Heward’s Handy Haversack

Unpacking D&D's magical backpack.

Way of the Word (Monk)

This shout-based Monk subclass charges up different power words to attack with elemental force and to fortify abilities with enhancements.

Steady Aim

How strong is the Rogue's new Steady Aim optional class feature?

The Hunter’s Mark Shibboleth

Debunking the myth that Hunter's Mark is a "must take" spell... AKA The Ranger's Guide to Concentration Spells.

Casting a Bonus Action and Reaction Spell on Your Turn

The bonus action spellcasting restriction in 5th Edition D&D can keep you from casting a reaction spell on your own turn. Why is this? Was it intended? And how can we rewrite the rule to alleviate this quirk?

Shield Master Unleashed

Can we rewrite the Shield Master feat to fix its fiddly action economy?

Pole Position: PAM over GWM

Why to take the Polearm Master feat before the Great Weapon Master feat.

Two-Weapon Fighting Hacks

Last week we explored the mechanics and design goals of two-weapon fighting. This week, we're going to examine some hacks to make it more competitive with other fighting styles. Feel free to borrow pieces of these to spruce up two-weapon fighting in your game. While the goal is to achieve a system that fits into … Continue reading Two-Weapon Fighting Hacks →

How Minotaurs Caused the Shield Master Rule Reversal

Dungeons & Dragon’s May 2018 Unearthed Arcana updated the Minotaur race. With three years since the original release, the improvements in the race design can tell us a lot about what lessons the Wizards of the Coast D&D team learned in that time.

RPG Scorecards: Action Tracker

I grew up hanging out in ballparks. Every once in a while, you'd see some grognard jotting notes in their program as the game progressed. Eventually, I tried keeping score myself and I loved it! Tracking a game on a scorecard gives you a heightened level of engagement and serves as a fun memory of … Continue reading RPG Scorecards: Action Tracker →