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1500 questions
114
votes
11 answers
I failed to open a lock. Now what?
Picking a lock typically requires a DC 15 Dexterity check (Basic rules, p. 49). Likewise for manacles (p. 50), which can alternately be escaped with a DC 20 Dexterity check or broken with a DC 20 Strength check. But what happens if you fail?
The…
Bradd Szonye
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114
votes
6 answers
How can we handle "firing" our DM?
I'm new to the game and new to this site, so hopefully I'm ok in asking for help with a situation that is plaguing our otherwise happy group.
My roommate and I have been hosting D&D 5E in our basement for several months. I'm new to the game and…
DeepSeaSiren
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113
votes
10 answers
As a player with ADHD, how do I avoid disrupting the game?
I read a question by a DM wanting to know how to work with a player who cites ADHD as reason for disruptive behavior.
Almost all answers are of course things the DM could do. Now I am wondering, what can I do as the player with ADHD to prevent…
ONOZ
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112
votes
44 answers
What tools are useful to organize a GM's campaign notes?
There are plenty of tools available to organize campaign notes. I've tried 4x6 cards, files on my computer, notebooks, and more. I have thought of trying mind mapping software such as FreeMind, note taking applications like Evernote, or even…
digitaljoel
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111
votes
2 answers
What is E6? Why would I use it?
I've heard a number of people reference an apparently common set of houserules for D&D 3.5e and Pathfinder called E6.
What do these variant rules entail? What problems are they intended to solve?
If there is an "official" ruleset for it somewhere,…
Oblivious Sage
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111
votes
12 answers
Is there a limit to Rule 0?
Rule Zero: All other rules can be changed by the GM.
I appreciate that there is a massive amount of work that goes into being a GM and the last thing that any GM wants or deserves is to have his players constantly questioning everything they do.…
ElenionAncalima
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110
votes
2 answers
How can I test whether a die is fair?
I have a d20 that seems to be, well, remarkably lucky.* How can I determine whether it's really just luck, or whether the die is in fact unfairly biased?
*) Well, I don't, really. This is actually a spin-off from this question, which is…
Ilmari Karonen
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110
votes
18 answers
When should I fudge dice rolls?
When I started my first D&D campaign as a DM, I accidentally rolled and confirmed a crit on a PC from a goblin. It was an instant kill as our campaign had no cleric. That time I decided to fudge the dice. Now, there's a similar problem, but this…
h313
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109
votes
14 answers
What do you do when your players guess your plots?
So I'm a new GM and am running my first campaign.
I'm by no means running a terribly complicated game with Elizabethan parlor intrigue, but I do have a few twists that I'm excited to throw at my players.
Now in my experience a good plot twist has to…
SkippyG
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109
votes
19 answers
How do I play a paladin without being a stick in the mud?
What are some tips for/examples of an epitome-of-good type paladin who does not disrupt the 'sinful' fun of the rest of the group?
As an example of the type of paladin I'm talking about, one of the first and only 3.5 books I bought was the Book of…
Zach
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109
votes
18 answers
How can I make my PCs flee?
My players never run away or avoid conflict. Ever. I throw them ridiculous encounters, they will stay and fight. If I tell them, "You know you're not gonna make it, just run," they stay and fight and blame me, the GM, for the casualties. They…
user4000
108
votes
13 answers
How many people does it take to steal a Star Destroyer?
The stats for the Imperial class Star Destroyer in West End Games's Star Wars RPG list the skeleton crew for the vessel as 5,000 people. They define the skeleton crew as "the absolute minimum number of crewmembers necessary to fly the ship"…
AceCalhoon
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105
votes
15 answers
Why does everyone carry a 10' pole?
Based on this comment over on CRPG Addict:
No adventuring party is complete without a ten foot pole.
...
Jason, but WHY? In God's name, WHAT IS IT FOR?!
What is a 10 foot pole used for (its perceived affordances in a game) and why has it become…
Brian Ballsun-Stanton
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105
votes
4 answers
Why are psionics controversial?
I have recently had a conversation with some of my friends about psionics and their place in the D&D universe, both lore-wise and gameplay-wise. We were discussing the psionics as an optional part of the game, discussing the practice of banning…
eimyr
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105
votes
18 answers
How do I not cheapen death, while also respecting my players' time?
I DM for a group of very busy people, for whom the commitment of several hours a week is a real sacrifice: that’s a sizeable chunk of their free time for the week that I’m asking for.
Now, I want, and they want, the game to be reasonably…
KRyan
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