Solo Encounter Contest Entry

This is my entry to David Flor's contest for building a Solo monster encounter, complete with a pool! This encounter was built using the Angry DM's D&D Boss Fight method and the monster stat blocks were built using Power 2ool. I highly recommend using Power 2ool, especially if you have access to the Dungeons and Dragons Insider compendium.

Click HERE for the encounter.

Edit: It should be noted that the last form of Grimthyr (called Grimthyr, Bloodied) is, for all intents and purposes, mechanically considered Bloodied.

DM Tips: The DM Action Point

As I stated in my previous post, My House Rules, I mentioned how I used something I call Dungeon Master Action Points, or DMAPs, to supplement the need for Action Points in games where my players travel long distances between encounters. Unlike regular Action Points, these ones do not reset to 1 after an extended rest. You earn them and spend them.

Vampires...or as I call them, the Vahm-pyre...

There has been debate, outrage, and confusion spreading across the internets. Which ones? ALL OF THEM!

Why? Because in the newest book in the Dungeons and Dragons 4E line that is coming out from Wizards of the Coast not only seems to be built for the Essentials line, ignoring the original 4E line, but one of the newest classes available in the Heroes of Shadow is the Vampire.

"Now, wait just a minute" you may say. "This makes very little sense." I agree. However, if you are just as confused as this hypothetical person commenting on the class choice, check out Wizard's excuses HERE. Still not agreeing with the choice? Allow me to help you with that.

Passing GO! Episode 1: The Game of Life

A review of the popular board game, the Game of Life. I am being my own worst critic at the moment but posted this anyway as Episode 2 needs a predecessor.

Passing GO! Episode 0: Explaining MEAX

A quick look into what I am looking for when reviewing non-digital games. And ignore the chirping. I will learn to make the camera stop that one of these days. I promise.

DM Tips: Deal or No Deal

You know what is fun? Making deals with your PCs.

In my current game, my friend, Jason, is playing a Dark Pact Warlock. He wanted to give his character a little extra damage. I said "Yes, BUT..."

As a Dungeon Master, the "Yes, BUT..." can be a powerful weapon. I gave my friend the extra damage he wanted, but I twisted it with something partially story and partially mechanical. With each damaging power he uses, he has a chance to fall into a blind murderous rage, attacking friend and enemy alike.

Don't be afraid to make deals with your players in the interest of fun. Bringing in this unnatural rage not only makes the story that much more interesting, but offers a goal and some motivation for the character. He is now trying to find a way to stop the rage from ever surfacing again. Do I smell a Minor Quest?

Theme: Puninator

So I got to admit. Times have been rather...unkind to me as of recently. Nothing strong like a death or severe injury or disease. Just...hard times.

IN BETTER NEWS! I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. With that! I give you a theme I have put together for my Humor Campaign written specifically for a friend.

Theme: Puninator

"This is quite theme-atic."

DM Tips: My House Rules

It suddenly came to me not too long ago. "Damn. Do I have too many house rules? Is this still D&D I'm playing?" Okay, maybe it isn't that bad. But still, I have a good amount and by God, it is actually helping my players enjoy the game. Originally, upon introducing some of these elements, I was worried about it bogging down an already rules-y game. Somehow, somewhere, sometime...it is all coming together nicely.

More after the jump break...

BLAH!!!!

Welp...part two of the Small Dungeon article got deleted somehow. Dammit. It'll be a while before I get to writing ALL OF IT again. Pardon the wait. *smacks head against wall*

DM Tips: A Small Dungeon Solution

No one likes a dungeon that lasts for multiple game sessions.

Well. No one I have played with, personally (except my wife).

Our groups tend to want to get to the next plot point quickly. Not to say that there isn't plot that occurs in dungeons, but it feels like the standard dungeon just drags on for too long. Many people online, especially recently, have been complaining about the dungeon setting, as well as trying to solve it or get rid of the concept entirely. As an active Dungeon Master, I have seen what these dungeons do to a game:

• Players forget why they were there in the first place.
• Players become bored.
• Players forget that this is a Role Playing Game and not a tactical simulator.
• Players begin to get distracted increasingly with each session in the same dungeon.

DMs, I have the solution. Well, maybe not THE solution, but A solution.

Create smaller scale dungeons.