Is encounter-building that a big deal? In short, yes. So how has it changed in 2024?
Encounter balance in 2024: better or worse?
Cookbooking Witchlight: better information architecture in action
My last post seemed to get a bit of interest, and a few of the comments asked if I could provide an example of its principles in action, perhaps using The Wild Beyond the Witchlight as a case study.
A simple checklist for writing awesome adventures
I thought it would be cool to have a kind of flowchart or checklist to help DMs design adventures around its principles. So: I made one!
Update: The Campaign Handbook
I have now completed the second part of Tier 2, 8th to 10th level. I hope you like it! Constructive feedback is always welcome. You can download it over on my Patreon (link). I see Tier 2 as the 'fun and games' section of your campaign—'the promise of the premise' where all the 'trailer moments' … Continue reading Update: The Campaign Handbook
The ultimate lazy tool for making your character unique
What if there was a way of making your character unique without any new rules? A way of making them more distinctive, more memorable? What if there was a way of creating new spells monsters without complicated new stat blocks? What if you could make the game your own with a quick and simple hack? It already exists! And it’s one of my favourite tools as a player and DM.
Loot by environment
This is probably going to end up as an appendix of The Campaign Handbook, and if you think I've missed anything, I could do with your help!
Update: The Campaign Handbook
Over on Patreon, I've just added the latest packet for The Campaign Handbook, which takes you up to 7th level. That's probably enough material for four months of weekly play!
The Complete Guide to Charms and Enchantments: Part Two
This is the second part of a series on charms and enchantments in 5e. I focus on five spells: suggestion (and its high-level counterpart, mass suggestion), compulsion, geas, and dominate person.
Being a good sport: how to ‘play fair’ at the table
D&D is many things: creative, imaginative, social, collaborative, and immersive. But it’s also a game. And as with any game, good sportsmanship is essential.
12 reasons to stop worrying about pass without trace
Sometimes in 5e, you come across a spell that isn’t necessarily broken but runs the risk of causing a few problems. Pass without trace is a prime example of this, and for a long time I’ve agonized about how to handle it.