Questions tagged [dnd-5e]

For questions about Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, an RPG published in 2014 by Wizards of the Coast. D&D 5e is a heroic fantasy RPG inspired by the mechanics and settings of all previous D&D editions. It was previously code-named D&D Next during the playtest period.

Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition is an RPG published in 2014 by Wizards of the Coast. D&D 5e is a heroic fantasy RPG inspired by the mechanics and settings of all previous D&D editions.

During an extended playtest period code-named D&D Next (starting in 2012), several iterations of playtest packets were released. The final D&D Next playtest packet was released in September 2013 and is no longer available. Every iteration of the playtest tweaked the core rules and the classes to try out different mechanics. (For questions about the playtest, see .)

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Are peoples' competencies really as flat in D&D 5e as its math suggests?

Bounded accuracy is a major feature of the new system. It promises that bonuses to rolls won't grow too much throughout a character's career. And indeed, a first-level fighter would have an apex skill of about +5 (Strength +3, proficiency +2),…
Magician
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What options do I have for changing my character's sex?

In a campaign I'm playing, the rest of the party and I have a recurring need for drops of Royal Blood. (Nothing devious; it opens doors) We have, collectively, decided that the best way to secure a source would be to seduce the prince and have a…
Raven Dreamer
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Is there a hierarchy of specificity?

As we all know from page 7 of the Player's Handbook, "Specific Beats General". The way it discusses 'general' and 'specific' is basically that 'general' means the standard game rules, as given in chapters 7-10 (and, I suppose, much of the Dungeon…
Darth Pseudonym
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How do you deal with non-metric based systems?

While this question is specifically about D&D fifth edition, I realise it can be relevant to any system which doesn't use the metric system. I live in Europe, and I have been playing D&D since my early teenage years. Thinking about it now, I've…
user39036
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How to cope with bad rolls on important actions?

First of all I want to say that I know it's just pure bad luck but that doesn't diminish the frustration I am experiencing right now. I play a ranger in a campaign with my friends and we are all level 3 (switched from DSA to D&D recently). Recently…
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How far can I drop-kick a Gnome?

I'm just beginning to DM my first campaign, and one of my players asked this of me. She plays an Orc with 20 strength, so theoretically I think she probably could drop-kick a Gnome, but I have no idea how to calculate it, or what kind of number I'd…
goldboi
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Is it possible for a PC to create a permanent floating castle or island?

Assume a high level / epic campaign, and a PC who wanted to create a floating castle or a floating island. Are there any resources in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that can allow a player character to do this?
JasperNakamura
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How to properly introduce tension to a fanatically self-righteous character?

I'm running a game of D&D. One of the players made a very devout, snobby and self-righteous Paladin who is the last heir of a lesser noble House. He doesn't take kindly to threats or insults and he considers anything less than blatant "ass-kissing"…
Ingolendil
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Does the lack of automatic AC scaling mean you get easier to hit as you level up?

If I'm reading this right AC = Armor + Shield + Dex (with cap from armor) Attacks = Proficiency (increases by level) + (DEX, STR, etc) If attack bonuses increase by level and AC doesn't then wouldn't you be easier to hit at later levels?
Matt DeKok
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Are there mechanical consequences for nakedness?

I am writing a campaign that begins with the PCs washing up on an island without any equipment besides the scraps of clothes that barely cover their body. They will quickly be able to earn money and buy equipment, but initially I want them to feel…
KSchank
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How to suggest to my DM that the climbing challenge may have been a bit extreme

Last session we had a particularly convoluted climbing challenge. There was a 50' tall cliff and we wanted to scale it to get to cut out a considerable section of the road. The DM had each party member make an Athletics check per 10' section, with a…
aslum
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If a PC loses an arm are there any mechanical penalties or disadvantages?

Last session a PC lost an arm (willingly) and he asked me if there were any penalties to his attributes like whether STR or DEX would be affected? The PC is a Druid and lost his non-dominant hand. While losing an arm seems bad, mechanically speaking…
Evil Cole Macgrath
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How can we communicate short messages long-distance?

In our 5e game, we stole a boat. And a horse carriage. And a lot of other stuff for moving things between cities. Our DM meant for this to be a way to skip road encounters. We decided to fund a shipping company and hire managers (Knights retainers,…
Jon Takagi
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How can I create a Homunculus?

The Monster Manual (p. 188) describes a Homunculus: HOMUNCULUS Shaping a mixture of clay, ash, mandrake root, and blood, one can channel rare ritual magic to create a faithful, squirrel-sized companion. What's not to like? Only, how to create one?…
Jack
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What skill gives knowledge of undead?

In a recent D&D 5e session, the issue came up where the party wanted to identify an undead creature, along with its strengths and weaknesses. The party Wizard wanted to use the skill he was proficient in (Intelligence (Arcana)) since according to…
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