example retreat have provides contests - Search

Marine

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

mood is jovial and optimistic. D6 IDEAL 1 Teamwork. Success depends on cooperation and communication. (Good) 2 Code. The marines’ code provides a

. Job. 3 I must set an example of hope for those who have given up. 4 I’m searching for a fellow marine captured by an elusive enemy. 5 Fear leads to tyranny, and both must be

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

of purebloods and slaves are thrown at opposing forces in the hope of allowing the malisons and abominations time to escape. Survival First Yuan-ti are likely to retreat or flee from conflict if

odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the opportunity to study their opponents and

Giff

Species Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

blossom into hard feelings, loud arguments, and head-butting contests, but they rarely escalate beyond that. Creating Your Character When you create your D&D character, you decide whether your

rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the text of the cure wounds spell specifies that the spell doesn’t work on a

Aasimar Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

Aasimar are placed in the world to serve as guardians of law and good. Their patrons expect them to strike at evil, lead by example, and further the cause of justice. From an early age, an aasimar

;provides guidance to the aasimar, though this connection functions only in dreams. As such, the guidance is not a direct command or a simple spoken word. Instead, the aasimar receives visions, prophecies

Shifter Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

choose the kind of lycanthrope in your past, or you can determine it randomly by rolling on the Lycanthrope Ancestor table. The table also provides a suggestion for the Shifting option you might have

rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell doesn’t work on a Construct or an Undead. Life Span The

Strahd von Zarovich Legacy

monsters Curse of Strahd

the reach of melee combatants and spellcasters, or he flies away (using summoned wolf;wolves or swarm of bats;swarms of bats or swarm of rats;rats to guard his retreat). Strahd observes the characters

to Strahd is quickly undone. For example, a critical hit might dislocate Strahd’s jaw, but only for a moment; then the vampire’s jaw quickly resets itself. The ability of the Heart of

Metagame Thinking

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

Metagame Thinking Metagame thinking means thinking about the game as a game. It’s like when a character in a movie knows it’s a movie and acts accordingly. For example, a player might say, “The DM

gentle reminder: “What do your characters think?” You can curb metagame thinking by setting up situations that will be difficult for the characters and that might require negotiation or retreat to survive.

Contests

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

Contests Sometimes one character's or monster's efforts are directly opposed to another's. This can occur when both of them are trying to do the same thing and only one can succeed, such as

attempting to snatch up a magic ring that has fallen on the floor. This situation also applies when one of them is trying to prevent the other one from accomplishing a goal--for example, when a monster tries

Contests

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

Contests Sometimes one character’s or monster’s efforts are directly opposed to another’s. This can occur when both of them are trying to do the same thing and only one can succeed, such as

attempting to snatch up a magic ring that has fallen on the floor. This situation also applies when one of them is trying to prevent the other one from accomplishing a goal — for example, when a monster tries

Plan of Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

Plan of Attack Dragon Cultist This encounter should challenge the adventurers in every way. The characters should be no easy match for the attacking force, such that retreat and escape might be

their best option if they hope to survive. However, if the characters haven’t made escape plans ahead of time, the attackers will have taken steps to make retreat impossible. The specifics are up to

Dhampir Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

macabre bargains, necromantic influences, and encounters with mysterious immortals might have transformed your character. The Dhampir Origins table provides suggestions for how your character gained

, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant, Undead. These types don’t have rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the text of the

Reborn Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

to those of various undead or constructs. The Reborn Origins table provides suggestions for how your character became reborn. Reborn Origins d8 Origins 1 You were magically

themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the text of the cure wounds spell specifies that the spell doesn’t work on a creature of the Construct type. Reborn Traits

Plan of Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

Plan of Attack This encounter should challenge the adventurers in every way. The characters should be no easy match for the attacking force, such that retreat and escape might be their best option if

they hope to survive. However, if the characters haven’t made escape plans ahead of time, the attackers will have taken steps to make retreat impossible. The specifics are up to you, but should be

1. Cave Entrance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

—from the area of the plateau where the steps ascend from level 1 to level 2, for example—spot one of the dragonclaws. If characters approach openly through the camp, the dragonclaws spot them

automatically and retreat toward area 2 in the cave, to set up an ambush. If characters approach the cave quietly from the sides, they won’t be spotted. They then have a chance to surprise the dragonclaws.

1. Cave Entrance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

— from the area of the plateau where the steps ascend from level 1 to level 2, for example — spot one of the dragonclaws. If characters approach openly through the camp, the dragonclaws spot them

automatically and retreat toward area 2 in the cave, to set up an ambush. If characters approach the cave quietly from the sides, they won’t be spotted. They then have a chance to surprise the dragonclaws.

Casting Multiple Spells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

table. Casting Times Superscript Casting Time A 1 action B 1 bonus action R 1 reaction + Longer than 1 action (see spell description) For example, a spellcaster’s utility spells might appear as follows: 1/day each: expeditious retreat ᴮ, mage armor ᴬ, phantom steed ⁺

that turn. For example, a creature who casts the misty step spell as a bonus action can also make a 2nd-level spell attack as an action. Similarly, many Multiattack actions let a creature make multiple

Customizing the Puzzle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

overcome their own assumptions. An easier version of this puzzle might involve counting the letters in any type of word the guard provides and responding with that number. Alternatively, the response

to the guard’s number might be any word with the same number of letters as that number—for example, “five” has four letters, making “duck” or “smog” suitable responses. The more your puzzle plays with numbers as words rather than digits, the more challenging it’s likely to be.

Hint Checks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Hint Checks Any character has the option of making these ability checks to receive a hint: Charisma (Persuasion) DC 15. The goblin provides a hint in the form of a synonym of the riddle’s answer (for

example, “lizard” for “newt”). Intelligence (Investigation) DC 10. After a few riddles are answered correctly, a character notices that all the answers relate to eyes. Wisdom (Insight) DC 15. After

Melee Attacks

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

. For example, you don’t provoke an opportunity attack if an explosion hurls you out of a foe’s reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy. Two-Weapon Fighting When you take the Attack action

smaller than you. CONTESTS IN COMBAT Battle often involves pitting your prowess against that of your foe. Such a challenge is represented by a contest. This section includes the most common

Character Advancement

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

designed for a higher-level party; the encounters there will be more dangerous and taxing, but characters can retreat if things get too rough. Characters can also leave Undermountain, adventure elsewhere

award XP for overcoming traps and for exceptional roleplaying with key NPCs. The Bonus XP Awards table provides recommended XP awards for such interactions. Bonus XP Awards Character Level XP Award 1st–4th 50 5th–10th 250 11th–16th 1,000 17th–20th 2,500

Settlements

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

settlements as a home base, in or near which they can build their Bastions when they are of high enough level to do so (see chapter 8). The Settlements by Size table provides population ranges for

villages, towns, and cities as well as the value of the most expensive item the settlement is likely to have for sale. Adjust these numbers as you wish to account for special circumstances. For example, a

Actions

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

identifies whether the attack is a melee or a ranged attack and then provides the attack roll’s bonus, its reach or range, and what happens on a hit. An attack is against one target unless its entry

provides the save’s DC, a description of which creatures make the save, and an explanation of what happens on a failed or successful save. “Half damage only” on a successful save means the target

Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Sidekicks My soon-to-be sidekick could learn a thing or two from all this—more material for Project Humblekainen. Tasha This section provides a straightforward way to add a special NPC—called a

incorporated into a group at the party’s inception, or a sidekick might join them during the campaign. For example, the characters might meet a villager, an animal, or another creature, forge a friendship

Talk with Your DM

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

Talk with Your DM Start by talking with your Dungeon Master about the type of D&D game they plan to run. If the DM draws inspiration from Greek myth, for example, you might choose a different

expectations, including topics to avoid as well as those to embrace. A session zero provides a great opportunity to talk to the other players and the DM and decide whether your characters know one another, how they met, and what sorts of quests the group might undertake together.

Ability Checks

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

successful one. In other cases, failing an ability check makes it impossible to make the same check to do the same thing again. For example, a rogue might try to trick a town guard into thinking the

. Contests A contest is a kind of ability check that matches two creatures against each other. Use a contest if a character attempts something that either directly foils or is directly opposed by another

12. Guard Barracks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

the guards and five of the cultists fight the characters here while one guard and three of the cultists retreat to area 11 to protect Frulam Mondath. Treasure The guards’ scabbards are decorated with

cultist. For example, you might grant a +1 bonus to Charisma checks made to fool or influence cultists. Aside from their gear, the guards have coins and small gems worth a total of 120 gp.

12. Guard Barracks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

of the guards and five of the cultists fight the characters here while one guard and three of the cultists retreat to area 11 to protect Frulam Mondath. Treasure The guards’ scabbards are decorated

cultist. For example, you might grant a +1 bonus to Charisma checks made to fool or influence cultists. Aside from their gear, the guards have coins and small gems worth a total of 120 gp.

How Patrons Work

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

How Patrons Work The following sections present several group patron options. The description of each patron provides an overview of the types of organizations the group patron represents, perks of

as a launchpad tailored for organizations of your design. For example, the guild group patron could represent the Harpers or the Zhentarim of the Forgotten Realms, the Clifftop Adventurers’ Guild in

Alignment

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

Alignment A monster's alignment provides a clue to its disposition and how it behaves in a roleplaying or combat situation. For example, a chaotic evil monster might be difficult to reason with and

, you choose the monster's alignment. Some monster's alignment entry indicates a tendency or aversion toward law, chaos, good, or evil. For example, a berserker can be any chaotic alignment (chaotic

Alignment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

Alignment A monster’s alignment provides a clue to its disposition and how it behaves in a roleplaying or combat situation. For example, a chaotic evil monster might be difficult to reason with and

, or evil. For example, a berserker can be any chaotic alignment (chaotic good, chaotic neutral, or chaotic evil), as befits its wild nature. Many creatures of low intelligence have no comprehension of

Actions

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

identifies whether the attack is a melee or a ranged attack and then provides the attack roll’s bonus, its reach or range, and what happens on a hit. An attack is against one target unless its entry says

provides the save’s DC, a description of which creatures make the save, and an explanation of what happens on a failed or successful save. “Half damage only” on a successful save means the target takes half

Duration

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

provides a time span specifies how long the spell lasts in rounds, minutes, hours, or the like. For example, a Duration entry might say “1 minute,” meaning the spell ends after 1 minute has passed. While a

Talk with Your DM

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

Talk with Your DM Start by talking with your Dungeon Master about the type of D&D game they plan to run. If the DM draws inspiration from Greek myth, for example, you might choose a different

campaign with a “session zero,” an initial gathering focused on creating characters and setting expectations, including topics to avoid as well as those to embrace. A session zero provides a great

Alignment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

Alignment A creature’s alignment provides a clue to its disposition. For example, a chaotic evil creature might be difficult to reason with and might attack characters on sight, whereas a neutral

Duration

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

provides a time span specifies how long the spell lasts in rounds, minutes, hours, or the like. For example, a Duration entry might say “1 minute,” meaning the spell ends after 1 minute has passed. While a

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