Sometimes we want a tactical combat challenge for our players. A core technique of making encounters more tactical is thinking about monster roles: single words describing the tactical function of monsters, like artillery, controller, skirmisher, and brute. Different monster roles Different games use slightly different sets of monster roles. Overall, however, they all have the …

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Having just wrapped up my second campaign running Ruins of the Grendleroot by Mike Shea, I can confidently say it’s my favorite published campaign. The setting of Blackclaw Mountain is made for classic adventuring and brings a thrilling mix of cosmic horror and high fantasy to the table. In addition, the adventures in Ruins of …

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It’s the boss battle of the adventure: Our players face the big bad boss they’ve been chasing for sessions. We’ve prepared meticulously—an action-packed stat block, the perfect lair, environmental hazards to up the stakes. Roll initiative! The players go first. A paladin steps up, lands a critical hit, pours in a smite, and… the boss …

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Combat descriptions as a Dungeon Master are all about balance. Too much detail can stall the flow of combat, and pull the focus away from the actions of the characters. Too little detail, and a battle can feel like nothing but numbers and dice rolls. So how do we effectively narrate D&D combat? There are …

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As Dungeon Masters, we think of one-shots as isolated games with a beginning, middle, and end—a complete story packed into a single session. But what if we approach every session with this mindset? Even in epic campaigns, adopting a ‘one-shot mindset’ can lead to more engaging, satisfying gameplay—each session a self-contained adventure that prioritizes the …

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Custom Magic Items for D&D Characters Creating unique magic items for player characters is a great way to enhance engagement in our D&D campaigns. Custom magic items not only provide mechanical benefits but also deepen the connection between players and their characters. Here’s how we can approach crafting custom magic items that elevate the players’ …

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