CLICK HERE : TIMESTAMPS BELOW Want a PART 2? Share this around and Comment Down Below on what YOU want help with! 🔴 JOIN 🔥 Become a RUclips Member ruclips.net/channel/UCz8xkTADYdRQR7GP-f2PjOAjoin 🐲 Become a Patron 🐉 www.patreon.com/thedungeoncoach ▶️ Dungeon Coach Homebrew Playlist 📱 ruclips.net/p/PLMzshUEANAtOovJb_pr27pwLOTR3nn19g Question Topics Timestamps Get better at DMing Faster: @0:54 What Homebrew Rules to use for NEW DM's: @1:34 How to Engage PC's and give each Individual Attention: @2:48 How to Run a 1v1 Duel between PC and NPC + Keep others Enguaged: @4:11 Make City based Adventures EXCITING: @5:02 Stop Veteran Players from Bossing Around New players: @6:38 Running a Campaign with a MAX Level of 6: @8:13 BBEG Foreshadowing: @9:32 Narrate/ Describe Surroundings better: @10:44 CR Rating for Homebrew Monsters: @11:35 Collosal Monster the size of a BATTLE MAP!!!: @12:33 CHEATING PC's: @16:02 What if 1 player is Flaky/ NOT commited to playing? @18:03 Sbeak Peek Topic:@20l 36 How to Tell your DM you want to fine something: @20:47 Players Taking TOO LONG to complete Quests: @22:15 Punishing Players for taking too long (not too much though): @23:34 Bring Physical Items into your Game?! @25:13 Running ONE and TWO player Games: @27:00 MASS COMBAT: @29:09 LARGE Groups of 8+: @30:12 Magic Items that SCALE: @31:31 Combat Narration/ Descriptions @32:22 Over 23 TIPS in 1 video! WOOP
Wow! No kidding, I had been considering starting a similar Q&A style show on my channel. You're always ahead of the curve, coach! Thank you for taking the plunge. I look forward to seeing how this goes.
The Dungeon Coach I figured it was. All good. Unfortunately my session I run on tuesdays had to be rescheduled for my players schedule to tonight so I won’t be able to make the livestream. We play 6 CST. Hopefully you’ll have the livestream available to view afterwards?
You touched on how to keep your group engaged and focused. So based on your suggestion about magical objects becoming more powerful and more intricate to the story this is how I've decided to solve my group's complacency. My two-person group has a beloved NPC that is a sentient winged cat that can true polymorph into a Faery Dragon. He started out as a Figurine of a cat, but a goddess blessed him and made him more, and then he sat on another god's lap and let him pet him for hours and that's how he got the true polymorph ability. He also received his own pocket dimension so he is now the group's bag of holding. Yeah...he's has progressed to the point that he is now favored familiar of the gods. My group has become somewhat complacent... I think it's time that Nyx gets kidnapped by a villain. Not only would it re-engage the group, but all their stuff would also disappear as well. So what do you do when you have to rescue your pet faery dragon? What will the ransom note say? And who would dare do such a horrible thing!!!??? Thank you for the inspiration!
About playing DnD 1-on-1 or 1-on-2: nothing wrong with a player running multiple PCs! When I was a kid, my brother and I spent all summer playing DnD 1-on-1 during an epic family road trip. We took turns one of us would DM, the other would play a party of characters (two different campaigns). Tons of fun and passed the time and miles. Currently I am DMing 1-on-2 for my sons. They each control two PCs. Works great! Also, for the intermittent player: I almost always have a friendly NPC or two in the party, like a ranger guide or a diviner oracle or just some other dude who ALSO agreed to work for that merchant’s quest or... The intermittent player can run the NPC as a PC when he is there. There’s often jokes about how every once in a while that character is suddenly extra effective and helpful... You just have to wait for one of the NPC sessions for that character to betray the party. Or do you?! 😁
Wow this is brilliant insight from someone who was had more experience with this than I have! And I can see that being super fun too! Thank you for this!’
I’ve actually never tried DMing just one PC. That could be cool too! Your advice was great, as always. I was just adding another POV. Hey, as long as it means you get to game, go for it!
In regards to Shawn's question, another way to modify a monster by giving them class levels without significantly affecting their CR is simply look at their Hit Die and treat them as class levels. A wererat is 6d8 so limit it to 6 class levels as if they were a PC. Just adding class levels tends to skew the power curve more than intended.
What my current DM did and I have continued (since I am the DM for our groups next champaign) is text based 1 shots. We have done them as precursors to the champaign (in cannon) and fun/silly 1 shots to blow off steam. These help your players see how their build will really go and gives you the chance to sneak peek your world.
YEEEESSS I love precursor cannon one shots! I do those too! And do something I call “flashbacks” where they can get a cool since of something that happened in their past
Man, I definatly understand you, like you said I think that when the feel is right, a game board feel is kinda good. Once, a player of mind got swapped with a kelpie, so I called him to another room, explained that he was gonna be a Kelpie, all the other players got nervous, and it was actually super awesome the combat. And np for obliterating my creativity kakakakakakak jk. Sometimes it's just to much
@@TheDungeonCoach awesome seeing that u dont think about it just as a game. Like imagine explaining what dnd is, " it's an imaginary game, that you play when your adult " kakakkaka seems stupid. But its definatly more intriguing and complex than that. And most people dont get that
The most I have ever DM'd was a game of 11. That was brutal but fun, you really need to ensure people are ready to go when their turn is up and really monitor the players to ensure they are engaged. I also noticed that you can't plan for a lot to happen in each game as things take a lot longer just in general the more players there are.
Only stumbling over this video now - really like the format. As for Quaterbacking, I think there is a right way to do it - Even dating back to AD&D with The Caller. Just a light suggestion, and can be done in a light question to the new player.
I'm playing with just one other PC and the DM and we're doing the gestalt multi-classing. We are so powerful. But damn, did our DM make the baddies hard AF too. Super fun to be a reformed Rogue who became a Monk. They go so well together.
I love this new series it’s another way you interact with the community which is great. I’m developing a campaign that revolves mostly around going in and out of a mega dungeon. Do you have any tips for mega dungeons so that my players aren’t just repeatedly running through the same areas that may have been cleared?
You could try to implement something where the dungeon is magical or controlled by whatever bad guy is at the bottom, where the dungeon changes around every time. To make this easier for you, just design all the rooms and NPCs beforehand and shuffle the order
So I've put together mass combat rules based around swarm mechanics. You basically take a unit, like an orc, for example, tack on all of the abilities swarm of bats has that bat doesn't have minus damage resistance, and then for attacks, any creature in the radius of the swarm makes a number of str/dex saves based on the base creature's multiattack number, and takes a number of dice of damage based on the number of creatures in the swarm, divided by the number of creatures that are being targeted, with a maximum of 8 dice per target. The type of die is just whatever die is in the base creature's attack. They don't have hit points, they have a stress box for each unit, the stress boxes have a numerical value which is the number of damage it takes to break the box, the box can hold the value of a hit, once the box breaks, a unit dies, single attacks can only take out one unit at a time, whereas the swarm has damage vulnerability to area attacks and the damage left over from one kill moves to the next creature. Swarms are not limited to 8 dice when attacking other swarms. Things like pack tactics can become especially powerful.
My favorite homebrew rule is the matt mercer resurrection system. The version I use now is an adjusted version, but it’s a really cool system and I use it in every game.
Dude! SAME I have an entire video about this “resurrection rules” and I just put my spin on that same system, but it’s sooooo good I kept it pretty similar
27:00 Sidekicks are great for one on one or one on two. Just adding 1 character can make the game really work out well. They can reasonably control them (as they are a team hanger on so they follow you Sherlock Homes and Watson style and they do generally what the PCs ask (obvious limits as they are not a team familiar or suicidal) and everything they do you approve as DM. Team NPCs is classed must be as soon as possible a lower level the PCs (Pcs at level4 are one level higher. Pc at level 5 is two higher at level 12 are 3 higher and they can never be higher then level 14) They should also have other hard rules on them (you are DM so make some) and everything in there sheet is accessible and seen by the players. The PCs also provide this character with everything but can not ask for it back unless it is to upgrade. This actually keeps the DMPC from being a thing cause anything they get they get and use at the PC’s command and at the same time keeps the PC from owning the sentient being. With animals it is more complicated but consider not doing that unless they have an onyx figurine Panther that they feel they must use.
regarding spotlight example, you could have it that thrown items on ground as sponsored as in the party can throw items of there's to ground help (action maybe?) I had an example happened where I was part of players where we used caltrops given to deny the enemy positions against us. Given sponsor route, you could have favored and more, charismatic gain advantages in battle. Like one character doing performance (strength) or athletics (charisma) checks as an example in game to gain favor from crowd and players can try give favor by rallying crowd against other opponent.
As far as keeping players interested and actually completing quests, I found it's best to just explain to your players, hey, here are some quests. Going on them is important to the campaign, or you'll get rewarded somehow. That helps answer the question every DM faces: Why should I help this person? Simple answer? It's a game, and thats just how it's played.
I am inspired by the scene the same way and it is that scene that continues to push to fight for a better tomorrow that, honestly, may not be achieved in my lifetime. I don't get to live in that world as much as I want to, but I choose to fight for that world everyday and give everyone that comes after me something better
Jozco Foz thanks man! He’s a handful but I love em! It’s pretty simple, they have got it very stream lines once you click that Patron link in the description 👌🏼 I feel honored 👍🏼
You know, I got a question. I'm going to be running two one-shots for two different groups in a week. They are all newbies and their preferences are "Whatever you do, my dude". So, what is the best type of game to run as a one-shot to engage and help new players? I understand that you need to include most things that happen in dnd (social, traveling, combat) and let characters use their skills for stuff so they understand how it works, but anything... more specific? I'm deep in thought still :P
Andrew Panfilov I’ve asked my new players what their favorite movie/ book/ show are and go from there, BUT in general DONT OVER THINK IT! Don’t make too complicated of a story and keep it simple and “classic” so they get a taste and want more Basic problem BUT throw in a little twist to suprise then near the end!
About the massive monster (using Tarrasque in my brain) - I agree it needs action economy, and the zone idea was exactly what popped into my head. We want players to climb it, but we dont want A) the players being punished for climbing it with 3 legendary action attacks against the fighter per turn B) players just popping it off at range and kiting it. - Perhaps consider either blanket damage resistance/immunity beyond a certain range. Perhaps mind affecting spells only work if cast on the monster's head. - Instead of straight up attacks against characters scaling the creature, look at the Roars of the Androsphynx. Having to contest against those while you are scaling the creature could be very challenging. - I think making it a mythic monster could be cool - fighting it standing up, and then when it falls to its knees.
I almost didn't watch the first video in this series because I didn't realise what it was about! I think it may have done poorly in the stats because of this. Maybe think about coming up with a more informative or evocative title? Even just popping "Q&A" in the title, or "Dungeon Coach answers YOUR questions" or something. Great series though, I am glad i did watch it and hope you continue it! My Question though: Coming up in my campaign I have a player that is running against a politician they suspect to be evil (they are) in a local election. I am struggling on coming up with a way to implement this that would be fun. I would definitely want the evil politician to play dirty. I was wondering what you would do?
Love the question and love the ideas for titles! Maybe once I am at 75k subs THEN I can make up a series lol, will definitely be more specific next one! Good point
Hey, I just watched this after your counter spell video, I love the creativity you bring into the game. I struggle with creating compelling moral dilemmas for my characters and, in a similar vein, creating compelling villains that are more than just evil doers. Do you have any thoughts on this? Also, unrelated, if you have any tips for creating rich cultures, ideologies, and factions, I'd love to hear them.
Charles Fischer my best tips for your first thought is to make sure that your characters flush out their characters, so that you can know what they’re about and what they stand for, so that you can screw it up LOL Know what they struggle with so you can tempt him with it, know what they’re passionate about so you can take it away from them! Make them choose between things that would be difficult. But this all starts from your players knowing their character well enough for you to be able to have that ammo!! And welcome to the Crew!!
I know that I'm super late on this, but I'd be curious to hear how you encourage PCs building bonds between the party, and with non-heroic NPCs. I personally am a big fan of Dungeon World's bond system for developing and rewarding players for building and resolving bonds in every session, and I built my own random chart for generating NPCs, and their relationships with PCs, but I'm always curious to learn more about how other DMs do this, because none of us is as smart as all of us.
Do you exclusively cover d&d or are you open to other TFRPGs? I mean specifically Pathfinder 2e. There isn't a ton of content for it. I've been GMing it for about six months now and love it. Anyone else want to see Pathfinder 2e content?
Jak Lynch I have to say I’d be a D&D only channel, I take inspiration from other systems but am not expedited enough to make content for it! 😆 sorry man, just not familiar with it enough to feel good giving advice on PF2
Another issue with making your players do something physically at the table to accomplish something in character is that the capabilities don’t match. Your players don’t have the same charisma as their bard, intelligence as their wizard, or strength as their warrior; why force them to actually do a performance or solve that puzzle/riddle? That’s my issue with making a player actually roleplay all dialogue such as in an argument. Like, you didn’t make the barbarian player go outside and actually chop down a tree, why can’t I just provide the gist of the persuasion roll and say my character was very eloquent?
Oh my, the t-shirt changing in the first minute reminded me of Sarah Jessica Parker hosting the MTV Movie Awards... man, that 20 years ago! Damn, I'm old!
Running a gritty campaign. PC bitten by lycanthrope. RAW didn't seem exciting enough for their story so I homebrewed; in game it's an OP superpower without the curse. Ho do you brew lycanthropy and how would you balance the party if you went too far...
If your players don’t seem to care about what’s happening, they might not even know about the problem! Ask the players what they are most concerned about doing at the moment and how the h plan to do that….if you get blank stares then the DM has to make sure that the quests and problems are super clear and the plots are straight forward
Hi Coach. I've got a question. In a high magic world where most Kingdoms are connected via portals for travel, what can you do to make the players not always just go through portals to get to their destination so they dont just avoid wilderness travel? (Other than making the portals cost money to go through)
I would make it so only some people in the city can use them. Nobility, well-known mages, magistrates, etc. That way once the players get to be more well known at higher levels, they will get rewarded by being able to access the portals. Also, I would definitely prepare a security system so it’s possible for the party to illegally use the portals, but they’ll most likely be caught on the other side. This can also make for some interesting economic and social inequality in your setting.
There is something off about the portals... What used to be instant trips started taking a few seconds, now in recent years the trips take several minutes. A few travelers don't arrive for hours. Turns out mind flayers are abducting people in transit to download their memories into the hive...
How do you keep your scope limited? Everytime I build out a quest for my PCs, I suffer from severe project creep. It starts as a 3-5 session quest lines, and they turn into giant campaigns.
First, I am an old player/DM, I mean old, like I haven’t played since Advanced D&D and have not played since then. My sons, ages 15 & 13 discovered Stranger Things and have developed an interest in D&D. I want to introduce them and play 5e. Any ideas where I should start? I’m thinking they start at level 1 and we learn together. Please help, thanks!
Thinking of homebrewing melee non-caster classes at higher levels to decrease the gap between them and spellcasters at higher levels. Stuff like giving Barbarians AOE attacks etc. How would you recommend homebrewing this?
Subclasses are the best way to go imo. I made a barbarian subclass that has a fire theme, they get a breath weapon and a bunch of ground-igniting abilities to do all kinds of fire damage. I also made a lightning monk that does a bunch of damage, most of which isn’t AOE
Yes, some teams punch above their weight class be aware of weaknesses though. I.E. if your face tanks are OP don't throw too many aoe's at them or save spells; stuff like that cause once they go down that wizard is toast.
Had 2x Changeling PC, one raised by father and fled, one raised by other and fled. Not much other info. Tried to blend backstories into "long lost half brother and half sister" ... the half brother rejected it entirely. The player said I was "railroading" his PC!
Hi so I have a homebrew wizard subclass kind of like the bladesinger could I send it to you so that you can read it or you have a patreon tier for that?
Dastern yes! I do, I have a patron message option for that if you are interested! Things are just crazy busy right now for me, but I can send you what I am doing for this type of thing!
I feel I'm way too sympathetic with my players. If they come close to dying, I always fudge the rolls or save them somehow. When am I being too nice and how often are deaths in your campaigns?
If you're running Raise Dead and the other spells RAW, those always work so long as the gold cost is paid for the diamond component. So in that regard, feel free to let a player or two die. It might start a new mini-arc at the table as the other party members have to find an appropriate temple and scrounge up the funds needed(plus a markup if they're relying on the services of others for the spell). If you're worried going into an encounter, consider giving the party an item that grants the Gentle Repose effect: which halts the timer for bringing someone back so that they can still use Raise Dead even if the miss the normal window and would otherwise need to pay for Resurrection.
Hopefully these types of videos do better in the future but I was confused by the title as the "Drills & Skills" name doesn't describe it well. Having a new name or this being a live stream setting could work.
In regards to "cheating players. if it is an error and they miss it a quick chat usually works. for players that forget often I track and remind publicly. beyond that. time to go
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Question Topics Timestamps
Get better at DMing Faster: @0:54
What Homebrew Rules to use for NEW DM's: @1:34
How to Engage PC's and give each Individual Attention: @2:48
How to Run a 1v1 Duel between PC and NPC + Keep others Enguaged: @4:11
Make City based Adventures EXCITING: @5:02
Stop Veteran Players from Bossing Around New players: @6:38
Running a Campaign with a MAX Level of 6: @8:13
BBEG Foreshadowing: @9:32
Narrate/ Describe Surroundings better: @10:44
CR Rating for Homebrew Monsters: @11:35
Collosal Monster the size of a BATTLE MAP!!!: @12:33
CHEATING PC's: @16:02
What if 1 player is Flaky/ NOT commited to playing? @18:03
Sbeak Peek Topic:@20l 36
How to Tell your DM you want to fine something: @20:47
Players Taking TOO LONG to complete Quests: @22:15
Punishing Players for taking too long (not too much though): @23:34
Bring Physical Items into your Game?! @25:13
Running ONE and TWO player Games: @27:00
MASS COMBAT: @29:09
LARGE Groups of 8+: @30:12
Magic Items that SCALE: @31:31
Combat Narration/ Descriptions @32:22
Over 23 TIPS in 1 video! WOOP
Mascots name is Doug. Doug Crampton
Richard James so epic sounding!!!
On the subject of the less dedicated fifth player, I'd consider running two campaigns - one with the fifth player, and one without.
Wow! No kidding, I had been considering starting a similar Q&A style show on my channel. You're always ahead of the curve, coach! Thank you for taking the plunge. I look forward to seeing how this goes.
Bob World Builder I’ll keep you posted on discord, after 2 days I’ll compare it to my usual videos!
@@TheDungeonCoach Let's hope it's a hit! :)
I personally love these videos. Makes us feel more involved in the process and provides questions I didn’t even think of asking.
I love the part about questions you’d never think to ask yourself!!
I got your question down for tonight live stream too!! No worries!
The Dungeon Coach I figured it was. All good. Unfortunately my session I run on tuesdays had to be rescheduled for my players schedule to tonight so I won’t be able to make the livestream. We play 6 CST. Hopefully you’ll have the livestream available to view afterwards?
Alex Fikar o for sure! Yours is one of the earlier questions!
You touched on how to keep your group engaged and focused. So based on your suggestion about magical objects becoming more powerful and more intricate to the story this is how I've decided to solve my group's complacency. My two-person group has a beloved NPC that is a sentient winged cat that can true polymorph into a Faery Dragon. He started out as a Figurine of a cat, but a goddess blessed him and made him more, and then he sat on another god's lap and let him pet him for hours and that's how he got the true polymorph ability. He also received his own pocket dimension so he is now the group's bag of holding. Yeah...he's has progressed to the point that he is now favored familiar of the gods. My group has become somewhat complacent... I think it's time that Nyx gets kidnapped by a villain. Not only would it re-engage the group, but all their stuff would also disappear as well. So what do you do when you have to rescue your pet faery dragon? What will the ransom note say? And who would dare do such a horrible thing!!!??? Thank you for the inspiration!
What are some of your tips for running a mystery, without railroading players from one clue to another?
You have been chosen! Your questions will be in the next video! 💜
About playing DnD 1-on-1 or 1-on-2: nothing wrong with a player running multiple PCs!
When I was a kid, my brother and I spent all summer playing DnD 1-on-1 during an epic family road trip. We took turns one of us would DM, the other would play a party of characters (two different campaigns). Tons of fun and passed the time and miles.
Currently I am DMing 1-on-2 for my sons. They each control two PCs. Works great!
Also, for the intermittent player: I almost always have a friendly NPC or two in the party, like a ranger guide or a diviner oracle or just some other dude who ALSO agreed to work for that merchant’s quest or... The intermittent player can run the NPC as a PC when he is there. There’s often jokes about how every once in a while that character is suddenly extra effective and helpful... You just have to wait for one of the NPC sessions for that character to betray the party. Or do you?! 😁
Wow this is brilliant insight from someone who was had more experience with this than I have! And I can see that being super fun too! Thank you for this!’
I’ve actually never tried DMing just one PC. That could be cool too! Your advice was great, as always. I was just adding another POV. Hey, as long as it means you get to game, go for it!
Jason P I always love extra POVs! Glad I could help!
Another great video with a ton of value added. Was a nice listen while driving out of town for work, keep up the great work.
Awesome! That’s when I listed to my dnd stuff too!!
In regards to Shawn's question, another way to modify a monster by giving them class levels without significantly affecting their CR is simply look at their Hit Die and treat them as class levels. A wererat is 6d8 so limit it to 6 class levels as if they were a PC. Just adding class levels tends to skew the power curve more than intended.
Vile Kurr ooooo the hit dice tip is a GREAT ONE good call!
Great Job Dungeon Coach! Thanks for the advice!
Stephen Orr I got you covered!! Haha glad to help!
It is almost overwhelming the amount of information (Coaching!) in these videos. Thank you for all the work & effort
What my current DM did and I have continued (since I am the DM for our groups next champaign) is text based 1 shots. We have done them as precursors to the champaign (in cannon) and fun/silly 1 shots to blow off steam. These help your players see how their build will really go and gives you the chance to sneak peek your world.
YEEEESSS I love precursor cannon one shots! I do those too! And do something I call “flashbacks” where they can get a cool since of something that happened in their past
True coach advice ! Thanks a lot !
I got you covered!! 💜
Great ep, Coach, love the format! Same efficient Dungeon Coach tips across a wide plethora of topics. I hope this a long, long running series. 🍻🤟
Outer Panda thank you for the feedback!!
Man, I definatly understand you, like you said I think that when the feel is right, a game board feel is kinda good. Once, a player of mind got swapped with a kelpie, so I called him to another room, explained that he was gonna be a Kelpie, all the other players got nervous, and it was actually super awesome the combat. And np for obliterating my creativity kakakakakakak jk. Sometimes it's just to much
Hahaha you rock dude! I respect you pushing the limits of the game! Props to you man!!
@@TheDungeonCoach awesome seeing that u dont think about it just as a game. Like imagine explaining what dnd is, " it's an imaginary game, that you play when your adult " kakakkaka seems stupid. But its definatly more intriguing and complex than that. And most people dont get that
Jozco Foz I totally get you!
Love the channel! Thanks Coach!
I love your icon!! Thanks Jacob!
Really glad to c this channel grow. 5.5k already!
Yea it’s been crazy!! Thanks for joining in on the ride!
Thank you for all the effort you put into your videos! It has really helped me prepare for my first time as a dm! Congrats on 5k!
Wow thanks Wyatt! I know that feeling of being behind the screen and SO NERVOUS!!! So I got you!! 💜
This guy's videos are extremely well made and I was surprised by how many subscribers he has. This deserves way more subs.
Congrats on 5k Subs.
Mr FordF350 thank you! Been crazy lol
The most I have ever DM'd was a game of 11. That was brutal but fun, you really need to ensure people are ready to go when their turn is up and really monitor the players to ensure they are engaged. I also noticed that you can't plan for a lot to happen in each game as things take a lot longer just in general the more players there are.
Timothy Hayes sage advice from a veteran is what that sounds like!!
Only stumbling over this video now - really like the format.
As for Quaterbacking, I think there is a right way to do it - Even dating back to AD&D with The Caller. Just a light suggestion, and can be done in a light question to the new player.
Thanks for the help with my question coach
Robert Gray I got you!!
I'm playing with just one other PC and the DM and we're doing the gestalt multi-classing. We are so powerful. But damn, did our DM make the baddies hard AF too. Super fun to be a reformed Rogue who became a Monk. They go so well together.
I love this new series it’s another way you interact with the community which is great. I’m developing a campaign that revolves mostly around going in and out of a mega dungeon. Do you have any tips for mega dungeons so that my players aren’t just repeatedly running through the same areas that may have been cleared?
You could try to implement something where the dungeon is magical or controlled by whatever bad guy is at the bottom, where the dungeon changes around every time. To make this easier for you, just design all the rooms and NPCs beforehand and shuffle the order
You have been chosen! Your questions will be in the next video! 💜
Thank you for the feedback! This is so fun!!
So I've put together mass combat rules based around swarm mechanics. You basically take a unit, like an orc, for example, tack on all of the abilities swarm of bats has that bat doesn't have minus damage resistance, and then for attacks, any creature in the radius of the swarm makes a number of str/dex saves based on the base creature's multiattack number, and takes a number of dice of damage based on the number of creatures in the swarm, divided by the number of creatures that are being targeted, with a maximum of 8 dice per target. The type of die is just whatever die is in the base creature's attack. They don't have hit points, they have a stress box for each unit, the stress boxes have a numerical value which is the number of damage it takes to break the box, the box can hold the value of a hit, once the box breaks, a unit dies, single attacks can only take out one unit at a time, whereas the swarm has damage vulnerability to area attacks and the damage left over from one kill moves to the next creature. Swarms are not limited to 8 dice when attacking other swarms. Things like pack tactics can become especially powerful.
Oh, if you pass the save, the swarm makes an attack roll against your ac, if it hits, you take half damage, if it doesn't, you take none
My favorite homebrew rule is the matt mercer resurrection system. The version I use now is an adjusted version, but it’s a really cool system and I use it in every game.
Dude! SAME I have an entire video about this “resurrection rules” and I just put my spin on that same system, but it’s sooooo good I kept it pretty similar
The Dungeon Coach I’ve watched that video, it gave me a lot of ideas for my own version that I use now
Evan White o good stuff! I like the way you think from some of these comments of yours!
27:00 Sidekicks are great for one on one or one on two. Just adding 1 character can make the game really work out well. They can reasonably control them (as they are a team hanger on so they follow you Sherlock Homes and Watson style and they do generally what the PCs ask (obvious limits as they are not a team familiar or suicidal) and everything they do you approve as DM.
Team NPCs is classed must be as soon as possible a lower level the PCs (Pcs at level4 are one level higher. Pc at level 5 is two higher at level 12 are 3 higher and they can never be higher then level 14)
They should also have other hard rules on them (you are DM so make some) and everything in there sheet is accessible and seen by the players. The PCs also provide this character with everything but can not ask for it back unless it is to upgrade.
This actually keeps the DMPC from being a thing cause anything they get they get and use at the PC’s command and at the same time keeps the PC from owning the sentient being.
With animals it is more complicated but consider not doing that unless they have an onyx figurine Panther that they feel they must use.
Leodous Kyron those are some great tips!!
regarding spotlight example, you could have it that thrown items on ground as sponsored as in the party can throw items of there's to ground help (action maybe?) I had an example happened where I was part of players where we used caltrops given to deny the enemy positions against us. Given sponsor route, you could have favored and more, charismatic gain advantages in battle. Like one character doing performance (strength) or athletics (charisma) checks as an example in game to gain favor from crowd and players can try give favor by rallying crowd against other opponent.
As far as keeping players interested and actually completing quests, I found it's best to just explain to your players, hey, here are some quests. Going on them is important to the campaign, or you'll get rewarded somehow.
That helps answer the question every DM faces: Why should I help this person? Simple answer? It's a game, and thats just how it's played.
I am inspired by the scene the same way and it is that scene that continues to push to fight for a better tomorrow that, honestly, may not be achieved in my lifetime. I don't get to live in that world as much as I want to, but I choose to fight for that world everyday and give everyone that comes after me something better
When I have some spare cash I'm definatly gonna join patreon bro 💪
Haha I appreciate that dude! No rush! Take care of them finances! 💪🏼👍🏼
@@TheDungeonCoach I dont even know how to use patreon, I've never used it. But itll totally be worth it. Congrates on your kid too man 💪.
Jozco Foz thanks man! He’s a handful but I love em! It’s pretty simple, they have got it very stream lines once you click that Patron link in the description 👌🏼
I feel honored 👍🏼
@@TheDungeonCoach yeah you definatly should be 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You know, I got a question.
I'm going to be running two one-shots for two different groups in a week. They are all newbies and their preferences are "Whatever you do, my dude".
So, what is the best type of game to run as a one-shot to engage and help new players? I understand that you need to include most things that happen in dnd (social, traveling, combat) and let characters use their skills for stuff so they understand how it works, but anything... more specific? I'm deep in thought still :P
Andrew Panfilov I’ve asked my new players what their favorite movie/ book/ show are and go from there, BUT in general DONT OVER THINK IT! Don’t make too complicated of a story and keep it simple and “classic” so they get a taste and want more
Basic problem BUT throw in a little twist to suprise then near the end!
Give em the grand tour of classic Dnd.
Goblins, owl bears, gelatinous cubes, and a dragon :)
SnowTS now THAT is classic!
@@snowts don't forget the mimic :)
About the massive monster (using Tarrasque in my brain) - I agree it needs action economy, and the zone idea was exactly what popped into my head.
We want players to climb it, but we dont want A) the players being punished for climbing it with 3 legendary action attacks against the fighter per turn B) players just popping it off at range and kiting it.
- Perhaps consider either blanket damage resistance/immunity beyond a certain range. Perhaps mind affecting spells only work if cast on the monster's head.
- Instead of straight up attacks against characters scaling the creature, look at the Roars of the Androsphynx. Having to contest against those while you are scaling the creature could be very challenging.
- I think making it a mythic monster could be cool - fighting it standing up, and then when it falls to its knees.
I almost didn't watch the first video in this series because I didn't realise what it was about! I think it may have done poorly in the stats because of this. Maybe think about coming up with a more informative or evocative title? Even just popping "Q&A" in the title, or "Dungeon Coach answers YOUR questions" or something. Great series though, I am glad i did watch it and hope you continue it! My Question though: Coming up in my campaign I have a player that is running against a politician they suspect to be evil (they are) in a local election. I am struggling on coming up with a way to implement this that would be fun. I would definitely want the evil politician to play dirty. I was wondering what you would do?
Love the question and love the ideas for titles! Maybe once I am at 75k subs THEN I can make up a series lol, will definitely be more specific next one! Good point
Hey, I just watched this after your counter spell video, I love the creativity you bring into the game. I struggle with creating compelling moral dilemmas for my characters and, in a similar vein, creating compelling villains that are more than just evil doers. Do you have any thoughts on this? Also, unrelated, if you have any tips for creating rich cultures, ideologies, and factions, I'd love to hear them.
Charles Fischer my best tips for your first thought is to make sure that your characters flush out their characters, so that you can know what they’re about and what they stand for, so that you can screw it up LOL
Know what they struggle with so you can tempt him with it, know what they’re passionate about so you can take it away from them! Make them choose between things that would be difficult. But this all starts from your players knowing their character well enough for you to be able to have that ammo!!
And welcome to the Crew!!
Hey, thanks for the tips. I'll keep an eye out for more videos.
I know that I'm super late on this, but I'd be curious to hear how you encourage PCs building bonds between the party, and with non-heroic NPCs. I personally am a big fan of Dungeon World's bond system for developing and rewarding players for building and resolving bonds in every session, and I built my own random chart for generating NPCs, and their relationships with PCs, but I'm always curious to learn more about how other DMs do this, because none of us is as smart as all of us.
Do you exclusively cover d&d or are you open to other TFRPGs? I mean specifically Pathfinder 2e. There isn't a ton of content for it. I've been GMing it for about six months now and love it.
Anyone else want to see Pathfinder 2e content?
Jak Lynch I have to say I’d be a D&D only channel, I take inspiration from other systems but am not expedited enough to make content for it! 😆 sorry man, just not familiar with it enough to feel good giving advice on PF2
Another issue with making your players do something physically at the table to accomplish something in character is that the capabilities don’t match. Your players don’t have the same charisma as their bard, intelligence as their wizard, or strength as their warrior; why force them to actually do a performance or solve that puzzle/riddle? That’s my issue with making a player actually roleplay all dialogue such as in an argument. Like, you didn’t make the barbarian player go outside and actually chop down a tree, why can’t I just provide the gist of the persuasion roll and say my character was very eloquent?
Hahahah go outside and literally chop down a tree! I totally agree with you! Well said
Oh my, the t-shirt changing in the first minute reminded me of Sarah Jessica Parker hosting the MTV Movie Awards... man, that 20 years ago! Damn, I'm old!
Omg I think I remember that!
Running a gritty campaign. PC bitten by lycanthrope. RAW didn't seem exciting enough for their story so I homebrewed; in game it's an OP superpower without the curse. Ho do you brew lycanthropy and how would you balance the party if you went too far...
You have no idea... how much I love this question!! I have an entire Homebrew lycanthropy thing! It’ll be in the video!!
If your players don’t seem to care about what’s happening, they might not even know about the problem! Ask the players what they are most concerned about doing at the moment and how the h plan to do that….if you get blank stares then the DM has to make sure that the quests and problems are super clear and the plots are straight forward
This is great info
22:38..
No but seriously you've made me a better DM 🖐🏿
Cool vid
Anthony Lyon hey thanks! Threw out lots of tips! 👍🏼
Hi Coach. I've got a question. In a high magic world where most Kingdoms are connected via portals for travel, what can you do to make the players not always just go through portals to get to their destination so they dont just avoid wilderness travel? (Other than making the portals cost money to go through)
I would make it so only some people in the city can use them. Nobility, well-known mages, magistrates, etc. That way once the players get to be more well known at higher levels, they will get rewarded by being able to access the portals. Also, I would definitely prepare a security system so it’s possible for the party to illegally use the portals, but they’ll most likely be caught on the other side. This can also make for some interesting economic and social inequality in your setting.
Evan White great advice! I’m definitely gonna go over this one!
You have been chosen! Your questions will be in the next video! 💜
I love planar travel!!
There is something off about the portals... What used to be instant trips started taking a few seconds, now in recent years the trips take several minutes. A few travelers don't arrive for hours. Turns out mind flayers are abducting people in transit to download their memories into the hive...
I'm sorry, maybe I'm blind and it is pretty clear hahaha but where is the livestream? how can I watch it if it has been sometime? Thanks!
Adrian Gil it should be in the description (I’ll have to go fix that) but here it is!
Fast forward to 30 min ish, the first part was crazy donations
Thanks!! Keep it up!! :D
Great videos
You're awesome!
How do you keep your scope limited? Everytime I build out a quest for my PCs, I suffer from severe project creep. It starts as a 3-5 session quest lines, and they turn into giant campaigns.
First, I am an old player/DM, I mean old, like I haven’t played since Advanced D&D and have not played since then. My sons, ages 15 & 13 discovered Stranger Things and have developed an interest in D&D. I want to introduce them and play 5e. Any ideas where I should start? I’m thinking they start at level 1 and we learn together. Please help, thanks!
Thinking of homebrewing melee non-caster classes at higher levels to decrease the gap between them and spellcasters at higher levels. Stuff like giving Barbarians AOE attacks etc. How would you recommend homebrewing this?
Subclasses are the best way to go imo. I made a barbarian subclass that has a fire theme, they get a breath weapon and a bunch of ground-igniting abilities to do all kinds of fire damage. I also made a lightning monk that does a bunch of damage, most of which isn’t AOE
You have been chosen! Your questions will be in the next video! 💜
Evan White holy crap barbarian breath weapon!! Sounds like my first PC ever!! RUKGAR RAGESCALE!!! (Dragonborn Barbarian)
To add further clarification I kind meant like they strike the ground to cause a shockwave or they sweep their weapon around to strike multiple foes.
After you’ve created a campaign should you be adjusting it as you play if it to hard or to easy?
obviously yes. but account for it narratively so that is all seems logical or at least plausible
Yes, some teams punch above their weight class be aware of weaknesses though. I.E. if your face tanks are OP don't throw too many aoe's at them or save spells; stuff like that cause once they go down that wizard is toast.
Had 2x Changeling PC, one raised by father and fled, one raised by other and fled. Not much other info. Tried to blend backstories into "long lost half brother and half sister" ... the half brother rejected it entirely. The player said I was "railroading" his PC!
Is there an alternative way to track combat, one that my players can follow easily? I'm trying to not use any virtual tabletop programs.
Do you mean initiative for online games?? Just trying to clairify!
@@TheDungeonCoach Yeah, primarily for online, though can be used at the real table as well
I want to grow my villain as a contemporary beside the party. How can I get them to love her while foreshadowing her as the bbeg?
Hi so I have a homebrew wizard subclass kind of like the bladesinger could I send it to you so that you can read it or you have a patreon tier for that?
There’s a discord server for dungeon coach if you want other subscribers to review it
@@evanwhite5704 thanks I'm gonna join
Evan White Dude thanks for being so useful!!
Dastern yes! I do, I have a patron message option for that if you are interested! Things are just crazy busy right now for me, but I can send you what I am doing for this type of thing!
@@TheDungeonCoach thanks that would be really useful
I feel I'm way too sympathetic with my players. If they come close to dying, I always fudge the rolls or save them somehow. When am I being too nice and how often are deaths in your campaigns?
You have been chosen! Your questions will be in the next video! 💜
Dude I love death questions! Let’s get real!!
If you're running Raise Dead and the other spells RAW, those always work so long as the gold cost is paid for the diamond component. So in that regard, feel free to let a player or two die. It might start a new mini-arc at the table as the other party members have to find an appropriate temple and scrounge up the funds needed(plus a markup if they're relying on the services of others for the spell). If you're worried going into an encounter, consider giving the party an item that grants the Gentle Repose effect: which halts the timer for bringing someone back so that they can still use Raise Dead even if the miss the normal window and would otherwise need to pay for Resurrection.
Hopefully these types of videos do better in the future but I was confused by the title as the "Drills & Skills" name doesn't describe it well. Having a new name or this being a live stream setting could work.
That’s great feedback! Thank you! New title inc 😆
How do you decide the price of magic items and when is ok to give them
You have been chosen! Your questions will be in the next video! 💜
Man you got some good questions!
@@TheDungeonCoach thanks man I just really like your videos and the way you approach DMing.
Mascot name suggestion... Da Mage or... Dam Mage.
Hahaha oooo DAMAGE! I see it lol
Love it! Had Juan Ti PC in my last game named Vira L'Damag
His first name could be drake!
I actually like that... Drake Collosus
For someone watching this a year later, what was the blurred out question?
In regards to "cheating players. if it is an error and they miss it a quick chat usually works. for players that forget often I track and remind publicly. beyond that. time to go
Akashambatwa Miller dude we are 100% synced up then! That’s my exact thought process too!!