Change the shape, not just the skin
Think Klingons and Vulcans are too human? “Yeah, it’s just a little bit of makeup!” Oh, that’s the least of the issues…
Unboring soldiers: More than cannon fodder
Town guards, frontline soldiers, initiates in a cult… why are they in that line of work? Based on how they usually act, it’s so they can die at a PC’s hand. Here’s a richer approach.
QQ&A: A simple way to create mysteries
There are many ways to run a mystery. This one works quickly and… well? Well enough, anyway.
Unboring halflings: more than just smallfolk
If halflings are just hobbits but without the risk of lawsuits, then why do any become adventurers? Frodo was literally exceptional. Also… how could halflings, of all people, live so peacefully?
Why does your character care more than you do?
Let’s say your character knew a path to greater power - even godlike power. It’s not even a dark ritual, because they can acquire it while make the world better. They’d go for it, right? So why won’t you?
Give them a world that lives and breathes
Take your humble campaign. Now imagine it avoids the blunders a billion-dollar studio stumbled into. How cool is that, hey?
When hit points don’t exist
Spend a few minutes thinking about hit points and you’ll realise they don’t make sense. There’s an easy fix to most of the problems - stop thinking they always exist.
QQ&A: How to do horror
How do you add horror to D&D? The first step is seeing how you can’t.
Unboring drow: more than just cave-elves
The drow have some of the most awesome roleplaying fodder of any race. It’s a shame so many folks ignore the unique and awesome parts of the race. Here’s how to make them special.
I don’t care if my campaign offends you
I have a record for being socially progressive… so why am I ignoring impassioned pleas to end cultural appropriation? What, “because they’re ridiculous” isn’t a good enough reason?
Many alarms and a few surprises
How do your players know what’s around the next corner? “They don’t because you haven’t rolled the random encounter yet?” Bah. You don’t need randomness to surprise them - in fact, it helps if you design your worlds deeper.
The Sword of Divinity? Or the Shackles of Gold?
Concerned about giving out magic items? Worried about overpowering your PCs? No matter - here’s an approach guaranteed to add balance.
QQ&A: Beauty and charisma
This week’s question: “Why do so many people think that the Charisma stat relates to physical attractiveness?” That’s an easy one to answer, even if most folks get it wrong.
Unboring mimics: more than “gotcha!” traps
Most mimics are boring HP leeches that teach players to play in the dullest way possible. That’s a shame, given how terrifying they’d be in real life. Here’s how to add fairness, horror and even humour back into your mimics.
The rare occasion I hate individuality
Dungeons and Dragons isn’t just a game. Even games aren’t “just” games - they’re connections into something greater than even ourselves.
Star Trek’s biggest oversights
Star Trek, despite its many successes, failed on two fronts. The first is technological. The second is harder, but I show you how to overcome it.
Why do graveyards exist in your world?
At first glance, graveyards in a fantasy world make no sense. They’re a risk - an easy target for any necromancer. Here’s why your villages would have them anyway.
QQ&A: Spamming rolls
Would you homebrew a monster with high HP but no attack of any kind? No? Then why do you do that with your skill challenges?
Unboring half-orcs: more than civilised brutes
Half-orcs - the go-to race when you want to play someone savage and wild. That’s not the only way to run them, though. Here’s how to add some spice to your half-orc characters.
More than simple escapism
Tabletop adventures are “just” games, they say. I say, games are no small thing. Here’s how and why they can transform not only lives but entire societies.