What works at your table?
5th Edition D&D has a skill problem. It lies in a feature called expertise, which allows you to add your proficiency bonus twice when using a skill. Let's see what problems this causes and I'll give you a simple hack to fix them!
Spoilers are not a safety tool. Here's some tips for telegraphing threats the right way.
A simple DM screen add-on to help DMs manage sense-driven Ranger and Paladin class features.
Debunking the myth that Hunter's Mark is a "must take" spell... AKA The Ranger's Guide to Concentration Spells.
A chart summarizing the rarity, persistent effects, and activated effects of new D&D tattoos from the March 26, 2019 Unearthed Arcana playtest material.
I was checking out the new Explorer's Guide to Wildemount when I came across an absolute gem: Magnify Gravity. This spell is awesome! Super flavorful, must-take spell. Anytime I start thinking "must take" a red flag goes up. Let's check out the balance and see what knobs we can turn to tune it.
The most notorious feats in 5th Edition D&D are Sharpshooter (SS) and Great Weapon Master (GWM). These feats are considered the most powerful because of a mechanic they share in common. Yet, a common "fix" to nerf them does not have the intended result! Let's run the numbers.
What happens when we apply the fireball backdraft rule from Original Dungeons & Dragons to 5th Edition? Learn how to turn Death House into Nakatomi Plaza.
Casting big area effect damage spells is great fun. Taking forever to resolve them is not. Let's reverse engineer the saving throw math so we can get to the narrative resolution quicker.
The Eagles masterfully set the scene in the first few lines of Hotel California. Learn how we can employ that lesson as Dungeon Masters.
