Despite being based on Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, Baldur’s Gate 3 makes a number of changes, including adding weapon-specific abilities to each kind of weapon. The Pillars of Eternity series also has different modal stances that could be turned on depending on the weapon you were wielding.
Weapon Perks brings these video game concepts back into D&D, with new abilities for each of the 30+ ranged and melee weapons found in the Player’s Handbook.
We don’t usually think of Halloween as sitting around the table playing board games. This trio of excellent spooky-themed board games from Ravensburger and Funko Games should be added to our annual traditions. And not just for Halloween.
Whether you’re working together to defeat classic movie monsters, or competing to see the most ghosts at Disney’s Haunted Mansion, these family games are great for any time of the year.
Starring: Kaelan, level 14 tiefling Monster Slayer Ranger/Fiend Warlock Scarlet, level 14 human Oath of Devotion Paladin Gillian, level 14 triton Champion Fighter/College of Lore Bard Kethra, level 14 half-elf Assassin Rogue TIM, level 14 warforged War Domain Cleric
Kethra and TIM enter the ruined building, while the rest of us keep watch outside. Inside I can see the old body of a halfling. Looks like he was once an adventurer. Deep claw marks are clearly visible across his body.
As if in answer, the ghostly whispering grows more intense, and the spirit returns. Cressann, it had called itself.
“He promised to help. But he refused. He refused to help after he promised.”
The ball of light appears, hovering near the body. “But you won’t refuse, will you?”
“Friend, did you do this to him?” asks TIM.
“I must have my vengeance! You must help me,” the spirit cries. The light begins transforming. A skeletal form materializes in the room, looming over TIM and Kethra, large red-stained claws reaching out. “I would’ve given you my hammer! You had to refuse like all the rest.”
The rest of us hurry to the door, weapons ready. Before we can throw down, however, TIM strides up to the monstrous skeletal spirit, a contemplative look on his face. “Hey… I can use that hammer.”
The aptly named Death by Goblins is an adventure centered around a single, massive goblin lair, for 6th level parties. How do you make goblins challenging at 6th level? Start by throwing them into the deepest room at the bottom of the dungeon, and put the goblins under the command of a hilariously deranged elf bard.
We all grew up with heroic anthropomorphic animals saving the day, yet the animal companions and familiars in Dungeons and Dragons are often an after-thought. In Rescue: A Familiar Tale, the adventurers are captured by a mind-flayer, leaving their familiars and companions behind to rescue them in this clever one-shot adventure.
‘Tis the season for wandering hordes of undead descending on unsuspecting small towns. It didn’t take long for the modern tabletop gaming industry to embrace one of the most cherished themes in geekdom. Zombie games feature tense survival scenarios amidst the exciting backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world with few rules but lots of guns.
On Thursday, Oct 22, I live streamed a private video with patrons where I discussed the five DnD campaign ideas I’m considering for my next DnD adventure.
Owlbears are one of the most iconic creatures in D&D. Kinda silly, kinda fluffy, and often ferocious. Who hasn’t looked at an owlbear and wanted an awesome pet? Better yet, what if you could just be an owlbear?
Most videogame RPGs cite Dungeons & Dragons as their primary inspiration, but few directly adapt its rules. In a world of cooldowns and mana bars, D&D’s dice rolls, bonus actions, spell slots, and long rests can feel clunky and restrictive when applied to a videogame. Even Baldur’s Gate 3 makes many notable changes to make D&D more user-friendly, while indie RPG Solasta wears the 5e ruleset as a badge of honor, warts and all.
This is a game where combat is on a grid, where every d20 rolls on screen, and where jumping away from enemies is a sometimes-treat rather than a regular part of every meal.
While it may forever lurk in the shadow of Baldur’s Gate 3, its crunchy, dice-heavy combat is just what I want in a lean adaptation of the tabletop RPG.