Most Popular
1500 questions
42
votes
4 answers
Can a bard cast Vicious Mockery without passersby thinking it's an attack?
So vicious mockery is, to my understanding, the bard insulting a target, and the target taking psychic damage, and gaining disadvantage.
The flavor, as I understand it, is that they're so insulted it actually hurts.
Which lead me to wonder - could…
Selkie
- 811
- 1
- 7
- 11
42
votes
5 answers
Is there an easy way to validate a high-level Sorcerer's spell list?
Suppose I'm running a one-shot that starts at level 9, and I instruct players to generate characters using any officially published Sourcebooks to create their characters.
One of my players chooses to create a Sorcerer, and when they hand me their…
Xirema
- 52,596
- 10
- 190
- 312
42
votes
4 answers
How do I avoid being and feeling useless as a player new to D&D combat?
I tried playing D&D 4th edition a few years ago. While I enjoyed it, this particular thing put me off. I didn't know about this SE at the time, so I couldn't ask this. Events in this question are in the past. I haven't played D&D or other tabletop…
Belle
- 413
- 4
- 8
42
votes
1 answer
What are the official, WotC-published classes and subclasses in 5e?
There aren't too many published materials that contain official classes (classes here meaning sub-classes and archetypes included) but they are scattered resources.
What are the official, 1st-party, WotC-published classes and which resources are…
Purple Monkey
- 56,893
- 18
- 243
- 314
42
votes
9 answers
How do I run a game for a larger group?
I am currently running a Dungeons and Dragons 4 campaign for a group of 9 players. Whittling the group down to a more manageable size is not really an option since they are all family. When we do combat it takes forever even if I have one player…
digitaljoel
- 1,778
- 4
- 17
- 19
42
votes
2 answers
What distinguishes spells of level 1-5 from those of 6-9?
The fifth edition of D&D is very particular about not spamming spells of level 6-9.
This is most obvious when it comes to warlocks, who have enormous freedom in what spells of level 1-5 they can cast and when, but who can only cast spells of levels…
Odysseus
- 441
- 5
- 7
42
votes
1 answer
Can I deny a counterspell by readying my spell behind full cover?
Suppose I am within counterspell range of an enemy mage (who has counterspell) and want to guarantee that my spell won't be countered.
Could I do so entirely on my turn by moving behind full cover, then casting the spell with the ready action using…
Ryan C. Thompson
- 61,571
- 10
- 212
- 350
42
votes
13 answers
What are some dangerous non-fantasy creatures?
We're running a fantasy game where the adventurers frequently travel through the wilderness. Too many of the threatening encounters they have are with fantasy creatures (like goblins, orcs, etc.). What kinds of non-fantasy creatures could pose a…
Joe
- 17,050
- 7
- 67
- 126
42
votes
2 answers
Can Polymorph end spells that require the target to be humanoid?
There are several spells that require the target to be "humanoid" such as Hold Person, Dominate Person, etc.
However, if the target is Polymorphed after that spell has been successful, then what happens?
Does the change in form to Beast end the…
NotArch
- 125,044
- 39
- 506
- 804
41
votes
1 answer
Evolution of the Rogue in D&D
How and why has the concept of the "rogue" evolved over D&D's history?
It seems that what the general perception of what people think of with a "rogue" or "thief" has changed drastically over the years. In some eras, they are the sort that is weak…
Southpaw Hare
- 7,685
- 4
- 36
- 83
41
votes
4 answers
What's the point of requiring specific inexpensive material components?
I understand the necessity of consumable or costly material components, but what is the point—in terms of making the game more interesting—of inexpensive material components, like a leaf of sumac or a tiny ball of bat guano?
I've never seen anybody…
enkryptor
- 67,745
- 31
- 229
- 385
41
votes
5 answers
How much damage does lava do?
How much damage does lava do?
On contact?
On submersion?
I know being in hot temperatures for long periods of time invokes levels of exhaustion. But the DM's guide appears to neglect damage for lava, but it does specify damage for "falling"…
ohmusama
- 1,480
- 2
- 13
- 17
41
votes
8 answers
Do Nondetection and Invisibility protect you from True Seeing?
Nondetection says it hides the target from all divination spells. Invisibility hides you from normal sight. When combining both effects on one target, are they hidden from true seeing?
user27327
41
votes
3 answers
How do I build a sense of wonder in my games?
I guess this is part three of a series of questions, with part I being on building tension, and part II being on building comedy.
Greg Stafford has talked of his primary motivation as a gamemaster being the evocation of wonder in players. His…
Alticamelus
- 2,397
- 20
- 24
41
votes
10 answers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of develop in play (DIP) compared to develop at the start (DAS) character generation?
Originally, Are you really DIPpy?1
What are the advantages and disadvantages to developing your character in play (DIP) compared to developing at the start (DAS)?
What experiences have you had with DAS or DIP groups and players?
Have you seen…
Mark Booth
- 3,890
- 30
- 37