before beings deciding combat resolve - Search

Deck of Many Things

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

effect. Comet. The next time you enter combat against one or more Hostile creatures, you can select one of them as your foe when you roll Initiative. If you reduce your foe to 0 Hit Points during that

combat, you have Advantage on Death Saving Throws for 1 year. If someone else reduces your chosen foe to 0 Hit Points or you don’t choose a foe, this card has no effect. Donjon. You disappear

Akroan Hoplite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

called stratians, number among the fiercest soldiers on Theros. They train relentlessly and possess unflinching resolve. In the annals of Akros, tales abound of squads of stratians that defended a

glorification of the warrior's spirit, the basis of an ethos that forges an unbreakable bond between members of a military unit. In combat, hoplites typically work in groups and use coordinated tactics to

Nokumai's Frozen Breath

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 0 0 20 High up beyond the snowline is a stark realm where many magical beings reside. One of them is the legendary snow dragon, Nokumai, whose icy

Gavel of the Venn Rune

Magic Items Storm King's Thunder

used as part of rituals to resolve disputes. The gavel has the following properties. Arbiter’s Shield. At the start of every combat, attack rolls against you have disadvantage before the start of

Nonaton Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The nonaton can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The nonaton has advantage on initiative rolls. Disintegration. If

have wormlike bodies studded with nine mechanical arms. Modrons Constructed on the plane of Mechanus, modrons are partially mechanical beings that belong to a strict hierarchy. Each modron

Octon Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The octon can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The octon has advantage on initiative checks. Disintegration. If the

themselves, spinning them in a bludgeoning whirlwind. Modrons Constructed on the plane of Mechanus, modrons are partially mechanical beings that belong to a strict hierarchy. Each modron dutifully

Septon Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The septon can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The septon has advantage on initiative checks. Disintegration. If

identified by their seven flexible limbs. Modrons Constructed on the plane of Mechanus, modrons are partially mechanical beings that belong to a strict hierarchy. Each modron dutifully obeys commands

Decaton Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The decaton can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The decaton has advantage on initiative rolls. Disintegration. If

electricity from each of its ten eyes, synchronizing them to deadly effect. Modrons Constructed on the plane of Mechanus, modrons are partially mechanical beings that belong to a strict hierarchy

Cloud Giant Destiny Gambler

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

treasures—often by gambling. While many cloud giants are content with risking their wealth in games with each other, those who aim for the top of their ordning challenge all manner of beings in

games of chance and wit. A destiny gambler is a cloud giant who has won increasingly high-stakes wagers against other giants, smaller folk, and even beings from the Outer Planes. Destiny gamblers wear

Hexton Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The hexton can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The hexton has advantage on initiative rolls. Disintegration. If the

which end in powerful pincers. Modrons Constructed on the plane of Mechanus, modrons are partially mechanical beings that belong to a strict hierarchy. Each modron dutifully obeys commands from the

Kobold

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Underdark near the lairs of the earliest dragons. In some lands, kobolds serve chromatic or metallic dragons—even worshiping them as divine beings. In other places, kobolds know too well how

a scale color more akin to that of a chromatic or a metallic dragon. A kobold’s cry can express a range of emotion: anger, resolve, elation, fear, and more. Regardless of the emotion expressed

Warlock Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

pacts made with mysterious beings of supernatural power, warlocks unlock magical effects both subtle and spectacular. Drawing on the ancient knowledge of beings such as fey nobles, demons, devils

relationship between warlock and patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the beings that serve as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

the necrotic energy of the Negative Plane that suffuses them. Their psionic power manifests the fundamental entropic principle that mortal beings and their creations are ultimately doomed to death and

creatures. 8 I secretly enjoy conversing with lesser beings, although I usually do so only to find their weaknesses. Topaz Dragon Ideals d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"roll

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

the nature of topaz dragons, thanks to the necrotic energy of the Negative Plane that suffuses them. Their psionic power manifests the fundamental entropic principle that mortal beings and their

hone them on other creatures. 8 I secretly enjoy conversing with lesser beings, although I usually do so only to find their weaknesses. Topaz Dragon Ideals d6;{"diceNotation

Halaster Blackcloak

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

, however, Halaster is alert and attentive to the activities and preparations of all beings near him. He never willingly enters combat without first casting mage armor and mind blank on himself.As the

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

while learning to fight, to survive in the wild, and to fear the gods. The children that can’t endure the rigors of a life of combat are culled from the main body of the tribe, taken into the

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack

labyrinth of my thoughts. 3 I might disagree with other dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack. Creating a Deep Dragon Use the Deep Dragon Personality

other dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants

Attack Rolls

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

Attack Rolls In combat, an attack roll is used to determine whether an attack hits. You can also use attack rolls to resolve noncombat activities that are similar to attacks in combat, such as an

Running Social Interaction

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

Running Social Interaction During a social interaction, the adventurers usually have a goal. They want to extract information, secure aid, win someone’s trust, escape punishment, avoid combat

rarely come into play. Other DMs resolve interactions by having characters make Charisma checks. Most games fall somewhere in between, balancing roleplaying with the occasional ability check.

Kobold

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

from the Underdark near the lairs of the earliest dragons. In some lands, kobolds serve chromatic or metallic dragons—even worshiping them as divine beings. In other places, kobolds know too well how

a scale color more akin to that of a chromatic or a metallic dragon. A kobold’s cry can express a range of emotion: anger, resolve, elation, fear, and more. Regardless of the emotion expressed, their cry resonates with draconic power.

Social Interaction

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

Social Interaction During a social interaction, the adventurers usually have a goal. They want to extract information, secure aid, win someone’s trust, escape punishment, avoid combat, negotiate a

roleplaying exercise, where dice rarely come into play. Other DMs prefer to resolve the outcome of an interaction by having characters make Charisma checks. Either approach works, and most games fall

Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s actions. In combat, everyone takes

chapter 2 offers advice on combat. Spellcasting. If a character casts a spell, you can usually let the player tell you what the spell does and how to resolve it. If questions arise, read the text of

Crew in Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Casualties Slaying a ship’s crew reduces the number of actions most ships can take, making the crew a tempting target in combat. Resolve individual attacks as normal, using the guidelines for

Crew in Combat Managing a ship’s entire crew in combat can prove cumbersome, especially as larger ships often host dozens of sailors. Typically the crew is too busy managing the ship to do anything

Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

bookshelf. Outside combat, the characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s

actions. In combat, everyone takes turns in Initiative order. Step 3: Describe What Happens After the players describe their characters’ actions, it’s the DM’s job to resolve those actions, guided by the

Sworn and Beholden

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Sworn and Beholden A warlock is defined by a pact with an otherworldly being. Sometimes the relationship between warlock and patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the beings that serve

as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon prince, an archdevil, or an utterly alien entity — beings not typically served by clerics. More often, though

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a paladin’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that

skills of combat, mastering a variety of weapons and armor. Even so, their martial skills are secondary to the magical power they wield: power to heal the sick and injured, to smite the wicked and the

Sworn and Beholden

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

Sworn and Beholden A warlock is defined by a pact with an otherworldly being. Sometimes the relationship between warlock and patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the beings that serve

as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon prince, an archdevil, or an utterly alien entity — beings not typically served by clerics. More often, though

Large Groups

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

Large Groups The biggest considerations with large groups are maintaining order at the table and keeping combat from becoming too slow. Structured Turns If you find yourself in a situation where

individual players are having trouble getting a chance to do things during exploration or social interaction, have the characters roll Initiative and act in Initiative order, just as you do in combat

Breaking the Archetypes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

subtlety and precision over simply busting heads. Add in your knowledge of the more cerebral aspects of combat, including all-important insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy, and it’s

look at the balance sheet. But there’s one exception to that nonrule that can make a big difference in the successful operation of a franchise — the focused, no-frills approach to combat of the champion

Rhythm of Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

resolve their activity. In combat, the characters take turns. The DM Narrates the Results of the Adventurers’ Actions. Sometimes resolving a task is easy. If an adventurer walks across a room and

Rhythm of Play The three main pillars of D&D play are social interaction, exploration, and combat. Whichever one you’re experiencing, the game unfolds according to this basic pattern: The Dungeon

Rhythm of Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

resolve their activity. In combat, the characters take turns. The DM Narrates the Results of the Adventurers’ Actions. Sometimes resolving a task is easy. If an adventurer walks across a room and

Rhythm of Play The three main pillars of D&D play are social interaction, exploration, and combat. Whichever one you’re experiencing, the game unfolds according to this basic pattern: The Dungeon

Top Card: The Challenge

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

road, or a situation the characters are asked to resolve. You decide the scope of the decision the characters must make. You can ask them to make a simple choice (“Do you want to take the path along

small dungeon or an encounter (which might involve multiple ability checks or even combat). Let the character of the player who flipped the card be the focus of the day’s events and make any required

Green Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

. Elusive, conniving, and egotistical, these chromatic dragons patiently prey on the fears of shorter-lived beings, corrupting and isolating them. Green dragons might lurk amid labyrinthine wildernesses

disdain physical violence, viewing combat as servants’ work and preferring to trick foes into dangerous or exploitative scenarios. These dragons collect “baubles” that embody their webs of manipulation

Ghost Stories

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

heroes to spirits in ways they won’t predict, such as revealing that a phantasmal villain was a hero’s ancestor. Heroes are pure-hearted or unsuspecting individuals whose resolve is shaken by the story’s

events. Look for ways to test heroes’ psychology with your hauntings. Heroes need agency—a way to put spirits to rest. Once the story is revealed, ensure the way to combat the haunting is clear. Spirits are often evil, but they need not be. A spirit might appear to warn heroes of impending doom.

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