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Returning 35 results for 'bother before dealing could rules'.
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Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
until the end of the high fae’s next turn.
Ridicule. When a creature misses the high fae with an attack roll, the high fae magically mocks the creature, dealing 5 (2d4);{"diceNotation":"2d4
untamed wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Special Weapons Weapons with special rules are described here. Lance. You have disadvantage when you use a lance to attack a target within 5 feet of you. Also, a lance requires two hands to wield
creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) also frees the creature without
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules
are meant to help organize, and even inspire, the action of a D&D campaign. The rules are a tool, and we want our tools to be as effective as possible. No matter how good those tools might be, they
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
The Role of Rules Why even have Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules are meant to
help organize, and even inspire, the action of a D&D campaign. The rules are a tool, and we want our tools to be as effective as possible. No matter how good those tools might be, they need a group of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
“Know Your Players” in chapter 2), but it can cross a line into being exploitative, interfering with everyone else’s fun. Setting clear expectations is essential when dealing with this kind of rules
(with their input), arbitrate the rules, and settle arguments. And when you’re narrating the action of the game, the players should be paying attention. Player Die Rolling Players should roll their dice
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
characters are trying to achieve, and make ability checks only if you ask them to. When a situation comes up and you’re not sure how to adjudicate it using the rules, use these four questions to help
you decide: Is a D20 Test Warranted? If the task is trivial or impossible, don’t bother with a D20 Test. A character can move across an empty room or drink from a flask without making a Dexterity check
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
everyone else’s fun. Setting clear expectations is essential when dealing with this kind of rules exploitation. Bear these principles in mind: Rules Aren’t Physics. The rules of the game are meant to
(with their input), arbitrate the rules, and settle arguments. And when you’re narrating the action of the game, the players should be paying attention. Player Die Rolling Players should roll their dice
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Narration in Combat Although it’s important that the players understand what’s going on in terms of the rules, the game can get dull if everyone uses only “gamespeak”: “That’s an 18 to hit,” “You hit
; now roll damage,” “11 points,” and “OK, now we’re to Initiative count 13.” Instead, use the rules and your knowledge of the scene to help your narration. If 18 is barely a hit, but the 11 points of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Nearly impossible 30 The numbers associated with these categories of difficulty are meant to be easy to keep in your head, so that you don’t have to refer to these rules every time you decide on a
Strength of 10 rolls a 20 and knocks the door from its hinges. If such results bother you, consider allowing automatic success on certain checks. Under this optional rule, a character automatically
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
creature must use an action to push or pull on the heavy door, opening it with a successful DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check. See area 6 for rules on dealing with giant doors that are frozen shut.
Frost
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
effectively. Light. A light weapon is small and easy to handle, making it ideal for use when fighting with two weapons. See the rules for two-weapon fighting in chapter 9. Loading. Because of the time required
has unusual rules governing its use, explained in the weapon’s description (see "Special Weapons" later in this section). Thrown. If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer
of goblin minions (each with 6 hit points). She hits a goblin minion with her longsword and uses Divine Smite, dealing 8 slashing damage and 11 radiant damage to the target for a total of 19 damage
rogue is hidden and takes aim at a group of zombie minions (each with 6 hit points) with his light crossbow (which has a short range of 80 feet). He hits a zombie minion with his crossbow, dealing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
number and name the parts of the Abyss, declaring that this demon lord or that rules a portion of the place. When your house is on fire, does it matter what the flames look like in each room? Should you
bother to give them names? What’s important is escaping and putting out any fire that clings to you.
The Unknowable Abyss The Abyss is a puzzle to those who study demons and an attraction for those
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
psionic ability to send visions to a humanoid shaman, causing it to proclaim the mind flayers as emissaries of the gods. With that ruse in place, the “gods” then dictate strict rules that cause some
the most desperate colonies bother using goblins, kobolds, gnomes, and other small humanoids for anything except food. Small humanoids do make a good food source because they tend to gather in large
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
ballista (see the “Siege Equipment” section in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Tying a rope to a harpoon, if desired, takes an action. In addition to dealing 16 (3d10) piercing damage on a hit
dozen bolts. For ballista rules, see the “Siege Equipment” section in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. 4. Propeller Hatch A wooden door behind the furnace (area 1) on the upper deck pushes open
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
Boo’s Astral Menagerie for the astral elf and plasmoid stat blocks). The Dark Star Ship-to-Ship Battle See chapter 2 of the Astral Adventurer’s Guide for rules on ship-to-ship engagements. Captain
Star’s opportunity to fire on the Moondancer. It then takes another minute for the two ships to come within boarding distance. Dealing with the Dark Star Once the ships are close enough, the three astral
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
different prices to buy or sell every time they are asked about the same items, and insist that the characters dealing with them are the ones changing their terms. A duergar merchant suddenly turns
somehow follow him here, use the chase rules in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide, adapting the results for urban complications to a cave full of hateful derro. If Droki loses them, the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Giants of the Star Forge
Fireside Contests The Fireside contests are described below. They can be run in any order. The rules of the Fireside contests are as follows. Competitors. Any number of characters can partake in each
wrestler competes in each contest against any characters who take part. Purposefully dealing damage to another competitor immediately disqualifies the attacker. Other forms of interference—such as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
person would avoid the noble’s intrigues and the haunted house, but in film noir or horror, we’re not dealing with sensible people; we’re dealing with protagonists in a particular type of story. For
your campaign is one where you let the dice fall where they may. It’s a good option for gritty campaigns or ones where the DM focuses on playing an impartial role as a rules arbiter. Variant: Only
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Zariel Zariel rules Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. Once a mighty angel charged with watching the tides of the Blood War, she succumbed to the plane’s corrupting influence and fell from
, and mortals end up worse for dealing with her, because she holds all the cards. A bargain with Zariel is eternal; there is little hope of wriggling out of it. However, she does expect the best from
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
breath weapon actions allowed? A monster follows the normal opportunity attack rules, which specify that an attack of opportunity is one melee attack. That means a monster must choose a single melee
. A monster like a dragon exists because of that magic-enhanced nature. The second type of magic is what the rules are concerned about. When a rule refers to something being magical, it’s referring to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Northlander culture. There’s no safe harbor for outsiders; you just have no idea what you are dealing with. For other Northlanders, the settlement of Westhaven on Pandira serves as a neutral ground where
of Alaron, is a possession of Amn, where Lady Erliza rules from Caer Westphal. She is the second of her name, noted for her striking resemblance to her great-grandmother, the first Amnian ruler of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
use Wisdom checks to find things—see the Search action in the rules glossary—but sometimes they stumble on them accidentally, as Auro did here.
Jared: Past the flames and smoke, you see a glimmering
Spells. Many characters have the ability to cast spells, which have a huge variety of effects. Some spells are mostly useful in combat, by dealing damage or imposing conditions. Other spells have
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
cunning of creatures, and they treat all others as inferior. Even so, a hag is open to dealing with mortals as long as those mortals show the proper respect and deference. Over their long lives, hags
given to other hags — as long as the oath isn’t given with the fingers crossed. Some humanoids make the mistake of thinking that the hags’ rules of conduct apply to all creatures. When confronted by such
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
pirates hold to their own code of conduct, the folk of Nelanther care nothing for rules, honor, or even good, neighborly sense: they attack each another as often and as viciously as they do any
start over anyway. For another, it’s dirty, dangerous work, and dealing with pirates is a task best left to swift ships, well-armed navies, and the kinds of fools that would want to count them in the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
desperation compels you to enter my home, little darlings?”
See “Dealing with Bavlorna” below for advice on how to run an encounter with the hag, keeping in mind the rules of hospitality, ownership, and
dealing damage to the target or enveloping its head. Magic Mirror. A detect magic spell reveals an aura of conjuration magic around the freestanding mirror, which acts as a portal. Touching the reflective
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
factor. You can still try to hide from your foes and gain the benefits conferred by being hidden, but you don’t deprive your foes of their turns when you do so. Surprise rules work for two opposing
fight use the rules for Dexterity (Stealth) checks. If a wizard casts a spell like fireball during a surprise round, do the enemies get disadvantage on their saving throw? Being surprised has no effect
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
items, determined by rolling on the Items in a Giant’s Bag table in the introduction. If the characters seize all this treasure, don’t bother rolling to determine the exact contents of each sack
morningstar. In melee, she uses the weapon with both hands, dealing the same damage as a morningstar. She has an Intelligence score of 16 (+3) and gains the Spellcasting action option described below. She
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
of dealing with the characters honestly, since inferior beings don’t merit such treatment. Using its Probing Telepathy, it discerns each character’s greatest desire, then uses this information
will return to the unfathomable depths of the ocean and never bother humanity again. If the characters have put together a sense of the aboleth’s plots, Sgothgah admits that it is raising a kraken
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
not carrying light sources, they can try to hide from these Barovians, who carry pitchforks (+2 to hit) instead of clubs, dealing 3 (1d6) piercing damage on a hit. Barovian commoners rarely leave
without so much as a farewell. They wield light crossbows (+4 to hit, range 80/320 ft.) instead of longbows, dealing 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage on a hit. STRAHD'S SPIES
As the undisputed master of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
the instructions or had them translated must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check to fire the weapon. If the check fails by 5 or more, the device misfires, dealing 9 (2d8) slashing damage to
ceremorph (see appendix C) is equipped with two nonmagical items: Laser Pistol. Rules for laser pistols appear in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This weapon can fire 33 shots before its energy cell is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. The trap activates when more than 10 pounds of pressure is placed on the grate. Poisoned blades extend from grooves in the grate, dealing 14 (4d6) slashing
. Learning of Sarcelle’s vision counts as a secret for the purposes of the Power of Secrets rules found in this book’s introduction. C6: Supply Room Stone shelves in this room contain boxes and bags. A few
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
character who helped lay Macreadus’s spirit to rest gains a blessing of the Morninglord (described below). For rules on blessings, see “Supernatural Gifts” in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Blessing of
VISITOR
If the characters are stuck and need help dealing with the challenges of the Black Cabin, have a goliath werebear (see appendix C) arrive unexpectedly. This new arrival could be Oyaminartok
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monstrous Compendium Volume Four
, embodying the natural splendor and danger of the wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always
30 feet of itself. The invisibility lasts until the end of the high fae’s next turn.
Ridicule. When a creature misses the high fae with an attack roll, the high fae magically mocks the creature, dealing 5 (2d4) psychic damage to the attacker.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
weather doesn’t bother him. When the characters arrive, Aerix is cowering in the chieftain’s tent while six giant vultures feast on the corpses of his mother (the chieftain) and father (the camp’s shaman
). If the characters kill two or more vultures, the others take to the sky and circle above the camp for the remainder of the test. After dealing with the vultures, the characters hear low sobs coming