The longer the books are out, in particular the black out of media being lifted on the DMG, WotC is getting so much heat for clearly copying other people's things without crediting them.
I've been thinking this ever since I heard them talking about it. That and the bastion thing sounds more like Pointy Hat's mods to the previous system as well!
Wizard Bastion: Conjures new facilities out of the Weave. Warlock/Cleric Bastion: Receives new facilities from their corresponding patron/god. Rogue Bastion: I don't know what you mean. I've always had these facilities.
Fighter: I built this facility with my BARE HANDS. Uphill. Both ways! Bard: "Welcome to the room that my new roommate just donated! **Careless Whisper plays** " Barbarian: **Just knocks down some walls and calls it a new facility**
Speaking of, now that you're 30 here's some ideas for your podcast: - A chill-out podcast called The Hat Rack - A food review podcast called Eat Your Hat - An audio-based prank show, like prank calls or something, called Hat Trick - A podcast about -furries- animals called The Hat's Meow - An actual play podcast called Critical Role 2: Supercritical starring Antonio Demico - A gameshow called Hat Chance
@Shalakor i remember a friend of mine getting that itch literally about the time we turned 30. That's pretty funny, i record all of our D&D sessions on obs and have them unlisted so we can watch them for the memories/ refference should we need to. I like to include the 30 minutes before and after since we have fun broing out and the memories are great.
I am thinking they may have moved the actual "monster making" section to the monster manual. That's where it was in 3.5e, and I think it makes more sense. The DMG basically just saying "go to the monster manual for monster stuff" is pretty reasonable.
@@1IGGI mean sure, but D&D is also a very complex system with tons of possibilities and tools for extra activities. I’m no expert in every indie RPG out there, but as far as I can tell not many of them have: bastions, crafting, 200 magic items, 400 monsters, 400 spells, 50 subclasses… Plus, keep in mind the DM’s Guide is literally what it says: a guide for DMs to build a better game. It is not required to teach you how to play the game, the basic rules are all in the Player’s Handbook, if one really wanted to start playing. “But how am I gonna play without monsters and infos on how their stats work?” although it is for creators, the SRD has tons of content to get you started and it is literally printable for personal use only for free. These books are for people who want to go the extra mile, learning the ins and outs of creating a setting, a dungeon with meaningful lore, a social encounter with meaningful development, an encounter with clever monsters that have a deep and complex lore… I’m incredibly sure every single indie RPG out there will be able to throw at you 400 monsters with developed lore and design, 400 spells, guides on how to create your settings and shit like that, player classes and rules to play the game ALL in less than 200 pages and for 10 bucks.
@@1IGG Didn't Pathfinder 2E literally start off as one core book then release an enhanced version that split the core rules into three books? (It's still aggregated into a singular online resource if you don't buy the books, but that's basically the same with 2014 D&D, too, and your exact phrasing was funny to consider in context.) Also, a physical book with too many pages starts working worse just from a physics perspective. There's a reason Encyclopedias never come in only one book, and the heavier paper stock with color printing used in typical high end TTRPG books makes the maximum comfortable page count way lower than those. Besides, there's a lot to be said for at least splitting up Game Master resources and Player resources into separate physical volumes, such as one player's guide and one guide for GM rules and monsters together, even if your system doesn't have a huge page count. Makes for easier referencing at the table.
At first, I was gonna comment that the DMG wasn't that bad. Then I thought about it, and went to my bookshelf to check, and I never bought the 5e DMG. I've been using the ones from 3.5 and 4e this whole time.
@@alfredocheese8645 I’m running a western-style campaign w a homebrew system and I’m for sure gonna have then rob a stagecoach with a powerful cursed item in it
Not trying to give any unwanted advice but the best advice I got for DM’ing from our forever DM was to focus on the senses of the PC’s when trying to add depth and really present the campaign as you see it in your minds eye. sight, sound, smell, taste, touch (texture) e.g the cracks on the walls or the pungent smell of a monsters lair or of the lights that play tricks on your eyes and flicker throughout a cave. And if you want the players to really hate the BBEG have them capture/kill a friend to the party that always got the me and my friends fired up
2014 DMG: this would ruin your DM experience for years, but hey, there are couple of useful things at page 150+ or something (2014 DMG is second worst 5e book ever printed, first being Monster Manual, fight me)
@@notsochosenone5669 No… Sword Coast Guide. The DMG wasn’t put together well and the MM is completely fine, you’re crazy and no one should listen to you
Somebody probably pointed this out already, but a huge part of ODnD was building some sort of stronghold by level 8-9. Wizards build a tower and attract apprentices, fighters build a stronghold and clear the surrounding area to become a lord or baron. Admittedly it happens a little late and tries to pivot the game into a base management system, but there was highly detailed costs for walls, doors, etc. it didn’t give you “bastion turns” but the inspiration came from the original game editions.
Alright since I can't find it, ill be the one to do it today: hem hem OH GOD, PINK BABY BEHOLDLER IN MY DND GAME. WHATEVER HAS THE WORLD COME TO. THATS IT, GAMES RUINED EVERYONE. You're welcome human familiar.
I honestly thought he was publicly revealing his feelings regarding Clive Staples Lewis's writing for a second there (though I wasn't sure if he was pro or anti). I had to think through, like "dramatic and literally-flamboyant entrance, via exiting a wardrobe..." and then cycle through my mental thesaurus before realizing "Oh...good for him!"
On encounter building: I always include way more monsters or NPCs in an encounter than I have players, usually 4:1 or 6:1. The catch is: Not everyone is ride-or-die. Not every enemy will fight to the death. I total up the max hit points of the entire encounter, and when 10% are taken out by the players, every enemy secretly gets disadvantage. When 25% are gone, the monsters/npcs/whatever try to flee. Rarely are the enemies so fanatical that they'll sacrifice themselves to hurt the players, which makes serious henchmen/cultists/whatever that much scarier than just a mob of goblins.
I agree. Intelligent enemies, heck, even wild animals, rarely fight til the bitter end in my campaigns. I'll make a judgement call on the basis of their discipline, fanaticism, desperation, at some percent casualties, to flee, retreat, surrender, etc. Goblins or bandits might run at 25% casualties, hardened desperate mercenaries might surrender at 75% or more.
@@Zaprozhan I measure casualties based on remaining HP. My players don't know this, but they could 'win' most fights just by causing mild to moderate pain to a large number of targets at once without killing anyone or anything. Some ground glass and a wind gust spell is all it takes..
One of my favorite things in campaigns is having a "hub town". So for me the part that excites me the most about Bastions is how they can keep your starting hub town relevant in late game.
bastions were probably allowed to be so detailed because mcdm was competing with wotc in a real way with strongholds and followers. it was so ridiculously popular that the ghouls at wotc noticed and ordered it killed. the designers are probably just happy to be allowed the time to write something good.
also i think making the safety tools as repelling to those kinds of morons is good. the less of those people playing dnd the better for the whole community.
@@charlesdewitt8087 MCDM makes third party dnd content. The Strongholds and Followers book has rules for making a stronghold, amassing an army of units, and earning Retainers, followers who have abilities they can use to assist you in battle, or run your stronghold while you're away. That book has a sequel called Kingdoms and Warfare, which expands the warfare rules. MCDM has also made a dope monster book that makes combat more interesting, and 3 classes that fulfill different fantasies.
I bought Strongholds and Followers. Been a fan of Colville since he started on UA-cam. But friends, Strongholds and Followers is NOT a good book. Tragically, Kingdoms and Warfare is EVEN WORSE. It is cartoonishly bad. The warfare mini-game has more nonsensical holes and is (the ultimate sin) not fun. I was sad.
The pessimistic side of me thinks the omission of world-building is because it incentivizes people to buy more books to utilize them, thus earning them more money. The optimistic side of me thinks the omission of world-building is because making your own setting, monsters, and even dungeons to an extent, is harder/more advanced and shouldn't be the main focus of a DM, especially starting out, with pre-built options making life much easier (and when the DM gets comfortable enough, they're probably fine with finding other resources to help them along that path anyways, if need be). I think both of these are probably correct. As someone who has only DMed one campaign where I made my own entirely custom setting (with a few things borrowed, but even those were remixed), and who doesn't regret doing that for a second and had a lot of love for the process, I recognize that that's definitely not for everyone. Plus, while I did skim the DM guide before DMing, I'd be lying if I said I really even used any of its tools for making my setting anyways (although based on what you're saying, they almost definitely would have helped, haha).
I’ve just always felt weird about DnD having its own lore, beyond small things like why a monster exists or the fact that some spells are named. I feel like DnD should be more a system for creating your own things rather than showing you how to build within something that exists. Like if you wanted to learn how to write a book but you signed up for a program that only taught you how to write sequels for a preexisting series. DnD having lore makes it seem like you have to know the lore to run the game, and it might not be relevant or require adaptations. It just feels weird. Thank you for reading my rant
@@TheSkiingDragon See, the thing is - DnD is not supposed to be a system for everything like GURPS. Many TTRPG are basically complete universes have their own lore and often stories within it. I rather like it, and I think this is one of the things that have contributed to DnD's popularity
Your point on meeting people where they are in order to convince them is a very insightful one. Personally, I think I fall in the camp of "already agreeing with this but still find the execution annoying," and I think it'd be easier to get people on board if they phrased things less as "we need to be sensitive," because that tends to turn the hardcore gamerz off, and instead phrase it in more neutral or "cool" ways. As you said, slap a dragon on it: instead of "potentially sensitive topics," call it "stuff I don't want to do," etc. It's the equivalent of calling vitamins "power-up pills" to get little kids to eat them. But conversely/and equally, even if I already take vitamins every day because I think they're healthy and good for me, I'd have a hard time taking or offering others "huggy-wuggy big boy suppwements." TL:DR; branding matters.
The combat/random encounters section is so funny to me because in the single 5e campaign I played we proceeded to a) identify poisonous mushrooms b) proceeded to trip over and get poisoned by said mushrooms and c) get TPK'd by like giant mosquitos, I have a feeling that because the DM was new to DMing they went by CR and it turned out, not well for our level 2 or level 3 characters.
(still watching Video) @ around 10:00 - on Bastions, I remember one of my first DM Guides (1st ed or 2nd ed?) there was a section on building Castles and Strongholds, including the costs of Materials to build the structure. Then again, there was a whole sections discussing the different forms of government there was available (Like a Civics class within the game!) (going to return to the video)
That kind of makes me wish we had a system for governments in this one, too! I feel like it wouldn't need to be too big or prominent, but for the games that might need it, that'd be really nice to have!
This was a core feature of the game up until 2nd edition. One of the Fighting-Man's class abilities (if you can call it that) was basically getting a private army they're in command of once they hit level 9 (called "name level"). This was contingent on the construction of a stronghold, which also generated passive income and granted political status. It was cool and I've been lamenting the demise of strongholds in the core game, so the DMG refresh is actually welcome news!
I am also a DM. Yes I have read fully the DMG. Multiple times/multiple editions. On CR, I agree on its uselessness. I prepare a secondary “wave” (if you will) for each potential combat. Sometimes even a third, fourth, or more. This has made many encounters much more interesting and once the players have had an experience with a “latecomer” adding to a combat, they anticipate it making every encounter more enjoyable.
I feel like the filosophy of the new book is to give things and disencourage homebrewing, cause homebrewing leads to third party. So it gives less information on creating your setting, creating a random encounter table, creating monsters and dungeons... Its like USE OUR STUFF. OFFICIAL STUFF YOU PAY FOR It benefits us in some ways, but it really feels like a corporate direction given to the design team
I've got my issues with WOTC for sure, but this is a weird take to me. They do Spelljammer and everyone is "Where is the rules for ship to ship combat. We need more rules for things. Stop leaving everything up to homebrewing " They give more rules for things and it's "They're discouraging homebrewing"
This is pretty on point, especially when you place this book in the broader context of all the drama with Hasbro and how they have directed WoTC to treat both DnD AND MTG. Hasbro seems to be treating DnD more like a packaged product and wants to rear new players to be dependent upon their input. Others have noted that it feels like this edition is going to be focused on encouraging more players to just move towards official DnD events, to move online to their VTT Platform, and lastly to potentially switch to an AI DM who they can charge you money to access. While there are some really cool revisions to this DMG, I would make sure to purchase only a physical copy if you plan to buy it. Hasbro is an untrustworthy company.
Idk, I think it's more a manoeuvre to get people to get both DMGs. The 2014 DMG focuses a lot on world creation, while the 2024 one focuses on mechanics. The worldbuilding tips of the 2014 version are still relevant under the new rules in the 2024 version, there is no need to repeat them when this new edition's whole shtick is backwards compatibility.
Happy Birthday human familiar! Now welcome back to work. Great work as always Pointy Hat! Be sure to take it easy, maybe pass on more work to the lazy familiar.
I think the whole allignment should be implemented in the game in a more creative way. For instance, alignment could be how your character is perceived by different functions, cultures, specific plot-relevant npcs and these could affect their interactions with you (and provide effects in persuation rolls etc.) and as a result good and evil could be basically translated to aligned and unaligned to a traditions/characters worldview and values. This would also force players to take into account the "wants and needs" of different npcs in order to assure co-operation and facilitating role playing. It also gives agency to npcs, for instance one can understand why an npc might not want to help or would want to doublecross the party
Mr. Hat (and Familiar, Hoomanus) ; I rarely ever comment on created content - please accept my heartiest congratulations for all the hard work you two put into the created material. Your style, and content, is informative, creative, entertaining; and more! - all visibly crafted with creator-intention and passion for the hobby, and the delivery format. Best regards and continued wishes for success, - A fan from Athens, Greece.
Thank you so so much for mentioning dyscalculia! I had no idea about this condition, and I just thought I was dyslexic! I'm doing so much research after this video! ✨️🤩✨️
My favorite thing about safety tools comes out of a recent game I started online. I was gonna throw a giant spider at my party, as one does, but I got a hard no on it. Fine. *I got to put in a baby bulette* Which I didn't think of using before! It was really cool and fun! I'm going to start a game in January, and I'm going to use a quick "Hey do we have any hard no's in this group?" thing so I can get permission to go FULL GORE with the mummy and lich and dracolich and maybe gashadokuro. Consent list goes both ways - gives you a boundary which makes for better writing, and gives you permission to do the fun thing you wanted to do!
Lots of talk about Bastions. I tried them out in my campaign with some changes: the bastion was for the group, there was only 4 special facilities, and the events happen twice every 7 days. Its been fun.
Speaking of monsters, if someone wants a preview right now then there's a statblock for an ancient green dragon from the 2024 MM floating around and it is perhaps a *BILLION* times better than the 2014 version, like no exaggeration that is what an ancient green dragon should be
@valeri0n38 they're kind of the same thing tbh (sort of, since it's a reaction it can happen in the middle of player turns, but thats good since you might be forced to completely change your strategy in the middle of combat, feels reactive) but I like they have triggers to help fledgling DMs, so they know how to make a monster feel intelligent. Plus, ancient green dragons are now incredibly potent spellcasters and that is an excellent indicator for the new design direction imo
I hope they come out with a DMG 2 that focuses on world building that takes all the missing stuff from 2014 DMG and updates it and makes it even better.
Yeah, I understand not having that part, lots of DMs are probably creative enough to do all of that themselves, but you could always get more ideas from it. I’m glad I’ll still have my 2014 one whenever I can buy 2024
I know WOTC doesn't like publishing DM-dedicated supplements because they don't sell as well, but even an updated DM's toolbox in some future version of Xanathar's would be good.
This is the one I'm most excited for, been wanting to try DMming for quite some time, your worldbuilding/dm videos have been a godsend in that regard, excited to finally take that leap!
I use random encounters specifically tailored for what’s happening in the adventure. It’s a good way to have the villains actually doing something by having the potential to run into them ambushing travellers or lying in wait or doing something to progress their plan. You can script that too but it’s more fun for me to be surprised as well. As for encounter building in general, I’ve always found the Pathfinder system for it works really well and it sounds like 5e is moving in a good direction too. Hopefully it works well.
I remembered that this video was coming out today 56 seconds ago and then I spent 56 seconds finding it only to find that it happened to come out right as I remembered it was going to. Crazy, and very cool
dear mr. hat, i'm sure how much the human familiar is included is a business decision that you carefully consider for each video. however, while having nothing against the familiar, i must say seeing a hat with one eye and no mouth being so expressive is always a joy. so yeah. also, thx for the vid. best regards,
watching this captivating video on dming when i get struck by the urge to give human familiar a glass of milk and a blanket. Srsly, don't burn yourself up, we'll still be here.
Maybe unpopular opinion, but I am... suspicious of the bastion system. Honestly, with all the talk of WoC pushing that Sigil and online play on people it just feel like a back door way to justify more mico-transcations for customizations. Most campaigns I'm in don't really have us city building. I'm in one campaign where we each have a homebase and that's because it's our literal homes because we're teenagers with parents with beds to eat and vegetables to sleep in. The main thing I think of when I think Dnd is traveling, going on adventures, not building a small village with crops and city walls. Get what I mean?
I'm sure we'll be able to find all the content for free somewhere :) I am a 7-year DM and have literally never given money to WotC and I intend to keep it that way
Late Happy Birthday. Thanks for all you do. Wife and I love your content. I also can not freaking wait for our Bastion. We are running a Merc guild campaign, so we are putting it all together. Again thanks for all you do.
Oh Mr.Hat, pointiest of them all we thank you for all your blessed efforts, I hope many pay sacrifice of the thumb Cheers for all your hard work on the books! You've made all these updates both fun and easy to figure out 🙏
So they finally added back in something like the "Castles, Strongholds and Hideouts" material from the 1981 Expert Set. That's great! (I'm sure it was in the old "white box" set too, but I was too little to play back then.) I've been baffled for years why WotC never did anything with that concept. One of the reasons why old-school types dislike modern D&D is that there's been nothing to plan and play *towards.* Without something to actually do with treasure, dungeon delving made little sense. This pushed save-the-world heroic adventures to the front. Don't misunderstand, I love save-the-world heroic D&D! Including Bastion rules, though, will give other kinds of players -- the kind who like to build their own fortresses, temples, guilds, and kingdoms -- a reason to try the new rules out, which is a very good thing.
🎯 Key points for quick navigation: 00:00:00 *📚 Introduction and Criticism of the 2014 DMG* - Brief overview of the three core D&D books and introduction to the Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) update for 2024. - Mentions the confusion and poor organization of the 2014 DMG, hinting at improvements in the new edition. - Introduces the narrator, Anton Deo, and assures the audience that the video is not sponsored by Wizards of the Coast. 00:02:06 *🛠️ Design Flaws of 2014 DMG and Goals for 2024 Update* - Acknowledges that the 2014 DMG was rushed and lacked adequate focus, primarily because resources were spent on other core books. - 2024 DMG aims to be a practical step-by-step guide to help Dungeon Masters (DMs) improve, emphasizing clearer organization and structure. - Discusses the intent to provide better preparation guides, with structured steps based on available prep time. 00:05:36 *🌍 Shift in Focus: Storytelling vs. World Building* - 2024 DMG emphasizes collaborative storytelling, with detailed guidance on creating engaging narratives with players. - The 2014 DMG concentrated on world-building, with extensive, but sometimes bloated, content for creating custom settings and cosmologies. - Mentions the reduction in world-building sections from 30 pages to five questions integrated within campaign creation in the 2024 edition. 08:24 *🏰 Introduction to Bastions in the 2024 DMG* - Bastions, a significant new feature in the 2024 DMG, are introduced as player-owned home bases with mechanical benefits. - Players can customize their Bastions, build them next to each other for community-like setups, and gain perks from shared Bastions. - Bastions offer opportunities for co-worldbuilding and deeper character development, enhancing roleplay. 11:08 *🏠 Bastion Facilities and Their Impact* - Bastions are composed of basic and special facilities that offer roleplay elements and mechanical benefits. - Special facilities unlock at specific levels and include exciting options like casinos, guild halls, and demi-planes. - Bastions act as a money sink in D&D, addressing the issue of excess player wealth by creating meaningful in-game expenses. 15:07 *🎲 Bastion Orders and Random Events* - Players issue orders to their Bastions during Bastion turns, affecting gameplay outcomes such as crafting, harvesting, and empowering. - Bastion events introduce randomness, adding depth with potential setbacks like attacks or hiring criminals. - Highlights the balance achieved in the Bastion system, ensuring it is neither overly complex nor too simplistic. 17:30 *🗺️ New Section on Maps and Final Thoughts on Bastions* - Mentions the inclusion of detailed maps in the 2024 DMG, designed in a graph-paper style with versatile settings. - Introduces the video’s sponsor, Cheku, known for providing high-quality, animated maps through their Patreon. - Expresses excitement about potential future expansions to the Bastion system, hoping it will be integrated into the SRD for customization. 00:18:42 *🗺️ Maps and the Cheku Sponsorship* - The narrator discusses Cheku's Patreon for high-quality maps with options for weather effects and animation. - This section transitions into gameplay mechanics, specifically focusing on new social tools in the 2024 DMG. - Cheku's maps come highly recommended, offering more detail than standard graph paper maps. 00:19:09 *🛡️ Social Tools and Ensuring Fun for All Players* - The 2024 DMG includes new handouts and tools to manage social dynamics and player expectations. - Safety tools are introduced to promote respectful gameplay, but some controversial elements, like a pink Beholder illustration, are mentioned. - Emphasizes meeting players where they are and managing behavior constructively during gameplay. 00:21:52 *🚶 Overhaul of Travel Mechanics in 2024 DMG* - Travel receives a significant update, with a structured system using stages to determine journey complexity. - Introduces different travel challenges, including encounters, navigation, and resource management. - The system is more detailed but may feel overwhelming for players who prefer less complex mechanics. 00:24:27 *⚔️ Combat Encounters and Challenge Rating (CR) Overhaul* - The 2024 DMG improves CR and encounter design, reducing complexity and ensuring more accurate combat difficulty scaling. - Introduces clearer guidance on encounter budgets, monster placement, and tactical deployment. - Addresses flaws in the 2014 CR system, making it easier for DMs to create balanced and engaging encounters. 00:31:12 *🧮 Simplified Math and Improved Encounter Design* - The new DMG reduces the need for excessive math, simplifying encounter planning and CR calculations. - Ditching the old multiplier system for calculating encounter difficulty, the new system offers straightforward guidelines for monsters per PC. - Introduces detailed advice on situational advantages and tactical monster behavior to enhance gameplay. 00:35:25 *🎲 The Role of Random Encounters in 2024 DMG* - Random encounters are de-emphasized, with only half a page dedicated to them in the new DMG. - The 2024 DMG encourages intentional encounter design that aligns with the story rather than relying on random combat. - The narrator expresses mixed feelings, appreciating the simplification but acknowledging that some players enjoy random encounters. 00:37:45 *👍 Final Thoughts on 2024 DMG Improvements* - The narrator is optimistic about the changes, particularly the streamlined encounter design and improved difficulty scaling. - While waiting for the new Monster Manual to fully test the new system, they believe the updates address many of the 2014 DMG’s shortcomings. - Emphasizes the importance of ensuring encounters are challenging yet fair for players, praising the overall direction of the new DMG. 00:38:01 *🛠️ DM's Toolbox: Alignment, Chases, and Homebrew Challenges* - Alignment rules have been expanded and clarified but still face criticism for limiting storytelling. - Chases receive additional ideas to make them more dynamic, though the homebrew and world-building focus has diminished. - Creating custom creatures is simplified, instructing DMs to modify existing stat blocks rather than build monsters from scratch, leading to some disappointment. 00:40:34 *⚡ Curses, Death Mechanics, and Magic Rules Enhancements* - Curses are more challenging to remove, adding depth to gameplay. - New variant rules offer options for avoiding character death, though not all players may appreciate the lack of lethal threats. - Magical ailments and diseases remain mostly unchanged, with minor tweaks to healing mechanics. 00:42:12 *🚪 Secret Doors, Dungeon Creation, and Object Mechanics* - A new section on door mechanics offers details on breaking and unlocking, including a humorous “Secret Door Etiquette” section. - Dungeon creation guidance is scaled back compared to the 2014 DMG, which provided extensive tables and guidelines. - The lack of in-depth dungeon creation tools is seen as a notable omission in the new edition. 00:44:01 *🛡️ Gods and NPC Creation Updates* - Gods are integrated more into storytelling, with rules on divine interaction but less focus on creating new deities. - Cleric mechanics are updated to emphasize that losing favor with a deity doesn’t strip powers, simplifying gameplay. - NPC creation tools are expanded, with advice on balancing NPC roles and avoiding overshadowing player characters. 00:45:26 *🏙️ Settlements and Lore Glossary* - Settlement creation is shortened, reflecting the overall reduction in world-building tools. - The new lore glossary provides background on D&D history, useful for players unfamiliar with older material. - The inclusion of campaign settings like Greyhawk adds additional depth but feels more like a supplementary feature. 00:47:15 *🧾 Final Thoughts: Strengths and Weaknesses of the 2024 DMG* - The 2024 DMG is considered a vast improvement over the 2014 edition, with more accessible rules and tools. - Despite improvements, the lack of detailed world-building elements is a noticeable downside. - Features like Bastions and updated travel mechanics stand out as highlights, while CR improvements remain promising but untested until the new Monster Manual is released. Made with HARPA AI
Thank you for the reading and helping out highlight the main differences found. I agree with you on most things and love getting the homebrew you put out. I have used your travel system since I heard about it and am working to implement some of you monsters into my campaigns. I will also be making your subclasses and subraces available to my players in the future.
Tin Foil Hat time: I know it's me dooming and glooming at WotC, but from this video it sounds like they are removing the "create your own" sections in order to funnel more people into buying modules and supplements they will be releasing. I pray to Lathander I am wrong about this though! And from the looks of it (based extensive research of this video and Ginny Di's video) , overall the book is a big improvement. Looking forward to actually reading it, not glancing through it once and then it gathering dust on my shelf... Also, the Bastions are something I am 1000% excited for...and basically, like 90% of the reason for me buying the book...
Great Video!!!! I loved you saying what you think about random encounters, it must be something that a lot of Hobie people think about but don't usually verbalize. The only way to make a random encounter make sense that I've found is to use the mechanic to represent an area of constant risk (an infested forest, or an area of conflict with soldiers on patrol, etc.).
Unlike the 2024 PHB, I am actually interested in the 2024 DMG. As for money sinks, that's exactly why first edition AD&D included things like training costs for level advancement and stronghold construction costs. In many ways this is stuff that was in the game 45 years ago, that was taken out, and is now being put back in because they realized removing it was a mistake.
Wow, a lot of these seem like *phenomenal* improvements. I'm glad they mention that if you have a lot of enemies, it's good to have mooks that go down quickly. Also, Bastions seem *really* really cool. :o
I liked the 4th Ed Minion monsters. A nice sprinkling of these make big fights faster but still seem serious, let the area-effect wizards have fun, and occasionally bait out power moves on a hapless lackey.
There are always alternatives to death, such as a new plot hook about a grievous injury, being captured by the enemy, perhaps developing a phobia/PTSD from your near-death experience. Not that deaths are super hard to reverse with the obscene amounts of gold players have, they can just pay for true resurrection.
Oh my god we knew about the pink beholder in advance too- in the dnd x dbd crossover, there's what looks to be a pink beholder in the map thingy? Considering that crossover also debuted the new Vecna design, it's not too far-fetched to think its colour was intentional
The game is ruined now because the beholder is pink, which means that the game has pink eye and now we're all gonna catch it. Maybe playing D&D in the McDonald's ball pit wasn't a great idea.
as a fellow gamer with Dyscalculia I took to TTRPGs like a duck to water. I could do the easy maths even if I needed my fingers or a calculator and it wasnt until 5th edition that I was making mainly caster class characters and even did two one shots and even ran a few Call of Cthulhu games for my group. My math skills are still trash but I think years of TTRPGs kind of helped me out a bit more as I was learning and having fun doing it unlike the stress I was always under in school when it came to mathematics.
As someone who has genuinely read the 2014 DMG cover-to-cover when I was learning more about becoming a DM as a teen, I LOVE worldbuilding but I wanted less that and more "here's how to storytell and run a game for group". I'm so happy to hear this DMG is more what newbies need! (while still being useful to more experienced DMs too due to... actually focusing on helping the DM run the game??? WHAT? in the DMing book??) I look forward to getting my hands on it when it releases and seeing what my final thoughts are! I feel like making the books more helpful/approachable to newbies is a pattern with these new books. I've been reading both PHBs cover-to-cover and my overall impression is that (and I say this in the best way possible) the 2024 is exactly what I wish I had when I was first getting into the hobby as a 13yo! The new PHB is structured so well and places information better. It feels SOOO much more inviting for new players by presenting things simply and concisely imo. That rules glossary is GOATed and I'm definitely considering fully switching over purely cuz' it would make me never have to reference another non-class or spell specific rule in the 2014 book AGAIN.😂 I've always hated the format of the old PHB so much bc looking things up in it always felt like such a chore bc whatever you were looking for could be anywhere in 7 different chapters so you could only ever GUESS otherwise. (and be wrong) It was pretty easy to miss things bc the text was so densely laid out and placed seemingly at random. An example being I never gave a single character a trinket despite them being lowkey encouraged bc they were hidden in the equipment chapter, which I basically always skipped opting for a pack instead. So, I always forgot their existence. Literally until I saw the table appear in 2024's char creation chapter when I went "OH YEAH, THOSE".
That really reminds me of a saying that recurred a lot in my old librarian & editor roles: it's no use having all the info ever at your fingertips, unless people can FIND it!! 😆 Excellent indexes, sensible use of headings & book structure, and (if digital) some mindful addition of keywords, tags & other metadata... Without those kinds of access aids, a slab of indigestible data is just a waste of tree-lives or silicon space!
5:33 On this point, and I'm coming from the perspective of only having run a few one shots, that you really have to actually try DMing, and that's the only way you'd really get better at it.
Clue, Marina, Death Becomes Her, and Jujubee? Was this video made just for me? Not to mention the adorable guy in a tank top and cute sweater. Oh, also, the great info. That's good too ❤
This was a really insightful analysis! I appreciate your perspective on 5e as someone who is just starting to branch out to other systems themselves. I’ve played 5e as a player but more often as a DM, and I liked the ability to build a world for my players! However I did always struggle with the lack of a solid framework for mechanics i wanted my players to interact with and the strange economy outlined in the DMG, so it was nice to hear those frustrations articulated in your video
About the bastion bit, that's funny. I've already had ideas of giving my players housing with added bonus or sleeping in your own bed reduces long rest to 5 hours if needed. Farming/planting your own stuff and workshops etc 😊. Money sinks hehehe
I suspect that WotC is going to add a fourth "core" sourcebook to 2024, the Worldbuilding Guide, which will cover how to homebrew with tips on city-building, dungeon making, etc.
In defense of random tables, they need to be used properly, and they're a starting point. Not an end point. Don't just throw regular animals at the party. When you throw 3d6 wolves at the party, make the lead wolf awakened and a lieutenant of the big bad. Or put tiny saddles and imps or sprites on each wolf. Or give the wolves a gimmick that ties into the reigional effects of the big bad. Make factions for your setting and then give each faction their own random encounter table. Then roll two or more tables together. Have the players run into an arms deal between two rival factions about to get messy, an ally or neutral faction leader in need of saving from a mutually hostile faction, or any number of other outcomes prompted by the random table. If you're just rolling the random table mid session and framing each encounter as "You're 30 feet apart. Go get 'em." then you're going to find random tables make pointless time wasters. The results of random tables should be seen as writing prompts to trigger the creative process. Some people can stare at a blank page and see the entire works of Shakespeare and Picasso sprawling out in every direction. Some people need "This table gave me 6 goblins, and this table gave me a giant spider, and this table said an NPC needs saving. Do I have the goblins about to be cocooned by the spider, the spider crying out for help as the goblins use a magic collar to work it to death, or is a hunting party of goblins riding a giant spider chasing an elf princess through the woods of darkened darkness?"
36:25 I think this is an absolutely fundamental misunderstanding of what a random combat encounter table is for, how to make one and how to use one. Which is really surprising coming from someone with usually very solid insights into this game... Like, my dude, you're not supposed to throw random pointless wolves at your players for no reason. You put wolves on your encounter table because the valley where they came from is haunted and because "wild animals are fleeing the valley" is a plot point! And you mix it up with random non-combat encounters which can tell the players more about the place they're traveling through and give them an opportunity to explore, make decisions and prepare. It's super refreshing to not know for sure if the PCs will side with the hag (because you rolled a random encounter where they save her familiar and earn a reward) or take a bounty to hunt her down (because the PCs helped a wounded ranger fight off his crazed bear companion, cursed by the hag). You also CAN (and probably should) sprinkle in some unconnected stuff so that your players can start speculating wildly about how the dots connect. Maybe you can be surprised too and get an inspiring prompt to add something new to the story. Get BETTER random tables, is all im saying! You honestly sound like someone who once found a moldy slice of pizza on a sidewalk and is now convinced that all pizza is shit.
My current table is super excited for bastions. They are already scouting for a location in Phandalin that they can rennovate. They are currently leaning toward the ruined manor above the old Redbrand hideout.
@@cameroncox2739 in most of Pointy Hat's videos about liches, there is calling "tupperware" the phylacteries...i was trying to be humorous about the name of that location. sorry.
Alright be honest who read the entirety of the DMG before now
I did not :D
🥺
👉👈
i browsed
Memorised it :(
2 times... de pies a cabeza :v
It's more of a guideline anyways ;)
Pointy Hat: Wizards, did you copy my travel system?
WotC wearing a suspiciously pointy hat: No...
That's the neat part - Wizards are KNOWN for wearing pointy hats. The perfect crime!!
Also, MCDM’s Strongholds and Followers rule set
"We were more...inspired, by you."
The longer the books are out, in particular the black out of media being lifted on the DMG, WotC is getting so much heat for clearly copying other people's things without crediting them.
I've been thinking this ever since I heard them talking about it. That and the bastion thing sounds more like Pointy Hat's mods to the previous system as well!
Wizard Bastion: Conjures new facilities out of the Weave.
Warlock/Cleric Bastion: Receives new facilities from their corresponding patron/god.
Rogue Bastion: I don't know what you mean. I've always had these facilities.
Fighter: I built this facility with my BARE HANDS. Uphill. Both ways!
Bard: "Welcome to the room that my new roommate just donated! **Careless Whisper plays** "
Barbarian: **Just knocks down some walls and calls it a new facility**
Ranger: creates mud hutt in the woods
Druid: I grew this.
Sorcerer: So... I sneezed and then *gestures towards bastion
Monk: I meditated and it just appered overnigth
The game is ruined because the beholder is pink. -Stephen
nice try richard
And you thought you could get away with misquoting Stephen RICHARD. He had a now after ruined. I can’t believe you would twist his words like that /j
Any game that doesn't include at least one pink beholder is now ruined for me.
Its not ruined but that shows us they are going in a direction that would make the game worse for many.
@@wrongix6544....because it's pink? What information do you get from that other than the artist thought it'd look nice?
Speaking of, now that you're 30 here's some ideas for your podcast:
- A chill-out podcast called The Hat Rack
- A food review podcast called Eat Your Hat
- An audio-based prank show, like prank calls or something, called Hat Trick
- A podcast about -furries- animals called The Hat's Meow
- An actual play podcast called Critical Role 2: Supercritical starring Antonio Demico
- A gameshow called Hat Chance
Under appreciated comment haha
Is he doing a podcast?
The Hat Rack
@@CecilQuetzalcoatl Not going to look it up for specifics, but there's an internet meme about spontaneously starting to podcast when you hit 30.
@Shalakor i remember a friend of mine getting that itch literally about the time we turned 30. That's pretty funny, i record all of our D&D sessions on obs and have them unlisted so we can watch them for the memories/ refference should we need to. I like to include the 30 minutes before and after since we have fun broing out and the memories are great.
I am thinking they may have moved the actual "monster making" section to the monster manual. That's where it was in 3.5e, and I think it makes more sense. The DMG basically just saying "go to the monster manual for monster stuff" is pretty reasonable.
This seems extremely likely, yeah. Making your own monsters is such an iconic DM thing, but it's really part of the monster rules, not the DM rules.
That's why I prefer indie RPGs. They don't try to sell you 3 books when one book works better.
@@1IGG piracy goes brrrrr
@@1IGGI mean sure, but D&D is also a very complex system with tons of possibilities and tools for extra activities.
I’m no expert in every indie RPG out there, but as far as I can tell not many of them have: bastions, crafting, 200 magic items, 400 monsters, 400 spells, 50 subclasses…
Plus, keep in mind the DM’s Guide is literally what it says: a guide for DMs to build a better game. It is not required to teach you how to play the game, the basic rules are all in the Player’s Handbook, if one really wanted to start playing.
“But how am I gonna play without monsters and infos on how their stats work?” although it is for creators, the SRD has tons of content to get you started and it is literally printable for personal use only for free.
These books are for people who want to go the extra mile, learning the ins and outs of creating a setting, a dungeon with meaningful lore, a social encounter with meaningful development, an encounter with clever monsters that have a deep and complex lore…
I’m incredibly sure every single indie RPG out there will be able to throw at you 400 monsters with developed lore and design, 400 spells, guides on how to create your settings and shit like that, player classes and rules to play the game ALL in less than 200 pages and for 10 bucks.
@@1IGG Didn't Pathfinder 2E literally start off as one core book then release an enhanced version that split the core rules into three books? (It's still aggregated into a singular online resource if you don't buy the books, but that's basically the same with 2014 D&D, too, and your exact phrasing was funny to consider in context.)
Also, a physical book with too many pages starts working worse just from a physics perspective. There's a reason Encyclopedias never come in only one book, and the heavier paper stock with color printing used in typical high end TTRPG books makes the maximum comfortable page count way lower than those.
Besides, there's a lot to be said for at least splitting up Game Master resources and Player resources into separate physical volumes, such as one player's guide and one guide for GM rules and monsters together, even if your system doesn't have a huge page count. Makes for easier referencing at the table.
Nice splash of Ginny Di. I prefer the way both of you cover your content with plain-spoken yet entertaining conversation and advice.
I am the commenter crying about the beholder being pink. They didn't give it ribbons for each of it's eye stalks. Let the beholder serve
You know what that's actually a good point. BEHOLDER FASHION CLUB UNITE.
Let that baby SLAY
But then you'd have to let the Mimic dress up too, and before you know it everyone else wants their own turn and you're late to work.
@@Shalakor "What are you doing?'
"Putting bow ties on the chests."
"...why?"
"Because they might be mimics!"
At first, I was gonna comment that the DMG wasn't that bad. Then I thought about it, and went to my bookshelf to check, and I never bought the 5e DMG. I've been using the ones from 3.5 and 4e this whole time.
Incredible haha! If that's not a recommendation of those versions I dont know what is
Lol. Same. But 1e and 2e. I have played a pastiche of all editions (minus 4th) since 1989.
48 minute point hat video! And about dming? Right when I’m about to start dming my first longterm campaign? Let’s go
reminder to give a cursed item to the player that never checks for traps of anykind
@@alfredocheese8645 I’m running a western-style campaign w a homebrew system and I’m for sure gonna have then rob a stagecoach with a powerful cursed item in it
Hello stranger! Have a great time dming! It's so much fun!
same actually, except it's a first one in general
Not trying to give any unwanted advice but the best advice I got for DM’ing from our forever DM was to focus on the senses of the PC’s when trying to add depth and really present the campaign as you see it in your minds eye. sight, sound, smell, taste, touch (texture) e.g the cracks on the walls or the pungent smell of a monsters lair or of the lights that play tricks on your eyes and flicker throughout a cave. And if you want the players to really hate the BBEG have them capture/kill a friend to the party that always got the me and my friends fired up
PointyHat's DM Guide Glossary:
1:27 - Human Familiar Vacation
3:00 - General Overview
7:00 - Creating your own Setting
8:30 - Bastions (Dungeon & SIMS)
13:00 - Bastion Facilities & Money Sinks
17:27 - Maps
19:00 - How to play & Social Stuff
19:40 - *JUMPSCARE* & Pronouns
21:50 - Travel (Rehash)
24:30 - Combat Encounters & CR
27:23 - *Wall JUMPSCARE*
27:44 - Hazards & CR
30:06 - KOBE 🏀
32:55 - *Ginny Di JUMPSCARE*
35:35 - "The Evil I still here"
38:03 - DM's Toolbox
+ Chases, Creature building, and Gods
43:50 - "Dragons catching strays"
I enjoyed the DeeDee Mega Doodoo guide 😀
P.S. Happy bilateral Birthday 🎂 🥳
2014 DMG: this *could* help if you tried it
2024 DMG: this *will* help if you let it
That’s so accurate lol
You're absolutely right🤌🤌
2014 DMG: this would ruin your DM experience for years, but hey, there are couple of useful things at page 150+ or something (2014 DMG is second worst 5e book ever printed, first being Monster Manual, fight me)
@@notsochosenone5669 No… Sword Coast Guide. The DMG wasn’t put together well and the MM is completely fine, you’re crazy and no one should listen to you
...but only if you also buy campaign material from us which has dungeons, gods, settlements...
Somebody probably pointed this out already, but a huge part of ODnD was building some sort of stronghold by level 8-9. Wizards build a tower and attract apprentices, fighters build a stronghold and clear the surrounding area to become a lord or baron. Admittedly it happens a little late and tries to pivot the game into a base management system, but there was highly detailed costs for walls, doors, etc. it didn’t give you “bastion turns” but the inspiration came from the original game editions.
Alright since I can't find it, ill be the one to do it today: hem hem
OH GOD, PINK BABY BEHOLDLER IN MY DND GAME. WHATEVER HAS THE WORLD COME TO. THATS IT, GAMES RUINED EVERYONE.
You're welcome human familiar.
Hi Steve!
The All Father cares for us enough to be Steve
I aint gonna lie...I like it pink Steve
Hi Jack Black👋 (to the people how didn't get the joke, go watch The "A Minecraft Movie")
Would it have helped if it had multiple colors? What if it was pink, white, and blue?
20:54 I’m crying. If the beholder was red I wouldn’t have been a douche and now I’m crying.
Hi steven
Hi Steven
Hi Steven
2014 DMG: this could help
2024 DMG: this will help
Laughing out loud in my staff room 😂. Your videos bring so much joy. Thanks from an Aussie DM
Love the flash back to the human fafamiliar burning down the closet.
I honestly thought he was publicly revealing his feelings regarding Clive Staples Lewis's writing for a second there (though I wasn't sure if he was pro or anti). I had to think through, like "dramatic and literally-flamboyant entrance, via exiting a wardrobe..." and then cycle through my mental thesaurus before realizing "Oh...good for him!"
Never new that was C.S Lewis real name. Thanks for telling me man.
On encounter building: I always include way more monsters or NPCs in an encounter than I have players, usually 4:1 or 6:1. The catch is: Not everyone is ride-or-die. Not every enemy will fight to the death. I total up the max hit points of the entire encounter, and when 10% are taken out by the players, every enemy secretly gets disadvantage. When 25% are gone, the monsters/npcs/whatever try to flee. Rarely are the enemies so fanatical that they'll sacrifice themselves to hurt the players, which makes serious henchmen/cultists/whatever that much scarier than just a mob of goblins.
I agree. Intelligent enemies, heck, even wild animals, rarely fight til the bitter end in my campaigns. I'll make a judgement call on the basis of their discipline, fanaticism, desperation, at some percent casualties, to flee, retreat, surrender, etc. Goblins or bandits might run at 25% casualties, hardened desperate mercenaries might surrender at 75% or more.
@@Zaprozhan I measure casualties based on remaining HP. My players don't know this, but they could 'win' most fights just by causing mild to moderate pain to a large number of targets at once without killing anyone or anything. Some ground glass and a wind gust spell is all it takes..
still looking for that commenter crying because of the fact the beholder is pink
same
Me too 😅
I'm crying because it's GORGEOUS!❤
Only tears of joy from the fabulouscity!
Thats me ;_;
One of my favorite things in campaigns is having a "hub town". So for me the part that excites me the most about Bastions is how they can keep your starting hub town relevant in late game.
Human familiar is being a rebel!!
Poor human familiar! 😭 He really went to town and I was rooting for that!
bastions were probably allowed to be so detailed because mcdm was competing with wotc in a real way with strongholds and followers. it was so ridiculously popular that the ghouls at wotc noticed and ordered it killed. the designers are probably just happy to be allowed the time to write something good.
also i think making the safety tools as repelling to those kinds of morons is good. the less of those people playing dnd the better for the whole community.
mcdm?
@@charlesdewitt8087 matt colvilles company
@@charlesdewitt8087 MCDM makes third party dnd content. The Strongholds and Followers book has rules for making a stronghold, amassing an army of units, and earning Retainers, followers who have abilities they can use to assist you in battle, or run your stronghold while you're away.
That book has a sequel called Kingdoms and Warfare, which expands the warfare rules. MCDM has also made a dope monster book that makes combat more interesting, and 3 classes that fulfill different fantasies.
I bought Strongholds and Followers. Been a fan of Colville since he started on UA-cam. But friends, Strongholds and Followers is NOT a good book. Tragically, Kingdoms and Warfare is EVEN WORSE. It is cartoonishly bad. The warfare mini-game has more nonsensical holes and is (the ultimate sin) not fun. I was sad.
The pessimistic side of me thinks the omission of world-building is because it incentivizes people to buy more books to utilize them, thus earning them more money.
The optimistic side of me thinks the omission of world-building is because making your own setting, monsters, and even dungeons to an extent, is harder/more advanced and shouldn't be the main focus of a DM, especially starting out, with pre-built options making life much easier (and when the DM gets comfortable enough, they're probably fine with finding other resources to help them along that path anyways, if need be).
I think both of these are probably correct.
As someone who has only DMed one campaign where I made my own entirely custom setting (with a few things borrowed, but even those were remixed), and who doesn't regret doing that for a second and had a lot of love for the process, I recognize that that's definitely not for everyone. Plus, while I did skim the DM guide before DMing, I'd be lying if I said I really even used any of its tools for making my setting anyways (although based on what you're saying, they almost definitely would have helped, haha).
Considering that 5e world building is ass, the second one seems more plausible
@@rainbowmothraleo It's Wizards. They want money. It's the former.
@@simoneidson21 they want to sell more books while putting in as little work as possible
I’ve just always felt weird about DnD having its own lore, beyond small things like why a monster exists or the fact that some spells are named. I feel like DnD should be more a system for creating your own things rather than showing you how to build within something that exists. Like if you wanted to learn how to write a book but you signed up for a program that only taught you how to write sequels for a preexisting series. DnD having lore makes it seem like you have to know the lore to run the game, and it might not be relevant or require adaptations. It just feels weird. Thank you for reading my rant
@@TheSkiingDragon See, the thing is - DnD is not supposed to be a system for everything like GURPS. Many TTRPG are basically complete universes have their own lore and often stories within it. I rather like it, and I think this is one of the things that have contributed to DnD's popularity
Your point on meeting people where they are in order to convince them is a very insightful one. Personally, I think I fall in the camp of "already agreeing with this but still find the execution annoying," and I think it'd be easier to get people on board if they phrased things less as "we need to be sensitive," because that tends to turn the hardcore gamerz off, and instead phrase it in more neutral or "cool" ways. As you said, slap a dragon on it: instead of "potentially sensitive topics," call it "stuff I don't want to do," etc.
It's the equivalent of calling vitamins "power-up pills" to get little kids to eat them. But conversely/and equally, even if I already take vitamins every day because I think they're healthy and good for me, I'd have a hard time taking or offering others "huggy-wuggy big boy suppwements."
TL:DR; branding matters.
1:31 NO WAY! DID WE JUST GOT OUR PROMISED TIFLING COSPLAY? THE ONE FROM THE CHARITY STREAM!
The combat/random encounters section is so funny to me because in the single 5e campaign I played we proceeded to a) identify poisonous mushrooms b) proceeded to trip over and get poisoned by said mushrooms and c) get TPK'd by like giant mosquitos, I have a feeling that because the DM was new to DMing they went by CR and it turned out, not well for our level 2 or level 3 characters.
(still watching Video) @ around 10:00 - on Bastions, I remember one of my first DM Guides (1st ed or 2nd ed?) there was a section on building Castles and Strongholds, including the costs of Materials to build the structure.
Then again, there was a whole sections discussing the different forms of government there was available (Like a Civics class within the game!)
(going to return to the video)
It was in 1st ed and was really useful as a guide for non D&D as well. Back to the video.
That kind of makes me wish we had a system for governments in this one, too! I feel like it wouldn't need to be too big or prominent, but for the games that might need it, that'd be really nice to have!
This was a core feature of the game up until 2nd edition. One of the Fighting-Man's class abilities (if you can call it that) was basically getting a private army they're in command of once they hit level 9 (called "name level"). This was contingent on the construction of a stronghold, which also generated passive income and granted political status. It was cool and I've been lamenting the demise of strongholds in the core game, so the DMG refresh is actually welcome news!
I am also a DM. Yes I have read fully the DMG. Multiple times/multiple editions. On CR, I agree on its uselessness. I prepare a secondary “wave” (if you will) for each potential combat. Sometimes even a third, fourth, or more. This has made many encounters much more interesting and once the players have had an experience with a “latecomer” adding to a combat, they anticipate it making every encounter more enjoyable.
I feel like the filosophy of the new book is to give things and disencourage homebrewing, cause homebrewing leads to third party. So it gives less information on creating your setting, creating a random encounter table, creating monsters and dungeons...
Its like USE OUR STUFF.
OFFICIAL STUFF YOU PAY FOR
It benefits us in some ways, but it really feels like a corporate direction given to the design team
Was coming here to say exactly this.
I've got my issues with WOTC for sure, but this is a weird take to me.
They do Spelljammer and everyone is "Where is the rules for ship to ship combat. We need more rules for things. Stop leaving everything up to homebrewing "
They give more rules for things and it's "They're discouraging homebrewing"
@TonySamedi it's not 'too much content' it's them not providing tools to make your own stuff. Don't believe it's too much of a problem but still
This is pretty on point, especially when you place this book in the broader context of all the drama with Hasbro and how they have directed WoTC to treat both DnD AND MTG. Hasbro seems to be treating DnD more like a packaged product and wants to rear new players to be dependent upon their input. Others have noted that it feels like this edition is going to be focused on encouraging more players to just move towards official DnD events, to move online to their VTT Platform, and lastly to potentially switch to an AI DM who they can charge you money to access. While there are some really cool revisions to this DMG, I would make sure to purchase only a physical copy if you plan to buy it. Hasbro is an untrustworthy company.
Idk, I think it's more a manoeuvre to get people to get both DMGs. The 2014 DMG focuses a lot on world creation, while the 2024 one focuses on mechanics.
The worldbuilding tips of the 2014 version are still relevant under the new rules in the 2024 version, there is no need to repeat them when this new edition's whole shtick is backwards compatibility.
Happy Birthday human familiar! Now welcome back to work.
Great work as always Pointy Hat! Be sure to take it easy, maybe pass on more work to the lazy familiar.
I think the whole allignment should be implemented in the game in a more creative way. For instance, alignment could be how your character is perceived by different functions, cultures, specific plot-relevant npcs and these could affect their interactions with you (and provide effects in persuation rolls etc.) and as a result good and evil could be basically translated to aligned and unaligned to a traditions/characters worldview and values. This would also force players to take into account the "wants and needs" of different npcs in order to assure co-operation and facilitating role playing. It also gives agency to npcs, for instance one can understand why an npc might not want to help or would want to doublecross the party
Low key want a "lines and veils" sheet that does just go as hard and "Macho" as it can now.
Mr. Hat (and Familiar, Hoomanus) ; I rarely ever comment on created content - please accept my heartiest congratulations for all the hard work you two put into the created material. Your style, and content, is informative, creative, entertaining; and more! - all visibly crafted with creator-intention and passion for the hobby, and the delivery format.
Best regards and continued wishes for success,
- A fan from Athens, Greece.
Thank you so so much for mentioning dyscalculia! I had no idea about this condition, and I just thought I was dyslexic! I'm doing so much research after this video! ✨️🤩✨️
Oh! Well! Happy belated birthday Human Familiar! :D
My favorite thing about safety tools comes out of a recent game I started online. I was gonna throw a giant spider at my party, as one does, but I got a hard no on it. Fine. *I got to put in a baby bulette* Which I didn't think of using before! It was really cool and fun! I'm going to start a game in January, and I'm going to use a quick "Hey do we have any hard no's in this group?" thing so I can get permission to go FULL GORE with the mummy and lich and dracolich and maybe gashadokuro. Consent list goes both ways - gives you a boundary which makes for better writing, and gives you permission to do the fun thing you wanted to do!
Lots of talk about Bastions. I tried them out in my campaign with some changes: the bastion was for the group, there was only 4 special facilities, and the events happen twice every 7 days. Its been fun.
Speaking of monsters, if someone wants a preview right now then there's a statblock for an ancient green dragon from the 2024 MM floating around and it is perhaps a *BILLION* times better than the 2014 version, like no exaggeration that is what an ancient green dragon should be
And we get to see that legendary actions have, apparently, been replaced with legendary reactions.
I'm still on the fence about this.
@valeri0n38 they're kind of the same thing tbh (sort of, since it's a reaction it can happen in the middle of player turns, but thats good since you might be forced to completely change your strategy in the middle of combat, feels reactive) but I like they have triggers to help fledgling DMs, so they know how to make a monster feel intelligent. Plus, ancient green dragons are now incredibly potent spellcasters and that is an excellent indicator for the new design direction imo
Man, I don't even play DnD5e anymore, but I love your videos. This video is one of the best, useful, funny and entertaining all at the same time.
I hope they come out with a DMG 2 that focuses on world building that takes all the missing stuff from 2014 DMG and updates it and makes it even better.
Yeah, I understand not having that part, lots of DMs are probably creative enough to do all of that themselves, but you could always get more ideas from it. I’m glad I’ll still have my 2014 one whenever I can buy 2024
I know WOTC doesn't like publishing DM-dedicated supplements because they don't sell as well, but even an updated DM's toolbox in some future version of Xanathar's would be good.
And it's going to be called Jarlaxyl's World of Everything!
”All the wolrds at your finger tips” book… maybe
Great work friend :) be sure to take care of yourself! Happy to see long videos, but not if they make you stress or strain under the burden of it
This is the one I'm most excited for, been wanting to try DMming for quite some time, your worldbuilding/dm videos have been a godsend in that regard, excited to finally take that leap!
I use random encounters specifically tailored for what’s happening in the adventure. It’s a good way to have the villains actually doing something by having the potential to run into them ambushing travellers or lying in wait or doing something to progress their plan. You can script that too but it’s more fun for me to be surprised as well.
As for encounter building in general, I’ve always found the Pathfinder system for it works really well and it sounds like 5e is moving in a good direction too. Hopefully it works well.
I remembered that this video was coming out today 56 seconds ago and then I spent 56 seconds finding it only to find that it happened to come out right as I remembered it was going to. Crazy, and very cool
dear mr. hat,
i'm sure how much the human familiar is included is a business decision that you carefully consider for each video. however, while having nothing against the familiar, i must say seeing a hat with one eye and no mouth being so expressive is always a joy. so yeah.
also, thx for the vid.
best regards,
watching this captivating video on dming when i get struck by the urge to give human familiar a glass of milk and a blanket. Srsly, don't burn yourself up, we'll still be here.
Happy Birthday, Human Familiar!
(And great overview of the changes! Thank you!)
Cool 48-minute video! Too bad none of it registered after the birthday montage, as I was locked in a thirst-induced coma 🥵
literally so happy for you to have taken a trip to have a fun and relax I hope
Maybe unpopular opinion, but I am... suspicious of the bastion system. Honestly, with all the talk of WoC pushing that Sigil and online play on people it just feel like a back door way to justify more mico-transcations for customizations. Most campaigns I'm in don't really have us city building. I'm in one campaign where we each have a homebase and that's because it's our literal homes because we're teenagers with parents with beds to eat and vegetables to sleep in. The main thing I think of when I think Dnd is traveling, going on adventures, not building a small village with crops and city walls. Get what I mean?
I'm sure we'll be able to find all the content for free somewhere :) I am a 7-year DM and have literally never given money to WotC and I intend to keep it that way
Late Happy Birthday. Thanks for all you do. Wife and I love your content. I also can not freaking wait for our Bastion. We are running a Merc guild campaign, so we are putting it all together. Again thanks for all you do.
Oh Mr.Hat, pointiest of them all we thank you for all your blessed efforts, I hope many pay sacrifice of the thumb
Cheers for all your hard work on the books! You've made all these updates both fun and easy to figure out 🙏
24:14 That big moment of reflection: "Why? Why am I like this?" XD I love it
So they finally added back in something like the "Castles, Strongholds and Hideouts" material from the 1981 Expert Set. That's great! (I'm sure it was in the old "white box" set too, but I was too little to play back then.) I've been baffled for years why WotC never did anything with that concept.
One of the reasons why old-school types dislike modern D&D is that there's been nothing to plan and play *towards.* Without something to actually do with treasure, dungeon delving made little sense. This pushed save-the-world heroic adventures to the front. Don't misunderstand, I love save-the-world heroic D&D! Including Bastion rules, though, will give other kinds of players -- the kind who like to build their own fortresses, temples, guilds, and kingdoms -- a reason to try the new rules out, which is a very good thing.
🎯 Key points for quick navigation:
00:00:00 *📚 Introduction and Criticism of the 2014 DMG*
- Brief overview of the three core D&D books and introduction to the Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) update for 2024.
- Mentions the confusion and poor organization of the 2014 DMG, hinting at improvements in the new edition.
- Introduces the narrator, Anton Deo, and assures the audience that the video is not sponsored by Wizards of the Coast.
00:02:06 *🛠️ Design Flaws of 2014 DMG and Goals for 2024 Update*
- Acknowledges that the 2014 DMG was rushed and lacked adequate focus, primarily because resources were spent on other core books.
- 2024 DMG aims to be a practical step-by-step guide to help Dungeon Masters (DMs) improve, emphasizing clearer organization and structure.
- Discusses the intent to provide better preparation guides, with structured steps based on available prep time.
00:05:36 *🌍 Shift in Focus: Storytelling vs. World Building*
- 2024 DMG emphasizes collaborative storytelling, with detailed guidance on creating engaging narratives with players.
- The 2014 DMG concentrated on world-building, with extensive, but sometimes bloated, content for creating custom settings and cosmologies.
- Mentions the reduction in world-building sections from 30 pages to five questions integrated within campaign creation in the 2024 edition.
08:24 *🏰 Introduction to Bastions in the 2024 DMG*
- Bastions, a significant new feature in the 2024 DMG, are introduced as player-owned home bases with mechanical benefits.
- Players can customize their Bastions, build them next to each other for community-like setups, and gain perks from shared Bastions.
- Bastions offer opportunities for co-worldbuilding and deeper character development, enhancing roleplay.
11:08 *🏠 Bastion Facilities and Their Impact*
- Bastions are composed of basic and special facilities that offer roleplay elements and mechanical benefits.
- Special facilities unlock at specific levels and include exciting options like casinos, guild halls, and demi-planes.
- Bastions act as a money sink in D&D, addressing the issue of excess player wealth by creating meaningful in-game expenses.
15:07 *🎲 Bastion Orders and Random Events*
- Players issue orders to their Bastions during Bastion turns, affecting gameplay outcomes such as crafting, harvesting, and empowering.
- Bastion events introduce randomness, adding depth with potential setbacks like attacks or hiring criminals.
- Highlights the balance achieved in the Bastion system, ensuring it is neither overly complex nor too simplistic.
17:30 *🗺️ New Section on Maps and Final Thoughts on Bastions*
- Mentions the inclusion of detailed maps in the 2024 DMG, designed in a graph-paper style with versatile settings.
- Introduces the video’s sponsor, Cheku, known for providing high-quality, animated maps through their Patreon.
- Expresses excitement about potential future expansions to the Bastion system, hoping it will be integrated into the SRD for customization.
00:18:42 *🗺️ Maps and the Cheku Sponsorship*
- The narrator discusses Cheku's Patreon for high-quality maps with options for weather effects and animation.
- This section transitions into gameplay mechanics, specifically focusing on new social tools in the 2024 DMG.
- Cheku's maps come highly recommended, offering more detail than standard graph paper maps.
00:19:09 *🛡️ Social Tools and Ensuring Fun for All Players*
- The 2024 DMG includes new handouts and tools to manage social dynamics and player expectations.
- Safety tools are introduced to promote respectful gameplay, but some controversial elements, like a pink Beholder illustration, are mentioned.
- Emphasizes meeting players where they are and managing behavior constructively during gameplay.
00:21:52 *🚶 Overhaul of Travel Mechanics in 2024 DMG*
- Travel receives a significant update, with a structured system using stages to determine journey complexity.
- Introduces different travel challenges, including encounters, navigation, and resource management.
- The system is more detailed but may feel overwhelming for players who prefer less complex mechanics.
00:24:27 *⚔️ Combat Encounters and Challenge Rating (CR) Overhaul*
- The 2024 DMG improves CR and encounter design, reducing complexity and ensuring more accurate combat difficulty scaling.
- Introduces clearer guidance on encounter budgets, monster placement, and tactical deployment.
- Addresses flaws in the 2014 CR system, making it easier for DMs to create balanced and engaging encounters.
00:31:12 *🧮 Simplified Math and Improved Encounter Design*
- The new DMG reduces the need for excessive math, simplifying encounter planning and CR calculations.
- Ditching the old multiplier system for calculating encounter difficulty, the new system offers straightforward guidelines for monsters per PC.
- Introduces detailed advice on situational advantages and tactical monster behavior to enhance gameplay.
00:35:25 *🎲 The Role of Random Encounters in 2024 DMG*
- Random encounters are de-emphasized, with only half a page dedicated to them in the new DMG.
- The 2024 DMG encourages intentional encounter design that aligns with the story rather than relying on random combat.
- The narrator expresses mixed feelings, appreciating the simplification but acknowledging that some players enjoy random encounters.
00:37:45 *👍 Final Thoughts on 2024 DMG Improvements*
- The narrator is optimistic about the changes, particularly the streamlined encounter design and improved difficulty scaling.
- While waiting for the new Monster Manual to fully test the new system, they believe the updates address many of the 2014 DMG’s shortcomings.
- Emphasizes the importance of ensuring encounters are challenging yet fair for players, praising the overall direction of the new DMG.
00:38:01 *🛠️ DM's Toolbox: Alignment, Chases, and Homebrew Challenges*
- Alignment rules have been expanded and clarified but still face criticism for limiting storytelling.
- Chases receive additional ideas to make them more dynamic, though the homebrew and world-building focus has diminished.
- Creating custom creatures is simplified, instructing DMs to modify existing stat blocks rather than build monsters from scratch, leading to some disappointment.
00:40:34 *⚡ Curses, Death Mechanics, and Magic Rules Enhancements*
- Curses are more challenging to remove, adding depth to gameplay.
- New variant rules offer options for avoiding character death, though not all players may appreciate the lack of lethal threats.
- Magical ailments and diseases remain mostly unchanged, with minor tweaks to healing mechanics.
00:42:12 *🚪 Secret Doors, Dungeon Creation, and Object Mechanics*
- A new section on door mechanics offers details on breaking and unlocking, including a humorous “Secret Door Etiquette” section.
- Dungeon creation guidance is scaled back compared to the 2014 DMG, which provided extensive tables and guidelines.
- The lack of in-depth dungeon creation tools is seen as a notable omission in the new edition.
00:44:01 *🛡️ Gods and NPC Creation Updates*
- Gods are integrated more into storytelling, with rules on divine interaction but less focus on creating new deities.
- Cleric mechanics are updated to emphasize that losing favor with a deity doesn’t strip powers, simplifying gameplay.
- NPC creation tools are expanded, with advice on balancing NPC roles and avoiding overshadowing player characters.
00:45:26 *🏙️ Settlements and Lore Glossary*
- Settlement creation is shortened, reflecting the overall reduction in world-building tools.
- The new lore glossary provides background on D&D history, useful for players unfamiliar with older material.
- The inclusion of campaign settings like Greyhawk adds additional depth but feels more like a supplementary feature.
00:47:15 *🧾 Final Thoughts: Strengths and Weaknesses of the 2024 DMG*
- The 2024 DMG is considered a vast improvement over the 2014 edition, with more accessible rules and tools.
- Despite improvements, the lack of detailed world-building elements is a noticeable downside.
- Features like Bastions and updated travel mechanics stand out as highlights, while CR improvements remain promising but untested until the new Monster Manual is released.
Made with HARPA AI
Always nice to see Human Familiar ❤️
Hope you enjoyed your birthday!
Another great video! "Let me do it! Let me do it!" at the 17:23 mark had me chuckling every time I went back to watch it.
I’m putting a pink beholder in my next game
Thank you for the reading and helping out highlight the main differences found.
I agree with you on most things and love getting the homebrew you put out. I have used your travel system since I heard about it and am working to implement some of you monsters into my campaigns.
I will also be making your subclasses and subraces available to my players in the future.
20:33 I was expecting a Den of the Drake logo or critcrab to be put over the beholder saying “this is what to expect and don’t be cringe”
Tin Foil Hat time: I know it's me dooming and glooming at WotC, but from this video it sounds like they are removing the "create your own" sections in order to funnel more people into buying modules and supplements they will be releasing.
I pray to Lathander I am wrong about this though! And from the looks of it (based extensive research of this video and Ginny Di's video) , overall the book is a big improvement. Looking forward to actually reading it, not glancing through it once and then it gathering dust on my shelf...
Also, the Bastions are something I am 1000% excited for...and basically, like 90% of the reason for me buying the book...
Great Video!!!! I loved you saying what you think about random encounters, it must be something that a lot of Hobie people think about but don't usually verbalize. The only way to make a random encounter make sense that I've found is to use the mechanic to represent an area of constant risk (an infested forest, or an area of conflict with soldiers on patrol, etc.).
Unlike the 2024 PHB, I am actually interested in the 2024 DMG. As for money sinks, that's exactly why first edition AD&D included things like training costs for level advancement and stronghold construction costs. In many ways this is stuff that was in the game 45 years ago, that was taken out, and is now being put back in because they realized removing it was a mistake.
Wow, a lot of these seem like *phenomenal* improvements. I'm glad they mention that if you have a lot of enemies, it's good to have mooks that go down quickly.
Also, Bastions seem *really* really cool. :o
I liked the 4th Ed Minion monsters. A nice sprinkling of these make big fights faster but still seem serious, let the area-effect wizards have fun, and occasionally bait out power moves on a hapless lackey.
There are always alternatives to death, such as a new plot hook about a grievous injury, being captured by the enemy, perhaps developing a phobia/PTSD from your near-death experience. Not that deaths are super hard to reverse with the obscene amounts of gold players have, they can just pay for true resurrection.
Oh my god we knew about the pink beholder in advance too- in the dnd x dbd crossover, there's what looks to be a pink beholder in the map thingy? Considering that crossover also debuted the new Vecna design, it's not too far-fetched to think its colour was intentional
The game is ruined now because the beholder is pink, which means that the game has pink eye and now we're all gonna catch it.
Maybe playing D&D in the McDonald's ball pit wasn't a great idea.
Jokes aside I have a character for whom a pink gazer would be a great familiar.
You witicisms are a big part of I love about your content. Please don't stop.
as a fellow gamer with Dyscalculia I took to TTRPGs like a duck to water. I could do the easy maths even if I needed my fingers or a calculator and it wasnt until 5th edition that I was making mainly caster class characters and even did two one shots and even ran a few Call of Cthulhu games for my group. My math skills are still trash but I think years of TTRPGs kind of helped me out a bit more as I was learning and having fun doing it unlike the stress I was always under in school when it came to mathematics.
As I replied to someone else, I knew you'd love Bastions based on your video on improving strongholds
😭😭😭THE BEHOLDER IS PINK DND IS RUINED FOREVER I ACTUALLY CANNOT BELIVE IT (ALSO MY NAME IS STEVEN)
Hi Steve!
SCREW YOU, WOKE MORALISTS!
@@Alliclare who is Steve? my name clearly is Steven (btw im in utter shambles because of the pinkness of the beholder)
Hi Steve.
thats it.
first the pink beholder and now this...
Yall are coming in my suicide note.
The comedic timing and editing is excellent. Top tier as always
I actually run my own alignment system where you have two alignments, a public-facing one and a private-facing one
Happy birthday! (even though that's a little late)
I really love your videos and the vibe you're giving them
They put magic on the water to turn the freaking beholders pink!
You got me with the “Goes to vegetables on time and eats his bed”, I legitimately laughed out loud 😂
I am in the "I like the Pink Baby Beholder" column, thank you.
Hey, happy belated birthday wishes! The 30s are awesome, when you really start to catch your stride and do some of your best work.
Also, I am that guy who plays without death. It's me. I instead give the PCs scars or otherwise make their lives worse when a fight goes against them.
The venn diagram of BDSM and D&D is almost a circle.
Now that I think about it, outside of a fantasy context, Dungeons and Dragons does kinda sound like a BDSM thing.
As someone who has genuinely read the 2014 DMG cover-to-cover when I was learning more about becoming a DM as a teen, I LOVE worldbuilding but I wanted less that and more "here's how to storytell and run a game for group". I'm so happy to hear this DMG is more what newbies need! (while still being useful to more experienced DMs too due to... actually focusing on helping the DM run the game??? WHAT? in the DMing book??) I look forward to getting my hands on it when it releases and seeing what my final thoughts are!
I feel like making the books more helpful/approachable to newbies is a pattern with these new books. I've been reading both PHBs cover-to-cover and my overall impression is that (and I say this in the best way possible) the 2024 is exactly what I wish I had when I was first getting into the hobby as a 13yo! The new PHB is structured so well and places information better. It feels SOOO much more inviting for new players by presenting things simply and concisely imo.
That rules glossary is GOATed and I'm definitely considering fully switching over purely cuz' it would make me never have to reference another non-class or spell specific rule in the 2014 book AGAIN.😂 I've always hated the format of the old PHB so much bc looking things up in it always felt like such a chore bc whatever you were looking for could be anywhere in 7 different chapters so you could only ever GUESS otherwise. (and be wrong)
It was pretty easy to miss things bc the text was so densely laid out and placed seemingly at random. An example being I never gave a single character a trinket despite them being lowkey encouraged bc they were hidden in the equipment chapter, which I basically always skipped opting for a pack instead. So, I always forgot their existence. Literally until I saw the table appear in 2024's char creation chapter when I went "OH YEAH, THOSE".
That really reminds me of a saying that recurred a lot in my old librarian & editor roles: it's no use having all the info ever at your fingertips, unless people can FIND it!! 😆 Excellent indexes, sensible use of headings & book structure, and (if digital) some mindful addition of keywords, tags & other metadata... Without those kinds of access aids, a slab of indigestible data is just a waste of tree-lives or silicon space!
5:33 On this point, and I'm coming from the perspective of only having run a few one shots, that you really have to actually try DMing, and that's the only way you'd really get better at it.
Clue, Marina, Death Becomes Her, and Jujubee?
Was this video made just for me?
Not to mention the adorable guy in a tank top and cute sweater.
Oh, also, the great info. That's good too ❤
Maybe the moster manual has a bit about creating monsters?? Idk.
Maybe there is going to be a setting building book??? Idk.
This was a really insightful analysis! I appreciate your perspective on 5e as someone who is just starting to branch out to other systems themselves. I’ve played 5e as a player but more often as a DM, and I liked the ability to build a world for my players! However I did always struggle with the lack of a solid framework for mechanics i wanted my players to interact with and the strange economy outlined in the DMG, so it was nice to hear those frustrations articulated in your video
Happy birthday human familiar.
THAT! Was a fantastic collaboration, if we had more community members jumping in, that’d be so cool!
Silly hat man video
I enjoy the personal touches of the vids, good editing too! New sub, yay.
22:11 people from my pre transition days recognizing me
Oh WOW. Okay, well played. XD
Screaming 😂
😂😂😂
I saw your comment and was waiting the whole video for that joke and damn was it worth it lmao
About the bastion bit, that's funny. I've already had ideas of giving my players housing with added bonus or sleeping in your own bed reduces long rest to 5 hours if needed. Farming/planting your own stuff and workshops etc 😊. Money sinks hehehe
Can't be a murder hobo if you have a house to sleep in!
Home buying has become so crazy overpriced they had to add it to fantasy role playing
I suspect that WotC is going to add a fourth "core" sourcebook to 2024, the Worldbuilding Guide, which will cover how to homebrew with tips on city-building, dungeon making, etc.
The pink little beholder is nice and i will protect it with my life forever and it's name is Bepinkest now
In defense of random tables, they need to be used properly, and they're a starting point. Not an end point.
Don't just throw regular animals at the party. When you throw 3d6 wolves at the party, make the lead wolf awakened and a lieutenant of the big bad. Or put tiny saddles and imps or sprites on each wolf. Or give the wolves a gimmick that ties into the reigional effects of the big bad.
Make factions for your setting and then give each faction their own random encounter table. Then roll two or more tables together. Have the players run into an arms deal between two rival factions about to get messy, an ally or neutral faction leader in need of saving from a mutually hostile faction, or any number of other outcomes prompted by the random table.
If you're just rolling the random table mid session and framing each encounter as "You're 30 feet apart. Go get 'em." then you're going to find random tables make pointless time wasters.
The results of random tables should be seen as writing prompts to trigger the creative process. Some people can stare at a blank page and see the entire works of Shakespeare and Picasso sprawling out in every direction. Some people need "This table gave me 6 goblins, and this table gave me a giant spider, and this table said an NPC needs saving. Do I have the goblins about to be cocooned by the spider, the spider crying out for help as the goblins use a magic collar to work it to death, or is a hunting party of goblins riding a giant spider chasing an elf princess through the woods of darkened darkness?"
12:36 Antonio finally figured it out, time to prepare modify memory
36:25 I think this is an absolutely fundamental misunderstanding of what a random combat encounter table is for, how to make one and how to use one. Which is really surprising coming from someone with usually very solid insights into this game...
Like, my dude, you're not supposed to throw random pointless wolves at your players for no reason. You put wolves on your encounter table because the valley where they came from is haunted and because "wild animals are fleeing the valley" is a plot point!
And you mix it up with random non-combat encounters which can tell the players more about the place they're traveling through and give them an opportunity to explore, make decisions and prepare. It's super refreshing to not know for sure if the PCs will side with the hag (because you rolled a random encounter where they save her familiar and earn a reward) or take a bounty to hunt her down (because the PCs helped a wounded ranger fight off his crazed bear companion, cursed by the hag). You also CAN (and probably should) sprinkle in some unconnected stuff so that your players can start speculating wildly about how the dots connect. Maybe you can be surprised too and get an inspiring prompt to add something new to the story. Get BETTER random tables, is all im saying!
You honestly sound like someone who once found a moldy slice of pizza on a sidewalk and is now convinced that all pizza is shit.
My current table is super excited for bastions. They are already scouting for a location in Phandalin that they can rennovate. They are currently leaning toward the ruined manor above the old Redbrand hideout.
just keep an eye out for any...tupperware. :)
@@keenirr5332 ??? I'm missing a reference to something...
@@cameroncox2739 in most of Pointy Hat's videos about liches, there is calling "tupperware" the phylacteries...i was trying to be humorous about the name of that location. sorry.
Bastions in a Spelljammer campaign could be AWESOME! Its just them wanting to upgrade the ship - I can make this work
I can’t get past this PINK effing beholder baby! 5e 2024 is DEAD TO ME.
STEPHEN!!!
He’s real