Examining D&D's added ability score flexibility and how the SAD/MAD balance affects characters.
D&D: The SADdening
Tag: Ability Score
Proficiency Scaling
D&D's latest tech is proficiency scaling for class features. Let's dive into this new tech, see what the designers are saying about it, and figure out what we need to look out for in playtesting.
Do Changelings Power Creep?
Eberron's new Changeling is the first class that can start with an 18 ability score at level 1. Although this "power creep" doesn't mean the class is unbalanced, the answer to rebalancing the race within the existing design paradigm may lay within cut content.
Oath of Secret Knowledge (Paladin)
Once upon a time, a character came across a shrine deep within an abandoned Dwarven stronghold carved deep into the Iron Mountains. Struck by reverence to the shrine of the lost deity Dumathoin, he knelt and prayed. So his character changed forever. I worked with the player to create a Paladin subclass devoted to the … Continue reading Oath of Secret Knowledge (Paladin)
271 Ways Contagion Got Nerfed
The Player's Handbook errata released in November 2018 patched a gap between RAW and RAI by inflicting the poisoned condition. We're exploring the impact and duration of the poison effect with an updated odds calculator.
Champion Barbarian
Exploring Champion (Fighter) dips for Barbarians looking to increase their damage capacity with large weapons.
Dealing with Death
Managing character death in Dungeons & Dragons presents different challenges at low and high levels. Success lies in balancing narrative ambitions with mechanical costs. Low Levels The Problem: at low levels, death feels mundane. A low-level character can easily fall to a critical hit or even just a strong roll by the DM. Scores of … Continue reading Dealing with Death
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