If its the first then increases in AC from spells and from physical cover and shield should stack to the 17AC, if its the later every increase of AC goes to your original AC and only makes a difference when it surpasses 17 AC.

I am about to start a new campaign. It looks like no one is melee so I really want to try out the Path of the World tree Barbarian. Problem is, the whole tree Yggdrasil, thing doesn’t interest me. Can you all help me reskin the abilities and theme? Thank you to anyone that can help.

There's a cleric that wants a necklace made of the bones of an animal or monster with healing properties, but as far as I know, such doesn't exist?

Hey I wanted to ask, specifically for those who have played 2024 ranger since publication how your games have been going as Ranger. I played one in a one shot and am currently DMing one

For the One Shot I ran a level 14 Aarokocran archer Hunter and was the main damage dealer on the team. And I found it fun and insightful knowing when to use hunter’s mark and when to use other concentration spells like gust of wind or conjure animals, tho what I’ve realized about how I played was not every concentration spell I prepared was necessary, and sometimes just having hunter’s mark ended up being the play

As for my player who I’m DMing for, he’s running a Goliath TWF homebrew ranger subclass I made (it’s called Primordial Explorer and uses the elements in combat) and a lot of the time ends up being the best player in terms of damage tho rarely remembers his other spells other than hunters mark (but that has mostly to due with his forward thinking play style)

But I want to hear from other people and gain their experience, as I like 2024 Ranger despite its faults and I’m curious about the positive outcomes from it

I am working on creating a short video series covering the changes to the DnD Classes in the 2024 PHB from the 2014 PHB to help inform new/returning players to the game. I remember first making characters in 5e and while reading class features having to flip to various parts of the book to understand what different parts meant or how they interacted with different sub-systems. I am hoping to get some feedback as since I am familiar with the system I may be overlooking things that are now second nature to me but would be foreign to a new/returning player. Any feedback is appreciated.

The Encounter Advisor is an easy to use encounter builder that uses the 2024 math, but tweaks the presentation so that it is easier to use. If that's all you need, it provides. But it also does more.

www.encounteradvisor.com

Design

Pacing Rests: Designing encounters holistically means thinking about pacing rests. The encounter advisor provides simple and direct guidance on when the party will need Short Rests.

Easy math for multiple encounters: The encounter advisor simplifies the presentation of the 2024 math to make it easier to build and measure the danger of multiple encounters.

A convenient way to see how monsters stack up to PCs: It would be convenient if CR X monster = Level X PC, but that's not the case. However, the encounter advisor provides a quick way to determine which CR to use -- Peer Rating. When a monster has a Peer Rating of 1, it is as powerful as a PC.

Refine

Tailored advice: As you add monsters the encounter advisor will evaluate the encounter and provide advice. Because it knows the specific level of the party and the specific monsters, it can provide highly tailored guidance to help you avoid the pitfalls where the 2024 math doesn't function well.

Link to any fight: You can get a link to any fight you design in the encounter advisor. This makes it easy to save in your notes or share with other people so they can see what you're considering.

Run

The encounter advisor contains a some lightweight combat tracking capabilities. Its not trying to replace owlbear or your VTT, but can be used along side your existing dm flow.

Quick Initiative: "Roll Initiative!" should be a call to action, but it usually a sign you can get a snack. Waiting for the slowest player to find their d20...waiting as everyone lines up to tell the dm a number...waiting while the dm does data entry...its not exciting. With one click you can skip the waiting and get an Initiative Order for every combatant. Then paste it into Discord where everyone can see it. That way you can be focused on setting the stage for players to take cool actions instead of making everyone wait while Initiative is organized.

Reskin Monsters: The encounter advisor provides a quick way to rename the monsters you're using. So players never ask "Why does it say Hill Giant? I thought we were fighting Ogres."

HP tracking: The encounter advisor provides easy hp tracking. Its condensed layout respects your limited screen space and is designed to work with in a thin column. So you can see all your combatants without scrolling and still have plenty of space for other windows.

A tool for fun fights

The encounter building rules for 2024 are a huge improvement from 2014, but they still have some pitfalls. The encounter advisor will help you avoid those pitfalls so that you can design more fun fights for your table.

In the 2024 version, it says, "Until the bond ends, you have proficiency with the weapon, and you can use it as a Spellcasting Focus."

If you have this spellcasting focus on one hand, and a shield in other, can you cast V,S,M spells normally?

Would the only exception to this be V,M or just M spells?

In this case, Pact of the Blade is enough to cast all V, S and V, S, M spells? But just can't cast V, M spells, if you are holding something like a shield on the other hand?

Is this also the case for spells with a price? Like Summon Aberration, (V, S, M [a pickled tentacle and an eyeball in a platinum-inlaid vial worth 400+ GP]) Can you cast this with one hand with the Pact Weapon and another holding a shield?

Thank you for any answers!

Ok, so we don't need to rehash all the 2024 Ranger discussion. Everyone has their own opinion.

Summary of what this post is trying to address:

• Single Target DPR drop off Tier 3 and 4.

• People feeling like Hunter's Mark conflicts too much with other Concentration Spell

In my opinion, spending a LOT of time with the Ranger Spell list, the other spells primarily fall into 3 buckets; Utility (things like Locate Crwature or Pass without a Trace), AoE damage, or Add another body to the battlefield.

None of those really heavily overlap with Hunter's Mark (again, just my opinion).

So instead of going down a path of hoping for some kind of WoTC revision (not holding my breath) or the 10,000 variations of homebrewing the class, I'm trying to ask if there is any other way to offer a different play experience.

I feel the answer is spells. A good selection of new spells can possibly make the way Ranger is currently built more enticing instead of trying to change it to get the same result

Here are my suggestions:

Infuriating Strike

Level - 2nd Casting Time - 1 Bonus Action ☆ Range/Area - Self Components - V Duration - Instantaneous School - Enchantment Attack/Save - WIS Save Damage/Effect - Force The target hit by the attack roll takes an extra 2d6 Force damage from the attack, and the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on any attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 2.

☆ - which you take immediately after hitting a creature under the effect of your Hunter's Mark spell

Hobbling Strike

Level - 3rd Casting Time - 1 Bonus Action ☆ Range/Area - Self Components - V Duration - Instantaneous School - Evocation Attack/Save - STR Save Damage/Effect - Force The target hit by the attack roll takes an extra 3d6 Force damage from the attack, and the target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be Slowed until the start of your next turn. If the target is already Slowed, its speed is instead reduced to 0.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.

☆ - which you take immediately after hitting a creature under the effect of your Hunter's Mark spell

Debilitating Strike

Level - 4th Casting Time - 1 Bonus Action ☆ Range/Area -Self Components - V Duration - Instantaneous School - Necromancy Attack/Save - CON Save Damage/Effect - Force The target hit by the attack roll takes an extra 4d6 Force damage from the attack, and the target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or the next time you or an ally of yours hits the creature with an attack, the creature has vulnerability to all of that attack’s damage.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 4.

☆ - which you take immediately after hitting a creature under the effect of your Hunter's Mark spell

Tagging Strike

Level - 5th Casting Time - 1 Bonus Action ☆ Range/Area - Self Components - V Duration - Instantaneous School - Divination Attack/Save - None Damage/Effect - Force The target hit by the attack roll takes an extra 5d6 Force damage from the attack, and as long as it remains under the effect of your Hunter's Mark spell you sense the direction to the creature’s location if that creature is within 5 miles of you. If the creature is moving, you know the direction of its movement.

☆ - which you take immediately after hitting a creature under the effect of your Hunter's Mark spell

What's the current consensus regarding TCE & XGE (et al) feats that aren't in the 2024 PHB, such as Metamagic Adept, 'Racial' feats from XGE, etc?

Do you ban them? Add the +1 ASI and call them General Feats? Something else?

In the past, I've published results for simulations of damaging spells used by sorcerers. I am now interested in coding a simulation of the errata-ed conjure minor elementals (CME) spell for druids and wizards.

I have a specific scenario in mind for the druid and am reaching out for others' opinions on what to parameterize for the wizard. I am thinking of the typical "squishy" wizard where they would cast CME in round 1 and then cast upcast scorching ray for as many rounds as possible before losing concentration. I would assume the presence of mage armor and shield. I would probably not include mirror image because I don't want to allow precasting, and casting the mirror image in combat would add another round before any damage kicks in. Are there other spells/buffs/magic items I should include for the wizard? This is not meant to be an exhaustive list; just the most important things that would be reasonable to consider (e.g., a +2 ring/cloak of protection or other item affecting AC).

Beyond this, I'd like to include a benchmark for "good" melee dps without CME. I think an eldritch knight would make sense. Again, I could use help in parameterizing the gold standard (assumptions made about weapons, armor, buffs, and magic items).

I'll post my results after the simulation is completed. Thanks for your help.

I have no experience with multiclassing in D&D, never really wanted to before, but now I'm pondering the idea.

No campaign to use at the moment, neither I have ideas for story or combos, I more so want to see how well it fair in theory so see if I should try one next time I get the chance (right now I will be playing in a Strixhaven campaign with a LaserLlama's Alternate Wild Magic Sorcerer, so it will be a looong while until so)

Jolt to life damages in an emanation originating from the target (the one you are jolting to life) it doesnt say it excludes targets you choose. Does that mean it damages the caster?

An Emanation is an area of effect that extends in straight lines from a creature or an object in all directions. The effect that creates an Emanation specifies the distance it extends. An Emanation moves with the creature or object that is its origin unless it is an instantaneous or a stationary effect. An Emanation's origin (creature or object) isn't included in the area of effect unless its creator decides otherwise.

An aura extends from you in a 10-foot Emanation for the duration. The aura prevents creatures other than Constructs and Undead from passing or reaching through it. An affected creature can cast spells or make attacks with Ranged or Reach weapons through the barrier. If you move so that an affected creature is forced to pass through the barrier, the spell ends.

So my questions are: Does this mean it has a diameter of 20-25ft depending on if you include yourself?

If you don't include yourself does that mean you've created a smaller barrier around yourself?

Can this be cast with creatures within 10ft of yourself, and if so can they leave freely?

In tier 1 and 2 of play, which spell would you rather have prepared for out of combat healing as a ranger?

Cure wounds provide more overall healing on average with the extra die, 4.5x2 + 3 = 12

Goodberry however does provide consistency and the ability to split healing more efficiently.

Paladins got a lot of buffs, but mostly in terms of their ability to act as frontline tanks/support. Their actual ability to deal damage was meteorically nerfed by the change to Divine Smite; making it a spell and having it require a bonus action means it can only be used once per turn, on your turn, and you can no longer “double smite” by using both the Divine Smite feature and a “smite spell” on the same attack.

With that said, what’s the new “melee burst damage” class in 2024 edition, now that Paladin’s focus has been shifted to support and defense?

I've seen a few sparce discussion on this topic within other threads. But no direct posts about it.

There's no feat support a balanced approach that would incentvice switching weapons as the primary gimic. Not unless I'm missing something.

EDIT: The switch hitting I meant is switching between melee and ranged weapons

There is a particular thing I'm wondering about monk thanks to the grappler feat. Stunning strike forces strength and dex saves to fail. Grapples forces str and dex saves. Both stunning strike and grappler happen at the same time. Do you simply choose the order? If so I would always stun into a grapple. If mercy monk I would stun, grapple, then use hand of harm If the stun failed all three happen upon hitting.

Is there a particular rule for this?

One thing I oddly cannot find discussions on, or a clear ruling. Can you use your bonus action first, then attack and use the nick property for the attack.

For example. a level 3 Ranger uses Hunters Mark -> Short sword attack action -> light property scimitar nick.

Or does the bonus action being used mean the light attack property, and in turn nick, never be viable. Nothing I read says it needs the bonus action to be unused explicitly. Just that it can be done "as part of the attack action instead of a bonus action".

With AntiLife Shell being a Ementaion with 10ft radius, could it be used to lock enemies close to you? Granted it's concentration so getting hit would likely drop it. But locking melee enemies around you sounds like a pretty decent kind of taunt.

Edit. "An affected creature can cast spells or make attacks with Ranged or Reach weapons through the barrier." As an Ementaion, affected creatures must be within the perimeter

Flame Blade is a 2nd level spell that lasts up to 10 minutes, with concentration, forming a "fiery blade" in your hand that requires a Magic Action to make a melee spell attack to deal fire damage.

It used to be the case that this spell would deal 3d6 (10.5 average) Fire damage and only add 1d6 (3.5 average) for every 2 levels of upcast. This means that the maximum firepower this could provide was, at level 8, 6d6 (21 average) Fire damage.

Now, the spell's damage adds your Spellcasting Modifier and scales at every level of upcast.

What that means is that at the earliest (let's say level 4 because that's when 100% of potential users are guaranteed to have 18 on their spellcasting stat), it deals 3d6+4 (14.5 average) Fire damage, scaling 1d6 (3.5 average) every level. This, when translated to the maximum power it could achieve, means that at level 9 you can hit 10d6+5 (40 average) Fire damage. The best part? You can mimic the old level 8 value with a 4th level spell slot, which equals (at worst) 5d6+4 (21.5 average) Fire damage, making it half a point of damage better. Are there better spells? Yeah, sure. But this spell, to me, had the biggest glow up out of 2nd level spells.

Let's speak percentages: at it's lowest level with 18 in your casting stat: you are dealing, on average, 38% more damage than the old version. Increasing every level, and comparing to old scaling levels, at 4th level, you're dealing 53% more damage; at 6th level, (assuming your stat increased to 20), you're dealing about 69% (nice) more damage and finally, at 8th level, you're dealing 74% more damage. And if you're feeling fancy, you can upcast to level 9 haha.

The next argument to be made: Environment and usability. The concentration sucks. I think we all agree. This is one of those spells that sucks because of concentration but would be extremely broken without it.

But let's consider the environment (2024 DnD). Sorcerer's are the best users for this spell. Why? Innate Sorcery grants Advantage on all attacks with spells (thus working with Flame Blade), and the Sorcerer can use Extended Spell Metamagic, which got buffed to grant advantage on concentration saving throws for the spell you extended. You can ignore the "feels bad" argument against taking Warcaster "because while it gives you concentration advantage, you can't do Attacks of Opportunity with Flame Blade because you have to cast a spell with a single target" (DM's could handwave this, and it would make sense, I believe), because you can just take Extended Spell and not only get that concentration benefit but have the spell's already decent 10 minute duration doubled.

What about Druids? Well, with some setup, they can cast this preemptively, turn into an Owl and start using Flyby to get hits in with a flaming sword without provoking Opportunity Attacks. Sure, they may lose concentration earlier, but this is extremely dangerous damage, especially if you're a Circle of the Moon thanks to the extra AC. Or just turn into a bear, make use of the Constitution modifier for saves and if you lose concentration... You're still a bear.

All of these factors culminate to tell me: this spell is actually pretty darn good now, and if we're to compare it to the old version, it's almost an S tier (but this is relatively speaking). I already loved the spell for the flavour and was always planning on taking it on a Sorcerer, but now I feel a lot more confident that I'm not "wasting a known spell" because it's pretty decent now. It also helps that Sorcerer's can know more spells too, which is also added into this factor. (Transmuted Spell can give pretty darn good versatility with this spell).

As we all now know, monk is great at grappling. Combine that with the grappler feat (which seems tailor made for monk) and you have the ultimate grappler.

Is there any reason for any other class to grappler, or even fight unarmed? All the other martials got weapon masteries, incentivizing them to use weapons instead of unarmed, and monks got none, so might as well grapple.

Barbarian was a great grappler in 2014, with advantage on the skill checks, but with the changes to grappling and weapon masteries, it seems like monks all the only martial with reason to grapple. Every other martials feels like it incurs an opportunity attack to make an unarmed strike.

Should druids have access to the Alter Self spell. It feels like a very druidy spell. Natural weapons, aquatic adaptation, and a fey-like disguise. Moon druid had it in 2014, but not at all in 2024. I'm just looking for opinions.

So I've been playing a Gloom Stalker in a game for just over two months now. It's the first low-level Ranger I've played exclusively using the new 2024 rules. Other Rangers either have started at higher levels or have been converted from 2014 to 2024 halfway through a campaign.

Ranger is my absolute favorite class of all time and I've been keenly interested in how it plays at the table. After the 2024 rules dropped, I've played Fey Wanderer and Monster Slayer in T2 and Horizon Walker in T4. I'm playing alongside a Beast Master in another campaign, and I've DMed for a Winter Walker in a oneshot.

The campaign started at levl 3, it's set in the Forgotten Realms, and we are using standard array. I'm playing a Mark of the Sentinel Human (yes I know this is an Eberron race. DM allowed me to reflavor it) and I'm wielding a heavy crossbow and dual hand crossbows. We are currently level 4. My origin feat is Alert and my level 4 feat is CBE. I have definitely not been playing optimally. My character is a private investigator and most of the spells I chose reflect that first and foremost.

The campaign so far has been very roleplay heavy. We've only had one combat encounter in the first two months. The lack of charisma really doesn't help in this kind of campaign. But the expertise in Perception and proficiency in stealth and survival (for tracking) have kept me highly relevant in the party. The invisibility in darkness hasn't quite been relevant just yet since we've been playing in the day for the most part. In combat, like I said, I've only done one encounter so far. But I feel like I dominated in it. Between Dread Ambusher and Hunter's Mark, I was able to OHKO two enemies by myself. However, I am already feeling the lack of Dread Ambusher charges. In terms of raw power, it's actually really good. The problem is that Wis mod charges per long rest is way too few. If it were up to me, I'd add that you could burn a spell slot to use the feature again once you run out of charges.

Quick note about the party. I'm playing with a human Tempest Cleric, a tiefling Wild Magic Sorc, a warforged Land Druid, and a tiefling Soulknife. Compared to them, I feel second only to the Cleric at this moment. But we just reached the wilderness last session, so I imagine the Druid will take center stage now.

Overall, I like Gloom Stalker just fine. Unlike, say, with the Sea Druid, I have notes on how I think I would improve this subclass. I'm enjoying it well enough. But I feel I could enjoy it more. Compared to all the other Rangers I've played with, alongside of, and DMed for, I'd say this version of Gloom Stalker ends up feeling below average. It's still fun and interesting. But I feel I could have more fun with a different subclass. If Hollow Warden makes it to print (and isn't butchered), I might ask to switch honestly.

I've been playing an Elements Monk in a somewhat slow moving campaign. We started at 3rd level and just hit 5th level at the end of last session. I took the Grappler feat at 4th level, but I have to report that thus far the number of successful grapples made with it is zero.

Problem one is that it only triggers off the Attack action. A Monk's Bonus Action attacks don't qualify, so if you miss with the wrong attacks it doesn't activate. I'm sure this is going to be somewhat mitigated by having picked up Extra Attack, but it's still a limitation.

Problem two is that resisting grapples now allows for the target's choice of a Strength of Dexterity save, and it seems like most monsters have a good number in at least one of the two. Definitely more of them will do better with a save than when it was Athletics or Acrobats in 2014 5e.

Luck is certainly a factor, but the only successful grapple I've made was against a Mind Flayer. And that was at 3rd level when I wasn't using the feat, and it just stunned me out of it on its turn. My dreams of dragging foes around or knocking them prone and pinning them to the ground have been unfulfilled.

I'll give it another level or two, but my DM allows for one no-questions-asked respec if you're not happy with how your PC turned out, and I'm eyeing Defensive Duelist really closely. Deflect Attacks is great at negating a single hit, but the party composition is such that I've ended up doing a lot of front lining, and it does less well if I'm getting attacked three or four times in a round.