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If you're not planning on raising your int, I'd be inclined to take Lucky to give yourself a better shot at making spells stick. As CR increases you'll need all the help you can get since your spell attack bonus and DC will be so low.
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May 24, 2016 23:04
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Hang on a second. If you're a multiclass cleric 5/X caster 4, you have the slots of a caster 9th. I get that. And you only get 2+wis cleric spells. I get that. But you can only prepare cleric spells up to 3rd?
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May 24, 2016 23:10
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Kaysette posted:If you're not planning on raising your int, I'd be inclined to take Lucky to give yourself a better shot at making spells stick. As CR increases you'll need all the help you can get since your spell attack bonus and DC will be so low. I dunno whether or not I'm ever gonna raise my INT at this point since I've had a lot of fun planning around the fact that it's so low. I've been largely avoiding "Save" and "To Hit" spells in favor of ones that just work automatically or produce some other benefit. At level 2 I picked up the School of Necromancy, and have already hatched some horrible plans for my faithful skeletal servants. We rolled up our characters around the same time as I was listening in on a conversation about how wizards were overpowered and left everyone behind, so while I didn't have to keep my low INT wizard I decided to anyway just to see what I could make of him. I actually took the time to sit down and plot out his spell selection up to level 10, assuming he lives that long.
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May 24, 2016 23:17
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Caphi posted:Hang on a second. If you're a multiclass cleric 5/X caster 4, you have the slots of a caster 9th. I get that. And you only get 2+wis cleric spells. I get that. But you can only prepare cleric spells up to 3rd? You can prepare 5 + wis cleric spells per day since you have 5 levels in cleric. You would be able to prepare up to level 3 cleric spells, but could cast spells using the 5th level slot.
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May 24, 2016 23:30
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Bad Seafood posted:Currently running a low INT (10) wizard in a friend's campaign (everyone rolled 3d6, in order, for their stats); level 4's coming up and I'm divided as to which of two feats to take in place of a simple ability score improvement, Magic Initiate or Resilient. At a glance, Resilient feels like the more obvious choice since getting to add my proficiency to CON saves seems like a pretty sweet deal (be it rolling to maintain concentration or surviving an attack), but Magic Initiate would allow me to borrow some useful cantrips and a spell from another class (currently thinking cleric - Guidance, Spare the Dying, and Cure Wounds or Bless). With 10 INT I'm not much of a powerhouse when it comes to dealing damage, so I've mostly been focusing on utility and support spells, but I plan to branch out into summoning once those spells are available to me. If I take Magic Initiate now, I'll probably take Resilient later, but if I take Resilient now I dunno if I'll take Magic Initiate down the line. Thoughts? Something else I should consider? Ignore, I misread.
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May 25, 2016 14:33
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Kurieg posted:If I could Stop Time in a Battle Splicer posted:If I could make fights last forever But there never seems to be enough rounds to hit the things you wanted to hit before the mage blasts them
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May 25, 2016 15:18
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So I'm going to be GMing a oneshot adventure with my regular group this weekend and it's been easily ten years since I've been on the other side of the screen. I was planning to run Shadows over the moonseas. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions, either general or specific to that adventure? I feel like I have a good handle on combat rules and the like but what are common mistakes for a new GM I should keep in mind?
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May 25, 2016 20:07
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Read over it carefully and plan how you'll resolve any gaps or mistakes in the adventure. In my experience with previous season's modules, these occur fairly frequently, though they're generally harmless. It's just helpful to know ahead of time.
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May 25, 2016 21:05
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My rule for for improv (and panicking) is to ask my players what's skill they're using and have them roll against DC 15. It can lead to absolutely crazy solutions working, but that's half the fun.
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May 26, 2016 05:30
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I think people shouldn't run published adventures because they encourage bad GMing habits and are usually terribly written anyway, but I know that isn't really advice.
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May 26, 2016 15:28
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Boing posted:I think people shouldn't run published adventures because they encourage bad GMing habits and are usually terribly written anyway, but I know that isn't really advice. What usually happens with me is that I read the first 2-3 pages of a published adventure, then make like Steve Carrell stopping himself from watching The Office UK because he didn't want to end up aping Ricky Gervais. So the broad outline of the Lost Mines of Phandelver would be: Dwarf wants you to escort a wagon to Phandalin, wagon gets ambushed by goblins on the way, goblins can be tracked to a cave hideout, the hideout has maybe 3-4 significant rooms and at least one waterfall, and there's a bugbear boss at the end. But I don't have the adventure book in front of me because all that's supposed to mutable.
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May 26, 2016 16:10
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Rewrite the module as you see fit or toss out the plot altogether and write your own, just keep the maps and maybe one or two good ideas you happen to have while perusing its pages.
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May 26, 2016 16:14
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I figured if I were ever roped into DMing I could largely just steal the loot tables and encounters from a premade module and reskin/tweak them for my otherwise custom adventure.
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May 26, 2016 16:27
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Bad Seafood posted:Rewrite the module as you see fit or toss out the plot altogether and write your own, just keep the maps and maybe one or two good ideas you happen to have while perusing its pages. I do this with Pathfinder's modules and APs all the time, mostly because they love to do that "enemy ambushes you in the middle of the room" every room it seems.
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May 26, 2016 17:26
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I actually came here to ask if there were any decent published adventures. Beginner GM here, so I need more structure than pulling plot threads out of my rear end offers, but at the same time I'm keenly aware that, say, a giant melee with a dozen kobolds like the one that opens Hoard of the Dragon Queen is no good. I actually sat through that and watched a dwarf barbarian get crit to death from full hp. I guess what I'm asking is, how do I write adventures? I'd like to run in Eberron, and I know I should try to leave some room for player agency, but I already have trouble with encounter balance and I don't want to have to come up with stats on the fly.
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May 26, 2016 18:30
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Captain Walker posted:I actually came here to ask if there were any decent published adventures. Beginner GM here, so I need more structure than pulling plot threads out of my rear end offers, but at the same time I'm keenly aware that, say, a giant melee with a dozen kobolds like the one that opens Hoard of the Dragon Queen is no good. I actually sat through that and watched a dwarf barbarian get crit to death from full hp. As far as encounters go, you want a small handful of stat blocks ready to go. You then re-skin them for whatever appropriate situation the players get in to. For adventure stuff, you setup a goal and a small number of important people/places/things, relevant to that goal. Adjust things as the players interact them. Pay special attention to the banter of the players and let that shape the world and goal/quest. It does take practice to improv like this, but it means you don't have to prep nearly as much and helps players become more invested in the game since they get a say in it. e: My favorite thing to reference for this is Sly Flourish's The Lazy Dungeon Master.
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May 26, 2016 18:36
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Hey thread, I'm relatively new to D&D, having only played a handful of levels of 4e before. Joining a new game, and I'd like some advice -- The description of our campaign is a little bit The Breakfast Club: quote:'Detention'  -- thanks Footloose and Dirty Dancing. So I'm thinking a fancy footwork, swashbuckling, dual rapier-wielding rogue will do the job nicely.Any recommendations for which race to go for, that fits thematically as well as providing good racial benefits? Like, I hear elves make good rogues, but an elvish dancer wouldn't necessarily be seen as such a rebellious career choice.
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May 27, 2016 00:55
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Be a bard.
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May 27, 2016 01:08
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Variant Human is the best at literally anything, elves and halflings are amazing rogues (elves probably better), half-elf is a good "second best" and probably fits the whole rebellious thing more (STUFFY ELF DAD JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND - I GOTTA DANCE!). Be a swashbuckler, then sigh at rapiers and realize that you cannot actually dual wield them without taking an overall mediocre feat, and end up with daggers. Max dex at all costs. Lucky is the best feat in the game, Magic Initiate is something probably everyone wants because  @5e characters who have no magic at all.
ProfessorCirno fucked around with this message at 01:17 on May 27, 2016 |
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May 27, 2016 01:11
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Noxin of Shame posted:Hey thread, Rogue won't actually give you much; you only get one bonus action per turn, so if you're dual-wielding you either need to choose between making a second attack with your other blade, or dashing/hiding via Cunning Action at level 2+. Bard gives you both Expertise and Jack of all Trades for skills, and also full spellcasting. Your race doesn't matter that much; in your case, if you go Rogue, Elf & Halfling offer +2 Dex, while Human can get a free Feat. Basically echoing Cirno.
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May 27, 2016 01:24
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Swashbuckler who just wants to dance is literally just a Bard. Just play a bard. Play a bard. Play a bard. We still need to change the thread title to reflect the general consensus of "What class should I play?"
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May 27, 2016 01:35
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Noxin of Shame posted:Any recommendations for which race to go for, that fits thematically as well as providing good racial benefits? Like, I hear elves make good rogues, but an elvish dancer wouldn't necessarily be seen as such a rebellious career choice. Orc. You must dance to ignore the malevolent pull of Gruumsh.
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May 27, 2016 01:41
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Mecha Gojira posted:Swashbuckler who just wants to dance is literally just a Bard. Just play a bard. Play a bard. tbf he was asking about race, not class; the bard stuff is unprompted advice. But yea: D&D Next/5e: Play a Human Bard.
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May 27, 2016 01:42
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Yeah, I'm a singer irl, so was hoping to engage a bit more in fantasy rather than what I know. My initial concept was something along the lines of "gently caress you Dad, I don't want to be a bard -- I just want to do taxes, gosh!", but I'm too new to the game to have a clue on how playing an accountant would work.
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May 27, 2016 01:50
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be a Human Bard and do awful slam poetry instead of songs
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May 27, 2016 01:51
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Talk only like this Take forever to say things Make your friends hate you
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May 27, 2016 01:54
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ProfessorCirno posted:Variant Human is the best at literally anything, elves and halflings are amazing rogues (elves probably better), half-elf is a good "second best" and probably fits the whole rebellious thing more (STUFFY ELF DAD JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND - I GOTTA DANCE!). Be a swashbuckler, then sigh at rapiers and realize that you cannot actually dual wield them without taking an overall mediocre feat, and end up with daggers. Max dex at all costs. Lucky is the best feat in the game, Magic Initiate is something probably everyone wants because This is sweet advice, thanks. Generic Octopus posted:Rogue won't actually give you much; you only get one bonus action per turn, so if you're dual-wielding you either need to choose between making a second attack with your other blade, or dashing/hiding via Cunning Action at level 2+. Bard gives you both Expertise and Jack of all Trades for skills, and also full spellcasting. Cantrips like prestidigitation, thaumaturgy or dancing lights would fit I think, but I don't really want to get too deep into spellcasting. I would however dip into some multiclass action to get an additional attack. If a rogue only single wields, what would they use their other hand for? Apart from making the  gesture. Shields? Holy symbols??
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May 27, 2016 02:03
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Hanging off things.
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May 27, 2016 02:07
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Be an Orc Fighter. Get a spiked chain. Claim it's a rhythmic gymnastics ribbon. Kill things with your floor routine.
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May 27, 2016 02:11
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Noxin of Shame posted:Cantrips like prestidigitation, thaumaturgy or dancing lights would fit I think, but I don't really want to get too deep into spellcasting. do you have a deep and abiding love for the phrase "I attack" so much so that you never see yourself tiring of it, or ever wanting anything else
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May 27, 2016 02:12
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Noxin of Shame posted:Yeah, I'm a singer irl, so was hoping to engage a bit more in fantasy rather than what I know. My initial concept was something along the lines of "gently caress you Dad, I don't want to be a bard -- I just want to do taxes, gosh!", but I'm too new to the game to have a clue on how playing an accountant would work. Totally possible to be a Bard that's not a singer. Even the 5e PHB says "That guy leading a war charge, slamming his fist on his chest? Totally a bard." Class names are just names, they don't carry any weight. Your character doesn't actually say "I am a fighter" or "I am a wizard". A kooky spellcaster with a book might call themselves a 'mage' but they could be a wizard, a cleric of knowledge, a warlock with the tome of the Book, or a lore bard that likes books.
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May 27, 2016 02:21
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Noxin of Shame posted:Yeah, I'm a singer irl, so was hoping to engage a bit more in fantasy rather than what I know. My initial concept was something along the lines of "gently caress you Dad, I don't want to be a bard -- I just want to do taxes, gosh!", but I'm too new to the game to have a clue on how playing an accountant would work. A wizard mathemagician is fine but maybe make it contract law and be a warlock.
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May 27, 2016 02:21
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Noxin of Shame posted:Yeah, I'm a singer irl, so was hoping to engage a bit more in fantasy rather than what I know. My initial concept was something along the lines of "gently caress you Dad, I don't want to be a bard -- I just want to do taxes, gosh!", but I'm too new to the game to have a clue on how playing an accountant would work. As I mentioned earlier, my current character is a low INT wizard. After rolling him up, I decided he probably only graduated from wizarding school by the skin of his teeth, the bottom of his class, and so had to make a living as a traveling scribe and public notary. Whenever our group shows up in a new location where there's money to be made I have my guy pull up a box, cast Tenser's Floating Disk to serve as a makeshift desk, take out his calligrapher's supplies - papers, ink pens, ink bottles, sealing wax, an hour glass, and proof of guild membership - and announce loudly that he's here to transcribe, translate, or officiate whatever the locals need (complete with a flashing "Neon" sign courtesy of Minor Illusion). I've made a pretty penny writing things down for the illiterate, signing off on wills and contracts and the like. My guy's one intellectual talent is a gift for languages (speaks six, reads everything, and can cast Comprehend Languages for the rest), so he also hawks his services as a personal translator. The party loves it since I can cover their room and board and spot them some change when they need it. If they're at all interested, try to rope in a few of your party members for fun and profit. A few times our bard's pulled a public performance "Sponsored" by my guy's business, and consequently raked in a fair bit of cash for the both of us. Capitalism, ho!
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May 27, 2016 03:47
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goatface posted:Be an Orc Fighter. Get a spiked chain. Claim it's a rhythmic gymnastics ribbon. Kill things with your floor routine. Love this -- While Christina Aguilera's "You are beautiful, no matter what they say" is piped over the battle. There would be tears. Really Pants posted:do you have a deep and abiding love for the phrase "I attack" Sure, why not, although I'd probably say that my blades are en pointe. Is playing a straight melee character that underpowered? Or is it just about descriptors of what your powers say, and that you get to roll some different dice? Bad Seafood posted:Pick Guild Artisan for your background ... That's pretty great! Noxin of Shame fucked around with this message at 03:55 on May 27, 2016 |
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May 27, 2016 03:51
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... Capitalism, ho!
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Noxin of Shame posted:Is playing a straight melee character that underpowered? Not having spellcasting means you have dick all to do during fights except "I attack", and outside of fights you have nothing useful to contribute that a spellcaster couldn't do.
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May 27, 2016 04:00
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chaos rhames posted:A wizard mathemagician is fine but maybe make it contract law and be a warlock. Oh yeah and infernal lawyer fits the gently caress you dad thing so well. Reskin everything as Pheonix wright levels of 'law' and go ham.
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May 27, 2016 04:01
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Noxin of Shame posted:Sure, why not, although I'd probably say that my blades are en pointe. Is playing a straight melee character that underpowered? Or is it just about descriptors of what your powers say, and that you get to roll some different dice? There aren't powers like in 4e; the closest you'll get are things like the Fighter's Maneuvers, Monk's poke-of-death, etc. As a Rogue, the only thing you do is basic attack and add Sneak Attack damage. At later levels you'll get some passive defensive features, but "I attack" is not an exaggeration of how limited your combat actions are. This is why you'll generally get advice to avoid the martial classes, because they're pmuch all like this to some extent. Most everything you might've called a power in 4e is a spell here. To add insult to injury, Rogue's default archetype choices range from "I jump and climb sorta better", "I can do at levels 9 & 13 what a Warlock could do at 2, but it takes me a week/3 hours instead of an action", and "I'm a spellcaster but lovely and should've just multiclassed instead." Its only saving grace is the Swashbuckler archetype from an Unearthed Arcana article, which has some alright abilities.
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May 27, 2016 05:00
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The only two times you ever want to dual wield are if you're a swashbuckler rogue (who don't require Cunning Action) or a blades bard, and the blades bard is a valor bard but not as good.
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May 27, 2016 06:49
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Valor Bard, reflavor your shield as a parrying dagger. At level six you'll get an additional attack per round anyway. But by that point you won't care because you'll totally blow everyone's minds with your spells, maaaan. Literally. Like make their heads explode. Hypnotic Pattern also makes for an amazing rave sequence. Race doesn't matter all that much. I played the awful Warforged from Unearthed Arcana and despite not having the proper starting stats, still wrecked as a Valor Bard. Mecha Gojira fucked around with this message at 07:36 on May 27, 2016 |
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May 27, 2016 07:33
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Generic Octopus posted:There aren't powers like in 4e; the closest you'll get are things like the Fighter's Maneuvers, Monk's poke-of-death, etc. As a Rogue, the only thing you do is basic attack and add Sneak Attack damage. At later levels you'll get some passive defensive features, but "I attack" is not an exaggeration of how limited your combat actions are. This is why you'll generally get advice to avoid the martial classes, because they're pmuch all like this to some extent. Most everything you might've called a power in 4e is a spell here. The Swashbuckler archetype made it in officially with SCAG. Oh also booming blade if you don't mind giving up your offhand attack. ProfessorCirno posted:Variant Human is the best at literally anything, elves and halflings are amazing rogues (elves probably better), half-elf is a good "second best" and probably fits the whole rebellious thing more (STUFFY ELF DAD JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND - I GOTTA DANCE!). Be a swashbuckler, then sigh at rapiers and realize that you cannot actually dual wield them without taking an overall mediocre feat, and end up with daggers. Max dex at all costs. Lucky is the best feat in the game, Magic Initiate is something probably everyone wants because kirtar fucked around with this message at 17:36 on May 27, 2016 |
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May 27, 2016 17:33
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