mXc Traps

5 traps inspired by Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (mXC) a/k/a Takeshi's Castle.

What Am I Counterspelling?

Counterspell is a spell you cast as a reaction to stop another spell: Xanathar's Guide to Everything (XGE) introduced an optional rule for identifying a spell. It also costs a reaction: This creates a tension between identifying a spell and deciding to counter it. You can only spend your reaction on one. The grand implication … Continue reading What Am I Counterspelling? →

Cutting Words

Trimming a bad mechanic from 5e to improve the flow of combat and eliminate adversarial DMing posture.

There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Class

Examining reasons why creators might tread over an explored design space.

MCDM’s Illrigger Preserves and Pushes 5e Design

Exploring how MCDM's Illrigger class capitalizes on classic 5e design and pushes the envelope with a new spellcasting template.

Heward’s Handy Haversack

Unpacking D&D's magical backpack.

Avoiding TPKs

What is a TPK? Why do they happen? And what can we do to prevent them from happening at our table?

Passive-Only Skills

Are there skills which should only function as passive skills? How passive-only skills can align player:character knowledge and assist DMs to plan ahead.

5e Surprise Round

Writing the surprised round (and condition) back into D&D 5e to avoid confusion for players with legacy knowledge.

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.