Low fantasy is gritty, grounded, and high stakes. How can we make that work in 5th edition D&D?
How to run low fantasy D&D
House rules I love and loathe
Some house rules are great, some are OK, and most are unnecessary. Which are worth adding to your game?
New spellcasting mechanic: the Mana Check
By default, D&D uses Vancian magic, and has done since its earliest days, more or less. Vancian magic is where spells are prepared in advance and can only be used a finite number of times. It is sometimes known as ‘fire and forget’ magic, or, more disparagingly, as ‘utility belt’ magic. The term ‘Vancian’ comes … Continue reading New spellcasting mechanic: the Mana Check
Hack the game: improved skills in 5e
D&D is more popular than it has ever been. Part of the reason for this is fifth edition itself, which in many ways streamlined the game without losing the flavour that made it ‘feel’ like D&D. I am generally very happy with the changes 5th edition made to the game but feel that skill checks … Continue reading Hack the game: improved skills in 5e
Death in D&D
Dying in D&D is momentous. When you watch a character die before their time, that can be a surprisingly moving moment. And it’s important, therefore, that it’s handled properly.
Modding D&D
5th edition gets an awful lot right. But it is not perfect. Here are five areas of the game that are apt for tweaking.