Topic: The Dungeon and Dragons Thread

@Tyranexx The Drakewarden sounds like a fun sub class. Do you often use the Drake Breath weapon?

I think the fizban book is great. Are there any 5e books you want to look more into?

Has anyone played Baulders Gate 3? The reason I ask is because I read some where that the 5e adventure Descent into Avernus is a prequel to BG3. I myself have never ran Descent into Avernus mainly cause I couldn't figure out how to fit it into my current campaign. Still though kind of curious where it fits into BG3 as I am interested at some point playing that game.

@Tyranexx It's a start in that it does a good job of showing the pros and cons of races, feats, and abilities; and showing you what would potentially have synergy with your build. But at the end of the day, I believe you can and should make choices that fit the character or story you playing that might not be optimized.

If things were just about combat optimization, I probably would have gone with the Heavy Crossbow build as it fit the concept I had in mind (Van Helsing X Mandolorian). I probably should have Telekinetic instead of Shadow Touched as I rarely use the abilities Shadow Touched gave. Even where I am currently at, I would be using an infused Glaive with Polearm Master being my next feat (followed by Great Weapon Master).

Instead, I am leaning more into the Techno-Knight that battles evil. The Custom Lineage, Shadow Touched Feat and the Spear I now carry plays into the idea that I have been touched by the darkness I am trying to fight. So my character is carries holy artifacts he cannot currently use (wrong class for all of us). Because they fail him, (he cannot use them until Level 14 when class restrictions go away for Artificers) he will be turning towards the occult next level (Ritual Caster: Wizard Feat). Practically, it gives our party some more needed utility (Find Familiar and Comprehend Languages to start). Thematically, it will continue the question of how close to the darkness can someone get before they become the very thing they wanted to destroy?

Anyways, I hope you find a build that you enjoy. There is nothing better in D&D than finding a class that you love playing and then seeing all the different ways you can play them. Perhaps test a concept out in a one-shot where it doesn't matter.

I'm generally interested in BG3, but I don't currently have an optimal way to play it. My laptop is getting a bit long in the tooth and isn't built for gaming. I unfortunately doubt a Switch port is happening anytime soon either....

@Themagusx1 I've had one opportunity to use the Drake's Breath so far, and it was glorious. More opportune for my young drake to use it than me in that situation unfortunately. The Ranger can use it too! I'd like to read more of Fizban's, and the Monster Manual just for some of the lore and crazy creature designs attached to the game.

@Darknyht Some sound advice there, much appreciated! The Van Helsing X Mandolorian concept seems pretty cool in my head, especially since I enjoy the movie. That said, I quite like your more fleshed out Techno-Knight concept too. That would be frustrating from your character's perspective, trying to do good but being bound by existing restrictions. So yes, that does go well with the theme: How far WILL one go in the name of a "greater good"? Will they become the very thing they want to destroy? Not to mention Curse of Strahd is a complementary setting for those themes.

On finding a build I enjoy: Thanks! I'd like to test an Artificer in a one-shot or short-lived setting. I've had a little experimentation now, though not to a huge extent. I tried a Paladin in our one-shot and liked that, though I don't think I played long enough to become too familiar with the class. I've played a Druid in our freeform homestead campaign, but it's been ages since we've played that one and I only reached level 2. Same regarding my Rogue in our backup Grim Hollow campaign since our characters are only level 2. Though I want her to go the Arcane Trickster route. I was originally thinking about trying the Misfortune Bringer sub-class from that setting, but I think Arcane Trickster makes more sense for my Tabaxi due to her background (somewhat vague, but that gives the DM plenty to experiment with).

@Tyranexx Nice! That sounds like a great use of that weapon. Just spoke to my group looks like we will be playing starting the 17th of September. So I got a whole month of writing a one shot. I will keep you posted. Thinking of using Draconians from the Fizban book, and I may use Orogs, I like using Orogs lol.

Those two books have great lore. What books are you interested in owning?

@Themagusx1 Drake's Breath is a nice AoE, so it's a definite boon. Yes, do keep me posted! Glad your group has a set date. That's actually the same weekend where things are...VERY busy for me due to a cousin's wedding and some other obligations. Draconians are pretty awesome, though I'll have to look up what Orogs are.

I'd actually like to own those two books, due to my general love of mythological creatures...and some of the snazzy art. Not too interested in owning any major DM-related books yet.

@Tyranexx A lot of the books have some nice lore too. Yeah if you are focusing on just being a player, you are good to go. I can’t wait to use the draconians, the Orogs are essentially a beefed up version of orcs, they are pretty brutal and are a good challenge for my players. The characters they will be using will be at level four do it will be a good challenge. I hope you have a good time at your cousins wedding.

Have you ran into draconian in your campaign? And yeah I think the one shot maybe a mix of dungeon crawling and wilderness adventure.

@Themagusx1 I quite like fantasy lore if it's well crafted. Orogs do sound very challenging...and I wondered if they were related to Orcs in some way lol. Sounds like a fun campaign indeed. As for my cousin's wedding: Thanks! It'll be a good time I'm sure. Haven't ran into any Draconians in our campaign...at least not yet.

@Tyranexx maybe that’s a good thing you have not ran into any draconian. And I a, with you fantasy lore is fun. And Orogs are pretty challenging at low levels. Killed a sorcerer with an Orog once, but the sorcerer was in the front row…so it was their fault lol. You guys have not experienced character death yet right?

Well this is a surprise, Tal'Dorei Reborn is now available on D&D Beyond. What makes this interesting is that it's not done by WOTC. It's a third party book. Granted it's Matt Mercer's publishing company and he has a good relation with WOTC but still kinda of interesting.

@Themagusx1 The lore and world building is what draws me to the game. I would argue that most monsters can be deadly at low levels if ran intelligently by the DM and the players don't work as a team. The Goblin Slayer anime does wonders for showing just how dangerous goblins (and other low level creatures) can be to unprepared adventurers.

The issue is that most DMs run monsters like a game where they just mindlessly run into the blender of the player's front line. This is partially because the DM Guide, Monster Manuals, and even published adventures do little to teach you how to use the monsters in encounters or suggest tactics in adventures. Here are just some examples of how monsters can be run better and more uniquely, taking advantage of their toolset to present a challenge to players.

Goblins should use hit and run tactics from darkness (taking advantage of their bonus action hide each turn to move and flank), retreating or surrendering (to attempt escape later) before death. They are inherently selfish and cowardly, willing to betray one another for gain. However, they prefer goblinoids before other races. Goblin Bosses, Hobgoblins and Bugbears can change this behavior by their presence.

Orcs should be stupidly aggressive (using their charge to close the distance) but not stupid (maneuvers around enemies to prevent being flanked), and only reluctantly surrendering/retreating. Brute strength and intimidation are the only tactics in their pockets, but if they are forced to retreat expect them to stalk their prey for revenge.

Kobolds use primitive contraptions to trap (Kobold Inventor style goofiness), surprise with a sling barrage, and then finally swarm (taking advantage of pack tactics) until there isn't 3-to-1 odds which is when they mindlessly flee.

@Darknyht Good point. I have used orcs at low levels as a dm, and they have been a challenge for my low level party members. You do have a very good point about how the adventure books and monster manuals portray these monsters. I like your suggestions on Goblins, orcs and kobolds. Especially the kobolds I will keep that in mind for sure. Thanks for the tips.

@Themagusx1 I cannot take credit for the ideas. I cannot recommend Keith Ammann and his website https://www.themonstersknow.com or his book series, "The Monsters Know What They are Doing" enough. He has some simple but practical ideas of how to run monsters based on their stat block which I just summarized to illustrate the point. Both have been invaluable to me since I discovered them along with Sly Flourish (slyflourish.com) and his contributions.

Much like characters, the NPCs and monsters need to feel alive. They need to have motivations and dreams, and you need to think how they would respond to events. What happens when the Party's thief decides to rob the General Store or local noble? I doubt the town just shrugs and goes about business as usual as they do in most RPG video games. Does the lack of that gold cause a disruption in the town's services (general store cannot restock) or create an opening for the local thugs to move in and offer "protection".

In the same way, if you wipe out a monster lair of a large threat, how does the surrounding creatures respond to the power vacuum? Will there be a calm before they swarm back to fight over territory, or will some suppressed terror now be unrestrained and make a move?

Anyways, just more of the thoughts bouncing around my head these days as I prepare to run a campaign again.

@Darknyht I will definitely check those websites. Especially the monster website. You are right that NPCS and monsters need to feel alive and real. That’s why my sessions are roleplay heavy and you are right about the village having an economic systems and that they would be effected. I always like fleshing out locations and the peoples that love there.

I hope your campaign goes well. When do you plan on starting it?

@Themagusx1 I am hoping to have a first session in a week or two. The biggest hurdle is to get everyone to actually make their characters and log them with DNDBeyond. I am trying to avoid having a game-zero session since almost everyone has played previously.

I am going to run the Dragon of Icepire Peak along with it's expansions (Storm Lord's Wrath, Sleeping Dragon's Wake and Divine Contention). I plan on making a named Anchorite of Talos to be the main villian of the story. Halia Thornton, the orcs and even the White Dragon will be the pieces they use or manipulate as they pursure their goals.

Overall I am looking forward to the game.

@Tyranexx just a reminder GeForce now runs BG3 great

@Darknyht That sounds like a good plan. Not having a session 0 is a good thing especially with established groups, but i session 0s can be good if it’s some new players.

Not familiar with Dragon of Icepire peak. Is that one of the official game books that wizards released? And it sounds like you have a pretty solid plan with the campaign you are going to run with who the villain is and all that good stuff.

Again your campaign sounds like it’s going to be off to a good spot.

@Themagusx1 Dragon of Icespire Peak is the campaign that shipped with the Essentials Set. I covers levels 1-5 and the expansions take characters up to reaching level 12.

Out of the boxed sets Wizards have released, it is probably the strongest of them. It was the adventure that introduced sidekicks and the structure is built around Phandalin being a hub base. There are some weak points to it, but having ran it before I am comfortable making some adjustments. The biggest being that I plan on pulling in some of The Lost Mines of Phandelver to replace some of the weaker quests.

@Darknyht Oh nice. I found out today, that I had forgotten I owned the Essentials set. I found that and a bunch of board games while clearing out mine and my fiancés room. Anyhoo, I should take a look at that adventure. I usually my own home brew stuff, but running a premade can be fun.

That sounds like you have a good plan for the module. I am curious how long have you been playing D&D? You are very knowledgeable.

Looks like my D&D group might meet on Sunday, barring any other wrenches life may throw at us.

@Themagusx1 ...Um, who in their right mind plays with the squishy caster in the front row? XD Wonder if it was an accident! That, or someone missed their course in Fantasy Games 101. (Kidding) We've experienced some character death. We lost a Tiefling Rogue due to some cultists being suspicious of her getting a little too close to their treasure cart when we were undercover in a caravan. Tried "helping" with a bit of lost merchandise. Unfortunately, the DM had to declare an auto death as that's what the campaign indicated should happen. We also lost a Human Fighter, but that was due to the player forgetting their character sheet one session, drawing up that new one to play, then going full on Kamikazi in the basement of the swamp castle we were in previously....That one surprised everyone else including the DM lol. This player's RL alignment would probably be chaotic good.

@cyberboycoolen Reminder appreciated! Thank you.