Questions relating to Dungeons & Dragons as a whole, or to multiple versions of Dungeons & Dragons.
21
votes
6answers
1k views
How does D&D Vancian magic make sense in-game?
One thing that bugs me about Vancian Magic in D&D as I understand it is the following: How is "fire and forget" remotely believable when I can slot and ready more than one "copy" of a spell?
Say ...
13
votes
7answers
587 views
What qualifies exploration gaming?
In the run up to DnD Next the designers seem to have categorised gamers and/or classes that focus on Combat, Roleplay and Exploration. See this quote from Mike Mearls:
"Setting aside mechanics, I ...
7
votes
2answers
662 views
History of Hell and the Arch Devils and Demon Lords
My favourite book when I played Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 was the Book of Vile Darkness, for one and only reason: Its last chapter on Demon Lords and Arch Devils, malign beings that ruled over the ...
6
votes
5answers
221 views
Possible explanations for the Mourning?
In Eberron there is an event known as the Day of Mourning, that changed the face of the world forever, and feeds the political fears and motivations of many characters within the system. I know no ...
7
votes
2answers
416 views
What is the relationship between Monster CR and player level
I haven't ran a dnd game in a few years and a couple of my pc's want to apply some monster templates to their starting characters. Is player level directly proportional to Monster cr?
IE: If we want ...
4
votes
1answer
460 views
If A Changeling becomes a Succubus, can she fly?
If a Changeling becomes a Succubus, can she fly?
More broadly, does a Changeling gain the racial abilities of any race he or she is mimicking?
28
votes
9answers
755 views
How can I more effectively use darkness in a dungeon?
In more than one of my D&D campaigns, I've found myself feeling disappointed at my inability to make the darkness of the dungeon matter.
Everyone has enough torches, and I'm not likely to be able ...
6
votes
2answers
295 views
Simplifying/introducing marking for 2e/3e players?
I received this question from a group I'm a member of on facebook, and whilst I'm not sure how appropriate it is for me to ask this, I'm going to anyway.
Anyway the poster said this
Marking. I ...
3
votes
2answers
322 views
What effect does being slowed have on overland movement in D&D 4e
On page 336 of Heroes of the Fallen Lands it states that if a character tries to carry 20 times their strength score then they are slowed.
I know during combat being slowed means you can only move ...
7
votes
1answer
473 views
Will a 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons be released? [closed]
The split between fans of Pathfinder/D&D 3.5 and Dungeons & Dragons 4E, combined with the rehiring of d20/D&D 3.0 developer Monte Cook, have caused many fans to speculate about an upcoming ...
3
votes
1answer
148 views
Is there an area of Feywild in the Underdark?
I'm considering running a campaign where I want the players to transition from the Feywild to the Underdark.
I've read through the Faerûn campaign setting and I can't see anything. The reason I want ...
0
votes
0answers
91 views
How should a party of adventurers meet? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are some good stories for how the players came to start adventuring together?
I am currently working on an adventure, and am almost done with it, but I still have ...
15
votes
1answer
553 views
Where did exceptional (“percentile”) strength come from?
I run a B/X game for a few guys, most of whom have only played 3E before. It leads to a lot of talk about the change in power level between basic and 3E. One of the things that came up was the ...
17
votes
3answers
1k views
Where do dual-wielding rangers come from?
The classes in D&D are clearly selected as classic archetypes, either from an iconic character or frequently reccurring within Fantasy fiction.
The idea of bow-wielding rangers is a good example ...
2
votes
3answers
362 views
Where do I find the Lord of the Rings miniatures for D&D
Years ago we used to have wonderful 25mm miniatures that we used for our D&D games. I seem to remember they were based on the Lord of the Rings. They were grey rather than silver and were ...
0
votes
0answers
61 views
Where to find games to join? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where can I find other RPG players?
So I've loved roleplaying games since I was a kid. However I never had any friends that were into them so I never managed to play ...
52
votes
8answers
5k views
I'm at a loss with “Dungeons and Dragons.” How does one play it, anyway?
I'm no gamer at all, so this could be like a very silly, basic question for you guys. The thing is that I always read about "Dungeons and Dragons" game (not the video game, but the normal game to play ...
6
votes
1answer
218 views
Is there any information detailing Vecna's relationship with prophecy?
Vecna is depicted in 3rd and 4th edition D&D as the god of secrets. Is there a information (ideally in official sources, but failing that in well detailed unofficial sources) that outlines Vecna's ...
8
votes
2answers
458 views
How do I implement Social Combat into a D&D/D20/Pathfinder game?
One of the coolest parts of White-Wolf games, in my opinion, is that they usually offer the ability for Social Combat to be just as exciting as physical or mental combat.
How can I run Social Combat ...
13
votes
2answers
659 views
What is the reason for introducing the rule for Attacks of Opportunity in D&D?
The Attacks of Opportunity are an important part in D&D and spinoffs of the game like Pathfinder. What does this rule for the game-system? How does it affect the fun of the players? Why was this ...
6
votes
1answer
303 views
What are the historical and literary backgrounds of Dungeons & Dragons Languages?
Is there a source for the nature of the fantasy languages in D&D? An official source would be best, but I'd also be interested in other players' interpretations of the languages.
If the D&D ...
14
votes
3answers
430 views
How should one-word “commands” work in languages other than English?
In various versions of D&D, there's a cleric spell called "Command" where the cleric compels an enemy to obey a one-word command. Typical commands might be "sleep", "flee", "surrender", ...
7
votes
1answer
353 views
Is it possible to use rules from OGL or GSL in a computer game?
I'm experimenting with making an RPG game for mobile phones, and I could save some time if I used an established system for stats and combat etc. From a quick read of the licenses I'm not sure whether ...
4
votes
6answers
580 views
Does Constitution influence Charisma?
I was looking around and notice that low constitution monsters usually are ugly (like skeletons)
after all low constitution make you ugly, right?
So, it's that a case where Charisma can be influenced ...
5
votes
4answers
398 views
Film Noir D&D Setting
Could you use D&D for a film noir setting? What would have to be changed?
By "film noir", I'm imagining something set in the 1940s, urban, dark, private eyes and all that. There would be cars, ...
11
votes
2answers
438 views
Where is D&D in the spectrum of RPGs?
Our gaming group has been using various forms of D&D for several decades now, and we've enjoyed it quite a bit, but we have zero experience with other roleplaying games. Seeing all the other ...
10
votes
3answers
601 views
What powers do deities gain from believers?
In the (A)D&D multiverse, when a deity gains believers, he/she/it also gains power. But how much might is gained as the number of followers increases?
As an example, when Elan's puppet deity has ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Playing as, not with, ourselves
A few of the members of our gaming have had the probably-not-unique idea of statting ourselves as if we were player characters in a campaign. Our problem is trying to find a basis of comparison for ...
19
votes
3answers
263 views
Do dead creatures take up space?
If a large creature dies, does its corpse still occupy a 10x10 area?
How does this affect movement and combat, specifically charging?
4
votes
1answer
151 views
Where can I download “Expedition to the Ancient Academy” podcast episodes?
I want to listen to the following podcast featuring early edition D&D:
http://robertsongames.com/dnd/robertson-games-podcast
But I can't find the actual audio files anywhere. The podcast is in ...
0
votes
4answers
595 views
How can I make combat run more efficiently? Our encounters are taking way too long [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Speeding Up Combat
I'm thinking of starting my own campaign with a few of my friends with me as DM, primarily because I wasn't extremely impressed with the campaign my ...
19
votes
5answers
2k views
Tips for running a successful and engaging campaign WITHOUT combat?
I'm thinking of starting my own campaign with a few of my friends with me as DM, primarily because I wasn't extremely impressed with the campaign my friend was DMing. When I started thinking about the ...
29
votes
5answers
1k views
What's the deal with alignment languages?
In early D&D, there was the concept of an "alignment language."
The original "little brown book" D&D says only:
Law, Chaos and Neutrality also have common languages spoken by each ...
9
votes
3answers
220 views
DM resources for stock images
When I create a campaign, I generally create a whole new world. The problem with this is that even though I have a plethora of amazing ideas, I just can't handle all the drawing and visuals that I ...
14
votes
5answers
493 views
If you are chained to a boulder and the boulder falls off a cliff, are you pulled with it?
I'm trying to resolve a situation of characters being connected to things that are moving. If I am at the end of a 20ft chain connected to a boulder, and someone drops that boulder off a 50ft cliff, ...
16
votes
2answers
595 views
What happened in the Forgotten Realms between 3.5 and 4e?
I don't remember where I heard or read this, but I seem to recall there being some sort of cataclysmic event between 3.5 and 4e.
A few (related) questions -
What exactly happened between 3.5 and ...
8
votes
1answer
184 views
Has the 4th edition d&d the same box as the 1st (or did I dream it)?
Yesterday I saw a pre-packaged full D&D set, and it had the familiar red box of the first edition. I was pleased to see it, but reading on the back it appeared like a 4th edition pack. Was I ...
10
votes
1answer
446 views
What are the differences and similarities between Pathfinder and Fantasy Craft?
Pathfinder or Fantasy Craft?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of these two unofficial D&D 3.5 "upgrades" compared to 3.5 and each other?
What kinds of play/groups are they more fit for? ...
18
votes
2answers
200 views
Handling different, bordering cultural levels in Ravenloft
How do you as a DM handle the transition/interaction between differing cultural level domains that live alongside (practically bordering, thanks to the Mists) one another in Ravenloft (any edition)?
...
17
votes
4answers
432 views
How does Charm Person affect a PC?
It's quite clear how the DM should play any NPCs that get Charmed by a PC -- the NPC should behave as the caster's best friend, and do things that he'd do for his best friend.
But how do you play ...
1
vote
2answers
241 views
Spell to change the appearance of minions?
In old-school DnD, what spell would a wizard (or illusionist) use to change the appearance of his minions? For example, if a wizard had a bunch of bugbear henchmen, what spell would she cast to make ...
12
votes
7answers
2k views
What does a perception check really signify? Can they be repeated?
When a character makes a perception check, does fail indicate whether they permanently fail to see what is hidden, or just that they need to try again? So far our DM has let us repeat perception ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
List of freely available D&D books and resources [closed]
I'm trying to amass a list of D&D books and or resources to use in my DM-ing, like D&D Maps, 83 free D&D adventures, etc. The books can be about a particular Realm or about generic ...
44
votes
13answers
4k views
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 ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the best first adventure to run in D&D 4e?
I am very new to Dungeons and Dragons 4e. I recently picked all the necessary books and surprisingly low priced pound of dice from eBay. I have also coaxed my friends into giving it a shot while I ...
15
votes
4answers
600 views
What are the literary influences of the D&D Bard?
Can anyone tell me what sources, in literature, film, etc. inspired the Bard class for Dungeons & Dragons? I'm familiar with the Celtic Bards of history and legend, but the modern D&D Bard ...
13
votes
4answers
737 views
What kind of rulings predated ability or skill checks in old school D&D?
As I grow more weary of 4E and more nostalgic for my days playing 2E, I'm spending more and more time reading the old rules and the retroclones. I'm having a great time.
One of the things that I ...
12
votes
3answers
622 views
Where does the distinction between “Mindflayer” and “Illithid” come from?
I know that a Mindflayer is an Illithid and visa versa. And, I know in some of the D&D fiction, like Forgotten Realms and the like, that Mindflayers refer to themselves or their race as Illithids, ...
7
votes
4answers
697 views
What published D&D adventures take place in the Astral Sea/Plane?
My players may soon find themselves in the Astral Sea. I don't know much about the area, but if that's where the adventure goes, so be it. Only problem is I find the 4e Manual of the Planes to be ...
16
votes
8answers
6k views
Homebrew D&D with only 2 players (plus DM)
I DM'ed for my buddies this semester and it was really fun. I got my roommate hooked and now he's asking for me to make another campaign (I've got a great idea). The problem lies in the fact that I'll ...
