Meta-Gaming the Skill Check

One relatively common question from new DMs/GMs goes something like this: “How often should players be rolling a perception check?” or, put another way, “How many times do you allow PCs to search for something?” or, put yet another way, “If one player rolls low on their perception check, should you allow every other player to roll perception […]

When Setting and Rules Don’t Mix

I love RPG settings. I love the worlds that are given to us by writers and designers to play around in. I enjoy the fiction, I like background material, I like feeling like I’m playing in a world that could be real. World building is arguably the most fun for me as a GM and […]

My Thoughts on DnDNext after 1 Session

I got a chance to sit down with three friends of mine and run a playtest session of DnDNext. This is a review of the game after two read throughs and 1 session, using the playtest document released by Wizards of the Coast on 24 May 2012. In keeping with the requirements of the playtest […]

#DNDNext Spellcasting. Making everyone happy by bridging editions?

Inspired by a number of D&DNext “I want” threads in reference to spellcasting, I had an idea. Many probably know that I’m protective of spellcasting classes, and a detractor of the old-style Vancian magic system. I far prefer 4E’s approach to magic that still rings of Vancian roots but moves away from it, albeit too […]