non-verbal cues are harder to pick up; etc.

I realized as I was writing that this ask was probably sent pre-covid (which is really embarrassing) so some choices may be beyond your control. I know you didn’t ask this specifically, but if you’re looking for a way to run games online, I highly recommend Discord and Tabletop Simulator. 

I haven’t checked this blog in AGES, which is probably a good thing in this instance. When this was (probably) sent, I definitely wouldn’t have had an answer for you. BUT now I do!

Some really good resources for you to peruse: - The Official DnD Discord Server! (Pretty self-explanatory, I think. They have a looking for group channel) - startplaying.games (A service that connects DMs with Players)

I know it’s been a ridiculously long time since I last posted or answered any asks (life got in the way) BUT I’m back (briefly) to provide you guys with some content.

I’m currently prepping for Chapter 4 of Storm King’s Thunder. In the chapter, there are some runes - I’m not going to get into specifics bc spoilers, just know they exist. Since I couldn’t find the runes online (after a very, very brief search) I decided to draw them out myself. And since I’ve already taken the time to draw them out, I figured why not scan them in, edit them, and post them to tumblr and reddit.

The runes, from top left to bottom right, are as follows: 1. HAUG. God of the Hill Giants. 2. SKYE. God of the Cloud Giants. 3. ILD. God of the Fire Giants. 4. UVAR. God of the Storm Giants. 5. STEIN. God of the Stone Giants. 6. ISE. God of the Frost Giants.

If you want a link to the document for your own downloading purposes, you can find them here:  - Transparent background: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GCc7zeRu8P7JozgsoMN-TDXY7090oRI_  - White background: https://drive.google.com/open?id=16Plz0EOFW9lGE79PT4Kus--TRkiIOFYX

For those of you hoping this means I’ll be more active, I don’t mean to get your hopes up. Life is still super busy and hectic (#LivinThatFullTimeJobLife) and this was really just a “hey, why not” kind of moment. I’m also in the process of making the other giant runes, so I might post those once I’m done.

In the name of Ise, stay frosty.

.. He didn't listen and said "I'm just playing my character" theirs playing a character and being a self absorbed ass who just wants to show off :/

They can start with no armor if they choose, yeah. But most of the time it’s found in starting equipment.

I haven’t heard of Death Curse, but there’s Power Word: Kill that’s somewhere above 6th lvl.

I feel like this is a little outside of my domain, just because I don’t know what’s easy and hard for your patient/client. However, I can help by offering some commonly used phrases in DnD!

I would start out by programming in all numbers from 1-25 of 30. This way you have most roll outcomes taken care of. I would also program in “I roll to hit.” and the various weapons used or spells used. This should help with combat.

I would program in the various skills and a basic “I roll for...” then they can press the button for the appropriate skill.