To set things up, let me start that this is specifically designed for my table and might not work on other’s tables. Nevertheless I’ve decided to share it, since, well, it can be either useful for some in its current state, or perhaps will be a starting point to design even more thoughtful, interesting sub-system.

Here is how it looks like

Short Background aka Why I Need Those New Conditions:

1. I’m running Eberron campaign with Daelkyr manipulating emotions and using it to create new elements in the world – so thematically it seemed fitting.
2. There are new types of symbiotic weapons draining strong emotions and using them to utilize magical power
3. I needed a way to cue players on how their emotional state could change through mechanical elements of the game, but without overtaking the PC and rob the players from agency.

Emotion-Based Conditions – Design Principles

It is based on Paul Eckman’s six basic emotions: Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, Anger and Surprise. For contextual reasons and to imply slightly less the permanent characteristics of the PC, I’ve changed the language to be more suitable. I think it emphasises the current, changing state – so you might not be Happy (Permanent State) but be Cheerful for an hour (Temporary State).

Preserve the Agency. What it does – in my opinion – is more to inform player how they might feel and give them a cue, rather than changing their personality.

Double-Edged Sword. In order for those conditions to be fun, I wanted them to have potentially both positive and negative impact. It can be used by creatures on themselves, in order to gain that edge over some thread or use it entirely against someone. This also inform another design principle – interactivity.

Interactive. I really like when Conditions allow to do something more. I personally call them compound Conditions which means that they act by itself and add new layer of interactivity to it. For instance, a creature makes PC Frightened but also, when they are Frightened it can deal more damage to the PC. It creates more tension and drama (which is what you want in the game, btw).

Distinctive. A lot of Conditions in 5e D&D are very similar and, honestly, dull. As DM I still have to check what’s the difference between paralyzed, stunned, incapacitated etc. They are just so similar!

General Mechanics

The condition is over when you take a long rest or spend 1d4 hours of specific activity to end it. Some abilities can specifically limit the condition to time or other requirements.

Lesser Restoration spell and other abilities suppressing emotions works on those as well. I would recommend DMs to make decisions regarding what ends the condition having in mind two things:

1. This is not NATURAL EMOTIONAL STATE but magically induced one.
2. The emotions come from within the PC – they’re fueled by what’s inside the PC mind, soul, heart. Nevertheless it’s a cue for a player to explore the emotional aspects of the character as well as game mechanics.

Example on using the Emotion Condition

Here is an example of re-worked Werewolf using Furious condition [it is one of my NPC’s for the campaign]
Example Statblock.

Printable Emotion-based Conditions

Here you can download PDF to print it on your home printer on A4 paper. It is designed to be easily cut out, almost as a card that your players can hold and familiarize themselves with it.
Printable PDF

Visual Design

It’s deliberately cute to make my female players have slightly more fun (they love cute things) and so it doesn’t overwhelm the players with new mechanics and heavy art style. Take it or leave it

Btw. If you need new conditions for you table, just create them or look for cool homebrews. Lately MCDM in their new book on Monsters introduced Dazed conditions. I’m still not sure if it’s not too broad for me, but it still has potential to be more interesting than stun, paralyze, incapacitated…YAWN.

Artykuł Emotion-Based Conditions for D&D 5e – More drama and more fun pochodzi z serwisu Before You Roll.

1. Understanding the Ranger Class

1.1 What is a Ranger Class in D&D 5e?

Before embarking on your ranger adventure, it’s crucial to understand the essence of the ranger class. By grasping the core concepts of the ranger class, you’ll gain a solid foundation for creating a memorable and effective character. The Ranger class in Dungeons & Dragons is a versatile and skilled warrior of the wilderness, embodying the essence of a cunning hunter and a protector of the natural world.

Rangers excel in their ability to traverse diverse terrains, utilizing their expertise in survival and tracking to navigate through forests, mountains, and swamps with ease. With their proficiency in ranged weapons and keen senses, they are formidable archers and scouts, capable of striking down enemies from a distance and detecting hidden dangers. Their connection with nature grants them unique abilities, such as Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer, which enable them to specialize in dealing with specific types of creatures and excel in various terrains.

However, rangers may face challenges in urban environments or confined spaces, where their natural abilities may be less effective.

The ranger fantasy has been popularized in movies and comic books by characters like Legolas from “The Lord of the Rings” and Aragorn from the same series, as well as Hawkeye from Marvel Comics, who exemplify the ranger’s proficiency with a bow, survival skills, and their role as guardians of the wild.

1.2 Ranger Abilities and Skills

1. Level 1: Favored Enemy – You have extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with a particular type of creature, known as your favored enemy. You choose a type of creature, such as beasts, undead, or humanoids, and you gain various advantages when interacting with them. You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track your favored enemies, as well as on Intelligence checks to recall information about them. Additionally, you learn one language of your choice that is spoken by your favored enemies, allowing you to communicate and gather information effectively.
   
2. Level 1: Natural Explorer – You have a deep connection with the natural world, and your time spent exploring and surviving in different terrains has granted you exceptional skills. You choose a type of terrain, such as forests, mountains, or swamps, and you gain several benefits when traveling through that terrain. You are difficult to track, can move stealthily at a normal pace, and can even find twice as much food and resources while foraging. In addition, you gain advantages on certain saving throws and cannot become lost except by magical means.
   
3. Level 2: Fighting Style – At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. You can choose from several fighting styles, including Archery, Defense, Dueling, Two-Weapon Fighting, and more. Each style grants you unique benefits and enhancements to your combat abilities. For example, the Archery style gives you a bonus to attack rolls with ranged weapons, while the Defense style increases your Armor Class when wearing armor.
   
4. Level 2: Spellcasting – As a Ranger, you gain the ability to cast spells, drawing upon the natural magic that permeates the world. You learn a set number of spells from the Ranger spell list, which includes spells that embody the essence of the wilderness. You have a limited number of spell slots, representing your ability to harness and cast spells each day. Your spellcasting ability is Wisdom, and you can choose spells to prepare from your spell list after a long rest. As you level up, you gain access to higher-level spells and increase your spellcasting proficiency.
   
5. Level 3: Ranger Archetype – At 3rd level, you choose a Ranger Archetype, which represents the path you follow as a Ranger. The archetype you choose grants you features and abilities that are unique to that path. There are several archetypes available, such as the Hunter, Beast Master, and Gloom Stalker, each emphasizing different aspects of the Ranger’s abilities and playstyle. The archetype you choose will greatly influence your combat style and the additional benefits you gain as you progress.
   
6. Level 4: Ability Score Improvement – At 4th level, you have the opportunity to increase your ability scores. You can either increase your scores in two different abilities by +1 each, or you can increase one ability score by +2. This improvement allows you to further specialize and enhance your Ranger abilities, improving your skills, combat capabilities, or spellcasting proficiency.
   
7. Level 5: Extra Attack – When you reach 5th level, you can attack twice whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. This extra attack significantly increases your combat effectiveness, allowing you to strike more frequently and deal more damage to your foes.
   
8. Level 5: Ranger Spellcasting (2nd level) – Your spellcasting abilities as a Ranger expand, and you gain access to more powerful spells. At 5th level, you can now cast Ranger spells of 2nd level. This means you can choose and prepare higher-level spells that offer additional options and utility in your adventures.
   
9. Level 6: Additional Favored Enemy, Natural Explorer Improvement – Your knowledge of your favored enemies expands, and you gain an additional favored enemy type. You can choose another type of creature to specialize in, broadening your expertise and granting you further advantages when dealing with them. Additionally, your natural exploration skills improve. You can move stealthily at a fast pace while traveling alone, and you gain additional benefits when foraging and navigating through your favored terrain.
   
10. Level 7: Ranger Archetype Feature – Your chosen Ranger Archetype grants you a unique feature that reflects the path you have taken. Each archetype has specific features at 7th level that enhance your abilities and provide you with new capabilities. For example, the Hunter archetype gains features like Multiattack Defense, which grants you increased defense against creatures that target you multiple times in a turn.
    
11. Level 8: Ability Score Improvement – At 8th level, you have another opportunity to improve your ability scores. You can choose to increase two different ability scores by +1 each or increase one ability score by +2, further enhancing your Ranger abilities and strengths.
    
12. Level 9: Ranger Spellcasting (3rd level) – Your spellcasting prowess grows, and you gain access to 3rd-level Ranger spells. This allows you to select and cast higher-level spells, opening up new possibilities and granting you more powerful magical abilities.
    
13. Level 10: Hide in Plain Sight – At 10th level, you have mastered the art of blending into your surroundings. You can use the Hide action even when you are only lightly obscured by natural phenomena, such as foliage, rain, or mist. This ability allows you to effectively disappear from sight and remain undetected, even when under observation.
    
14. Level 11: Ranger Archetype Feature – Your Ranger Archetype bestows upon you a significant feature at 11th level. This feature further develops your unique abilities, complementing your chosen path and providing you with additional tools and strategies. The specific feature depends on the archetype you selected at 3rd level.
    
15. Level 12: Ability Score Improvement – At 12th level, you have another opportunity to improve your ability scores. You can choose to increase two different ability scores by +1 each or increase one ability score by +2, further augmenting your Ranger abilities and capabilities.
    
16. Level 13: Ranger Spellcasting (4th level) – Your spellcasting abilities continue to progress, and you gain access to 4th-level Ranger spells. This expansion of your spell repertoire allows you to cast even more potent spells, giving you increased versatility and power in your magical abilities.
    
17. Level 14: Vanish – At 14th level, you have honed your stealth abilities to an extraordinary level. You can use the Hide action as a bonus action on your turn, allowing you to vanish from sight even in the midst of combat. This ability makes you incredibly elusive and difficult to track or target.
    
18. Level 15: Ranger Archetype Feature – Your chosen Ranger Archetype grants you a powerful feature at 15th level, showcasing your mastery of your chosen path. This feature is a culmination of your growth and development as a Ranger, granting you unique abilities and capabilities that further distinguish you from other characters.
    
19. Level 16: Ability Score Improvement – Once again, at 16th level, you have the opportunity to improve your ability scores. You can choose to increase two different ability scores by +1 each or increase one ability score by +2, further enhancing your Ranger abilities, skills, and strengths.
    
20. Level 17: Ranger Spellcasting (5th level) – Your spellcasting abilities reach their pinnacle at 17th level, and you gain access to 5th-level Ranger spells. These high-level spells offer extraordinary effects and power, providing you with a wide range of options to confront the most formidable challenges.
    
21. Level 18: Feral Senses – At 18th level, your senses become incredibly acute. You gain proficiency in Wisdom (Perception) checks, and you can’t be surprised while you are conscious. Additionally, even when you are blinded or in darkness, you can still effectively perceive the environment around you, allowing you to navigate and engage with your surroundings without disadvantage.
    
22. Level 19: Ability Score Improvement – At 19th level, you have another opportunity to improve your ability scores. You can choose to increase two different ability scores by +1 each or increase one ability score by +2, maximizing your Ranger abilities and capabilities.
    
23. Level 20: Foe Slayer – As a 20th-level Ranger, you have become a master of hunting and combat. You have unparalleled insight into the weaknesses of your enemies. When you hit a creature with an attack, you can choose to maximize the weapon damage against that creature. Additionally, you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track creatures, as well as on initiative rolls.

1.2 Ranger Stats in 5e

The ranger class in D&D 5e relies on specific ability scores to enhance their capabilities. Choosing the right ability score distribution is essential for maximizing your ranger’s effectiveness. Here, we will explore different builds and their corresponding stat priorities to help you create a powerful and well-rounded ranger character.

1. Dexterity-Focused Build

A Dexterity-focused build is a common choice for rangers, as it improves their ranged attacks, AC, and various class abilities. For this build, prioritize the following stats:

• Dexterity (DEX): Dexterity should be your highest ability score, as it determines your accuracy with ranged weapons and adds to your AC when wearing light or medium armor.
• Wisdom (WIS): Wisdom is the second most important ability score for rangers, as it affects your spellcasting ability, spell save DC, and the effectiveness of certain ranger features.
• Constitution (CON): A decent Constitution score will improve your hit points and overall durability.

This build is ideal for rangers who prefer ranged combat, relying on bows or other ranged weapons to deal damage from a distance. It also allows for high mobility and effective use of the ranger’s natural explorer abilities.

2. Strength-Based Build

While rangers are typically associated with finesse and ranged combat, a strength-based build can offer a different playstyle. This build focuses on melee combat and can be effective when utilizing two-handed weapons or dual-wielding. Consider the following stat priorities:

• Strength (STR): Strength becomes your primary ability score, as it determines your attack and damage rolls with melee weapons.
• Dexterity (DEX): Although not as crucial as in a Dexterity-focused build, a moderate Dexterity score will still benefit your AC and ranged attack rolls with thrown weapons.
• Constitution (CON): As with any build, a good Constitution score is essential for increased hit points and improved durability.

This build allows you to engage enemies up close and personal, relying on your melee prowess and physical strength to overpower opponents. It provides a different flavor and tactical approach compared to the traditional ranged-focused ranger.

3. Balanced Build

A balanced build seeks to create a well-rounded ranger character, capable of handling both ranged and melee combat scenarios effectively. This build distributes ability scores more evenly across multiple attributes. Consider the following stat priorities:

• Dexterity (DEX): Dexterity remains important to improve your AC, ranged attacks, and initiative rolls.
• Wisdom (WIS): Wisdom should be a priority to enhance your spellcasting abilities and the effectiveness of certain ranger features.
• Constitution (CON): A solid Constitution score is crucial for increased hit points and survivability.

This build allows you to adapt to different combat situations, seamlessly transitioning between ranged attacks and melee combat as needed. It provides versatility and flexibility in various encounters and party compositions.

Remember, these are just examples of different stat builds for rangers. You can adjust and customize them based on your preferred playstyle and character concept. Consider the archetype you choose and how it synergizes with your chosen ability scores. Whether you opt for a Dexterity-focused, strength-based, or balanced build, investing in the appropriate ability scores will greatly enhance your ranger’s performance and contribute to a rewarding gameplay experience.

1.3 Ranger Armor Class

Survivability is a vital aspect of any adventurer’s journey, and the ranger is no exception. A ranger’s armor class (AC) determines their ability to avoid being struck by enemy attacks. Choosing the right armor and optimizing your AC can greatly enhance your ranger’s survivability. Here are several ideas for different armors from D&D 5e that rangers can consider:

1. Studded Leather Armor

Studded leather armor is a popular choice among rangers due to its balance between protection and mobility. It consists of leather armor reinforced with metal studs or small metal plates. This armor offers an AC of 12 + Dexterity modifier (up to a maximum of 5). Rangers with high Dexterity scores can benefit greatly from the increased mobility and AC provided by studded leather armor.

2. Scale Mail

Scale mail is a medium armor option for rangers seeking better protection. It consists of small metal scales attached to a leather or cloth backing. Scale mail provides an AC of 14 + Dexterity modifier (up to a maximum of 2). While it offers superior protection compared to studded leather, the weight and bulk of scale mail may slightly hinder a ranger’s mobility.

3. Breastplate

Breastplate is another excellent medium armor choice for rangers. It is a sturdy, curved metal chest plate worn over a padded or leather base. A breastplate provides an AC of 14 + Dexterity modifier (up to a maximum of 2). It offers solid protection while allowing for greater mobility than heavier armors. Rangers who prioritize a balance between protection and agility often opt for breastplate armor.

4. Half-Plate

Half-plate is a heavier type of armor that strikes a balance between protection and encumbrance. It consists of shaped metal plates covering the torso and limbs, combined with chainmail or leather. Half-plate provides an AC of 15 + Dexterity modifier (up to a maximum of 2). While it offers enhanced protection, rangers wearing half-plate may experience some reduction in mobility compared to lighter armors.

5. Hide Armor

Hide armor is a lighter and more flexible option for rangers who prefer a more naturalistic appearance. It is made from the thick hides of animals, often augmented with additional padding. Hide armor grants an AC of 12 + Dexterity modifier (up to a maximum of 2). It is a viable choice for rangers who prioritize agility and stealth, as it provides moderate protection without sacrificing mobility.

6. Magic Armor

In addition to conventional armors, rangers may seek out magical armors to further enhance their AC. Magic armors can provide unique enchantments or additional defensive properties. Examples include Elven Chain, which offers the benefits of studded leather armor while being considered light armor, or Mithral Armor, which reduces the stealth disadvantage and weight of heavy armors. Acquiring magical armor through quests, encounters, or crafting can be a thrilling goal for a ranger seeking to boost their defensive capabilities.

When choosing armor for your ranger, consider your playstyle, desired level of protection, and the impact on your ranger’s mobility. Remember that rangers rely heavily on their Dexterity scores, so maximizing your Dexterity modifier through careful ability score distribution or magical enhancements can significantly improve your ranger’s AC. With the right armor and a well-optimized AC, your ranger will be well-prepared to face the perils of the wild and emerge victorious.

1.4 Ranger Weapons

5e Rangers have access to a wide array of weapons that suit their versatile combat style. They are proficient with simple weapons and martial weapons, granting them a broad selection to choose from. When it comes to ranged combat, the following weapons are popular choices:

• Longbow: This iconic weapon offers exceptional range and high damage, making it ideal for picking off enemies from a distance.
• Shortbow: A lighter and more versatile alternative to the longbow, providing flexibility in close-quarter ranged combat.

For melee combat, rangers often favor weapons that offer a balance between speed, finesse, and damage. Consider the following options:

• Rapier: A precise weapon known for its thrusting attacks, offering agility and precision strikes.
• Scimitar: An elegant choice that balances slashing damage with versatility.

Additionally, the versatile nature of the ranger class allows them to wield a variety of weapons effectively. Some other options to consider are:

• Quarterstaff: A versatile two-handed weapon that can be used defensively or offensively.
• Spear: Another versatile option that provides reach and can be used with one or two hands.

While the choice of weapons ultimately depends on a ranger’s preferred combat style, the longbow and rapier are often considered among the best options for ranged and melee combat, respectively.

1.5 Ranger Spells

In addition to their martial prowess, rangers possess a unique connection to nature that grants them limited spellcasting abilities. They gain access to a spellcasting progression that unlocks a variety of spells from the Ranger spell list. These spells reflect the ranger’s affinity with the wild and offer a range of utility, support, and combat options.

When choosing spells as a ranger, consider these popular options that can enhance your abilities and complement different playstyles:

• Hunter’s Mark: A staple spell for rangers, Hunter’s Mark allows you to focus your attacks on a specific target, dealing additional damage and gaining advantage on tracking them.
• Pass without Trace: This spell cloaks you and your allies in stealth, making it easier to traverse treacherous terrains and remain hidden from enemies.
• Goodberry: An excellent utility spell, Goodberry creates a handful of magical berries that can be consumed to restore hit points, providing valuable healing during long journeys or in dire situations.
• Cure Wounds: As a frontline support option, Cure Wounds allows you to heal yourself or an ally, ensuring that you can keep fighting in the midst of battle.
• Conjure Animals: This spell allows you to summon animals to aid you in combat or assist with other tasks, providing additional versatility and firepower.
• Swift Quiver: For rangers specializing in ranged combat, Swift Quiver allows you to magically create and fire additional arrows, increasing your damage output significantly.

These spells are just a few examples of the diverse options available to rangers. Depending on your preferred playstyle and the challenges you anticipate, you can choose spells that align with your character’s strengths. Whether you seek to excel in combat, bolster your survival skills, or support your allies, the Ranger spell list offers a variety of spells to enhance your abilities as a guardian of the wild.

2. Creating Your 5e Ranger Character

2.1 Choosing a Race for Your 5e Ranger

Selecting the right race for your ranger character can greatly enhance your overall effectiveness.

Some races are commonly favored by players when creating ranger characters due to their racial abilities that synergize well with the ranger class. Here are some popular race options for rangers:

1. Elf: Elves are a popular choice for rangers due to their natural affinity for the wilderness. They often possess keen senses, agility, and proficiency with bows. Wood Elves, in particular, are known for their ability to move swiftly through natural environments, making them excellent scouts and archers.
   
2. Human: Humans are versatile and adaptable, making them a common choice for rangers. Their bonus ability score increase and the extra skill proficiency gained from the Human variant make them flexible and well-rounded in various ranger playstyles.
   
3. Half-Elf: Half-Elves combine the best traits of humans and elves. They inherit the elven affinity for nature, including low-light vision, and gain increased versatility through their dual heritage. Half-Elves can excel as rangers by combining elven grace with human adaptability.
   
4. Gnome: Gnomes may not be the most common choice for rangers, but their natural curiosity, affinity for nature, and the ability to communicate with small animals can create interesting roleplaying opportunities. Forest Gnomes, in particular, have a natural affinity for the forest and make proficient rangers.
   
5. Halfling: Halflings may seem unassuming, but their small size can be advantageous in stealth and survival situations. Stout Halflings, with their resistance to poison and resilience, can make durable and resilient rangers.
   
6. Tiefling: Tieflings, with their infernal heritage, bring a touch of darkness to the ranger class. While their abilities may not be inherently nature-focused, their unique racial traits can provide interesting roleplaying opportunities, especially when exploring the duality of their demonic ancestry in the wilderness.

Rangers can be also a great choice for more “monster-like” races such as goblins, bugbears or half-orc. Here are a few reasons why you might wanna consider a different approach to Ranger race.

1. Goblin: Goblins may be small and often associated with mischief, but they possess natural agility and adaptability that can lend themselves well to the ranger class. Goblins have a bonus to Dexterity, which can enhance their archery and stealth abilities. Additionally, their racial feature “Nimble Escape” allows them to disengage or hide as a bonus action, providing tactical advantages in combat. A goblin ranger could be a nimble and resourceful scout, using their small size and cunning to navigate the wilderness and surprise enemies.
   
2. Bugbear: Bugbears may have a fearsome reputation as ambush predators, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be skilled rangers. Bugbears have a bonus to Dexterity and a racial feature called “Long-Limbed,” which grants them extended reach on melee attacks. This can make them formidable hunters and melee-oriented rangers. Their natural stealthiness can also lend itself to the ranger’s role as a scout and tracker, allowing them to move silently through the wilderness and surprise their enemies.
   
3. Half-Orc: While half-orcs are often associated with the martial classes, they can make excellent rangers as well. Half-orcs possess a bonus to Strength, which can enhance their melee combat abilities as a ranger. Additionally, their racial feature “Relentless Endurance” allows them to endure greater physical challenges and keep fighting. This resilience can make them formidable rangers who excel in survival situations and overcoming obstacles in the wild.

2.2 Ranger Fighting Style in 5e

Rangers are known for their exceptional combat prowess, and their choice of fighting style greatly influences their effectiveness on the battlefield.

1. Archery: This fighting style grants a +2 bonus to attack rolls made with ranged weapons. It is a popular choice for rangers specializing in long-range combat, maximizing their accuracy and damage with bows and crossbows.
   
2. Defense: Rangers who choose this fighting style gain a +1 bonus to their Armor Class when wearing armor. It provides extra protection and enhances the ranger’s durability in combat.
   
3. Dueling: This fighting style focuses on one-handed weapon combat. When wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapon, rangers gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon. It allows for a more aggressive and damage-focused fighting style.
   
4. Two-Weapon Fighting: Rangers who prefer dual-wielding weapons benefit from this fighting style. It allows the ranger to add their ability modifier to the damage of their off-hand attack when dual-wielding, increasing their overall damage output in melee combat.
   
5. Great Weapon Fighting: Rangers who wield two-handed weapons, such as greatswords or greataxes, can choose this fighting style. It allows the ranger to reroll a 1 or 2 on damage dice for melee weapon attacks using two-handed weapons and choose the higher result. It improves their damage potential with heavy-hitting weapons.
   
6. Blind Fighting: This fighting style, introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, allows rangers to excel in darkness or against unseen enemies. It grants them the ability to see through magical darkness and gain advantage on attack rolls against creatures they can’t see.

These fighting styles provide rangers with distinct combat advantages and allow them to tailor their playstyle to suit different weapon preferences and tactics. Each style enhances the ranger’s effectiveness in specific situations, whether it’s maximizing ranged accuracy, increasing melee damage, improving defense, or adapting to challenging lighting conditions.

2.3 Best Ranger Archetypes in 5e

Rangers in 5e D&D have the opportunity to specialize further by choosing an archetype, also known as a subclass, which grants them unique abilities and focuses on specific themes or playstyles. Here are some of the available archetypes for rangers:

• Beast Master: This archetype emphasizes a deep connection with animals, allowing rangers to form a lasting bond with a companion creature that fights alongside them. The Beast Master gains the ability to communicate with and command their animal companion, enhancing their effectiveness in combat and exploration.
  
• Drakewarden: Drawing power from draconic influence, the Drakewarden archetype grants rangers the ability to bond with a drake companion. These rangers harness the power of dragon-like abilities, such as elemental breath weapons and enhanced mobility, making them formidable on the battlefield.
  
• Fey Wanderer: Rangers who follow the Fey Wanderer archetype tap into the mystical energies of the Feywild. They gain fey-themed abilities, including charm and enchantment spells, the ability to teleport short distances, and the power to impose disadvantage on attacks against them. These rangers become skilled at navigating both the mortal realm and the Feywild.
  
• Gloom Stalker: Gloom Stalkers specialize in hunting creatures of darkness and excel at ambushing their foes. They gain the ability to see in darkness and become harder to detect while in dim light. Additionally, they possess unique combat abilities that allow them to strike with increased potency when attacking surprised enemies.
  
• Horizon Walker: The Horizon Walker archetype focuses on traversing the boundaries of different planes of existence. These rangers gain the ability to step through the Ethereal Plane, detect portals, and deal extra damage against creatures from other planes. They become skilled planar travelers, gaining enhanced mobility and the ability to thwart teleportation magic.
  
• Hunter: The Hunter archetype represents the classic ranger archetype, focusing on versatile combat techniques and survival skills. Hunters gain access to a range of abilities, including defensive tactics, improved multi-target attacks, and the ability to gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
  
• Monster Slayer: Monster Slayers dedicate themselves to tracking and defeating the deadliest creatures that threaten civilization. These rangers gain specialized abilities to exploit their foes’ weaknesses, resist their abilities, and deal extra damage against specific types of creatures. They become formidable hunters of monsters.
  
• Swarmkeeper: This unique archetype allows rangers to command swarms of nature spirits, insects, or other creatures. Swarmkeepers gain the ability to manipulate swarms, distract enemies, and protect themselves and their allies with protective auras. They become masters of utilizing the power of nature’s swarming creatures.

Each archetype offers distinct features and abilities, allowing rangers to tailor their playstyle to match their character concept and preferred approach to adventuring. From forming bonds with animal companions to harnessing fey magic or specializing in hunting specific types of creatures, the available archetypes provide exciting opportunities for rangers to develop their unique strengths and abilities.

3. Playing a Ranger in DND 5e

3.1 Roleplaying Tips for Rangers

Roleplaying a ranger goes beyond numbers and combat mechanics. Here are several tips to help you roleplay Ranger character.

1. Embrace Nature: Rangers have a deep connection to the natural world. Emphasize your character’s affinity for forests, mountains, or other wilderness environments. Engage with the flora and fauna around you, and show respect for the balance of nature.
   
2. Utilize Tracking Skills: As a ranger, you excel at tracking creatures and reading signs in the wilderness. Pay attention to details, actively search for clues, and use your tracking abilities to uncover secrets or locate enemies.
   
3. Live by a Code: Many rangers adhere to a personal code or set of principles. Define your character’s code and let it guide your actions. Whether it’s protecting the innocent, preserving the balance of nature, or seeking justice, staying true to your principles adds depth to your roleplaying.
   
4. Tap into Instincts: Rangers are attuned to their surroundings and possess keen instincts. Trust your gut feelings, listen to your senses, and rely on your instincts when making decisions or detecting danger. Roleplay your character’s heightened awareness and perceptiveness.
   
5. Express Animal Companionship: If you have an animal companion, showcase the bond you share. Treat them as a trusted friend and ally. Interact with them, communicate nonverbally, and show care and respect for their well-being.
   
6. Embody the Hunter: As a skilled hunter, think tactically during combat encounters. Use your environment to gain advantages, set traps, and utilize your knowledge of creatures to exploit weaknesses. Plan your actions strategically, considering terrain, cover, and positioning.
   
7. Evoke Stealth and Camouflage: Rangers are adept at staying hidden and moving silently. Emphasize your character’s stealth abilities by describing how you blend into the environment, move quietly, and surprise enemies. Use camouflage, shadows, or natural cover to your advantage.
   
8. Share Survival Wisdom: Rangers are experts in survival and outdoor living. Roleplay your character offering guidance and survival tips to the party. Provide insights on foraging, navigation, and shelter-building, and demonstrate your ability to thrive in harsh environments.
   
9. Interact with Wildlife: Communicate with animals and respect their role in nature. Roleplay conversations with wildlife, seeking their guidance or assistance. Offer assistance to injured animals or protect them from harm when possible.
   
10. Embrace Solitude and Independence: Rangers often enjoy their solitude and value their independence. Show moments of introspection, enjoy quiet activities such as sketching or journaling, and demonstrate self-reliance when faced with challenges.

Remember, these tips are meant to inspire and guide your roleplaying as a ranger. Ultimately, your character’s personality, backstory, and personal goals will shape how you bring your ranger to life at the table. Embrace the unique aspects of your ranger and have fun immersing yourself in the world of wilderness and adventure!

Here are characters you can use to inspire yourself when creating a ranger character:

1. Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings): Aragorn embodies the quintessential ranger archetype, with his unmatched tracking skills, wilderness survival expertise, and deadly combat prowess.
   
2. Legolas (The Lord of the Rings): Legolas showcases the grace and agility of an archer, capable of incredible feats with a bow and arrow. His keen eyesight and elven reflexes make him a formidable ranger.
   
3. Hawkeye (Marvel Comics): Hawkeye, a master archer from the Avengers, exemplifies precision and accuracy with his bow. His keen senses and adaptability make him an excellent inspiration for ranged-focused rangers.
   
4. Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher): Geralt, a monster hunter from The Witcher series, combines martial combat skills with a deep understanding of beasts and creatures. He can inspire rangers who excel at hunting and combatting supernatural foes.
   
5. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games): Katniss, the skilled archer from The Hunger Games, embodies resourcefulness, survival instinct, and the ability to adapt to challenging environments. Her determination and self-reliance make her a compelling role model for rangers.
   
6. Robin Hood: The legendary outlaw who robs from the rich and gives to the poor, Robin Hood is an iconic archer and tracker known for his skills in Sherwood Forest. His commitment to justice and protecting the innocent aligns well with ranger principles.
   
7. Drizzt Do’Urden (Forgotten Realms): Drizzt, a drow ranger from the Forgotten Realms setting, is a character who embodies both combat prowess and a strong connection to nature. His dual-wielding and exceptional tracking skills make him an inspiring ranger figure.
   
8. Tauriel (The Hobbit): Tauriel, an elven warrior from The Hobbit films, showcases swift combat techniques, archery expertise, and a deep connection to the forest. Her dedication to protecting her homeland and her keen senses resonate with rangers.
   
9. Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn): Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn, is a skilled hunter and archer in a post-apocalyptic world. Her expertise in tracking robotic creatures, survival skills, and proficiency with a bow make her an excellent inspiration for rangers. Aloy’s determination, curiosity, and connection with nature can guide players in creating a ranger character who thrives in a dangerous and unfamiliar world.
   
10. Jon Snow (Game of Thrones): Jon Snow, a member of the Night’s Watch, possesses combat skills, survival instincts, and a strong sense of duty. His ability to navigate the harsh lands beyond the Wall and his archery skills make him a compelling ranger archetype.
    
11. Ellie (The Last of Us): Ellie, the main protagonist of The Last of Us series, is a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world infested with infected creatures. Her archery skills, stealth abilities, and resilience in challenging environments make her an excellent role model for rangers. Ellie’s determination, loyalty, and emotional journey can inspire players to create ranger characters who are driven by the desire to protect their loved ones and find hope amidst adversity.
    
12. Garrus Vakarian (Mass Effect series): Garrus Vakarian, a squadmate in the Mass Effect series, is a skilled sharpshooter and tactician. Known for his expertise in long-range combat, marksmanship, and his loyalty to his comrades, Garrus can be a source of inspiration for rangers who excel in precision archery or ranged weapons. His cool-headedness, sense of justice, and willingness to go to great lengths for the greater good can influence players in roleplaying a ranger with a strong moral compass and a sharp eye for targets.

3.3 Ranger 5e Multiclassing

As your ranger character progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to further enhance their abilities through leveling up.

Multiclassing allows rangers to combine their skills and abilities with those of another class, opening up a world of unique character possibilities. When considering multiclassing as a ranger, it’s important to choose a class that complements your playstyle and enhances your character’s capabilities. Here are some popular multiclassing options for rangers:

• Ranger/Rogue: Combining the ranger’s wilderness expertise with the rogue’s sneaky tactics can create a versatile and deadly character. The ranger’s tracking abilities and combat skills pair well with the rogue’s sneak attacks, expertise in skills, and bonus actions like Cunning Action.
• Ranger/Fighter: Multiclassing into fighter can provide rangers with additional combat prowess and versatility. The fighter’s Fighting Style, Action Surge, and Extra Attack can enhance the ranger’s martial abilities, making them deadlier on the battlefield.
• Ranger/Druid: For those who want to emphasize their connection to nature, multiclassing into druid can be a natural choice. This combination allows rangers to tap into druidic magic, gaining access to spells and nature-themed abilities that further enhance their wilderness survival and spellcasting capabilities.
• Ranger/Cleric: Multiclassing into cleric can provide rangers with additional healing, support, and divine spellcasting abilities. The cleric’s domain choice can be tailored to complement the ranger’s playstyle, such as the Nature Domain for increased nature-related powers or the Life Domain for enhanced healing capabilities.
• Ranger/Bard: Combining the ranger’s outdoor skills with the bard’s versatile spellcasting and support abilities can create a well-rounded character. Bards provide access to additional spells, inspiration dice for boosting allies, and expertise in skills, further augmenting the ranger’s utility and party contributions.

When multiclassing, consider your character’s backstory, motivations, and desired playstyle. It’s also important to discuss your plans with your DM to ensure they align with the campaign and fit well within the game’s balance. Remember that multiclassing can add complexity to your character, so it’s crucial to plan your level progression carefully to maximize the benefits of each class.

These multiclassing options provide a glimpse into the exciting possibilities for rangers to combine their skills with those of other classes, creating unique and diverse characters that excel in different areas. Whether you seek to enhance your combat abilities, expand your spellcasting repertoire, or strengthen your role as a support character, multiclassing can be a rewarding choice for rangers.

4. Ranger 5e Weaknesses and Shortcomings

While rangers in D&D 5e are versatile and capable adventurers, they do have some notable weaknesses and shortcomings. It’s important to keep these in mind when playing a ranger to fully understand the challenges and limitations of the class. Here are some common weaknesses and shortcomings of rangers:

1. Limited Spellcasting: Rangers have access to a limited selection of spells compared to other spellcasting classes. Their spellcasting ability is tied to Wisdom, and they primarily focus on spells that enhance their survival, tracking, and nature-based abilities. However, they have fewer spell slots and a slower spell progression than dedicated spellcasters, which can limit their versatility in magical solutions to problems.
   
2. Dependency on Natural Explorer and Favoured Foe: The ranger’s Favored Foe and Natural Explorer features grant them benefits when navigating their chosen terrain, such as improved speed, enhanced tracking, and resistance to certain hazards. However, outside of their favoured terrain, rangers may not have the same level of expertise or advantages. This can make them less effective in unfamiliar environments or when traveling through varied landscapes. In similar way Favoured Foe makes them reliable only in specific campaigns, often pushing DM towards either catering to the Rangers choice or cutting out entirely the need for this feature.
   
3. Reliance on Limited Resources: Rangers rely on limited resources such as spell slots, abilities like Primeval Awareness, and certain class features that have a limited number of uses. Mismanaging these resources or encountering prolonged adventures without opportunities to rest can leave rangers feeling stretched thin and less effective in extended encounters or campaigns.
   
4. Lower Hit Points: Rangers typically have a lower hit point pool compared to heavily armored classes like fighters or paladins. While they have access to medium armor and shields, their hit points can make them more vulnerable to sustained attacks or burst damage. Rangers need to rely on their mobility, stealth, and range advantage to mitigate this weakness.
   
5. Limited Combat Role Specialization: While rangers are proficient in ranged combat and can excel as archers, they may face challenges when it comes to specializing in melee combat. They lack some of the martial features and extra attacks of other melee-focused classes like fighters or barbarians. This can make them less optimal in close-quarters combat situations or when facing enemies that resist or nullify ranged attacks.

4.1 Exploration without a System: The Ranger’s Challenge in D&D 5e

In the vast world of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, the mechanics and systems for combat are well-defined and detailed, providing clear guidelines and rules for engaging in thrilling battles. However, when it comes to exploration and travel, the system is notably absent, leaving many aspects up to the interpretation and effort of the Dungeon Master (DM). This lack of explicit rules for exploration can make the ranger’s unique skills and abilities feel underwhelming compared to other classes that have distinct areas in which they excel. Let’s explore some of the key aspects where the absence of explicit exploration mechanics can impact the ranger’s effectiveness.

1. Finding Food and Shelter One of the primary challenges faced during exploration is the need to find food and shelter in the wilderness. The ranger’s Survival skill suggests expertise in this area, but the absence of specific rules means that success or failure often relies heavily on the DM’s discretion and narrative context.

2. Hindrances, Obstacles, and Natural Hazards The absence of explicit mechanics for hindrances, obstacles, and natural hazards means that the ranger’s abilities to navigate and overcome such challenges may not be as impactful or rewarded in gameplay. The lack of guidelines can lead to inconsistencies and frustrations in how the ranger’s skills are utilized during travel and exploration.

3. Wayfinding Wayfinding, a vital skill for rangers, becomes a subjective task without specific rules governing it. Tracking and finding paths through dense forests or treacherous mountains can become a matter of DM rulings rather than having concrete mechanics to rely upon. This ambiguity can hinder the ranger’s ability to fulfill their role as experts in navigation.

4. Additional Exploration Aspects Other aspects of exploration, such as weather conditions, foraging for herbs, identifying dangerous terrain, and locating hidden or secret areas, also lack explicit mechanics in the core rules. These areas, which should be the domain of the ranger’s expertise, often rely heavily on the DM’s improvisation and world-building.

As a result, the ranger’s role as a skilled tracker, a master of survival, and an expert in the wilderness can feel diminished or less distinct compared to other classes that have well-defined roles in combat or social encounters. While the DM’s effort and creativity can mitigate these issues to some extent, the lack of a robust exploration system inherently limits the ranger’s potential and impact in gameplay.

To address this challenge, DMs can consider implementing house rules, additional mechanics, or utilizing optional systems found in supplementary materials or homebrew content to enhance the ranger’s abilities during exploration. By designing and incorporating explicit mechanics for finding food, creating obstacles and hazards, and utilizing the ranger’s skills for wayfinding, DMs can create a more engaging and satisfying exploration experience for both rangers and the entire party.

In the end, the absence of explicit rules for exploration and travel in D&D 5e places a unique burden on rangers, whose abilities are intricately tied to wilderness expertise. Without a defined system, the ranger’s skills and abilities may feel under-utilised or less impactful compared to other classes.

Conclusion for 5e Ranger Guide

Congratulations! You’ve now gained a comprehensive understanding of the ranger class in DND 5e. Armed with the knowledge and strategies provided in this guide, you’re well-equipped to embark on your ranger adventure with confidence. Remember to experiment with different playstyles, archetypes, and roleplaying choices to fully immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant world of Dungeons and Dragons. May your arrows always find their mark, your tracking skills never fail, and your ranger character leave a lasting impression on your adventures and fellow party members.

Obviously, the new Ranger is already out and you can find it in new PHB 2024.

Ranger Class Re-Worked

Since last year I was dedicated to re-work the Ranger. I’ve waited till the 2024 version will come out and it did disappoint as lot of people expected. Both 2014 and 2024 designs felt flat for me so I’ve created a brand new Ranger.

It is a complete new class and three subclasses (Beast Master, Hunter and War Golem – also build entirely from the start).

I’ve designed my Ranger based on three main pillars

1. Defender of Community

This has the most from the original Ranger, but I crank it up to 11. Where anyother class can be whatever they want, Ranger, similar in my view to cleric, druid or monk (all Wisdom based, hm) has a social role.

Ranger protects its community from The Other, whatever that is. They can be dispatched to certain place or live on the outskirts of the community in order to fight things that endanger it.

2.Mutation and Evolution

My Ranger is visibly a Ranger. They mutate, evolve, change in order to fight the dangers that are too strong to defeat it simply by a bow or a sword. The main theme of this Ranger is transforming your body and soul into something else, far beyond the standard representative of your race. It translates to everything the Ranger is and hopefully you will see it in the design itself.

3. Everything is a Tool

Ranger are not Paladins. They don’t have too many bounding rules. Their role is toprotect no matter the cost. They even sacrifice their own body and/or soul to fulfil the role, so everything else is just a tool.

This represents the versatility of a Ranger – they are not bound to a specific weapon, spell or fighting style. The use whatever they need to destroy their target and can prepare to do it.

Why should you buy my new Ranger?

Full Class Top-to-Bottom Re-design

•     Core features called Outfitting and Hunter State
•     Clear class identity
•     Power-fantasy improvement
•     Backbone for Subclass implementation
•     Roleplaying powerhouse
•     Useful in all 3 core pillars of the game: Combat, Exploration and Social
•     Desirable by Teammates

Three New Subclasses

• Beast Master  – A new spin on the most iconic Ranger subclass. Fight alongside a companion that is, indeed, part of you.
  
• Hunter – You will recognize only the name. A completely new approach to what Ranger and Hunter could be.
  
• War Golem – Inspired by grimdark superhuman soldiers, War Golem is a nod to all those who want to purge the world from monsters.

Artykuł Ranger 5e pochodzi z serwisu Before You Roll.

So let’s get down to business. How do spells in 5e Dungeons and Dragons actually function?

Magical effects that characters and monsters can create are called spells. Spells have various effects depending on what they are, and these effects can take many different shapes. Today we will specifically focus on spells, not magic overall. It is important because many magical effects in D&D are not considered spells. 

Here’s everything that you need to know about spellcasting in D&D 5e.

How do spells work in dnd 5e?

It’s important to realize that spells have levels ranging from 0 to 9. In contrast to a level 9 spell that are almost world shaping powers, a level 0 spell is relatively weak but can be cast at whim. Each spellcaster gains access to spell levels at a different rate, but generally around 5th class level, spellcasting becomes really powerful (e.g. classic Fireball). 

It is worth mentioning that level 0 spells (also called cantrips) are bread and butter of every spellcaster and thanks to their scaling are mostly reliable for the whole character progression. 

Higher-level spells typically don’t become available to characters until much later in the game, however it is worth the wait (or grind, depending on your DM). 

There is a limit to the number of spells you know and can use. 

To cast a spell you need a Spell slots. The spell slots figure isn’t constant, as it differs depending on the class. For instance, Bards and Wizards are “complete casters” and have a large number of spell slots, whereas other classes have fewer. We will go into details about the spell slots later in this article. 

Spell components and why should you pay attention 

Components are also needed to cast spells. These elements can be divided into three groups: verbal (V), somatic (S), and material (M). By reading its description, you can see what kind of component you need to cast a spell. 

Spells verbal components 

Verbal component means you have to say a word or a whole incantation out loud. A matter of volume often comes up, especially when you want to cast your spells without everyone else knowing about it. As a DM I tend to be rather forgiving when it comes to this, but even whispers are audible in total silence so keep that in mind. 

A verbal component to the spell can be a quick command (like in Harry Potter) or a long litany of words or a song, that allow you to keep the spell alive (similar to Saruman in Lord of the Rings) 

Spells somatic components

Somatic component indicates a specific gesture or movement that has to be performed in order to cast a spell. In a way, that is the most obscure component on the list because the game itself doesn’t specify the gesture nor it hints on what it should be. This allows for a total creative freedom. It can vary from simple pointing a finger to a complicated body movement. 

Spells material components

Material components are physical objects required to cast the spell. Some of them, especially on higher levels, are labeled with the cost per material. This builds an interesting dynamic between spellcaster choices and preparation. The most iconic example is a 300 worth of gold diamond for Revivify spell. Depending on the type of setting and adventure, finding components for a spell can be a part of the quest itself.
A spellcaster can also substitute a  none-cost material component with a magic focus – an item such as staff, wand or rod, that is designed to be the physical aspect of spellcasting. 

For a lot of players components may seem to be a hindrance at first, but in fact they can provide a great source of inspiration for flavouring the casting and turning each spell on their list into something unique. 

What are 9 schools of magic in 5e?

Canonically the spells are separated into schools – Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Evocation, Necromancy, Illusion, Transmutation and Enchantment. In general these categories give a glimpse into what you can expect from the spells belonging to the particular school but it is hardly a clear division. 

Abjuration spells are protective in nature, though some of them have aggressive uses. They create magical barriers, negate harmful effects, harm trespassers, or banish creatures to other planes of existence.

Conjuration spells involve the transportation of objects and creatures from one location to another. Some spells summon creatures or objects to the caster’s side, whereas others allow the caster to teleport to another location. Some conjurations create objects or effects out of nothing.

Divination spells reveal information, whether in the form of secrets long forgotten, glimpses of the future, the locations of hidden things, the truth behind illusions, or visions of distant people or places.

Enchantment spells affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. Such spells can make enemies see the caster as a friend, force creatures to take a course of action, or even control another creature like a puppet.

Evocation spells manipulate magical energy to produce a desired effect. Some call up blasts of fire or lightning. Others channel positive energy to heal wounds.

Illusion spells deceive the senses or minds of others. They cause people to see things that are not there, to miss things that are there, to hear phantom noises, or to remember things that never happened. Some illusions create phantom images that any creature can see, but the most insidious illusions plant an image directly in the mind of a creature.

Necromancy spells manipulate the energies of life and death. Such spells can grant an extra reserve of life force, drain the life energy from another creature, create the undead, or even bring the dead back to life. 

Transmutation spells change the properties of a creature, object, or environment. They might turn an enemy into a harmless creature, bolster the strength of an ally, make an object move at the caster’s command, or enhance a creature’s innate healing abilities to rapidly recover from injury.

Types of spells in 5e

Otherwise we could divide the spells into more functional roles such as Debuff spells, buff spells, destructive spells, healing spells, and utility spells. Here are some of their broad traits.

• Damage-dealing spells – These offensive spells are frequently simple in their purpose: to harm foes. Spells that are meant to deal damage e.g. Call Lightning, Eldritch Blast
  
• Healing spells: Characters can use healing spells to replenish lost hit points. A broad category of regeneration, wound healing, status recovery or bringing from the brink of death – e.g. Cure Wounds, Lesser Restoration
  
• Debuff Spells – Spells that “debuff” an enemy does not always do harm to them, but they do place them in unfavorable conditions. Debuff spells, for instance, can make them blind, tired, or cursed e.g. Bane, Slow
  
• Buff Spells: Spells with a boost effect are the reverse of spells with a negative impact in that they are intended to benefit both the caster and their allies. These buffs might result in stat boosts and other benefits – e.g. Heroism,  Bless.
  
• Utility Spells: Spells that serve as useful tools but do not fit into the other categories are known as utility spells. Since they may offer shortcuts, positional advantages over foes, and more, these spells are often quite beneficial to have e.g. Water walk, Fly 

Additionally, several spells straddle the categories. Perhaps they provide advantages in more than one category e.g. Hunger of Hadar, Psychic Scream. 

Different types of Spellcasters in D&D 5e?

D&D spellcasters vary in skills, sources of magic and how they utilize spells. In many builds, tutorial or otherwise helping materials you can find a non-canonical, but functional typology of spellcasters. 

The spellcasters in D&D 5e generally fall into one of three categories:

• Full Caster 
• a half cast
• 1/3 Casters

Full Caster

In D&D 5e, Full Casters can use their allotted Spell Slots. The Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, and Wizard are some of these classes. For those, spells are the main axis upon which they interact with the game world.

Half Caster

Half Casters receive around half as many spell slots as Full Casters do. The Paladin and Ranger are two of these classes. They can use magic in proficient and useful way, but without spending a single spell slot you can still keep the hero impactful and strong. 

1/3 Caster

Partial Casters, commonly referred to as 1/3 Casters, receive around one-third as many spell slots as Full Casters. Although the Artificer is the sole base class of this sort, the Arcane Trickster Rogue and Eldritch Knight Fighter subclasses were the first to use this kind of spellcaster. Although the magic in such classes might look underwhelming at the first glance, a clever use of spell slots here and there can be a game changer. 

Different Spellcasting classes in D&D

The D&D 5e spellcasting classes are as follows:

• Artificer
• Bard
• Cleric
• Druid
• Fighter (Eldritch Knight Archetype)
• Paladin
• Ranger
• Rogue (Arcane Trickster Archetype)
• Sorcerer
• Warlock
• Wizard

Here is a brief explanation of each spellcasting class in D&D 5e, along with their focus and specialization.

• Artificer: Although this class is not a full caster, its power lies in creating magic objects. The Alchemist, Armorer, Artillerist, and Battle Smith are some of its Specialist subclasses. This class’s spellcasting ability is Intelligence.

• Bard: The bard influences the world with its preferable artform such as a song, diction, and storytelling or dancing. Creation, Eloquence, Glamour, Lore, Swords, Valor, and Whispers are some of Bards Colleges (subclasses). Charisma is the spellcasting ability used by this class.

• Cleric: Clerics perform divine spells using the strength of gods or their faith. Forge, Grave, Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature, Order, Peace, Tempest, Trickery, Twilight, and War are some of their domains. This class’s spellcasting ability is wisdom.

• Druid: Druid Magic is derived by druids from the natural world. The Dreams, Land, Moon, Shepherd, Spores, Stars, and Wildfire subclasses of their Circles. This class’s spellcasting ability is wisdom.

• Fighter (Eldritch Knight): Eldritch Knight, a 1/3 Caster, is the Fighter Archetype, giving the class some magic to support their skill in combat. This subclass utilizes Intelligence as its spellcasting ability and draws from the Wizard spellbook.

• Paladin: Half-Casters who channel strength from the divine or from their own steadfast faith in their pledge are known as paladins. Ancients, Conquest, Devotion, Glory, Redemption, Vengeance, and Watchers are some of their Sacred Oaths subclasses. Charisma is the spellcasting ability used by this class.

• Ranger: Half Casters, known as Ranger Rangers, use the natural energy of the environment to cast their magic. Beast Master, Fey Wanderer, Gloom Stalker, Horizon Walker, Hunter, Monster Slayer, and Swarmkeeper are some of their subclasses or Archetypes. This class’s spellcasting ability is wisdom.

• Rogue: The 1/3 Caster Arcane Trickster lends the character considerable magical usefulness. This subclass utilizes Intelligence as its spellcasting ability and draws from the Wizard spellbook.

• Sorcerer: Sorcerers have the innate ability to use magic because of their ancestry or because of a supernatural blessing or curse put upon them or their kin. Aberrant Mind, Clockwork Soul, Divine Soul, Draconic Bloodline, Shadow Magic, Storm Sorcery, and Wild Magic are some of its subclasses, which are referred to as Origins. This class casts spells using Charisma.

• Warlock: A supernatural being known as a patron provides magic to warlocks. The Archfey, Celestial, Fathomless, Fiend, Genie, Great Old One, and Hexblade are some examples of their subclasses, collectively known as Otherworldly Patrons. Charisma is the spellcasting ability used by this class.

• Wizard: Wizards are knowledgeable students of the arcane arts who practice magic as a hobby and learn spells through study. Abjuration, Bladesinging, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Necromancy, Order of Scribe, Transmutation, and War Magic are some of their Arcane Traditions subclasses. This class’s spellcasting ability is Intelligence.

Can you learn new spells in D&D 5e?

Yes, classes can pick up new spells when you play with them. The class determines exactly how a character learns new spells. For instance, although clerics can learn spells by praying to their god, wizards can acquire spells by reading from books and transcribing spell scrolls. 

Characters typically acquire spells as they advance in level. You may also find your class’s spell development in the Player’s Handbook. 

Note that in different books like Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, the rules of learning or preparing spells can differ from those in the PHB. For instance, traditionally Warlocks can change their spells only once they level up and not more than one per level. Tasha’s however introduced the possibility to change one spell each time a Warlock takes a long rest. It is entirely up to you and the DM on how you want to approach the spell learning process. 

Apart from the mechanical aspect of learning a new spell, implementing a new spell as a goal of a quest can be very rewarding. It can work especially well with Wizards due to their nature of learning, however I can see each and every spellcaster going through their own personal quest in order to acquire the new magical powers. 

How do spell slots work in D&D 5e?

How many spells a spellcaster may cast at once depends on their available spell slots. They have levels that correspond to a spell’s power. A spellcaster has a certain number of leveled spell slots and increases that number as they level.

In general, spell slots serve as a spellcaster’s magic resource. A creature can only cast that many spells of that level at once because they have a limited amount of Spell Slots at each level.

Levels for spell slots range from 1 to 9. Due to the increase in spell complexity, spellcasters also receive much fewer high-level spell slots.

It implies that spellcasters can only use a certain amount of leveled spells daily. Fortunately, Cantrips have no daily usage cap, so you won’t feel utterly powerless even after using up all of your Spell Slots.

Let's go through an example.

A third-level wizard has two 2nd-level spell slots and four 1st-level spell slots. They can only cast two 2nd-level spells and four 1st-level spells at a time before needing to rest. But they are still able to cast cantrips. 

If you enjoy playing fantasy video games, consider mana or any other magic-using resource while thinking of Spell Slots. When you run out, you cannot continue casting spells since you require it. But have no fear, there is a solution to that as well. Spell Scrolls can be a great addition to the game, because they allow spellcasters to use spells without expanding any spell slots. 

Apart from finding Spell Scrolls in a treasure vault or in the magic store, you might wanna invest in creating spell scrolls yourself. 

Upcasting

In some situations it is possible to upcast the spell which means you cast a weaker spell but by expanding a higher level spell slot. In many cases, when upcasting a spell, it gains some kind of buff – whether it is an increase in damage or possibility to pick an additional target of the spell. 

Here is an example. 

A cleric might cast a Bless spell (1st level spell) on 3rd level, by expanding the 3rd level spell slot. In doing so, the cleric can choose instead of 3 creatures to put the Bless effect on, up to 5 creatures. 

Upcasting can be a strategic decision or necessity when lower spell slots have been expanded. 

Can you cast multiple spells?

Normally, you are only allowed to cast one Spell per turn. Even if the two spells you plan to cast utilize an Action for one and a Bonus Action for the other, this rule still holds true. The most typical exception is that if one is an Action and the other a Bonus Action, you may cast a spell and a cantrip.

The action economy cost is not a very straightforward element of spell design, but in general it serves to balance some smaller spells like Healing Word that might not be very powerful healing spells but can be a game changer in the battle nonetheless. To put it straight, it would be quite strong if you cast multiple spells throughout your turn. To maintain balance, you usually aren’t allowed to perform more than one Spell during a round.

Now, as a sort of exemption, you are permitted to cast a Cantrip and a spell simultaneously, provided that one of them uses an Action and the other a Bonus. For instance, a Light Domain Cleric might cast both sacred flame (1 action – Cantrip) and healing word (1 bonus action – 1st level spell) on the same turn. 

Multiclassing while taking two Fighter levels to unlock the Action Surge function is the most extreme case exception. With this feature, you can perform a second Action during your turn, allowing you to cast two spells (or two Cantrips) that require an Action.

Conclusion

Spellcasting is essentially the process of employing magic. It is important to know your spellcasting ability and how it impacts your spell attack modifier and spell save DC. You should also be familiar with the different spellcasting classes to create your chosen character. Sometimes a magician doesn’t necessarily have to be a wizard, and a shaman in the village doesn’t have to be a warlock. Playing around with themes, mechanics and spell choices can create a fairly unique hero. 

Now, if you’re completely new to D&D, I suggest against creating a character that solely relies on spells. Perhaps an introduction to spells with half caster or ⅓ caster can be a good choice. That being said, if you are totally in love with the fantasy of being a wizard, go for it. It is fun as hell and despite the often hard first few levels, spellcasters absolutely dominate the battlefield later on in the game. 

Oh, and by the way. Obviously Warlock is the best spellcaster out there. Just saying. 

Artykuł How do spells work in dnd 5e? – Comprehensive Spellcasting Guide pochodzi z serwisu Before You Roll.

What are Legendary Actions in 5e?

Legendary Actions are a special type of action that can only be taken by certain types of creatures, such as dragons and liches. Legendary Action Points (LAPs) are required in order to take these actions, and they are recovered with each turn or any other trigger specified for the creature. These actions can range from attacking to casting spells and usually come with some type of additional effect.

When Should You Use a Legendary Action?

Legendary Actions are best used when players are dealing with a powerful creature that poses a significant challenge to them. They can give the DM the flexibility to adapt to their players’ strategies, while still keeping the game feeling balanced. They also allow Legendary creatures to fight longer without becoming overwhelmed and give them an edge over normal creatures.

Giving a monster the legendary actions might me especially important when it is a battle between a group of PC and just one foe. Action economy in 5e is arguable the biggest factor in balancing encounters, so allowing the monster to do stuff more than just once in the whole ladder of initiative is crucial.

On top of that, legendary action is a way to very loudly statement about what the PCs are dealing with. I can’t imagine a villain without some scary, memorable moves. It makes the encounter instantly more dynamic, more memorable and more FUN!

Tip#1: If you want to know more about creating a great villain, check this article. 

Using Different Types of Legendary Actions.

When designing Legendary Actions for your campaign, you should think about the kinds of actions that make sense for the creature and use a variety of different types. Common options include spellcasting, movement, or bonus action attacks. You may also choose to create unique Legendary Actions that fit the creature’s stats, history and theme.

Some examples of legendary actions include:

• Making an attack: The creature can make a single tail attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.
• Moving without provoking opportunity attacks: The creature can move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from other creatures.
• Casting a cantrip: The creature can cast a cantrip that does not require concentration.

Personally I like to design more compound, unique moves that enforce the feeling of the foe. Take a look at those two legendary actions from my multistage boss fight.

As you can see, both statblocks gives my boss a completely different arsenal to use. In order to prevent a long stalemate where my monster just stands still in one place I tend to give them movement based Legendary Action and something impactful on the map. Utilizing a very powerful action that in the same time impairs the monster in one way or the other might be additionally fun for players. It allows players to experience the epicness of your boss and take more strategic decisions on the battlefield.

If you are particularly interested in designing boss battles, stay tune . Soon I will have just a right guide for you.

Managing Cohorts and Followers.

Legendary creatures can use their Legendary Actions to command and manage cohorts or followers and use them in strategic combat. You can assign actions like flanking or aiding other creatures, trapping opponents, distracting targets, etc. that require the follower to make an attack roll with advantage or disadvantage depending on the situation. This can add an interesting dynamic and allow for some creative tactics from your legendary creature.

You can find some more tips on creating minions and diverse groups of less powerful monster in this article.

Balancing Encounters with Legendary Actions.

Working with Legendary Actions can be difficult as it’s easy to overpower encounters when your legendary creature has so much agency. To avoid this, you should assign a strict number of actions each turn and build the encounter around that. Consider the type of actions your creature has access to and use them wisely. For example, if they have teleportation abilities, make sure to use that strategically and not waste those powerful abilities unnecessarily. On top of that, some actions take two or three LPA. If something feels too OP, perhaps you could increase the amount of LPA for this particular action instead of cutting it out entirely.

On that note I would say, don’t be afraid to add legendary actions to your game. In Monster Manual, the lowest CR monster with legendary action is Unicorn. In Mythic Odysseys of Theros there is a Fleecemane Lion (CR3) with legendary action, which means you could use such monster on the very beginning of your campaign. I absolutely love it!

Legendary action is there to help you, DM, manage action economy but also add the epic spice to the mix. The group of PC are heroes from level 1 so don’t feel shy to let them feel that way. Throw a group of bandits with legendary leader against them and watch their faces when he rolls out of the combat on someone else’s turn.

What do you think the best Legendary Action is anyway?

Did you like this article? Read more.

Artykuł Understanding How to Use Legendary Actions in D&D 5e pochodzi z serwisu Before You Roll.

I must admit, I hate Critical Role Recaps. I skip them all the time.

Understandably, CR is a show so there is a different set of rules from a home game. Nevertheless, stay with me to the end and you will know why I dislike Matt’s recaps.

Admittedly, a lot of what you will read here is going against AngryGM’s point of view so have fun finding out for yourself what works better for you.

What can go wrong in session recap?

Several things can make your session recap an unbearable experience without you even knowing it. You might be a great DM, so most of the players won’t even notice this, but once you are on the other side, the recap format can punch you in the face and take away your will to live.

Too much details

Recap can become a rabbit hole. You start with ‘so you went to the city and…’ and then go on and on about every single detail that might be fun to re-live, but has nothing to do with your new session.

Not only some of the details won’t be necessary, but most likely they will concern only part of the group, putting the rest of your party on a waitlist.

Too little details

Simply going through major points of the campaign can be a very useful tool for DM, especially if it is a long campaign but recap is not a place for it. Simply stating what had happened for the last year of playing can become confusing for everyone and make players think that what they do now is irrelevant.

Going meta

Session recap most likely turns into a meta description of your game. It is a bird’s-eye view, that forces your players to distant themselves from the immersive experience of the game. It is a comfortable position for DM since that’s what you do the whole game, but for players, it is a forced perspective. One, that can makes roleplaying and immersion harder for those at the table, later on.

Forcing your perspective

That’s a big one. By recapping the session, you put your way of viewing things over what players thought and how they imagined the game. Like a steamroller, you flatten the roleplaying experience by turning it into your story. After all, you are shaping the collective memory of your group.

Spilling your beans

Yes, I admit. I did that once. By forgetting what the players did and what they didn’t discover in the past, I’ve spilled the beans and shared one of the secrets with the players. Some of them were confused, others didn’t even notice, but it can happen. Especially if your last session was six months ago.

Why we do recaps in our sessions?

1. Reminds everyone what had happened

Ye, it is important. If you play weekly games this won’t that much of an issue (it can be!), but after few weeks, people start to forget. Especially if you play multiple campaigns, if you are super busy with other stuff like life (pfff, ye, I KNOW!).

Having a couple of points from the last sessions gets everyone up to speed. It makes you and players aware of what’s going on. I lied saying I disagree with AngryDM on everything. He is right about the brief points, most important elements of previous sessions, and most significant and urgent elements of the last session.

You recap to go from ‘You are a party trying to stop a war by…’ to ‘So you stole the maps and now you are running away, chased by five riders in the middle of the forest’.

2. Allows everyone to fill the gaps if there are any

Recap is a good moment for your players to ask questions and fill the gaps from the last sessions. Maybe they didn’t note something or they’re not sure about some of the things that transpired. Having a quick Q&A with your players at the beginning can help them a lot.

It can help them create a plan. It can allow them to connect the dots. Remind them of something that went over their heads because so much was happening. Someone’s cognitive capacity can be impaired for multiple reasons so allowing players to go back, reset, understand is necessary.

3. Becomes a transition from simply talking to playing

Recaps occupy space somewhere between the game and outside of it. They are almost like a menu and UI in the video game. It is a tunnel that connects your real life with your game, so doing it right can significantly improve the immersion process and make you dnd games better.

Mike from Sly Flourish in his ‘Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master’ says to start strong. It is great advice, but I think it has more to do with structure than content. Fighting is a great idea to start with because it has a clear structure that involves everyone at the table. It is about a strong push towards the game, making the players forget about ‘playing’.

So what if we can merge it with the session recap?

Improve Session Recap

Against the AngryDM advice, we will roll with it. Involve your players in the recap. Make it a shared experience, just like the game itself.

Why would you involve players in the session recap?

1. Understand what is important for players

Things that were big in your head don’t necessarily grab the attention of your players and vice versa. It’s almost a meme in the D&D community, that the players enter the tavern and instead of approaching visibly fleshed-out NPCs, they approach Boblin the Goblin that you just shoved into the scene to make the tavern more lively.

Sounds familiar right? Ye, so, players don’t know what is a part of the plot. There are no highlighted elements of the world strictly design to be interacted with. What might be a small detail that you’ve improvised, became a big part of their interest.

It is good to know that! You might wanna steer them back to the plot or build other stuff around the detail they’re interested in. Leaving part of the recap to the players you can find out what is important to them, what they pay attention to, what makes the great game for your players. It is one of the best ways to know, understand and relate to your players.

2. Let them compare notes

In a busy life, we all have, players, won’t have always time to talk to each other in-between sessions to figure out what to do next, what they plan, what they have noticed. It’s good to have time like this in-game, but a recap is a perfect moment to give them space to just talk and compare notes.

It is a great source of information for DM and a bonding / cooperative moment for players.

3. Correct mistakes or misunderstandings

It is a tricky one since you don’t want to straighten out every single piece of the plot. It is not about telling them how things really are. This is the moment when you can correct what is bluntly misunderstanding of what you said or did.

Last time you described the character as ‘huge ugly men’ and one of the players noted that the size of the character is huge because they couldn’t hear what you exactly said. When they bring it up, correct it. Make sure that what you intended to say is matching what they think you’ve said.

We are all humans and sometimes, especially when the situation in the plot is complicated or when the session is long and you start to be tired, we make mistakes.

4. Active over passive recaps

I constantly try to cut out the long bits when most players don’t do anything at the table. Whether it’s fighting, descriptions, conversations, or recap, I don’t want to be the one talking for 20 minutes.

Engaging players as often as possible is part of DMs job so I recommend doing it with recap as well. I’ve already given few examples of how players can actively take part in recaps. I often ask players who want to start the recap so they have a choice to do it. It also creates a sense of agreement that it’s their time to talk now – especially important when there are many people at the table.

What I would add here is to pay attention to players who are not engaged or can be overwhelmed by the game and others. It can give you clues on giving this particular player and their character some space within the game.

5. Put role play in your session recap

That’s a big one. Let’s make AngryGM even angrier. Introduce roleplaying to your recap. Most of us are not actors, for many of the players RPing is hard and can be embarrassing. Having few moments out of the game, that can help immerse yourself into the character and feel closer to it can improve everyone’s ability to RP.

There are two ways we started to do it at our table and it worked magic!

• Ask questions about the character – technique I’ve seen on Ginny Di channel. Simply make a list and ask you players questions about their characters. Make it more about preferences than facts. Ask them what they like or dislike, what would they do in hypothetical situation.
  Don’t be afraid to use language and examples out of the campaign theme. It is about player understanding the character rather than character knowing those things.
  
• Ask the character what the thought, felt or wonder – technique that surprised my table as well as myself. Towards the end of the recap start asking players about their characters. Ask what they felt when situations occurred, what were they thinking when falling asleep that one night, how they felt when they were told this particular piece of information.
  
  It helps the players to go into the minds of their characters. Process some emotions and situations that normally they might not have space to do it. It is especially effective when you finished on rest (short or long) or in otherwise safe situation. As DM you become the unconsciousness, someone who brings back memories and feelings that had to be buried deep.
  
  I believe this can be your Strong Start when there is no fight on the horizon.

6. Mood is more important than plot or Why I hate Matt Mercer’s recaps

We’ve established that session recaps help to fill the gaps and share information about the campaign. Plot and the story are extremely important but so is the mood and transition from sitting on the chair to delving into the stinking dungeon. Mood.

You and your players are already thinking. Now it’s time to shift gears towards feeling. Recap is a perfect moment to slowly bring the mood of the campaign and the immediate situation you left off. It is a slow process of guiding the players through the door of imagination.

Addressing the surroundings, consequences, emotions will be the most important element that will help all of you immerse in the game. If you start the recap with laughs and jokes, but your game ended with death and defeat, you have a span of few sentences to bring out the atmosphere and help everyone feel that.

About Matt and his recaps. Obviously, CR is a show, but it’s now a cableTV. Most of us know what happened – both last time and six months ago (why would you go so far in the past MATT!) or can simply check it out in a few minutes. The mood thou…
Many times CR players ended up with sadness, tension, and panic, just to start a new session and continue with a new attitude. I believe that could be avoided many times if Matt was more focused on the mood of the scene and “last we left off” rather than plot points.

Make the session recap work for you

A recap is a tool in your hands. Use it for the benefit of you and your players. It can be whatever you want it to be, as look as it helps you make the game better. Like every tool, it is there to make your life easier, not harder.

Try different approaches, pick elements from these articles and tips provided by others. Mash it all up and come with a perfect formula for your group. Most players don’t pay that much attention to recaps but showing them how it can help them as well, can be a game-changer for your games.

Let me know in the comment section what your recaps look like and what would you add to the list.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter. I will have something special for all the subscribers soon, especially if you like the Ranger class. Stay tuned!

Artykuł Better Session Recap and Why You Need It pochodzi z serwisu Before You Roll.

So let’s go through basic and extended rules for using the tools and see how they can change our role-playing and the game overall. After finishing, you will have tons of ideas how to use the forgotten tools in your kit. Not to mention, your team will love you for rescuing them from a creeping demon with Potter tools!

List of Tools in D&D 5e

First, let’s take a look at what tools we have access to in Dungeon and Dragons 5e.

Rules for using tools in D&D

You can find rules for using tools in Player’s Handbook in Chapter 5.

A tool helps you to do something you couldn’t otherwise do, such as craft or repair an item, forge a document, or pick a lock. Your race, class, background, or feats give you proficiency with certain tools. Proficiency with a tool allows you to add your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make using that tool. Tool use is not tied to a single ability, since proficiency with a tool represents broader knowledge of its use. For example, the DM might ask you to make a Dexterity check to carve a fine detail with your woodcarver’s tools, or a Strength check to make something out of particularly hard wood.

Player’s Handbook chapter 5.

Within this description there are several things that are worth paying attention to, but might not be visible right away.

Three pillars of Tools in D&D 5e

There are three major benefits from being proficient in using tools.

1. You can add proficiency bonus to the skill you are not otherwise proficient with, given that you specify how you use your tools to compensate it.

e.g. You try to find a way out of the mountains. You are asked to make Survival check but you are not proficient in it. You use your Cartographer's Tools to assess the distance between landmarks and create a general path out of the mountains for which you can add your Proficiency bonus modifier.

2. You gain advantage on skill check if you are both proficient in the skill you are trying to utilize and tools that help you with that.

e.g. You try to access a forbidden part of the city. You are asked to make a Persuasion check to see if the guards believe you. By using your Forgery Kit you muster a fake signature on documents that grants you advantage on the roll.

3. You gain access to additional and unique skills or benefits by using the tools.

e.g. With Jeweler's Kit you can modify the gem's appearance and potentially increase its value.

Tools proficiency but no skill proficiency

Tool + No Skill = Skill + d20 + Proficiency mod

This circumstance is simple mechanically but bring some interesting points to the narrative aspect of the game.

Having no proficiency in skill means that in the life of our character this particular skill hasn’t been utilized enough for them to be competent in it. Yet a character with tools proficiency has a knowledge and experience in using tools that possibly can help to mitigate this shortcoming. Perhaps this tool was always a way for your character to mask the incompetence or maybe it simply show how adaptive and creative the character is.

As always, in storytelling and narrative design, having two opposing forces is a good place to be. Figuring out where those oppositions come from and how they react with each other can be a great hook for a role-playing.

You are not be the best in performing in front of people. Usually your success relies on blending in and staying out of sight. That's why even the thought of standing in front of a crowd and speaking out makes you sweat. Fortunately, you know how to change your appearance, you know how to become someone else. With a little bit of make-up and a wig, this speech you are about to give will be way easier. 

This little example show you how a Performance check could be mitigate by Disguise Kit proficiency. Roleplaying the stress of making a speech, figuring out a way to use disguise kit, preparing and finally standing in front of all those people would make an amazing D&D moment to remember.

Tools proficiency gives you a unique skill

‘Tools can help you do something that you couldn’t otherwise do’, basically means that these are unique skills that your character has, that nobody else posses. This itself is a very important for your character and roleplaying. Distincting yourself from other members of the group in social and environmental situations is one of the key points to build believable and interesting character.

Rogue is trying to pick locks. The brute is trying to force open them. You have smith's tools and maybe you might be able to dismantle the hinges? 

Suddenly you and your team gets an additional way of dealing with whatever DM puts in front of you. Because of that, it’s smart to read upon the tools you are proficient in, to really get a grasp of what you are fully capable of. Start with Wikipedia and go into a rabbit hole of craftsmanship and various tools that had been used in the past.

Or perhaps you are a lucky owner of Herbalist Kit and can brew potions,

Xanathar Guide to Everything goes in-depth on how to use each tool proficiency to gain amazing and unique skills. Start from page 78 to learn more.

Versatile use of tools in D&D

All of the Skills in D&D can have at least few ways to use them. Tools make it even broader, giving you the ability to creatively bent your typical skill check by using tools proficiency.

Tool use is not tied to a single ability, since proficiency with a tool represents broader knowledge of its use. For example, the DM might ask you to make a Dexterity check to carve a fine detail with your woodcarver’s tools, or a Strength check to make something out of particularly hard wood.

This opens a wide array of possibilities for you and your party. It gives you a way to negotiate with the DM how to approach a certain task and try out of the box solutions.

Bringing back our shy character with Disguise Kit. In out previous example he used it to give him a little boost to Performance check. Same tool would help him to stay stealthy when sneaking through crowded area, intimidate a local store owner or persuade a local priest that you are a part of the religious group by having their mark on your forearm.

On mechanical level it allows you to add your proficiency bonus to any ability check, so now it’s not only possible, but also probably as well!

Proficiency with a tool represents broader knowledge of its use. Make sure you talk about it with your DM. Whenever you are about to make a skill check that’s out of your realm, try to sneak in some tools.

Where do you get your tools and proficiency/header

Using tools without proficiency in them

In most canonical sense, using tools without being proficient in them doesn’t give a character any kind of benefit. Since most of the tools in D&D are very specific and allude to craftsmanship it would simply mean that a character doesn’t know how to use them to achieve a given goal.

This could be potentially interesting thing to explore when a particular character tries to learn and gain the proficiency in tools. Would a novice have a disadvantage on the rolls using the tools at first? How many fails does it take to learn the proper use of the tools and what role would a teacher play in the process of mastering the tools?

Learning and gaining tools proficiency

So how do you increase proficiency in tools 5e? XGtE gives a simple recipe on how to do that.

Receiving training in a language or tool typically take at least ten workweeks to gain new tool proficiency but the times is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character’s Intelligence modifier (an Intelligence penalty doesn’t increase the time needed). Training costs 25 gp per workweek.

Xanathar Guide to Everything p. 134

It is listed as a downtime activity, that would require a significant amount of time and money (250 gp per a training). Additionally, there is a hidden resource required – a teacher.

Finding a teacher could potentially be a quest on itself and might need more than just money to pay for tutoring. However, if you already have tool proficiency, including a teacher in your backstory could open new valley to explore the character motivations, personality and goals.

Tools proficiency but no tools in equipment

It might be confusing for some, but having a tool proficiency doesn’t grant you automatically all the tools in the equipment. When picking up the starting equipment, make sure to check for them.

Normally tool sets should be available in most general stores, but if the DM is rather conservative about hat, ask how your character might obtain such tools.

When starting on higher levels, ask if you could add them right away, to avoid mundane shopping at the beginning of the campaign.

What’s in my toolset

Most sets like Thieve’s Tools or Alchemist’s Supplies are a group of items that could be used separately. Read the description in your equipment, so you can use all of it, for whatever purpose you want.

A mirror on a handle or a pair of scissors in the Thieve’s Tools could be use for preparing a trap as well as changing your looks before a big show. A mortar and pestle from Herbalist Kit could be great for crushing some gems or preparing a dinner.

Having the knowledge of what you really have on you and roleplaying all those small details will add depth to the role you have in a group. Using skills will be much more than a mechanical activity and in itself will become a part of the character personality.

Just think about your own favorite items. Your best pen, a bag pack or maybe a spoon. Those quirks are part of you and adding this layer to the character can go a long way.

Some toolsets lack such description and don’t go into details what’s in them. Work out with your DM the content of the toolset.

Afterthought

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Artykuł Tools in D&D – Rules and How to Elevate Roleplay pochodzi z serwisu Before You Roll.