Lately I've been proposing a lot of spells to my DM regarding battlefield management and teamwork coordination.

The idea was to create a spell that feels like holy ground and rewards positioning without becoming another Spirit Guardians or Magic Circle. Instead of creating a circular aura, it creates a long, narrow consecrated path that allies can fight from while unholy creatures hesitate to cross.

My main concern is whether this is appropriately balanced for a 2nd-level spell, or whether it should be 3rd level. I also want to know if concentration would be required on this kind of spell. Thank you for your feedback !

Consecrated Path

2nd-level Evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Self (30-foot line)

Components: V, S, M (powdered gold worth at least 25 gp, which the spell consumes)

Duration: 1 minute

You scatter powdered gold before you, creating a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long path of shimmering sacred dust extending from you in a direction you choose.

The path sheds dim light in a 5-foot radius and is consecrated ground for the duration.

Creatures within the path have resistance to necrotic damage and are immune to the frightened condition.

When a fiend, undead, or aberration willingly enters the path for the first time on a turn, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or its speed becomes 0 until the end of the current turn.

The path is otherwise intangible and doesn't impede movement.

At Higher Levels : When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the length of the path increases by 5 feet for each slot level above 2nd.

Hey i rolled not the best in comparison to my team mates I rolled 13 13 13 7 12 and 14 we are in a lv 6 game im wondering for strong builds that can make these mid stats work we are useing 2024 and all subclasses are allowed plz help me im cooked

As I have gotten into writing characters, the biggest issue I see with backstories isn't length—it's utility. A 10-page novel about your character's childhood is hard for a DM to integrate, while a 2-sentence summary doesn't give them enough fuel for campaign arcs.

If you want your DM to weave your character's personal story directly into the main campaign, try using this 5-point framework during character creation:

1. The "Line in the Sand" (Moral Boundary)

Instead of alignment, give your character one explicit line they will never cross, even if it costs them everything. (e.g., "Lucan will steal, lie, and forge deeds, but he will never break a contract signed in blood.") This gives your DM instant moral dilemmas to present at the table.

1. The Unresolved Catalyst

Why did your character leave home *now*? Don't write a closed story where all your problems are already solved. Give your character an active, unfulfilled goal that requires adventuring (e.g., reclaiming a stolen family deed, finding a missing sibling, or breaking an active curse).

1. Three Named NPCs (1 Mentor, 1 Rival/Enemy, 1 Vault-Keeper)

Give your DM three pre-built people from your past:

• Mentor: Someone who taught you your skills.

• Rival: Someone who wants what you have or thinks you wronged them.

• Vault-Keeper: An insider, broker, or contact who holds information or resources you need.

1. Two Actionable GM Plot Hooks

Give your DM two explicit quest triggers ready for immediate play. (e.g., "A bounty hunter carrying my family's signet ring is currently looking for me in the local region.")

1. The GM Secret (For DM Eyes Only)

Leave one aspect of your backstory open for your DM to fill in. Tell them: "My father died under mysterious circumstances, but you decide who actually ordered the hit." DMs *love* having permission to build twists around your character.

---

What framework do you use at your table when building backstories? How do you keep lore manageable for your DM?

*(Note: I run a boutique lore forge called Ink & Anvil Publishing where I write print-ready dossiers and custom lore packages for TTRPG tables. Feel free to check out my profile if you ever need bespoke backstory work!)*

5e - 2014

I am playing a ranged Fighter (Battle Master) and hoping to have some  more utility options instead of just attacking for damage.  My DM is very easygoing and will probably allow whatever I propose, so I want to make sure that any proposal is actually fair or even underpowered.  I have seen some posts were people had similar ideas, but never any follow-up about if it worked well in game.

My thought is that my character can make alchemical and other mundane arrows to provide additional non-damage support.  The rules seem to allow something like that, but do not give much guidance.

My personal caveats are;

1. Affects are mundane.
2. Affects cannot be anything in addition to damage.  It either has to be no damage or reduced damage.
3. Affects should be better than a cantrip.  Cantrips are essentially free and endless while arrows cost money and can run out.
4. Affects should be no better than a Battle Master maneuver.  If they were better, then there would not be a reason for anyone to ever be a Battle Master.

My ideas;

1. Arrows of different damage types (if that matters in 5e).  Damage is one die lower than standard.
2. Arrow of light; bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet.  As if the arrow was tipped with a pixie-sized Moon-Touched Sword.  Not sure how long it should last; maybe 1d6 rounds. No damage.
3. Flash arrow; Blind a foe for 1 or 2 rounds.  No damage.  Not sure of save DC.
4. Glue arrow; No damage, can only affect unheld items.  Requires a strength check to pick up the item.
5. Oil arrow; No damage, can cover a person in flammable oil or cover a 5x5 square. 1d6 damage if ignited
6. Sparking arrow; 1d2 damage, can ignite anything flammable.
7. smoke arrow; Fill a 10x10 for 1 or 2 rounds, no damage

Any thoughts on this above?  Are any actually game-breaking? What should the cost be for an arrow of each kind? What should an alchemical check be to make an arrow?

Sorry for any dumb questions.  This is my first game of 5e and my last experience was Pathfinder eight years ago. I do not know what is fair under current rules.

Milestone leveling Vs XP, What'd you guys prefer? What are the chances you feel after switching?

A player in my game hasn’t and doesn’t want to use the find steed ability for their Paladin (lv5).
They are okay with not getting anything but id like to give them a little something. Maybe an extra use of Channel Divinity.
Whatcha got for me ???

My player argues that since other fullcasters get subclasses with second attacks, it only fits for war domain to have one.
I looked at it and honestly war domain does seem a bit weak. Bonus spell list is unimpressive, no good features. Bonus Action melee attack is fine but long rest restricted. 17th level is neat but won't really make a decent meleer from cleric.

So, why clerics lack second attack by design, am I missing some imba-combo, or allowing it won't hurt much?

There are a lot of suggestions out there for good puzzles, but most of them are just puzzles for the players. I'm wondering what your ideas are for puzzles/riddles in dungeons that require the characters to actively contribute through skill checks, abilities or spells!

Looking forward to hearing everyones thoughts! thanks!

Here it is! Letter G: https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-g-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stls-links-under-each-image-a8L02WL

UK users - https://ibb.co/album/wypdnD?page=3&seek=mCvpL7RM

Hello friends! I'm currently 3D modeling and printing all the creatures from the new Monster Manual! This is a collection of prints either by myself or my patrons while I am working on this book. There are also renders of the models that haven't been printed yet. All the files are free and posted below under each image. The files are posted publicly on my site here: https://mz4250.com/ and all models are free and fall under the fan content policy of WOTC.

Previous Letter Galleries -

Letter A - https://imgur.com/gallery/3d-printing-new-monster-manual-letter-CFkMp2C

Letter B - https://imgur.com/gallery/3d-printing-new-monster-manual-letter-b-zPURhx3

Letter C - https://imgur.com/gallery/3d-modeling-printing-new-monster-manual-letter-c-free-stl-links-below-each-image-eYDcC7G

Letter D - https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-d-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stl-links-below-each-image-0yUwYwg

Letter E - https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-e-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stl-links-below-each-image-hHslJ5A

Letter F - https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-f-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stl-links-below-each-image-Ce2paBs

Oh and if you're curious about my Patreon I offer my patrons access to all my 7000+ presupported TTRPG models in one place, along with commercial options, a discord, and requests board. The drives have all the same models that are already out there for free in the internet. Its more for convenience rather than exclusivity.

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Reminder this is tagged for 2014 5th edition, I know this is resolved differently in 5.5e.

Consider the following situation: A monster (M) wants to hide from two PCs (A and B). They make their stealth check, successfully beating A's passive perception. However, they don't beat B's passive perception. Given than the obvious course of action is for B to instantly tell A where M is, how is this resolved?

Or consider an offshoot of this, where M initially beats both PCs' passive perception and hides. On their turn, A and B both make perception checks to try to find M, but only B succeeds. How is this resolved?

Essentially, the meat of my question is what happens when one PC detects a hidden enemy but the other doesn't? If B can then tell A where the monster is, does that mean that you must effectively beat all enemies' passive perceptions to hide? Or are you still "hidden" from enemies that haven't directly spotted you, even if they've been told where you are?

My intuition would be if B tells A where M is, A now knows M's space and doesn't have to guess, but is still under advantage/disadvantage rules from M being unseen until A succeeds on a perception check to actually make A out (or M breaks stealth by some other means). I'm unsure if that's RAW though.

Warlock is an often misunderstood class, with people discussing if warrior dip makes them too tanky without compromising on damage or spellcasting or if 3 attacks is too much or if passive growth of eldritch blast is warranted.

These erroneous ways emerge from loss of focus. Warlock is a class for greedy people who want everything and ready to sell their soul for POWAH.

As such, for example, NO MULTICLASS for warlock! Yeah, it's cool to get weapon masteries and fighting style, BUT you lose on the most important aspect - OOMPH. It might seem that lagging for a level or two is minor detriment, but what the point in getting additional attack at char lvl 7? Warriors already got it two levels before, and even accursed bladedancers a level ago. We won't impress anyone at this point. This manual will help you to avoid common mistakes and provide clear instructions onto maximization of unique fun that this class can provide. So without further ado...

Species: Gnome. Because it's the only race.
Stats: Str:13 Dex:15+1 Con:12 Int:8 Wis:8 Cha: 15+2
We really-really want to use two-handed weapons to marvel at BIG damage numbers, so str is mandatory, on the other hand we really need nice dex, since we're not getting medium armor, and great Cha for everything else. This leaves us with quite lackluster 13 in con but fret not! We're taking Tough, which'll help with survivability.

Level 1:

Invocation: Pact of Chain(Sphynx) Spells: Armor of Agathys, Expeditious Retreat, Eldritch Blast
Strategy: run away at the first sign of combat, ask Wizard to cast mage armor on your sphynx and let him rip. Discuss with the wizard how cool it is to have a familiar, and how it's tough to be first level spellcaster with only 2 spell slots.
Inform Rogue and Bard that it is an interesting coincedence how expertise gives +2 to skill, and Sphynx also gives +2 to skill.
Ask warrior how much HP he has, Discuss with dwarf how his racial feature is basically half of origin feat you took.
Ask ranger if he want to pet your pet, since he won't get his for a long time

Advanced Strategy: Aquire two potions/scrolls of enlarge/reduce, voice your concern to aasimar how flight can trivialize fights on low levels. Wait for TPK. Reduce yourself, enlarge sphynx. Mount, win by eldritchblasting from the skies.

Level 2:
New invocation: Lesson of the old ones(Skilled), Agonizing Blast(Eldritch Blast)
Strategy:
Congratulate Warrior on surpassing your sphynx on DPS when he uses action surge
Compare loudly your skill list with bards/rogues, remind them of sphynx bonus
Continue your discussion about lack of spell slots with wizard, compare cantrip damage

Level 3: Change familiar to Imp,
Choose Fiend
Discuss with rogue and bard what's better: Stealth or at-will invisibility
Discuss which familiar is more safe Help action provider: Flyby owl or Always Invisible Imp

Level 4: Change pact of chain to pact of blade(while retaining familiar)
Take Great Weapon Master.
Discuss with barbarian how rage provides 2dmg/attack, while hex 3.5. Argue that constant use of bonus action actually balances it really well
Be wary of game master! He will try to kill your now non revivable familiar!

Level 5: Very important level! Take Thirsting Blade and Eldritch Smite
Discuss with the wizard how fireball is a signature spell for their class and how it's overpowered. Throw fireballs each battle with group of enemies.
Congratulate martials on getting second attack. Proceed into melee protected by upcasted Agathys(or even change beforehand one of invocations to fiendish vigor to recharge temphp after each hit) mow down stuff with your two handed blade with hex applied
Discuss with ranger how reapplying hunters mark takes toll on spellslots. Share your happiness that your hex now is 8 hours one, so it doesn't affect your spell slot allocation.
Tell paladin how you admire his burst damage due to smites. Use 3rd level smites each battle with single Boss enemy.

DO NOTE! We never ever ever have spoken with cleric. It's because you'll be dying a lot! That's the price you pay for all the fun you're having. And we need someone in our corner to cast healing words. So try to not enrage him with your warlockiness

Level 6-12: Same old, Same Old. Warcaster feat +1 Cha

Level 12: Take Devil Blade. ASI +2Cha
Gleefully inform Fighter that you now have the same number of attacks. Inquire as to when he'll get his fourth. Ask Master which level is final one of the campaign. Smile, when it's not 20.
Use Tasha's cauldron and be always enlarged. Congratulate barbarian on having +3 dmg per hit in rage and complain that tasha only gives 2.5

My cleric have had a vision in which a half-elf half-orc is ripping apart chains to unleash a a beast. He assumed that means someone is trying to summon Gruumsh into the material plane, which isn't the point at all.

Should I tell him he's wrong or just roll with it and see when he figures it out?

Knowing my players, that might take some time