(This space reserved for FAQ.)
Please all you awesome D&D fans, fill up this thread with what you think will be frequently asked questions, along with the answers if you have them.
1. Are Warforged legal in Adventurer's League? 
How do I become a regional coordinator? What are the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of the regional coordinator?
Designated Organizer
So my Store owner used Chris' link in his last article to designate me as the Adventurer League organizer for the store. He put in my name and email. That was last Monday. I haven't received anything back yet. When can I expect to hear something? Also, what will this allow me to do? Will I be able to sanction events? Record attendance and other specifics?
Now not a long term question, but one likely to be asked quite a bit right now, and needing a quick answer.
Gauntlets of Ogre Power make the PC Str 19, and can be acquired at low level.
Retraining allows one to be a fighter with a strength of 8, and 19, once the GoOP is used. The other 10 stat point are used in ways most other players would not be able to use them.
How does the league propose to deal with this?
ban the item?
Allow it only after 6th or higher level when retraining can't be done?
put limits on retraining?
other?
Plaguescarred: Only for you.
WelkerJ: We are working on a document that details the answers to your questions. Once it is approved, we will share those answers with all of you. I expect you will hear something later in July, but don't quote me on that as official.
Spykers: The D&D Adventurer's League doesn't kick off till the end of July/beginning of August, so I expect that Chris has heard you, but you likely won't hear an answer back for a week or two until all the other details are take care of. If you are a store, you will be able to schedule public events, order store packs that have goodies for the games you run, and record attendance via the DCI reporter. (And if you are already a WPN store, just go ahead and order the August Encounters pack... that's DDAL).
David Argall: I'm not sure this is an issue since there are similar items for the other stats, and items in Organized Play are rare making it less likely to be so widespread. Also, off the top of my head, I don't recall any 5e rule that lets you retrain your stats, so I'm not sure how you would start with a high Str and then train it to 8 when you find gauntlets of ogre power. Either way, we have noted your concern and will put it on our list of things to address.
Greg Marks
DDAL, Associate Resource Manager
Skerrit wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
It use to be a running gag so much it was asked..."Are Warforged legal in LFR?" 
Now i only can play one thanks Skerrit!
Hello everyone, thanks for jumping in and answering Greg!
Spykers, when I became a store organizer it took only a day to get the email confirmation so I think something is going on with your request. Please contact customer service, you can go to www.wizards.com/customerservice <http://www.wizards.com/customerservice>, or call 1- 800-324-6496 then select option 4 to speak with customer service directly.
Skerrit wrote:
@Jay_Ibero_911 & DarvidArgall- please note that the link you are referencing says this:
"Level characters as appropriate. Until 5th level, players can change details about their characters."
Proceed carefully - the Adventurer's League Player's Guide isn't out yet, so it's hard to give a definitive 'yes' or 'no' as of right now.
warfteiner wrote:
Along with that, would the GoOP allow you to multiclass into fighter if didn't normally have a high enough strength (Str15+)?
Ah yes, the change your starting PC rule in the not yet published character gen rules. Now I know what he's referring to. I can't speak to the final wording of that rule as it has not yet been published.
The DM in me would chuckle at the FTR who did it though just thinking of all the problems it would make for them. Their STR isn't high enough to meet pre-reqs for feats and multiclassing, heaven forbid there is anti-magic zone, or better yet they have locked themselves into a low level magic item for life since they can't rebuild in the future, they would have to pass on any gloves at high level. Ooooh or what if an item ever got destroyed...
Raddu76 wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
Question about Long Rest and 1st level characters: A long rest allows you to regain up to half your Hit Dice. But the Starter Set says, fractions are rounded down. I assume it should be 1 HD for 1st level characters, but might want to be clarified.
Skerrit wrote:
DavidArgall wrote:
Um, what is the Adventurer's League?
svendj wrote:
svendj wrote:
Spykes wrote:
How do stats work? The default in the rules is rolled, but there's no guidance about what to do if you don't like the rolls or where you need to do the rolling. As an example, if I were in a home game of the Encounters mod and I roll a 15, 14, 12, 8, 6, and 4, and then decide to reroll, is that a problem? What if I then roll an 18, 18, 18, 16, 14, 12? What if I keep rerolling until I get a set of stats I 'like'(well, characters without 3-18s are really too crippled to live...)
Stats in organized play is routinely point buy. Arrays are possible, but no roll system is possible. There are just too many people out there who "adjust" the dice. Even in a home game, you want the rolls witnessed, and that is close to impossible for organized play. Now, there are a number of systems they might try, but you should assume point buy of some sort.
DavidArgall wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
FYI
@IvanMakesGames Trying to find how you generate your stats for official AL characters...point buy? Surely not just random rolling?
@DnD_AdvLeague The D&D Adventurers League Players Guide will come out later this month. Go with the array for now, 15, 14, 13, 12, 10,8
You may use the standard array or point buy (http://dndadventurersleague.org/)
I haven’t seen the starter set yet, but I have not seen a rule allowing for rolled characters at all in the basic rules. Just the point buy system and the score array which is a possible combination of the point buy. 15 is the highest score possible before adding modifiers for race, subrace and class. This seems to be a baked in way of assuring a heroic character that fills the archetypes niche without the possibility of rolling something broken on either end of the spectrum.
Wonder how long the term "rolling" scores will stick around.
I approve of the current method, BTW.
::edit::
went back and checked. It does mention the 4d6 drop lowest method.
Seems that the inability to point buy an 18 will make more players want to woll scores afterall, so I guess that the term rolling scores are not going anywhere.
Either way, the D&D Adventurer's League organized play program does not use the option of rolling your stats; only point buy or standard array.
"Private play includes home play and online play. Adventures themed around the current D&D storyline are considered official for D&D Adventurers League, so folks playing at home and online can participate by picking up these adventures (for the first storyline, Hoard of the Dragon Queen and the Rise of Tiamat are available). They can then bring their characters to a store or convention to participate in D&D Expeditions adventures." - Finding Your Game by Chris Tulach 11 June 2014
There is no home/private play option for Expeditions adventures? I can't order or download an Expeditions adventure and run it for my friends at home like I can for Living Forgotten Realms?
For example, I can't order DDEX1-2 Secrets of Sokol Keep and run it at my house in a private setting? Then do the same thing for DDEX1-3 Shadows on the Moonsea the next week at my house for my circle of friends?
That is generically correct. All of the Expedition adventures are for public play and the Epic adventures are only for specific very large conventions (such as Gen Con), where they can be run by our staff directly. To particpate in the DDAL at home, you can play all the published adventures, which is literally hours and hours of play and still bring those characters to any public play event, but to get the full experience you need to get out there and mix with fellow gamers. Organized Play is just that, organized public events where the content is provided at no cost to the consumer (but WOTC has the benefit that at least it potentially furthers the brand and raises visibility of D&D). The decision was made (well above my pay-grade, which is technically zero btw), to seperate the Expeditions and Epics from the other published adventures (which are also DDAL legal) and designate them as public play only. Gaming is an inherently social experience, so maybe there is some benefit to growing the community. The Encounters program provides stores with a streamlined version of the first portion of the published adventures in a format that can be run as the previous Encounters program was run, but if you purchase the book and play at home, you will get the same experience (and indeed even more than the store people who only play the Encounters and not the whole book). But the Expeditions events will only be available to conventions, gamedays, stores, and store sponsored events. In many ways, this is similar to the way many events in the pre-LFR organized play were distributed.
Our group is finishing up Dead in Thay for Wed. night Encounters. I'm assuming we dno't need to use the log sheets for this last few weeks of encounters. Only for Starter Set adventure and new season?
Spykes wrote:
We are thinking of having a D&D Adventurer's League game day at a local church in October, with proceeds going to charity. Therefore this will be a public event. I assume we can run any of the Expedition adventures that are currently available at that event.
We will probably get the local game store to sponsor the event, which means they can report the event as part of their store play, correct? What should I tell the store owner so he can sanction the event, get the appropriate adventures, and get the kits that accompany them?
On the off chance that no store is willing/able to sponsor the event, we can still run the Expedition adventures, correct? In that case, how do I order the adventures? I understand that without the game store sponsor, we would not be able to get the kits that contain the certs and other DM/player goodies.
Thanks!
Shawn
smerwin29 wrote:
I have a local store where I think we'll be able to play D&D Expeditions, but if I wanted to run a monthly game day with one or two tables in a hired local venue or a coffee shop - or give advice to people I know in towns without game stores - should I submit a request using that form each month?
Also, I think I mentioned this on Twitter, but the 'Terms and Conditions' linked from that form haven't been updated since the playtest - they require the use of the playtest agreement etc.
Skerrit wrote:
Greyson wrote:
Ishorn wrote:
FACTIONS:
- What are the different Factions?
- How does one join a Faction?
- Why is it important for me to join a Faction?
- What is Renown?
- How do I earn Renown?
- What do I do with Renown?
- How do I increase my Rank?
corboncade wrote:
corboncade wrote:
The game store can still support you at other locations as well, that's the easiest, otherwise, yes, you'll have to resubmit a request each month.
Re: T&Cs, yes, noted again, thanks. Those who need to know, know. :-)
Today's FAQ is a grab-bag of questions. Magic items, RC's outside the US, & remote store locations
http://dndadventurersleague.org/2014/07/dd-adventurers-league-faq-update-july-11th/
Will the magic items received in home play be available for use in public play?
Yes, all rewards (permanent and consumable magic items and other treasure) given in home play will be available to use in D&D Adventurers League public play games, as long as the home games were played with the official D&D Adventurers League adventures. All rewards must be documented on an Adventure Logsheet. Certificates (certs) for magic items will only be given from in store or some convention play, which will allow players to trade magic items a limited number of times.
Will the D&D Adventurers League have Regional Coordinators outside of the US & Canada?
Yes, outside of North America we will have regional coordinators for the following regions, any location not indicated will fall under the asupice of the D&D Adventurers League Community Manager:
- Europe (includes UK)
- Asia-Pacific (mainland Asia and South Pacific, Australia and NZ)
- Japan
- Latin America (Mexico and everything south of it, includes Carribean)
More information on Regional Coordinators coming soon.
Can store organizers schedule D&D Adventurers League events for a store at a remote location?
Yes, you can schedule your D&D Adventurers League wherever you’d like, so long as the venue is public. If you associate with a store, we’ll send the store a kit. If you don’t, you’ll get access to the adventures via Game Support, but no kit materials (basically, no certs).
Question: What logsheet or reporting does a DM have to fill in with regard to D&D Encounter sessions run in a game store?
I've seen the Players logsheet, but I'm assuming a DM will have a sheet that states the players names and DCI numbers that were involved in a sactioned adventure on a given date?
We just had a big event at our store where 4 tables are playing The Lost Mine of Phandelver. We'll be doing this again for the next several weeks. Obviously each player logged their own information on their own sheets, but I also kept a record of everyone who played. Do I need to enter that log that somewhere? How do you differetiate between a home game and a store event if we don't log the players anywhere? The store did register the event as a Casual Event as advised.
Spykes wrote:
Prom wrote:
pedr wrote:
I'd like to know more about how they intend to handle higher level characters playing in lower level adventures. It's already been stated characters can be used in any Adventurer's League event and it's been remarked about characters completing the Lost Mine of Phandelver (LMoP) being used in the upcoming Encounters season (Horde of the Dragon Queen / HotDQ) in August. But, if LMoP takes characters to 5th level and HotDQ is for 1st through 4th level characters, then how can you use your LMoP character for this adventure? I've heard rumor that there will be a mechanism to address this (and maybe it will be in handled in the Adventurer's League Guide), but for now it's one of my questions.
Character bands for the first Gencon adventures are levels 1-4, therefore, only characters of 1st through 4th level can participate. If you bring a 5th level character, that character wont be able to play.
There will be play suggestions in the adventures for characters within the band, so if all characters are low or high, but not outside it.
Adinell wrote:
On Aug. 20th, D&D Encounters begins with the Horde of the Dragon Queen. When that season ends and character are Lvl 5, then the new season of Encounters will start over at level 1. I've read that if players wish to keep playing the Tyranny of Dragons story line, they will need to purchase the shelf adventure and play it as a home game. I know that several of the Encounters tables at our store are going to want to continue the adventure instead of re-booting at Lvl 1, but they want to continue to play on Wednesday nights. Would that be a sanctioned event? I know it's not an Encounters event and it's not an Expedition event. Would that be considered a Casual Event?
That's correct Spykes, it'd be a "Casual Event" You can call it Hordes of the Dragon Queen, so people know what you're running.
When the "D&D Adventurers League guide" will come out, since it lefts 10 days until the end of the month of July 2014?
Before the end of the month is still the current plan. Lots of people have to sign off on it and we want to make sure its done right.
For D&D Encounters, there are some discrepancies with various dates. What is correct?
The module Hoard of the Dragon Queen lists the date range for the season as Wednesday, August 20, 2014 through Wednesday, March 11, 2015.
The treasure certificates in the kit that went out say they are valid from Wednesday, November 19, 2014 to Saturday, February 28, 2015.
The bottom of the introduction letter that came with the Adventurer's League kits says "Tyranny of Dragons, August 20, 2014—February 11, 2015, Each Wednesday."
Just a heads up, there has been a slight delay in the rules document (I think it might be layout/formatting issues). Looks like it will be a day or two. I will let you know when we hear more.
AlHazred wrote:
Ok I just want to make sure I understand how this works. I would like to run the Adventures League modules but there is no gaming store within 3 hours of me that wishes to host it. Is my only recourse to find some other public venue in order to run it? If so what if the location changed from week to week, would that still be ok or does it have to be held at the same place every week? I am curious as I would like to give the small gaming community here in my town the chance to participate in the AL. I read this on the Organized Play page and it is adding to my confusion
Private play includes home play and online play. Adventures themed around the current D&D storyline are considered official for D&D Adventurers League, so if you’re playing at home, you can still participate by picking up these adventures (for the first storyline, Hoard of the Dragon Queen and the Rise of Tiamat are available). You can bring their characters to a store or convention later on to participate in D&D Expeditions adventures.
Does that mean that I would have to wait for the modules to become available to purchase and that the characters created for them (assuming they follow the AL character creation rules) can then be played at public events?
PhistoRoboto wrote:
Raddu76 wrote:
I checked the event calendar at the only store in my county that seems to be running D&D Encounters, and noticed that they're charging a fee of $5 + tax (I can't imagine what would be taxable) to play. Is that a normal thing?
Back in the Living City days (in another part of the state) we ran dozens and dozens of Game Days, and I can't remember ever charging anyone to play. Have things changed this much, or is this store not doing things the way everyone else does?
Ive played at stores that have charged before. They are in the minority as most dont. They are well within their rights to charge and I look at it from the POV that you may not neccessarily buy anything whilst you are there.
Spence34 wrote:
TheBreen wrote:
TheBreen wrote:
To put it into context, I game at 2 other gaming locations (venues hired out by gaming clubs to game at) that obviously charge a price so they can pay for the venue. We also game at a gaming store and it does not charge when we play there, I try to buy stuff there where I can. I full expect the store to one day charge us to play there, simply because of the fact they could pack in another table of magic for another tournament who pay money to play.
Raddu76 wrote:
Spence34 wrote:
how many downtime days do you get per chapter in Lost Mine of Phandelver?
ive read it somewhere but lost the data ^^
We don't have a local store that does this any more in small towns gaming stores are going the way of the dinosaur. What can people without stores participate in and get credit for exp, items, etc so when we do go to conventions it's all offical?
Thanks,
Without a store you can play the printed adventures (Horde of the Dragon Queen, Starter Set, etc...) at home with no special requirements beyond tracking them. You can play the Expeditions adventures in any public setting from convention to gameday. You can always arrange your own gamedays, as long as they are public. Epics may only be played at major conventions.
As long as rules documents are updated on-time (and not delayed indefinitely like what happened with LFR's document), then I'll be happy.
EDIT: (To make this not be off-topic....) In general, is XP during a mod supposed to be recorded immediately, or at the end of the mod? Or at the end of the current session? If it's recorded during the module and I get enough xp to level up, how is that handled?
So a cleric of Kelemvor has to take the Life domain? That seems a bit odd....
You level after every long rest or session.
2 questions:
For the published modules and the starter set, do characters have to play through the entire adventure once started before they could play an Exepeditions adventure? Are there natural breaking points in those mods to allow for something like that?
And secondly, for the retraining, I'm unclear exactly when a character's build gets locked in. Can players perform one last rebuild after an adventure that gives them enough experience for 5th level, or must all rebuilding be done prior to getting enough XP for 5th level?
Someone in my online group asked this, and I can't find a good answer to it - as the rules from the expenses and lifestyle in the PHB and the rules in the ALPG leave kind of a fuzzy 'haze' on this specific area;
Q1: Do we pay Lifestyle costs during a play session (ie - the 3 day trek from Neverwinter to Phandalin in LMoP), or only during spent downtime?
Q2: If we do not pay Lifestyle costs during a play session, are we treated as having our "default" lifestyle from our background OR our last downtime spent during the mission, or do we have to pay for expenses individually (such as the inn and lodgings in Phandalin)
For the question;
For the published modules and the starter set, do characters have to play through the entire adventure once started before they could play an Exepeditions adventure? Are there natural breaking points in those mods to allow for something like that?
As written, the answer to Customizing a Background it 'yes'.
A few of my AL characters have custom backgrounds until I am told otherwise by an official source (which will suck, because there is no 'raised by druids' type background - my monk is a cross between the Acolyte and the Outlander backgrounds - and my Wizard of Oghma, while he's an Acolyte, the Sage's Reasearcher feature makes more sense because Oghmanytes have a secular divide and the acolyte's feature won't work in all areas.)
Q: Are players allowed to choose Druidic, Theives' Cant, or other exotic languages as languages from their background if it fits the overall theme (raised by druids or criminal swapping out a proficiency for a language.) The rules say you can with 'DM's Permission', however since we may be playing at various tables with various different DMs it would be good to have campaign-arching clarity on the situation.
Lifestyle Costs and Downtime in Adventurer's League.
Q. How do we account for Lifestyle Expenses in Adventurer's League. There is some confusion as to whether or not you ony pay for Lifestye when you spend downtime and you only get downtime after each episode/adventure with the possibility of going directly from one episode/adventure to another.
My group is trying to understand how the downtime days and lifestyle work together in the Advenurer's League.
My understanding based on reading Lifestyle Expenses in chapter 5, it seems that Lifestyle Expenses happen no matter what, and is calculated on a per day basis and paid out by the player on a weekly or monthly basis. Downtime is a separate function that works in conjunction with Lifestyle.
They refer to Lifestyle Expenses as your “cost of living”, i.e. everyday expenses. So it doesn’t matter if you are traveling, adventuring, or sitting at a table in an inn, you are paying for your Lifestyle.
Downtime is what you can do during your off-time between adventures, but since Lifestyle is happening every day, it also happens during your Downtime and there are things like “Practicing your Profession” or “Crafting” that can assist in off-setting that Lifestyle cost.
-J
Anyone knows forum games using AL's rules? I'm interested in getting an "offcial" character going online. If I ever manage to get to a big event I'd love to have a sanctioned character to use.
Prom wrote:
Delazar78 wrote:
freemanjc wrote:
Alphastream1 wrote:
Alphastream1 wrote:
freemanjc wrote:
Alphastream1 wrote:
I would rule 'a' - especially if the player hasn't played anotehr module after the downtime was spent. It falls in the guidelines of "Don't assume your players are cheaters and call them that" and "not punishing them too harshly for simple mistakes".
Agreed! They should spend the gold on the next entry in their log sheet. If they aren't playing, they could just call it "Correction to previous entry" or something like that. The point is to trust and educate. Yes, there will be cheaters. It's a game. it doesn't matter. But, we educate people to play well so we all share a better experience.
We need official, documented clarification on the following questions - as many DMs are ruling it in various ways and it relates to downtime spending and logsheet tracking (which needs to be consistent campaign wide);
Are potions of healing treated as Adventuring Gear or Magic Items for the purposes of crafting?
Are the crafting rules in the PHB used for crafting a potion of healing as an exception to the 'non-magical object' (as potion of healing says it is a magical liquid) because it requires the herbalism kit, or are these rules found in the DMG (and thus disallowed for AL play)
Related thread discussing the issue - where you can see some people say 'yes, you can craft them' and some people say 'no, you cannot'.
http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-adventurers-league/threads/4128396#comment-51111006
Again, this relates to downtime spending and logsheets - which needs to be consistent campaign wide. I don't care what the answer is, just as long as we have one that is consistent campaign wide.
I play a druid that has herbalism tool proficiency - so I'm hoping for 'yes, you can craft them' - but I would be content with a clear, official 'no' rather than a 50/50 split on weather or not I can do it. If one DM allows it and another audits my log later and says 'you can't do that' it puts me in a bind. I'm choosing to avoid this bind by not crafting them - but other players are occasionally being allowed to make them, which then feels unfair. You can see why I want it to be official.
Thank you.
I'm a player and can't find any references to Inspiration in player materials other than the character sheet. What is Inspiration? Are they like Action Points (4E), Hero Points (Pathfinder), or Story Points (Doctor Who)? When, how, and why are they rewarded? How can players use them?
h3athrow wrote:
An AL question related to the above;
If you gain inspiration during a session and don't use it - does it carry over to the next session you play , given that it's a tick on the character sheet? Does the answer officially change depending on weather you are playing with the same DM in the next session (who can varify that you have, in fact, recieved inspiration.) wheras other DMs will just have to trust you not to cheat?
h3athrow wrote:
shivafang wrote:
My players completed Part 1 of LMoP, and according to the rules they should get 10 downtime days, and 1 renown.
I'm supposing these downtime days can be "stored" for future use, since Part 2 begins before 10 days have passed?
Also, they do not yet belong to a faction, since they have not yet been introdcued to any of them (I believe Part 2 has several NPCs introducing the factions)
Do I still give them the 1 point of renown, to be assigned later to the faction they choose?
Delazar78 wrote:
As has been asked both in the Facebook group and other places, could we please get a thread made that lists ALL Regional Coordinators names and their preferred email address for correspondence? Preferrably a forum post rather than a blog post because its far easier to located a stickied Forum post.
Tyranthraxus wrote:
I assume there must be some sort of meta-game consequence/benefit of lifestyle expense choices that's not being described somewhere, otherwise it seems like just a waste of gold to bother with any lifestyle expense beyond the free one. I've also noticed very little emphasis if not avoidance of metagaming altogether in encounters. Any thoughts?
I assume there must be some sort of meta-game consequence/benefit of lifestyle expense choices that's not being described somewhere, otherwise it seems like just a waste of gold to bother with any lifestyle expense beyond the free one. I've also noticed very little emphasis if not avoidance of metagaming altogether in encounters. Any thoughts?
shivafang wrote:
shivafang wrote:
RandomPandora wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Pauper wrote:
TheBreen wrote:
Jay_Ibero_911 wrote:
Jay_Ibero_911 wrote:
Can you buy potions of healing as part of your starting equipment if you take the gold option instead of the listed equipment option?
The rules for what is considered "magical" or "mundane" are not well defined beyond weapons and armor.
Potions of healing are legal to purchase, even for starting characters, as per the Adventurers League Player's Guide, p.6.
If somebody really wanted to parse the first paragraph of "Buying and Selling Items" to claim that you should only be able to buy potions of healing after (or during) an adventure or adventure episode, I'd say that's an understandable intepretation, but probably not the intended interpretation of that text.
--
Pauper
Are there any locations that are permitted to run D&D Adventure Leagues any other days of the week besides weds?
Lord Rakster: In the future when talking about Adventurer's league please make sure you reference either Encounters or Expeditions. Whilst they are both part of AL, they are really two separate topics now
Encounters is the one that is run ONLY on Wednesdays. Essentially a Month before a Store registers via the reporter it's interest in running Encounters. Kits are sent out (where possible) to the store. THe store itself advertises to its player base recruits dms etc.
Now Expeditions (of which the first 3 scenarios are out in September), is a 4 hour or so session/scenario which can be run on any day.
So think of it this way
AL Encounters
AL Expeditions
AL Epics ( of which these are ONLY run at the 4 main North American conventions)
What do you do when the legal D&D rep at your local store refuses to run any League nights or allow anyone else to run an event? Dose the store just loose out and force us to go else where?
Toad67 wrote:
Tyranthraxus wrote:
Toad67 wrote:
lordrakster wrote:
Is there an updated Log Sheet. The only one I can find for my players to fill out their name & DCI number for each table is from 2011. It's not totally accurate either because it lists the minimum table size as 4 players and maximum as 6. It also only has room for 6 people. Need a link to an updated form.
Yes there is it can be located from:
On the main D&D Screen.
Use the Play/Events drop down
D&D Adventurers League
League Resources.
Scroll down to the bottom of the article and you wil see the link to the pdf logsheet.
I tried to post a screen shot but the forums submit button freaked out.
Spykes wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
shivafang wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Toad67 wrote:
My Apologies, I totally read that as Logsheet and not table tracking sheet. Others have given indication to where that is, Ive never seen one myself for Encounters.
I suspect we will see a revised Tracking Sheet soon. It has probably just been low-hanging fruit, as the WER tool used to report the play already supports the new size. As long as you can cram the info onto the sheet legibly, the results can be entered.
Just a few items:
- Just for good measure, I'm restating the aforementioned request for an updated table tracking form with the correct table requirements.
- When reporting tables in the WER, it requires a minimum of 4 players and a maximum of 6, also a hold-over from pre-DDAL times. I have been able to move players around to get it everyone reported so far, but it would be nice to have that validation rule updated.
- On the Encounters page from the main website, you can search for a store near you that hosts Encounters. When you search however, it pulls up all stores, most of which don't host Encounters games. You can narrow your search to show only Encounters stores by opening the Search Options. However, people usually don't see that or realize that it's not filtered correctly to begin with. It would be a nice courtesy if the search from that page was filtered correctly from the start. It could save someone lots of time.
- the following potion question...
Skerrit wrote:
Alphastream1 wrote:
Spykes wrote:
TheBreen wrote:
Spykes wrote:
Do AL character's have to have a serialized faction card from a faction folder to receive the faction benefits or can they just note on their character sheet which faction they chose. (i.e. Using the raise dead option if belonging to a faction)
DMBobo wrote:
This has come up a couple of times in home games with characters that are also going to be played in expeditions and epics.
Can the DM substitute magic items the party cannot use for other comparable magic items while still being legal? The specific case was can the DM swap out a +1 Longsword for a +1 Warhammer?
Personally I think tailoring magic items to the group playing is a core concept to running a published mod at home. But since the published mods have the potential to be legal and several in our group want to maintain their legal status, we'd like an official answer.
Some Solutions:
A) Write mod rewards to be: +1 Any Weapon instead of +1 Longsword. Even better would be something that retains the cool flavor of a lot of the weapons we are seeing, something like :
B) "Foe Smasher" this +1 Blunt Weapon was forged by the Dwarven SmithLords during the war against Hararr Broken Tusk... Instead of
"Foe Smasher" this +1 Mace...
C) This may be a reasonable work around - award and track the item as a +1 Longsword but allow it to function as the +1 Warhammer for home games only. This is probably the easiest solution, but its the least satisfying for players who want seamless drop their home game characters into expeditions.
If items were a little more open ended I think they would be better suited for a wider variety of groups.
TheBreen wrote:
whardell wrote:
What are the chances of getting some nice official PNG versions of the faction images that we can all put on our official character sheets in the faction section. There are a few bad scans of the stickers floating around, but I would think this would be something you would want to provide. 
Edit: Also, if you look in the PHB under each class, there is an image in the corner that represents that class. Those would be pretty cool to have also.
DMBobo wrote:
For the Mines of Phandelver, what is the current year and what time of year is it?
In the forum thread here called "Calendar Date in the Realms" (also linked from the thread "What year does Hoard of the Dragon Queen take place?"), Associate Resource Manager Greg Marks (aka Skerrit) has informed us that the current campaign year is 1489 DR.
I don't think there's any information about what time of year it is. I suspect that's not considered an important consideration to the overall campaign. For example, I don't recall (but could simply have missed) any weather-related issue in that adventure. I'd probably just go with "late spring" as that seems to be the beginning of adventuring season. ;o)
Spykes wrote:
Can a PC forgo raising a level when they have the xp's for it so as to keep playing at a lower tier?
Skerrit wrote:
Arksorn wrote:
Arksorn wrote:
Oraibi wrote:
I wanted to post this as a clarification surrounding the rule for levels of play in D&D Encounters because I had some confusion so I assume others may as well. The information I'm posting here was inquired by my DDAL state coordinator David Stark and confirmed by Chris Tulac.
I was under the impression that D&D Encounters is strictly for levels 1-4 and that after level 5 is reached, then you could no longer play in Encounters. Apparantly the level restriction only applies to "this edition" of Encounters, which is the first three episodes. If a tables wishes and the store organizer agrees, a group may play the other episodes on site as part of D&D Encounters and play all the way through to the end of Rise of Tiamat with materials provided. (I'm assuming that means certificates).
The relevant quote from the first edition seems to support this:
- This edition of the adventure is designed for 1st through 3rd-level characters, and is divided up into three episodes of play. Characters who finish all three episodes should reach 3rd or 4th level at the end. characters of 5th level and above cannot play in this D&D Encounters edition of the adventure, though they can pick up with episode 4 of the full adventure of Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Each episode should be played over multiple sessions of play. For D&D Encounters, the recommended session length is two hours. The full adventure contains additional play beyond this edition (see “Additional Play” at the end of the adventure). Playing this adventure in store as a part of D&D Encounters is fun and offers additional benefits to enhance the experience.
That's a good point, because I'm still a bit confused on that myself.
I'm dubious that a store will be able to continue to run Hoard of the Dragon Queen as part of the Encounters program; by that time, Rise of Tiamat will be released, and I'm guessing stores will be transitioning to that product for Encounters.
My understanding is that the blurb regarding playing in the 'full adventure' refers to someone running the full Hoard of the Dragon Queen as a home game under the Expeditions program (where you would still be able to get certs at the game store for your home play, as you can for Lost Mine of Phandelver). In that, it's good to have a clarification that players can transition to a home game of Horde with any AL-legal character, but I don't see that the clarification is any confirmation that the full adventure can be run as part of Encounters (and the specific reference to the 'D&D Encounters edition' suggests that the full adventure isn't intended to serve as an entire Encounters season).
I wouldn't mind a clarification on that myself, as our main Encounters DM is also under the impression that she'll be running Hoard from level 1 all the way through to the end on Wednesday nights as our official Encounters game. My understanding is that, once we've finished with the Encounters Edition of Horde, we'll take a break (if needed), then start over with 1st level characters on the Encounters edition of Rise of Tiamat, because that's the expected progression.
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Pauper
Pauper wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Arksorn wrote:
Spykes wrote:
It's a somewhat unsophisticated way of saying "Hey, buy the HotDQ book to get ready for the next one."
Blade2718 wrote:
Uthrac wrote:
They might release a new batch of pregens at level 8 for Rise of Tiamat. Looking at the release schedule, I don't expect the next Encounters season until 2015. Not sure if there is official word on that or not.
Pauper wrote:
DM_HEEGZ wrote:
Uthrac wrote:
Spykes wrote:
Pauper wrote:
I love this diagram.
The only thing it doesn't show (which a number of people have found confusing) is that Encounters Levels 1-4 = The first part of Hoard of the Dragon Queen, from a content perspective. (i.e. The first ~36 hours of play in the adventure Hoard of the Dragon Queen are the same encounters that you play in the ~36 hours of the Encounters season.)
OK, I think that clears most everything up:
- Encounters is the first chapters of Hoard of the Dragon Queen, taking involved characters up to and likely through level 4.
- It is expected that stores will run the Hoard chapters as their Encounters sessions until March of 2015, when the new storyline is released, then start over at 1st level with characters for the new storyline.
- It is expected that stores may finish Hoard prior to March 2015, at which point they can run Lost Mine of Phandelver as an Encounters storyline or simply take a break until the new storyline.
Thanks for the clarification, all.
--
Pauper
Does my log sheet have to have the DM's name and DCI number to be legal?
I haven't been able to get either from the DM's I've had over the past two weeks.
I'm also a little concerned that I'm going to miss out on faction and downtime since the location I'm playing with is basically ignoring all the rules and bookkeeping. We reached the end of a section last night, (just got back to the keep after clearing the mill) we were handed out xp, but nothing else. Does HotDQ not award downtime or faction? Were they even supposed to hand out xp at the time they did?
XP and treasure are distributed at the end of each session. Downtime and faction reknown are distributed at the end of the episode.
greywaterfox wrote:
I've bolded the questions.
Is there a good reason for the XP throttle in each episode of HotDQ? The leveling evens out in Epsisode 3 and 4 anyway, so there is no reason to throttle the XP. Many of our characters started the season with their characters from Mines of Phandelver anyway, so they are already levels 2-4. All you are doing is preventing new characters from catching up to the others. By the time we are playing Episode 4, without the throttle, the lower level characters will have basically caught up or be close in level to the others, so what's the point of the restriction?
Further, we are told that the DMs must decide if the table is going to use the XP cap or not. I have 8 tables for encounters on Wednesday nights and many times people move from table to table each week depending on what DM is present, etc... I need all my DMs on the same page for XP or I'll have players getting XP here, but not over here. So this becomes a program decision, not a DM decision. Maybe that's not as big of a deal for most stores, but I think it's an important clarification.
If we decide to not honor the XP throttle rule, I've been told it's fine, but our program is now not Encounters, it's just a "Casual Event". That's fine, but what this is doing is funneling players out of the Encounters program because all of our tables are going to be playing through the entire storyline and will go well above level 4. So, if organizers do like you say, stores all over the country will suddenly stop reporting Encounters events and begin reporting Casual Events as groups reach the end of Episode 3. So the number of people playing Encounters will suddenly nose dive and there will be tons of Casual Events everywhere. Is this intended?
Encounters is designed to be lower level for people to be introduced to the game. Great. But in my experience, what happens is one or two new people come in to the store at a time. If all of my tables are playing at a higher level because they want to play the entire adventure, there won't be enough players to support a level one table, and most likely not a DM because they are DMing all of the other tables. So the new people will just end up jumping into one of the uppper level "casual event" tables until I can form a new level 1 table.
By the way, "Casual Event", is a bad name, because those are the players that are arguably the most "hard core". Just an observation.
My point is that you are not going to be able to get a good read on the number of players in the Encounters program at the stores because they are all going to be playing Casual Events by November. Then when the new season rolls around in Feb./March, suddenly your Encounters numbers sky rocket because everyone is starting over again at level one. This screams bad program design because you never know at any given time how many people you actually have in your program. I understand the reasoning behind the rules, but I just don't think it's going to work well in practice.
- Who cares or even knows the difference if I report my tables as Casual Events or Encounters?
- If I have 8 tables playing through Rise of Tiamat and record it all as Encounters play for the entire season, who will know the difference and will it matter?
- Is it just so people will know where to go to play Encounters?
- Will the map be getting updated that often?
- If so, do we really want to "hide" a store that has 5-8 games of "Casual Play" happening on a Wednesday night?
As an organizer, I know when I need to make a new table for new people or beginners to start at lower levels without having a level restriction placed on the entire program.
I know the program is young and I appreciate that we are still ironing out the kinks, so I'm confident that this will get fixed. In the meantime, we are going to do what is best for us and what works for our individual program.
Spykes wrote:
Alphastream1 wrote:
Alphastream1 wrote:
Cryptus wrote:
Spykes wrote:
So it sounds like what you're saying is that eventually, all of the Encounters play that is impacting the system right now should eventually move out of it, as there is supposed to be opportunities for those characters/players in other Adventurer's League offerings. That Encounters is, essentially, akin to a kiddie pool and once they learn to swim participants should be getting out of it and move on to other nights (and in fact they have to because further play beyond 4th level isn't going to be supported).
Wow. That puts a LOT of pressure on stores to accomodate multiple nights of play, and multiple DMs who are actually interested in just DMing introductory adventures with new players or visitors and the ones who are continuing through to the end somehow. That means that if players decide to continue playing with their particular group, they shouldn't be doing it on Wednesday nights otherwise it's going to be expected that they're playing in the Encounters program and should accomodate visitors and new players. It means that you shouldn't start in the kiddie pool if you already know how to swim as Expeditions can offer you an entry level tier (and potentially will continue to do so).
And it sounds like stores can't run Expeditions to retain continuing players without providing that Encounters kiddie pool. I get it.
Cryptus wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Spykes wrote:
RCanine wrote:
Cryptus wrote:
Raddu76 wrote:
Yes, I have asked to be sponsored by local game shops for AL games at public locations. Havent found a game store that is willing to do that yet. As such I am stuck with Wend. Nights (of which I have a work conflict and cant make it), and home games. At least we got lots of home games of HotDQ going! Still would be nice to play some of the other content.
Raddu76 wrote:
Mind_Flayer_Monk wrote:
Mind_Flayer_Monk wrote:
Raddu76 wrote:
Well, Obsid, keep in mind that the AL stuff is explicitly designed to be run at stores and big conventons. For home (non-store/AL/campaign) play, you're probably going to be better served with just running an actual home campaign of some sort.
That said, there ar epossible provisions for what it is you sound like you're trying to do. Check out the Offsite/Remote/Affiliated/Convention Events section of this page for some possible helpful options.
obsid wrote:
Raddu76 wrote:
This conversation has helped clear up a lot of questions for me, thanks.
I would like to make sure I understand...
Currently I play at a store with 3 DMs running 3 tables. All three tables are running Encounters (IOW the beginning of HotDQ)
There is also a DM running some of the Expedition modules on Saturdays.
As I understand it, there is about 36 hours of content with Encounters, so about 18 weeks, So lets say we finish Mid January.
We could then have the DMs continue on Wednesday running the 'rest' of HotDQ; and when the new Encounter season started; 1-2 DMs could switch over to the new 1-4 lvl games, and the others could work on completing HotDQ. And this would *still* be considered Adventure League, with the logsheets etc.
IOW, as long as the DM and the store are okay with it, there is no need for everyone to drop back to playing new characters....
1) Did I get this right?
2) As I understand it, I could have started this Encounter season with a 3rd lvl AL character; similarly, I can take an Encounter character into Expeditions and go up a level there.... With these two legal possibilities, why is there an XP/level cap for the Encounter adventures? If you can start with a 3rd level character, or level via Expeditions, why can't you level up during the adventure?
3) As I understand it, AL is supposed to be 'light' on magic. Are the modules (HotDQ and Rise) *also* light on magie? If not, when we continue with HotDQ, how does the DM regulate the proliferation of magic?
1) Yes, that's correct
2) THat's correct as well, however the D&D Encounters pdf is limited to XP caps because it's generally assumed that it'll be starting characters and it's an artifact of converting a home play adventure into the D&D Encounters format. You can level up during the adventure, at the end of a long rest or between Episodes.
3)Compared to previous editions, yes. However there are several magic items in HotDQ, so if you play with a regular group, people might end up with a couple by the time they're level 7.
If I am running an AL game at the local store, am I required to accept up to 7 players to be allowed to report it as an AL game, or can I limit the party size and not accept additional players to the table I am not comfortable DMing for? I find campaigns with 6 or 7 players to be too chaotic to DM for.
Dragonfather: There is nothing listed saying you have to accept more than 4,5 or 6 players. Its just that the scenarion CAN support 3-7 (ie a min and a max). If you only feel comfortable with 4-5 then say so. However say so BEFORE mustering. Let it be known that on your tables you can only run with a max of whatever your max is. After a while people will understand this.. you might have someone say 'but just this once or .. come on man.. I need to play' Be firm but fair. Thats all you can be.
I have a question myself. There is a Neutral Good cleric in the group who decides it might be fun to attack people in a jail cell with Sacred Flame. Innocent people in a corrupt prison. Without weapons.
There is little in guide on characters playing against Alignment (only more about players disrupting games etc). If I have a character constantly playing.. well in this case not 'Good' what are my options?
Tyranthraxus wrote:
Got a quick rules question, not sure if this is the right place. In episode 3, Langdedrosa fights the PCs in the Dragon Shrine. Langdedrosa can breathe lightning. If Langdedrosa breathes lightning when adjacent to an ally, does he have disadvantage to the attack roll? I think this rule applies to ranged attacks, does it affect breath weapons too?
Will the Forgotten Realms be the only AL campaign setting or can we expect to see some diversity in the future?
That's not a call the Admins for the current DnDAL campaign get to make.
It should be pointed out that the last two public campaigns (Ashes of Athas and Living Divine) were fan-organized, not run by WotC staffers. (In fact, Alphastream was one of the big wheels behind Ashes of Athas, and I'm sure he'd love to share his experiences.)
It seems extremely unlikely that WotC will organize a non-FR campaign, but a well-organized fan-run campaign might get their blessing.
--
Pauper
I've searched through these forums, and I haven't been able to find the answers to two questions. My apologies if these questions have already been addressed.
First, I've seen references to 'DDEX' when refering to an adevnture. While I can guess that they relate to the adventure's difficulty, what exactly do they mean? For example, does DDEX1-3 mean that the adevnture is suitable for character levels 1-3?
Second, are the rules for swapping out background proficiencies, or customizing a background allowable for Adventurer League play (i.e. Encounters or Expeditions)? The rules I am curious about are on page 125 of the Player's Handbook.
I'm attempting to build an wilderness style rogue - similar to a 'scout' - and I have a class (rogue, in this case) that does not possess the 'nature' skill. My intent was to choose the 'Outlander' background, and swap out Athletics for Nature, but my DM doesn't believe that's allowable for league play (he believes that, for league play, that there are no customization options allowable for backgrounds). I'll abide by whatever final ruling my DM gives of course, but if the ruling is based on a misunderstanding, I would like to bring it to his attention before my character hits 5th level; if he accepts my appeal, I may be able to do a rebuild.
Thank you for your time!
Redjak:
DDEX Refers to Dungeons and Dragons Expeditions thus DDEX.
The numbering system follows 'Season 1' and then the number of the scenario.
So Secrets of Sokol Keep is DDEX1-2. It does not refer to the character level range of the scenarios at all.
In Answer to your second question (and its been asked multiple times), you ARE allowed to customised any background. I have a character with a Criminal background who has neither of the skill proficiencies listed. If you are looking for an official post here to print out you may want to search through the Wizards forums for one.
Redjak wrote:
Uthrac wrote:
Oraibi wrote:
Coincidentally to this discussion, my ranger Winston—the one starting an adventuring company mentioned elsewhere—uses a scimitar as his primary melee weapon. He calls it a cutlass. ;o)
If there was some kind of campaign edict that said "Authors are not permitted to include a magic scimitar in their adventures" I admit it would be good to know that—and the reason why. However, in the absence of such an edict I'd be surprised if anyone even *knows* what might be included in any as-yet-unwritten adventures. So it seems pointless to me to ask. And finally, if they did know, I can't imagine why they would want to tell ME. That's what adventuring is for.
Winston is going to kill a dragon one day, just like his grandfather did. Whether he'll use a magic scimitar to do so remains to be seen.
Also keep in mind that, as a general rule, feats and class abilities are not weapon-specific, so if you find a magic weapon, you're really not penalized for it being a weapon that you're not currently using as long as you're proficient with it. So the difference between a scimitar and a shortsword is just type of damage (slashing versus piercing), unless you're a druid (who isn't proficient with shortswords) or a bard, monk, or rogue (who are proficient with shortswords but not scimitars).
Raddu76 wrote:
if we're running a second tier adventure (levels 5-10) we don't provide pregens? players are expected to continue a character?
Yes, the tier 5-10s pick up after the 1-4s. You can bring in a PC that's been through Expeditions, Encounters, or Phandelver (or a combination). If you are new to the campaign and you do not have required PC and you start with the lower level adventures. You don't jump to a middle level and the middle of the story. There's lots of low level play oppurtunities.
Gabriel_Knight52_02 wrote:
Another reason to put together a stable of characters early; eventually the campaign may be required to adopt an LFR-like 'quickstart' mode (where you can begin a new character above first level, within specific guidelines), but until that happens, it's on you to be sure you always have a character available and eligible to play whatever adventure is being run.
Granted, organizers will want to run adventures that allow a maximum number of potential players, but at some point, I suspect telling new players "sorry, we don't have any low-level adventures running this week/month/what-have-you, but if you want to buy the Starter Set and play the included adventure at home to level up to at least level 5, you're welcome to join us then," isn't going to be an acceptable answer.
--
Pauper
Pauper wrote:
Pauper wrote:
What is tier 2 xp per module?
Just looking at the basic rules DMG I am guessing somewhere between 3,500-4,000 xp.
Playing in AL Encounters I have a character that is in Order of the Gauntlet, and was given a nice folder with information on the order, official AL Character Sheet, and a card that say my character has a Scale of Bahumet (Spelling?) which allows the character to cast "Bless". I also have an AL Expeditions character that is in the Emerald Enclave Faction, however, the DM was unable to provide the nifty folder for EE like I received with OotG. My question is, does the EE have the same token as OotG (Scale of Bahumet) or does Emerald Enclave offer a different token?
Same
If I go to a store and play Defiance in Phlan DDEX1-1 on a saturday afternoon, is that character no longer permitted to play further AL content at other locations on the regular Wednesday nights??
Czar_Cascade wrote:
Raddu76 wrote:
Do all AL characters have to be strictly PHB5E RAW compliant? Or does the local GM have any latititude?
I am guessing Yes/No is the answer, for the sake uniformity, but there some supprising and seemingly
(to me) arbitrary gaps in the new Rules As Written.
(For instance, why can Eldritch Fighters only be Wizard-ish, and not chose to be Sorceror-ish or Warlock-ish?)
The trouble with giving the local DM "a little lattitude" is that it's impossible to say how much, because if you do then it becomes RAW for the campaign.
Leaving things up to the DM only works well when there's just one DM (or one set who all agree to run things the same way). If you never leave that gaming group, fine; you've essentially set up a home campaign that meets at a game store (or wherever). However, if you ever play with someone else—the point of standardized rules—then suddenly your character isn't allowed or you have to rework it on the spot.
So we've finished all of what is offered with encounters (we just started episode 4 about halfway through wednesday night)
I never got any renown or downtime, and when I asked the DM about it he said he didn't know what that was and wasn't sure where to look in the book about it. Are these things that are only mentioned in the preview that stores are given, but not in the actual campaign? (started months ago, but the store only just got its kits a week or two ago)
Also if I keep playing through ep 4 with this character will that invalidate it for future league stuff since playing the rest of the campaign counts as "casual" play or whatever?
greywaterfox wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Is there a typical title that charadcters in the adventurers league have/use when they choose the background noble? Or is it simply a case by case with the storyteller when you choose the background?
Depends largely on your region and race -- human nobles from Cormyr tend to use the traditional English 'baron', 'count', etc., going all the way up to King of Cormyr, whereas nobles of the various houses in Waterdeep don't seem to bother much with titles (this may have something to do with some of them being Hidden Lords; insisting on being referred to by a title when your identity is a state secret is...counterproductive). Elves of the Myth Drannor area have a similar structure, but using different titles ('coronal' is basically the elven 'king', though the specifics on how you get to be a coronal are significantly different). While it's not official, I'd make use of Nordic/Germanic titles ('thane', 'waldgraf', etc.) for dwarven nobility, though again, dwarf nobles don't appear to be very title-obsessed. There's little if any info on how gnomish, halfling, or tiefling nobles refer to themselves, so you're probably free to make up whatever floats your boat.
Pretty much any noble can use the title 'Lord' (or 'Lady') without issue.
--
Pauper
Uthrac wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
How does the recovery from exhaustion work in AL? The rules for exhaustion state that it decreases by 1 level per long rest? Lets say you gain 3 exhaustion during an AL encounters session. Do you start the next session with 0 exhaustion? Do you need to spend downtime after the adventure to remove your exhaustion? There are rules for the downtime activities for recuperating but that specifically mentions Ddebilitating injur, disease, or posion.
I apologize if this is the wrong section for this, or if it's already been answered somewhere else, but I didn't see anything:
Can we expect any kind of standardized AL rulings for some of the unclear sections of the PHB? Off the top of my head, the biggest example is probably whether Warlock invocations scale by class OR character level. I'm all for DM discretion, but the issue is that as it stands, it seems a player could take the exact same character sheet (say, a Paladin 2/Warlock 3) and in one AL game take advantage of Thirsting Blade, then go to another and be told that his character is illegal. I'm sure rules-savvier players can come up with other examples that may be less intentional, but nevertheless come up in normal play. Oh, or like whether the timing on Sentinel's reaction attack permits it to occur before the triggering attack.
I recognize that official, 5e-wide rulings may have to come from WotC, but even an AL-only rule would help ensure that this player doesn't have a negative experience simply based on different DM-rulings of the same rules element. I realize that this isn't your fault, however, given that Encounters is targeted at newer players, many of whom may still be learning the rules themselves, this seems a significant issue, and I'm certain other players would appreciate clarification one way or another.
Thanks!
We can pass questions onto WOTC, but such rulings need to come from customer service or the WOTC FAQs. The DnDAL doesn't make rules rulings unless it concerns a specific rule that is affected by the organized play environment.
Greg Marks
DnDAL Associate Resource Manager
Understandable, and I appreciate the response. I guess it's part of what come with trying to make a standard environment with a rulebook designed for nonstandardized play :P
For the record, it's actually fairly unlikely that a Paladin2/Warlock3 will even have Thirsting Blade -- the character would need to have gone from Paladin2/Warlock2 at 4th, and swapped out one of her existing invocations for Thirsting Blade. (You can't take an invocation if you go up a level in Paladin, and Warlock 3 is not a level at which you receive a new invocation.)
I'd allow it, if the log supported it (the 'Recommended Rulings' thread says the same), but I can see where other DMs might not.
--
Pauper
Can another player cause the death of another player's character through unintentional damage? example; a wild mage effect (fireball centered on caster) outright kills other players' characters from massive damage, regardless of a successful saving throw, who just happens to be standing near him.
A player mentioned that he thought that players could not damage another player's character regardless if it was unintentional or not, the damage was just ignored. I couldn't find any such rule.
One player stated that "An Adventure League DM should have not allowed that specific effect to happen because it would negatively mess with other player's characters (aka disruptive behavior) according to AL rules." I couldn't find anything that specifically addressed this, and the player of the Wild Mage did not "intend" to harm much less kill the other player's characters.
The other players were very upset that the spent nearly four hours of overcoming challenges, trials and tribulations only to have their characters snuffed out like a candle right at the very end of the adventure because of the actions of another player and that a fireball being cast on level 2 heroes was just plain unfair (i.e. no chance for survival).
I guess what I am looking for is Adventure League Rules clarification on players damaging other players either intenionally or unintentionally.
Thanks in Advance
I don't know of any rule that says you cannot unintentionally damage another PC. What if wild mage was dominated and ordered to target the other PC or opened a door that triggered a pit trap where the other PC was standing? There are lots of things that happen that can result in unintentional damage to another PC.
There's no rule against it.
However, there's also no rule that says the players have to play with a wild mage PC.
Best solution to the wild mage issue I have seen is for the DM to choose never to roll the "wild d20."
It should be noted that, while Living Forgotten Realms had a rule that said that you could not damage or otherwise hinder another player's character without that player's permission, Adventurers League's only restriction on character behavior is that characters should not undermine each other during play.
It should also be noted that the Code of Conduct deals with player behavior, not character behavior; if a player chooses to drop a fireball in the midst of his allies, that's one thing, but a wild sorcerer doing the same completely unintentionally (because it's all based on random die rolls) is a wholly different thing.
In other words, if the DM is trying to kill the player characters with every allowed tool at her disposal, that's the game system working as intended. ; )
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Pauper
A game store is running Wednesday night encounters. There is only one table playing D&D. The table has completed all of the other AL sanctioned adventures and have just finished episode 4 of the HOTDQ. The players/DM have decided to continue on to episode 5 of the adventure as per "casual play" rules. There is one DM and 5 players at the table, each with Level 5 Heroes. A new player shows up and wants to play, however this player only has one Level 1 character.
By Adventure League rules; how should this situation be resolved? (The goal being that the newcomer is able to play at this table if possible.)
- Option A :Should the player be allowed to join the party as a level one character? (this would mean he is playing out-of-teir)
- Option B: Should the player be allowed to join the party but only if he uses a fifth level pregenerated character? If so; would he get to keep the XP or somehow apply it to his other character?
- Option C: Should the player not be allowed to play at the table? (better luck next time!)
- Option D: Some other solution that I am not aware of? (Please elaborate)
Personally, I would have the player create a Level 5 character to play alongside the rest of the group, but explain to the player that the character will not be legal for Adventurer's League play which requires characters to start at Level 1. Chances are, the new player will have a much better time learning the system with everyone else, then creating a new character (with everyone else) when the group transitions to Expeditions or the next Encounters season.
Long story short ... as long as the player sticks with your group, they can do whatever works best for the group.
Agree with Uthrac; for Casual Play, you can let folks join up who aren't AL-legal, as long as those folks know that their current characters aren't AL-legal. (Of course, if you continue with Rise of Tiamat as a home-play option, they can certainly play those characters in that adventure.)
On the other hand, as long as the level 1 characters stay out of the way, they can gain levels extremely quickly given the amount of XP available in Chapters 5-8 of HotDQ. Since Casual Play isn't technically part of the Encounters/Expeditions/Epics program, I wouldn't expect there to be any restriction on what level characters can participate (I'm not sure the Encounters XP cap even still applies once the adventure goes into Casual Play mode), though it might cause some Expeditions DMs to raise their eyebrows to see that an AL character's first adventure was in HotDQ chapter 6.
I wouldn't say this makes AL 'unplayable', but it does put a high priority on players who are willing to follow the honor system. I'm not sure how compatible that is with a goal of growing the program to be as large as possible.
--
Pauper
Jwraper: Wow, I ve only just read the wild magic table and saw the fireball thing. Having to roll a 06-07 to make that happen is amazing.
But as has been stated yeah if the fireball happens it happens. It sucks big time but it still happens.
Tyranthraxus wrote:
Agreed - any design element that encourages 'griefer' style play is something that should be avoided in a public play situation.
--
Pauper
Pauper wrote:
What is the best way to start getting involved in AL? I'm a longtime gamer, but have never taken it to "this level".
DungeonKrusher wrote:
Question:
I am starting a home game folllowing the Adventure League guide running Hoard of the Dragon Queen. All but one of my players are new and starting with lvl 1 charecters, with the odd man out having played at Gen Con. He thus has a lvl 3 charecter that he would like to resume using in our campaign. Does anyone know if he can use the higher leveled charecter while all the other players are level 1? And does anyone have any tips on how to balance the campaign when one player is of a higher level than the rest of the party?
Thanks for any help you may provide.
bribrem wrote:
Pauper wrote:
Does the rules of D&D Adventurers League allow customization option of background from the players handbook? For the character that I want to create profiensy on insight would fit much more than on medicine.
Yes, it does.
If I'm playing a second-level conjurer wizard can I use the conjure ability to conjure poisons and apply them in AL? Ball bearings? Oil? Greece? Caltrops? Healing potions?
M in o r C o n j u r a t io n
Starting at 2nd level when you select this school, you can use your action to conjure up an inanimate object in your hand or on the ground in an unoccupied space that you can see within 10 feet o f you. This object can be no larger than 3 feet on a side and weigh no more than 10 pounds, and its form must be that of a nonmagical object that you have seen. The object is visibly magical,radiating dim light out to 5 feet.
The object disappears after 1 hour, when you use this feature again, or if it takes any damage.
I have a human character that has "sage" as one of his background choices.
He can choose 2 additional languages.
For this character to be adventurers league compliant, can he choose an exotic language (i.e. draconic)?
I have a DM and a couple people at my table saying it's not legal, per AL rules.
They say only player characters as dragonkin race can know draconic.
However the AL players pdf guide doesn't seem to outright disallow it.
The PHB and free PHB pdf says exotic languages are DM optional.
They (my group) say it's not allowed because AL doesn't allow it, not necessarily b/c of DM rule 0
However the group allows grid battles and feats (which are suppose to be DM optional).
Some clarification would be appreciated.
There is no rule in the ALPG which prohibits players from learning exotic languages. It is a DM call.
Kalani wrote:
Undrhil wrote:
Avross wrote:
The Starter set adventure has been a big hit and the adventure continues to be played like crazy at our events on a weekly basis. Are there any plans to print more certificates for that adventure? Certs for this adventure will always be in demand now for as long as this edition runs. I hope there are plans in place to handle this.
(suggestion.... do away with certs.)
Certs are only needed if you plan on trading the magic item. If the character is going to keep the item, just write it down on the log sheet.
I have a few questions about Monk of four elements abilities, they formulated quite vaguely.
Elemental Attunement:
«Create a harmless, instantaneous sensory effect related to air, earth, fire, or water, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, a spray of light mist, or a gentle rumbling of stone.»
Does «harmless» means that I can’t for example blind my enemy with sparks or small cloud of mist? Is it necessary that effect should be weak and quiet, or it may be for example sound of crumbling rocks?
«Instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small Campfire»
Does this ability only for candles, torches and campfire, or they mean just small fire? Can I make ropes that bind me to burn? Or ignite an enemy's shirt-sleeve?
«Chill or warm up to I pound of nonliving material for up to I hour.»
To what temperature? For example is it possible to chill someone’s clothes so that can cause colds if he will not undress? Or heat the hilt so hot that it will be hurt to keep?
«Cause earth, fire, water, or mist that can fit within a I-foot cube to shape itself into a crude form you designate for 1 minute.»
Does «earth» also means stones, and «water» mean Ice? Does «shape» mean that element just will take the form or it also include changes in state of matter? Can I turn water in ice or mist with this ability? Can I only shape material or also make it move? For example create a small man from clay and make it dance, or create a ghost from mist and make it dash on someone?
«Shape the Flowing River: As an action, you can spend I ki point to choose an area of ice or water no larger than 30 feet on a side within 120 feet of you. You can change water to ice within the area and vice versa, and you can reshape ice in the area in any manner you choose. You can raise or lower the ice's elevation, create a fill in a trench, erect or flatten a wall, or form a pillar. The extent of any such changes can't exceed half the area's largest dimension For example, if you affect a 30-foot square, you can create a pillar up to 15 feet high, raise or lower the square's elevation by up to 15 feet, dig a trench up to 15 feet deep, and so on. You can't shape the ice to trap or injure a creature in the area.»
Does «Injure» means «make wounds»? Can I just make water to create a helmet of ice around enemies head and make him suffocate, or freeze water that he just drink? Does prohibition on trap mean that I cant create a pit and left enemy inside, or create a 15 feet column under his legs? Can i make a lances of ice and hereafter push enemy on it?
«Water Whip. You can spend 2 ki points as a bonus action to create a whip of water that shoves and pulls a creature to unbalance lt. A creature that you can see that is within 30 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 3d 10 bludgeoning damage, plus an extra 1d10 bludgeoning damage for each additional ki point you spend, and you can either knock it prone or pull it up to 25 feet closer to you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage, and you don't pull It or knock it prone.»
If distance between monk and enemy is 10 feet, can he throw enemy at 15 feet back behind monk?
Volfram8 wrote:
Do retainers get racial abilities for example sunlight sensitivity for drow, breath weapons for dragonborn, 2 skills and +2 Charisma for half elfs? Also are they resticted alignment wise?
There's nothing in the ALPG that prohibits the use of hirelings and/or retainers (the rules are in the DMG, but only the Loyalty rules are listed as optional or variant rules), but the presumption appears to be that each player will run one and only one character at the table. Note that 'demanding more attention from the DM' is listed as an example of a violation of the Adventurers League Code of Conduct, and running numerous hirelings might well cause such a violation.
If a DM chooses to allow hirelings and/or retainers, those characters would receive the racial benefits of their chosen race. Keep in mind as well that retainers draw their own shares of XP (DMG, p.92), so retainers should be considered 'characters' at the table for purposes of adjusting the adventure's difficulty and awarding combat XP.
--
Pauper
These retainers would be from the retainer feature in the players handbook so completely legal and wouldn't count as hirelings and can not fight so don't get exp. what about things like variant humans and bullywug?
Pauper wrote:
The site says one every four hours. Is that:
● One every four hours plus items from campaign.
● One every four hours including items from campaign.
Or
● You're expected to find a campaign item every 4 hours.
The Expedition adventures have roughly one every four hours of play. The printed adventures might work out that way on average, though the ones that are currently out have them backloaded.
Skerrit wrote:
That and the stories are fixed in what they give, making other methods of acquirring items even more of a "tax" for those who want them.
Undrhil wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
For AL games, when a spellbook is part of the end treasure, do they count as permanent magic items?
This issue is related to determine who has the least amount of magic items (and therefore who has priority pickings).
If so, then most wizards would probably pass on spellbooks, and rather trade spells among other player wizards.
-Asperix
Asperix wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Not sure if this Q has been asked before, but suppose an evocation wizard finds a staff of fire.
Can the wizard use 'sculpt spells' to exclude allies when casting fireballs from staff?
So I have searched far and wide for the Session # for the adventure "The Rise of Tiamat" and cannot find it anywhere! Could anyone possibly help me out? I know that it is adventurer's league legal and I have the Session numbers for all the other ones that get sent to us via email. Just The Rise of Tiamat has been out for several months now, and I cannot find the session # For it! Anyone have any idea how to find it?
Magicninja17 wrote:
Okay if it's that easy, then that will smooth my bounding migraine. But what about HotDQ? The session number for that is DDEN-1? Why does wizards of the coast send us that number? And other numbers for other campaigns?
Magicninja17 wrote:
Interesting -- I've always used Session Number as an indicator of the session of the current adventure my character is running, so HotDQ session 2 is the second session of Encounters, and if the character 'ducks out' of Encounters to play DDEX 1-2, that is session 1 of DDEX 1-2 before returning for session 3 of HotDQ.
As long as the intent on the log is clear, the session number field is probably not all that important.
--
Pauper
Pauper wrote:
What are the DM's supposed to do with their XP and days of rest after they DM an encounter?
ZorroinArkham wrote:
Zia Comics in Las Cruces has been playing Hoard of the Dragon Queen since November 2014. We finally got the Adventurer's League Encounter packet that has the five encounters including Screams at Dawn, it's called the Tyranny of Phlan. Are there any other Adventure's League Encounters that we are missing out on? I've read online there is something called a Winter Season, is that one of the Adventure's League Encounters that Wizards isn't sending to us for some reason?
Pauper wrote:
ZorroinArkham wrote:
The AL Player's Guide lists appendix A of HotDQ as allowed when making a Season One character, but where do I find a copy of this? Was it released at all as a free pdf by WotC, the way they are doing with the player content from Princes of the Apocalypse? If it was, I cannot find it anywhere here on the website.
Enevhar_Aldarion wrote:
Well, if it is something as minor as that, then it should have been reprinted in the Players Guide, rather than having to have access to the adventure at character creation.
Undrhil wrote:
I'm not sure anyone would want to, but once Season 2 starts, will people still be able to create new characters using the Season 1 storyline?
TheBreen wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Crossbow feat + Shield and 1-hand crossbow. Do I get to attack with crossbow as bonus action in AL.
Ravix wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Ravix wrote:
TheBreen wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Again, I lead with Ask your DM, YMMV. Couldn't be more clear than that. I only cited JCs responses as it might help shape their DMs own ruling - given the fact he was head developer for the RULEs (TM), thereby adding more legitimacy to his statements than anyone elses.
Kalani wrote:
I have a question involving Adventurer's League logistics, rather than rules.
I've been a DM for 30 years, and I've found in Encounters a delightful opportunity for a break, when I get to be a player for once, outside of a convention. I moved to another city back in November, and haven't been able to make it to a game store on a Wednesday regularly for months. I did go to a store listed on the Wizards store lookup as hosting Encounters back in late December, only to be told by the store once I arrived that "We aren't doing Encounters any more." Glumly I returned home and since then have been checking out other stores on their own web sites, and calling ahead to make sure that they were actually hosting, rather than just relying on the Wizards store finder. I found a store that listed Encounters on its calendar, and called ahead on Monday this week to confirm that they are hosting Encounters. They confirmed - hallelujah! I talked a friend into joining me, and I started making arrangements for babysitting so that I could get out of the house for a couple of hours. We carpooled there, arrived at the store, and had to get help to find the Encounters group. The store employee: "They're over there, in the corner. I dunno if they've started yet or if they're just chatting." In the corner, we found that there was only one DM, with a full table of seven players. The DM said he didn't have space (clearly, as Adventurer's League games are capped at 7 players), unless someone else was willing to DM. No one volunteered, and I understand that - I wanted to play, too! I would've been willing to DM, but then it would just have been me, running my friend in a public "Casual Game," since we wouldn't have had the minimum 3 players for it to count as an Encounters game (not to mention that I wouldn't know the source material I'd be running, which I'm reluctant to do, ever since a Master's Tournament I competed in back in the 90s, in which the DM came to the tournament cold). We lingered for a while to see if other DMs or players showed up, and then eventually left, disappointed again.
QUESTIONS: What is a player's recourse in this situation? What should I do differently next time? What do you recommend I do to ensure that not only is a store hosting an Encounters session, but that there is actually space for me as a player BEFORE I toss the dice and make the trip?
Q1: I have a question regarding character level limits For AL games, going through Lost Mine of Phandelver or HotDQ on a non-Wed,organized play, is there a maximum level limit for characters for each of the episodes?
i.e. can a 5th lvl character play in HotDQ episode 1? Or LMoP episode 3?
Q2: Can the same character play in the same expeditions adventure or same episode of LMoP or HotDQ?
spacewalker1 wrote:
Asperix wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Kalani wrote:
The organizer/coordinator for the store I play at seems to have a vendetta against the Human (Variant) and (according to all of the DM's I've talked) has "banned" it from play. Now, most of the DM's I've talked have said that was stupid and that they allow it, but should I find myself at his table I'm told that he will absolutely not allow it. I've also had a few DM's tell me that's it's up to the DM.
I'm fairly sure that AL guide specifically allows the Human (variant) and that DM's are NOT allowed to decide not to include it in AL play. The DM in question here is definitely channeling more of the home spirit of the game where he thinks DM have control over everything, which just doesn't apply in all cases to AL.
I think namely his greatest gripe with Human (variant) was the Heavy Armour Master feat at Level 1 with a barb, apparently a few players decided to roll that at level 1 and their DM didn't enjoy the session.
Anyway, I've talked to a few people about this and asked a few more last Saturday. But before I finally decide exactly "how serious" I want to take this, I figured I'd get some input from you guys as well. I don't want someone to come into the store expecting to play their perfectly legal character, but be told it's been banned due to some arbitrary rule.
I've talked to him directly about it in a non-confrontational way so far, but he's pretty dead set on it as far as when he's involved.
Should I take this to the Regional Organizer for my area or am I overreacting? Thanks.
The organizer/coordinator for the store I play at seems to have a vendetta against the Human (Variant) and (according to all of the DM's I've talked) has "banned" it from play. Now, most of the DM's I've talked have said that was stupid and that they allow it, but should I find myself at his table I'm told that he will absolutely not allow it. I've also had a few DM's tell me that's it's up to the DM.
I'm fairly sure that AL guide specifically allows the Human (variant) and that DM's are NOT allowed to decide not to include it in AL play. The DM in question here is definitely channeling more of the home spirit of the game where he thinks DM have control over everything, which just doesn't apply in all cases to AL.
I think namely his greatest gripe with Human (variant) was the Heavy Armour Master feat at Level 1 with a barb, apparently a few players decided to roll that at level 1 and their DM didn't enjoy the session.
Anyway, I've talked to a few people about this and asked a few more last Saturday. But before I finally decide exactly "how serious" I want to take this, I figured I'd get some input from you guys as well. I don't want someone to come into the store expecting to play their perfectly legal character, but be told it's been banned due to some arbitrary rule.
I've talked to him directly about it in a non-confrontational way so far, but he's pretty dead set on it as far as when he's involved.
Should I take this to the Regional Organizer for my area or am I overreacting? Thanks.
Ravix wrote:
Yeah, so there are many feats that are a little on the crazy side at level 1 and Heavy Armor Master is definately one of them (possibly not the worst, but the one that takes absolutely zero skill to use well for sure ). Nevertheless its a completely legal option and while a DM has quite a bit of leeway, outright banning legal options is not in that area. Being able to play a Human with the variant is spelled out as an allowed option and there is no diagreement on the interpretation of that (that I am aware of) , it should not be subject to table variance
If some players went out of their way to ruin the Dms day I can sorta understand the reaction, but it seems an overeaction (that is not legal to boot). For a DM there are a lot of other ways to deal with the issue that are within the DME space. Ways that will not be quite as negative and blocking. I would say that both DM and players may need a little chat on how to make things fun for everyone. The DM is not there to be a punching bag, they should have a good time too. If people gaming the system, valid though it may be, messes with his enjoyment of the game then maybe players can give a little too?
Taking it to a Regional Organizer straight off is not really going to help the problem. It may get your valid point proven, but is also likely to create bad blood and possibly lose you a DM or even a place to play (unlikely, but I have seen stranger things). If it truly cannot be reasonably resolved between the people there, I would suggest having the DM himself contact the admins for a check rather than go behind their back an return waving some email reply.. That tends to have red-cloth + bull effects.
All of the DM's I've played with and have talked to have been fine. (Spare the one guy that said he COULD if he wanted to) It's the organizer for the store himself that is pushing this "banned" nonsense. Everyone I've talked to here has said to just avoid playing a variant around him, but that just seems unnecessary. If he doesn't want to follow the rules he shouldn't be the organizer.
As for the players who had apparently created those characters, they no long come play at the store.
I'm just some rando that happens to like playing at that store, but if everyone feels the same and is telling me to just avoid him while playing... Doesn't that make him the center of a much larger problem? It sounds almost as if he's scared them into compliance. (Which I can almost get, he's a pretty intimidating dude)
Anyway, thanks for the advice.
I would strongly recommend contacting your Local/Regional coordinator. It sounds like your Event Coordinator/organizer is breaching the guidelines for a DM/organizer, and is showing poor conduct themselves.
When you do contact them - describe their behavior/limitations without bias. State the facts, and let the LC/RC determine what course of action should be taken (if any). Sadly, there is little the LC/RC can do from their end to correct a stubborn organizer who refuses to play ball by the rules, other than contact them and speak with them directly - or escalate it up the chain to the admins/WotC.
When being an organizer, you are acting on behalf of Wizards, in addition to your FLGs. The fact that several players have quit playing AL at your store due to his behavior is exactly the kind of thing Wizards wishes to prevent - as it reflects poorly on them.
Asperix wrote:
Ravix wrote:
I played in a session of Lost Mine of Phandelver a few months back.
I recorded info for the AL log sheet, but didnt get the DCI #.
It was played on a Saturday morning at a local game shop where anyone could join.
I don't think I can get in touch with that DM.
If DCI # is missing, can it be considered an AL game?
Asperix wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
There are gamestores aroundh ere running Friday Night Magic and Pathfinder Society but none of them seem to be doing Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League
Have you tried using the WOTC locator widget?
https://dnd.wizards.com/playevents/encounters
Put your zip code into that box and see who's playing what nearby
Coredump00 wrote:
Well, I think a Heavy Armor Master Fighter is what they are talking about, or a Paladin, maybe.
But this means two things: one - they aren't using a shield, so they have -2 to the max AC they would have otherwise and, two - they didn't take the -5 attack, +10 damage Great Weapon Master feat.
At level 1, that feat will wreck encounters. Since the attack is generally going to just be a flat d20 roll (+5 -5) there is a decent chance of the attack hitting. And I don't think there are many creatures in the Tier 1 mods that can withstand a 2d6+13 damage attack. This is probably what those guys had made, because a Barbarian could definifely make use of Reckless Assault (at level 2) to get advantage on their attack rolls.
Heavy Armor Master looks good in the early tier, but it's one of those feats whose potency fades quickly as you go up tiers, as higher CR monsters either have attacks that count as magical (thus bypassing the protection of the feat) or do so much damage that the minor reduction from HAM is negligible.
Unless a player retrains the feat before level 5, they're going to be stuck at high tier with a very disappointing feat, which is part of the 'challenge' that is PC design.
--
Pauper
Pauper wrote:
mbcestelle wrote:
Undrhil wrote:
There would also be nothing stopping someone from simply using the feat for level 1-4 and rebuilding it right before he hit level 5.
And I think the answer to the Organizer question is a mixture of both.
I've decided I'm not going to go looking for an issue, but will be ready to react should one occur. (involving me or not, as I'm not the only person there with a variant human character)
The latest ughfest I had was with a DM who didn't know that Bonus Actions and Reactions were different. /facepalm He was the same one that didn't care about the human variant but insisted that he could rule against it if he wanted to.
Pauper wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
Pauper wrote:
Suppose I have a level 5 wizard created from the ToD ruleset.
He levels to 6. Can he learn spells from season 2's EE player companion?
If he find scrolls from EE expeditions/PotA, like absorb elements or maximilian's earthen grasp, can he scribe them to his spellbook?
If he meets another wizard created in season 2 EE, can he swap for those EE spells?
Caveat that we're still discussing the details, but the broad philosophical intents are clear.
Asperix wrote:
Asperix wrote:
There you go - even more clarification on the issue :D
The FAQ is going to be huge, lol.
Unessential nerd question here:
HotDQ takes place in 1489DR
PotA takes place in 1491DR
My question is, do the events of the Moonsea region roughly coorespond with this timeline? (i.e. Will DDEX City of Danger take place in 1491DR?)
At the end of Escape Phlan, we were instructed to go to Mulmaster when we fled Phlan. So... what, we've just been hanging out in what seems to be this very terrible city for two years waiting for the coming apocalypse?
Because if so, then fair enough, I'm in.
Given that the DDEX Season 1 adventures had little connection to the main published campaign (for instance, there was no in-game reason to go directly from DDEX 1-5 to Episode 4 of Horde of the Dragon Queen), I suspect that the actual timeline for the Season 2 adventures might be fairly flexible. Part of the reason being that nobody has 700 downtime days to spend to represent two actual years of non-adventuring time.
--
Pauper
Regarding wizards and the new elemental evil player's companion: can a wizard created under the tyranny of dragons story origin, learn cantrips from new the player's companion as he levels up? I know they can learn spells from other wizards to add to their spellbook, but what about cantrips?
ackir wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Let's say you have a LG and LE character in the same party. The LE character decides to kill a helpless NPC; the LG character interposes himself. At that point, the LE character attacks the LG character, because, it is something his "character would do". Would that be considered disruptive?
Why do I ask? The ALPG's examples for disruptive behavior is solely based on physical actions taken by the player, not character. Some DMs have taken this to mean that character actions aren't covered by the "disruptive" rule in the ALPG. Technically under this "ruling", this means that the LG or LE character killing the other isn't against the CoC for the campaign.
I'm just curious if it could be interpreted as such, and if it is a reasonable interpretation.
I would start by reminding the players before it ever got that far that the characters have orders from their factions to work together (and the factions that allow LE PCs are likely to execute those that disobey their orders).
Kalani wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Kalani wrote:
We are not actually allowed to write anything on a characters logsheet. Robert Adducci told me this personally when I was discussing with him the cheating sidebar. He said we can review a logsheet and character sheet yes, but we cannot make any changes to it ourselves.
If we note a discrepency, all we are authorized to do is one of the following (depending on the discrepency):
- Ask the player to use a standard array (if we note a discrepency with their stats)
- Deny the player the ability to use an item or feature (if we note a discrepency in a magic item and the player cannot provide documentation)
- Ask the player to use a pregen character, or play their character as if they were at a lower level for the current session (if we note a discrepency in their level/XP and the player cannot provide documentation - such as an improperly filled/absent logsheet)
- Etc.
The admins highly discourage DMs from making any change, note, or other entry on a players character sheet and/or logsheet.
It is not our responsibility, and we lack the authority to make such entries.
abanathie wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Kalani wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Kalani wrote:
To my knowledge, Savage attack only allows you to roll one die period. If your weapon deals 2d6 damage, you roll 3d6 with Savage Attack/Brutal Critical/etc. If you have any of these features, it shifts the balance in favor of high die types like greataxes. Such weapons tend to deal more swingy damage than greatswords whose damage falls on a bell curve and is therefore more reliable.
I know of no such rulling that lets you reroll all the dice; just one bonus die.
Greg Marks
DnDAL Associate Resource Manager
Skerrit wrote:
Let me phrase that another way, there is no such rule specific the DnDAL and there is no rule in the PHB. If someone every posted some random social media comment about how they like to do it in their home game, I have never seen it, but it wouldn't be relavent to us anyway.
Greg Marks
DnDAL Associate Resource Manager
Skerrit wrote:
Not to buck against anyone, and u're welcome to correct me, but:
17th level Half-Orc Barbarian gets +1 damage die for Savage Attacks and +3 additional damage dice for Brutal Critical. For a total of +4, assuming these abilities work the same and stack.
So... On a critical hit:
Greataxe 1d12(6.5) = 1d12x2 + 4d12 = 6d12 = max 72 (39)
Greatsword* 2d6(7) = 2d6x2 + 4x2d6 = 12d6 = max 72 (42)
Greatsword** 2d6(7) = 2d6x2 + 4x1d6 = 8d6 = max 48 (28)
Longsword^ 1d10(5.5) = 1d10x2 + 4d10 = 6d10 = max 60 (33)
Longsword^^ 1d8(4.5) = 1d8x2 + 4d8 = 6d8 = max 48 (27)
* - assuming the Greatsword damage die(2d6) is what is added
** - assuming only 1d6 is added
^ - using Longsword with two hands
^^ - using Longsword with one hand
Assuming this outcome holds for less additional damage dice, it is unreasonable to assume the RAI is to only roll additional d6's for a greatsword, instead of addintional 2d6's. As rolling additional single die damage dice isn't questionable, the outcomes given for the Greataxe and Longsword are RAW and RAI. But if you only add 1d6 as the additional damage die granted by these abilities, a critical hit with a Greatsword becomes less powerful than a two-handed Longsword and on par with one one-handed. Is this correct?
NSUBonno2009 wrote:
Rank 3 Zhentarim in Mulmaster can spend downtime to attempt to procure (among other things) "a moldering scroll holding a 1st-level spell of your choice".
So what is a moldering scroll, exactly? I'm assuming it's a scroll that only lasts for the duration of the adventure, but I haven't been able to find a rules reference for it.
CahPahkah wrote:
ALPG wrote:
ALPG wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
Edit: Original post edited, so this comment is no longer relevant, though I still agree with the interpretation.
--
Pauper
There is no evidence that the time used to scribe a spell into the spellbook be continuous, simply because that would then make scribing any spell over 4th level impossible, at least under AL rules (max 8 hrs/ DT day for scribing). Unless you mean to suggest that this was further intended to gimp the wizard (and by extension, anyone with the Ritual Caster feat).
No ruling is ever made specifically to 'gimp' a class or character build. That's an interpretation made by players who, in my experience at least, are always using it as an emotional club to try to intimidate a judge into reconsidering an otherwise valid ruling. I've reached the point where I believe that people who seriously make that argument are doing so because they don't have any better argument to make, conceding the overall point to me.
With that said, I think there's a huge difference between saying that a wizard can split up the task of scribing a 9th level spell over the better part of three days, thus hand-waving the 'set-up and take-down' time involved in preparing for work on such a project, and saying that, by implication, a PC wizard can cobble together any relatively free 5 to 10 minute stretch of time during an adventure and use it to scribe a scroll into her spellbook. The two situations simply aren't comparable, and saying that if you hand-wave one set of prep time you have to hand-wave them both is unrealistic.
--
Pauper
I concur. My statement applied specifically to a contiguous block of time within an adventure.
With that being said, a wizard would need to spend a continguous block of down time days when scribing a spell. They could not spend 1 day to start the process of scribing a 9th level spell, go on an adventure, and then spend the remaining 2 days at the end of the adventure. They would need to spend all 3 days in a single block of Down Time.
In both instances: other light activity can be performed while scribing spells into a spellbook (such as eating, talking, taking a short walk, using the facilities, etc). Combat, and other strenuous activities could not be performed.
The way I rule it - anything that would interrupt a long rest will interrupt spell scribing.
Both of those are your rulings (and seem to rely on the assumption that a wizard needs some sort of 'set up' to scribe spells into a book). No such actual rule exists.
All that is required is 2 hours and 50 gp / spell level (or half that for spells of your specialization school).
"Reproduce the basic form of the spell" - Gibberish that means whatever the DM thinks it means.
"Decipher unique notation" - You could easily read it in bits and think about it while riding on a horse or walking somewhere, which are activities that would interrupt a rest.
"Practice the spell" - most spells take 1 action to cast. Time requirement for individual practice sessions is virtually non-existent. At most, I'd argue that you're popping your books and materials out, and this might take 10 minutes or so per practice session. Now, finding 10 minutes in the middle of an adventure might be extremely difficult, if not impossible, but it isn't unheard of.
'Transcribe using your notation' - variable, based on how fast your write in your wizard notation. Given that a spellbook can be a 'loose collection of notes scrouged together', this obviously isn't a 'you have to set up a table, and position your candles just so, and have your ink exactly *so* deep when you start' methodology unless your DM and/or the player wants it to be.
Now, do I think that the ruling about DT for spell scribing was made with the intent of gimping the wizard? No, I don't. Do I think it had that effect? Yes, I do, in that it forces wizards to expend additional resources to take advantage of a class mechanic and potential treasure rewards in comparison to other classes.
Do I think a ruling that 'you must have at least a two hour block to scribe a spell' is intended to gimp the wizard? No, I don't. Do I think it has that effect? Yes, precisely because of my argument above.
There is no rule in any of the published material that states how the process occurs, only what it consists of and its resource cost, therefore, any ruling that states 'it must happen this way' is a house rule, by definition.
Ainulindalion wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Ainulindalion wrote:
Ainulindalion wrote:
I've explained my position. It's not based on the assumption that the AL ruling is the correct one. I made the argument before and no one listened, or even bothered to understand then, so I don't know why I do it now.
Ainulindalion wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Ainulindalion wrote:
Ainulindalion wrote:
FYI, the admin's don't make the rulings. HQ does. The Admins identify issues, make suggestions, and pass concerns up the chain to HQ, but they themselves do not make the rulings, except when it is something covered by existing rulings which simply requires clarification. The spellbook ruling for example, is the kind of question that would have been passed by HQ.
The Admins have input into the ALPG's contents, but are not the one's who write it. HQ disseminates the ALPG (we are still waiting on a revision of the season 2 ALPG to correct some editing mistakes, omissions, and oversights, and have been waiting on said revision since the day the ALPG was released).
RCanine wrote:
Suppose I have a fighter that has str16, int10.
He found a headband of intellect during an AL adventure, bringing his int->19.
Can he then multi-class to a wizard?
Coredump00 wrote:
Pauper wrote:
Pauper wrote:
Asperix wrote:
Ravix wrote:
Pauper wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
Pauper wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
5th Edition does not seem to have any rules on "former" classes. There are no rules for becoming an Ex-anything the way previous editions did and there are no dual-classed rules like 1st edition had. So, to me, once you are a class, you are always that class, no matter how many times you may multi-class out from your original class.
I would literally take away everything gained by having the boosted stat, but that's just because I'm mean.
I would rather players not base their characters around getting one particular item, but if they're willing to risk it then I guess that'd be fine. There aren't any examples I've seen of people in AL getting their items taken away from them, so I figured he'd be fine. I just didn't want him to get the item just to use it once, multiclass, and then never use the item again. That would qualify as abuse in my eyes and I'd punish you for it.
Maybe not having it taken away, but there are some cases of things which can cause magic items to stop working. So, a character who started as a level 1 Fighter with 8 INT, who found an item to boost their INT to 19 and then multiclassed into Wizard for the rest of their career could find themselves very bad off if their magical intelligence boost were to be turned off, even temporarily.
Undrhil wrote:
While I agree it would make for an interesting character, I think I would also find a way to block this particular avenue. Can't think of a direct way to do that off the top of my head, but I am sure I can manage if need be
OTOH, while I would probably want to block it also.... a Wizard Paladin with 8 Str is pretty darn sub-optimal anyway.
BoldItalic wrote:
Kalani wrote:
You don't earn XP until the end of the module.
Ainulindalion wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Enevhar_Aldarion wrote:
What does DDEX stand for? Saw this on the forums but not even google could tell me what it means.
Rya.Reisender wrote:
Kalani wrote:
BoldItalic wrote:
To reinforce what Pauper said above, here is the FAQ entry which spells this out:
When do characters advance in level? The Tyranny of Dragons season D&D Adventurers League Player's Guide seems to contradict itself by saying at the end of a long rest and at the end of a session. Which is correct?
Characters with sufficient experience must advance at the next opportunity: the end of an episode of a multi-part adventure such as D&D Encounters or a published adventure, after a D&D Expedition, or after a long rest. The language indicating that a character can advance after a session is incorrect and will be corrected in future editions of the Player's Guide.
- Player is awarded XP at the end of a session but doesn't level up there and then
- Next session, during play, player takes a long rest.
- Half an hour before the end of the long rest, player drinks the potion (eating and drinking are okay during rests)
- At the end of the long rest, player levels up while the potion is in effect
- DM is unimpressed and arbitrarily disallows the level up
Except that BoldItalic is correct....
He says a player gets XP awarded at the end of a *SESSION*. Not only doesn't he level up right 'there and then" he is not allowed to. He can't level up until the end of a long rest, or end of an episode.
So the next session they have a long rest.... and his example is 100% spot on.
There is little convoluted about his example. Many AL people are playing HotDQ or PotA, so getting enough XP to level up after a session is *very* common.
That all said, I think this entire situation is only of concern to people that spend their time on the internet discussing weird edge cases to worry about. (Like us.)
I don't see any DM allowing this; and any DM that would allow this probably had plenty of other issues, and may not be concerned about what the rules say anyway.
Again, it would have to be during Encounters, as the end of a session in Expeditions is presumed to coincide with the end of the adventure.
It would have to be a character that isn't already at the level specified in the chapter (unless I'm confused about that, as noted).
And it would have to be a chapter that offers a long rest.
It does seem possible, but highly unlikely. Most DMs, and pretty much all Expeditions DMs, will not need to deal with this.
--
Pauper
(Edit: And even if the scenario happened and the multi-class were approved by the DM, the character would need another potion of giant strength to multiclass into any other class following this multiclass -- see Prerequisites on p.163 of the PH.)
Pauper wrote:
Kalani wrote:
I will say, though, that this specific example is a good reason why 'other DMs are not required to show deference to a previous DMs ruling' is a philosophy I'm not in favor of -- basically, as Kalani notes, you're setting up a situation where a later DM can force a complete re-write of a character (and if the mutli-class came at level 5, an un-reversable re-write at that) simply because he finds a Str 8 paladin to be abusive.
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Pauper
Now, we're back to the situation where a eleventh level character can potentially become a fifth level character that can't participate in tier three or tier two tables and told to go home. It might be a corner case; however, an official stance by the AL could keep this scenario, no matter how unlikely, from unraveling into reality.
abanathie wrote:
I think Kalani has a point in that most DMs won't run into this situation.
Having played with a number of players who hunt for opportunities like this, though, I'll say I'm pretty sure at least one DM will have to deal with it at some point.
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Pauper
Kalani wrote:
Players that hunt these opportunities are rarely new and they are usually acutely aware of what they are doing. I have little to no sympathy for such a player being confronted with a punative resolution scenario. They made their bed, they can get the crumbs back out themselves.
The only thing an AL ruling would do is waste the Admins time. Few Dms would get to see it, and the players looking to cheat will generally make very sure they do so with DMs that do NOT keep up with stuff like that.
imaginaryfriend wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
imaginaryfriend wrote:
Hrm, I'm honestly surprised anyone allows any sort of magic item to qualify for classes rather than the character's base stats. I don't really see the potion of giant strength example as much different than the headband of intellect other than that the headband lasts until you unatune it. Something official would be nice, as I would have outright disallowed any player that brought this character to the table before. Character building questions in particular seem pretty essential to cover to keep characters from being invalid at different tables.
I don't remember there being a permanent modifier in the playtest; at least not in the one that have. I think there might be one more packet after mine. I have it; I'm just not in the mood to go find it on my old laptop.
That being said; the allowance to multiclass, outlined in pervious posts, per the rules of the ALPG and PHB is a grey area. A DM might feel empowered to make a ruling that it is not cheating and is allowable, even after reading the article concerning DME. Another DM might disagree with that assessment; however, labeling it as cheating by the player, without any other consideration, is a situation that should be resolved by the administration before it becomes an actual accusation that someone might have to, whether justifiable or not, deal with. In short, the ALPG guidelines allow for a character to progress that might be eleventh or fifth level depending on the mood and disposition of the DM; I find that to be less than ideal situation for the AL. Especially when you consider that player may be put in the situation of never being allowed to play that character again; the rebuild option expires after level four after all.
Kalani wrote:
imaginaryfriend wrote:
Kalani wrote:
1. You only need to qualify when taking a new class. You don't need to continue to qualify to level up in a class you already have levels in.
The problem is, that whoever wrote the rules didn't imagine a situation where qualifying scores, once gained, could be lost. So it's DM's call. It doesn't so much matter what you collectively decide is the right answer, it's that you need to ensure that AL DMs make consistent calls.
2. Multiclassed Wizards prepare and cast spells as if they were single-classed wizards. There's no minimum Int requirement. Therefore, to block a multiclassed Wizard from casting spells on the pretext of low Intelligence, just as an act of petty spite because you don't like what the player has done, is to exceed your authority as a DM. Even with an Int of 3, the Wizard can prepare one spell and still has the number of slots appropriate to his level to cast it with. You can't change the rules.
BoldItalic wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
Nice catch, BI -- need to edit a Recommended Ruling entry to account for greater restoration.
--
Pauper
CahPahkah wrote:
Mirtek wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
imaginaryfriend wrote:
(on either side of the debate)
Personally I would not bother arguing the point with a player. I may find it a distasteful munchkinism like most things based on the "the rules don't say I can't" argument. But there are plenty of ways to counterbalance stuff like this that does not threaten to bruise player ego's and thus avoids a lot of the drama
(Not to mention that as a player in have certainly leveraged my fair share of munchkinism)
Mirtek wrote:
CahPahkah wrote:
Has any edition of this game ever allowed characters to meet minimum stat requirements for classses by using boosted non-permanent stats? If not, then following the spirit of the game, 5th Edition does not need to specifically say in print that this method is against the rules.
As for the specific case of a character's required stat dropping below the minimum to qualify for a class, I would not invalidate all the levels earned in that class, thus making a character invalid for an adventure. What I would do is make the character operate at whatever the stat score is now. For example, if a wizard now has a 10 Int for whatever reason, any spells or abilities requiring a higher Int are lost til the stat is raised again.
Regardless, people need to stop gaming the system and ruining the fun for other people just to satisfy their own selfish needs. But I am forgetting that this is the internet, the home of extreme corner cases that will probably never happen and the people who love to defend them.
Enevhar_Aldarion wrote:
There are already a couple of permanent magic items (Headband of Intellect and Gauntlets of Ogre Power) that raise attribute points pretty significantly if that was your "dump" stat. A wizard with an original 8 STR might want to pick up a couple of d10 hit die, or a "dumb" barbarian might decide that it would be handy to be able to cast Magic Missile or Invisibility some day. I agree that the expected "table variance" for these scenarios—even without the potential loss of these items—is wide enough to warrant a statement by the campaign staff, or even errata from WotC.
My preferred solution would be to only allow multiclassing based on actual "natural" (if that's the appropriate word) ability scores. Not [merely] because I'm a killjoy, but because it's the simplest to administer and to check. I don't claim that this is the only, or necessarily the best solution, merely that it's simple and fairly easy to understand.
Enevhar_Aldarion wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Oh I wasn't saying you were misrepresenting the rule - I just wanted to clarify (for other posters) that citing the 3.5 ruling in an incomplete form, and then using the incomplete rule as a justification would be bad form (sorry for the misunderstanding). I also didn't want someone to quote you lacking context, and then use your quote as justification in support of their claim (I still see this as nothing more than munchkinism of the highest order).
I have been listening to your posts (they haven't fallen on deaf ears) - its just that AL is not in the business of clarifying the PHB - that is Wizards job.
Our job is clarifying rules as they pertain to AL-specific issues (eg. can a DM run a DMPC; how should we create the treasure hoards in RoT; How should we rule hazirawn given it lacks stats; and most recently - how should we rule the "magic item of choice" listed on page 180-something in Princes of the Apocalypse which the admins are discussing). Issues regarding the actual rulebooks fall outside of our juristiction unfortunately. Your best source of answers for such questions is Jeremy Crawford.
Its for this very reason that the Crossbow Expert debate has not received a definitive answer in respect to AL (resulting in some table variation).
With that being said - I definately see this scenario as an example of "Unusual Ability Scores"
- so there is a possibility that it might be covered by the ALPG, and therefore a FAQ entry could be created about said. Were it not for the rule regarding "unusual ability scores", this entire issue would fall outside ALs juristiction and squarely into the same camp as crossbow expert, hand crossbows + shields.
Kalani wrote:
Keep in mind that, if you do make a ruling that only 'natural' ability scores can be used to qualify for multiclassing, that opens up the question of how you handle magical tomes -- those items that not only boost stats, but can boost them above the game's current set limit of 20. You could say, 'well, a tome gives a permanent boost, so that counts as part of your 'natural' stat', but that also opens the door for permanent magic-based stat reductions to make a character ineligible for multiclassing (such as the Int damage of an intellect devourer, or the effect of a curse). Any time you add an 'unless' to a game rule ("You can't use a magic item to boost a stat to qualify to multiclass, unless the item grants a permanent bonus, unless...," you increase the complexity of that rule and increase the likelihood that someone is going to misinterpret the rule or downright refuse to follow it.
(Edit: this is less of an issue if the campaign staff makes a firm determination not to allow tomes in AL; though the current discussion regarding the 'pick a magic item' encounter in Princes of the Apocalypse indicates that such a determination needs to be vigilantly pursued, because the developers aren't going to do it for us.)
--
Pauper
Pauper wrote:
Where do I redeem Adventure League Certificate Identification Codes, like Emerald Enclave membership?
Ronsha wrote:
Not entirely true. Some of the codes on some certificates (those from the player and DM kits mainly) are for Neverwinter (but these are few and far between).
CahPahkah wrote:
imaginaryfriend wrote:
Kalani wrote:
Keep in mind that there are plenty of wizard spells whose effectiveness isn't determined by the wizard's Intelligence score, many of which would be explicitly useful for a fighter/'gish' type character:
1st level - mage armor, magic missile, shield, sleep
2nd level - blur, invisibility, magic weapon, misty step, spider climb
3rd level - fly, haste, protection from energy
And those are just spells from the Basic Rules -- I imagine the Player's Handbook has more.
--
Pauper
I'm beginning play as a DM, but I don't quite understand how character logs are officially tracked. Is it the DM's responsibility to post each player's character logs, or do they do that themselves? That kinda gets into my second question, do players have to also have a DCI number or is that only for DMs?
Thanks.
Manx_Bladesake wrote:
Nevermind. I found the answer to my own question. Thanks again.
I'd thought there was an easy thing to point to online that would describe the differences, but I'm not finding it that easily.
Encounters is a weekly Wednesday night program for casual players, newer players, and players who want to play through the main story in each storyline season.
Expeditions is a program that runs adventures in a more traditional 'living campaign' style, is set in a different region from the main story adventure, and is intended for more experienced players (but new players can certainly participate). There is no specific time that WotC designates as being 'Expeditions day'; the organizer of the store (or other public location) where the game is hosted decides when and how often these games will run.
Epics are convention-only events typically coordinated by members of the campaign staff. The Season 1 Epic, Corruption in Kryptgarden, was run at GenCon 2014. The Season 2 Epic, Mulmaster Undone (that's not a spoiler, is it?), is being run at Origins 2015 and at GenCon 2015.
--
Pauper
CahPahkah wrote:
I find it difficult to believe that modifying a character sheet to correct an error would be considered illegal at any level.
"Oops, I accidentally wrote down that my 6th level wizard has a ninth-level spell slot! Guess I can't get rid of it now..." 
--
Pauper
Pauper wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
Pauper wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Pauper wrote:
shivafang wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Pauper wrote:
@Abanathie: Players are not allowed to roll stats in AL (ALPG p3). They can use a standard array, or the optional pointbuy method (p13 of the PHB). Dice should not enter the equation. Furthermore, DMs do not have the authority to allow the character to rebuild their stats.
They could however, request they use a standard array for the duration of the session - which would realistically give most characters a suboptimal stat array, and therefore would not be desirable. As such, I see this as largely a nonissue as few players would be willing to play their character with a standard array, especially if the DM requires them to put minimum multiclassing stats into all of their classes.
"Rolling stats" is a generic term for generating a new set of ability scores; the method is unimportant. If that caused you to misunderstand my intention, I can apologize for that.
I just wanted to make certain you (or anyone reading this thread) weren't under the assumption that players could roll stats. Either way, DMs are not empowered to allow the player to rebuild their stats.
The player has the option of using their stats (as written), or a standard array (upon DM request, due to having "unusual" ability scores). As I indicated above, the standard array is far from optimal and would be undesirable to any player who wants to use this loophole - as such, I don't see this being an actual issue outside of thought experiments. It simply isn't worth the effort, and doesn't get a big enough (let alone reliable) payoff.
I am actually surprised this is still being debated as to me - we are arguing over something with a miniscule chance of actually occuring. In fact, the more we discuss it, the more likely someone will try to abuse this (seemingly apparent) loophole. If we let it die, the odds are very good it will never happen.
The standard array may or may not be optimal based on what the player wants to do with the stats. I wouldn't discount it though. People can be very creative even with very little to be creative with.
The topic attempts to die; then, someone pops up with their two coppers on the subject. The debates ensues once again. However, the fact that it might be "miniscule" shouldn't matter if only few sentences are required to correct it. As the campaign matures, the chances of it becoming an issue will get larger. As a simplified example, let's give it "miniscule" 1% chance of happening. Whether you apply this per character or per player, it doesn't matter. The goal is to grow as an organization. The campaign starts with 100 players; you have one person affected by it. As the campaign grows, you now have 1,000 players, you now got 10 players affected by it. When you get a million, the number grows again. That's just by a per player perspective. If you look at it from a per character point of view, any given player is more likely to stumble upon it as they create a new character.
To me, a few sentences shouldn't require "too" much effort to avoid it altogether; assuming someone is on staff that can write sentences... I'm pretty sure those exist within the WotC and AL organization... This is especially true when a character's advancement is the issue; not actions that occur at a table. One shouldn't be determined by the opinion of a single DM while the other should and has to be determined by a single DM.
abanathie wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Kalani wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Problems are often not handled; you'll probably get your wish. However, many problems don't surface until it's too late. I would advise to fixing it; whether it is a clarification to allow it or disallow it. Like I said previously, population growth and time will increase the probability of an issue arising.
While I do think it is gimicky/loopholey, I would allow it because it follows RAW and there has not been alternate clarification on it. Of course, you better be able to explain to me how it happened and where you got the item from and where it went, etc.
Hello everyone,
I figure this might be a good place to start my search. If it is not, directing me to the right place would be greatly appreciated.
I love Dungeons and Dragons and after a long hiatus, I got back into it near the tail-end of fourth edition. I was having fun, but then I got stuck with another unplanned break and now I am back again after a a year or so since fifth edition has come out.
I really want to do more and as such I am going to take the plunge and attempt to DM. I have a group of players, all of them pretty much new to table-top RPGs, but longtime Magic fans. As such, I got the starter box and I am going to run the campaign for them. If things go well, I would like to probably set up play to go along with the Adventure league.
Yet, is it necessary to do this? Are there any actual benefits to the game or my role as the DM that the group will experience? I see that the league is currently in the process of running Elemental Evil, but I would like to do Tyranny of Dragons first, so long this intro campaign works out well. Can I still run that through the adventure league?
Biblical_Light wrote:
How does Crit damage work Natrual 20? Now reading the book. Page 194,
Rolling 1 or 20:
Sometimes fate blesses or curses a combatant, causing the novice to hit and veterans to miss. If the d20 roll for an attack is a 20, the attack hits regardless of any modifiers or target's AC. In addition, the attack is a critical hit, as explained later in this chapter. If the d20 roll for an attack is a 1, the attack misses regardless of any modifiers or the target's AC.
Page 196
Critical Hits:
When you score a critical hit, you get to roll extra dice for the attack's damage against the target. Roll all of the attack's damage dice twice and add them together. Then add any relevant modifiers as normal. To speed up play, you can roll all the damage dice at once. For example, if you score a critical hit with a dagger, roll 2d4 for damage, rather than 1d4, and then add your relevant ability modifier. If the attack involves other damage dice such as from the rogue's Sneak Attack feature, you roll those dice twice as well.
So my question is being a Warlock and casting fire bolt, I have to ROLL-TO-HIT. I get nat 20, Do I get to roll 2d10 for damage or just 1d10? I am being told this only counts for melee weapons and not magic casters. I pulled the rules and ask please explain. Now if I cast Shatter which is level 2, there is NO-TO-HIT ROLL. You make save or take damage. Under these rules I will never get to roll to hit. and never get crit damage. Unless we change the rule on save of 1 you take double damage. and nat 20 you take none, instead of half damage. thanks for your time. Enkisha
Enkisha wrote:
Kalani wrote:
TheBreen wrote:
Walkerboh77 wrote:
Pauper wrote:
abanathie wrote:
So I had a couple questions regarding to the Maze outside of Xonthal's tower. 1) So the Pagoda assumes that the players are going to be stuck inside by using stone wall to block all sides of the Pagoda but just like most party's, there are typically a couple wizards/sorcerers that can easily cast "pass wall" "dispel magic" "demension door" and/or "teleport" to get passed the stone walls. Is that suppose to be the idea, or are the players suppose to be stuck inside the pagoda until they figure out how to draw out the Dao?
Secondly, my adventurer's are having the hardest time figuring out the maze and I absolutely love it, I knew this would be my favorite episode out of the entire campaign, with that being said, am I allowed to throw in my own personal twists to the maze considering it's an Adventerer's league event, if so, would anybody be interested in throwing some idea's my way that might be consistent with the others, puzzles are always appreciated.
Thirdly, so I've noticed a lot of stuff within the adventurers league to be broken and in need of fixing all the way around, but the one thing that is really itching my brain is when I don't agree with something within the story and want to make a small tweek, am I allowed to make the executive decision to change something? For example, the ambush that happens in episode 4 when the alarm is triggered. It gives a timeframe that everything basically comes out within two rounds of the alarm with the dragon and the dragon rider coming out exactly on round three. This seemed actually overwhelming for the party and made me feel like an asshole. Would I have been able to extend those timeframes from which reinforcements come out, and even for shits and giggles turn the Ettin's into half-dragon ettins? (Yes I have the stats for a half-dragon ettin) xD
Magicninja17 wrote:
Have a couple Warlock questions
PHB pg. 45 Warlock, A wielder of magic that is derived from a bargain with an extraplanar entity.
1. Now for Mulmaster is this consider divine magic or is it a arcane wizard?
2. I do not see a spell book for a warlock, but the Pact Boon (Book of Shadows). Does a warlock have a spell book?
Enkisha wrote:
In one of my D&D Expeditions I was a little late to the table and my bard had just leveled up. I had only a few minutes to pick a spell for my character, and it was already clear that this adventure was intrigue-intensive. This inspired me to choose Detect Thoughts, when I otherwise would have chosen Heat Metal.
In the log sheets you don't have to write down spell choices. I suppose I could get away with changing it. But is it legal for me to change this spell for the future to Heat Metal ?
After fifth level, you would technically be stuck with it until you level. Before fifth level, you can swap out spells utilizing the rebuild option.
abanathie wrote:
Pauper wrote:
abanathie wrote:
Clerical Domain - are they customizable?
If I choose Tempest as my cleric's domain, let's say he worships Deep Sashelas or Procan, and he is a sailor, I find it hard to believe (either because of elven ancestry or the insanity of wearing such on shipboard) that he would want to be proficient in Heavy Armor. According to PHB, that's a proficiency of Tempest Domain.
What other options are there? I have been told that I cannot sub a skill for a proficiency, and I understand the difference in value. But what else can I do with that proficiency spot?
WillemManderly wrote:
How do I find my DCI number? Please!
Irondwarf1 wrote:
I've been DM'ing for almost a year, I have my DCI number and I follow all the rules/regulations running Expiditions & Encounters. That being said; I was reading another post and it mentioned reporting the results of your sessions to Wizards and I have no idea how.
I volunteered to DM last December after regular DM moved. Store gave me the HotDQ info and I just started running the Wednesday game, then some weekend games and I've been doing it ever since, but it's kind of been learn as I go. I'm assuming there's lots of stuff I'm missing, some rules I may not be following. but I think all my games are "League Legal" and we're all having fun, so any info would be great.
MacSteele wrote:
This might be a silly question, but I've taken a look on the new Adventurer's League Player's Guide that will become official in the Rage of Demons storyline. It seems that options that will be described in an upcoming Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide will be unavailable for League, won't they?
The SCAG comes out two months after the season starts, and since we don't change rules midseason or allow rebuilds after 4th level, it's not available in season 3.
In normal play you are able to have your character gain a proficieny with a tool or learning a language in your downtime between heading out on missions and the DM decides how many days it takes and if any ability checks are required. Aare still capable of doing this in Adventurers League?
ElizaGWR wrote:
Are there official rules regarding joining a faction AFTER character creation? I've got players who want to defer joining until after the first scenario or two, but there's nothing out there to indicate what has to happen. I know we can RP joining, but are there any actual rules regarding who contacts the players, or under what circumstances, or any initiations that have to take place? Or is this all up to the DM?
You can join a faction at any time - even if there is no faction contact in that part of the adventure. Just write your chosen faction on your logsheet and you can start earning renown
If you want to learn more about the faction representitives and how they view the goals of their factions in the Moonsea (Expeditions/Epics), try these: http://dndadventurersleague.org/category/columns/conversations-with/
Greg Marks
DnDAL Associate Resource Manager
Some of the questions that have popped up:
"Do players have to create a new character at the beginning of each season?" and "What are the starting levels for Encounters?"
Situation: player was only able to make it to a few Encounters sessions last season, has a level 2 or 3 character; can that player play that character at the start of Season 3?
MacSteele wrote:
Thanks!
Are the time restrictions in each Expedition a strict rule?
Ex: Harried in Hillsfar's missions say they should be one hour, but I've been finishing them in two (one per encounters session).
Angry_Steak wrote:
Yes and no. If you are running them at a store, they are a guideline for what time slot you should slot them into. If you are running them in split sessions (such as during Wed night Encounters) - the time is not as strict. I personally run most 4hr expeditions split into two 2 1/2 - 3hr sessions. Doing so allows me more opportunity to flesh out NPCs during roleplaying, and doesn't make players feel as rushed when it comes to decision making, planning, etc.
I don't have an opportunity to run them in a single 4hr time slot, as I run them Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 (sometimes 9:30). Sometimes we run a little later, and run to 10:00. It's not a big deal for us, as we run them more organically, and if we end up finishing the second half early the following week, we simply finish the Expedition, hand out XP/Treasure, and then start the subsequent Expedition the same night. In that respect, we run them more like "Episodes" than as discrete adventures.
At a convention, or other time-sensitive location - you should keep to time.
Thanks for the responses. I run in a relaxed Encounters time slot and have been taking things slow so my new players can ask questions and acquaint themselves with the system, but wanted to make sure I was still working within AL boundaries.
The purpose of the time limits on the front is mostly to let store and convention organizers know how long they should allocate when scheduling that particular adventure. You are welcome to take more/less time if your real world setting permits.
Greg Marks
DnDAL Associate Resource Manager
Skerrit wrote:
Hi, I'm not familiar with AL program in general, but was invited to run some D&D Expedition adventures as a DM, so I have many questions...
How should the DM behaves in an AL/Expeditions session if the players runs out from the adventure? For instance, if they commit a crime and get caugh by the city guards when they should be running an investigation; or if they go to a completely different way than the adventure text expects? Should the DM starts a new (perhaps improvised) adventure for them to escape jail? (or to escape a vilain's lair, for instance) If this is the case, shall the players receive any rewards at the end of the session, considering that the adventure they actually ran isn't part of the true Expedition adventure?
In the case a character dies but the rest of the group manages to exit a villain's lair, they will probably want to go back there to 'raise dead' their friend. This kind of adventure isn't covered by the actual AL/Expedition adventure. Does the players got any rewards in the adventure to rescue their friend? (considering they already abandoned the main quest in this moment)
What is they endup fighting other challenges beyond the enemies indicated in the Expeditions adventure? For instance, if the DM throws guards or thugs not predicted by the adventure into the players; or if the players decide to venture into a wildernass location and the DM decides to throw a random encounter at them. May they receive additional rewards at the end of the session beyond what is noted in the adventure?
Can a DM run a custom (non official) adventure or campaign and somehow made it legal for AL?
Sorry for the many questions. I read the Adventurers League Player's Guide but still have doubt in these aspects. Note that all these questions are related to the "what happens if the adventure doesn't run as expected" topic and the flexibility of the rewards of the adventures.
If the PCs commit a crime and get caught - your job as a DM is to bring the adventure back on track in the most logical, and consistant way possible with the minimum of interruption to the plot.
- Have the PCs be tasked with performing the assigned task as community service
- Stage a breakout encounter
- Have a Faction leader grease a few palms in order to have the PCs released and then ask them to perform X task in compensation for the trouble.
Whatever you choose, try to keep it under 20mins in length, and try to avoid an epic fight scene if possible (a chase is fine, but a fight scene can drag out). The goal is to always steer the party back on track for the adventure.
Homebrew adventures and sidequests are not AL legal. DMs which engage in this will invalidate their PCs progress and make those characters invalid.
We can use custom encounters (single encounters) within the adventure, if necessary - but these should only be used sparingly, and only to help the party get back on track. Ideally however, the DM should simply shuffle existing encounters around. Instead of an encounter occuring in location X, you move that encounter to location Y instead. If this means you need to alter the race of said guards, do so (cosmetically) but run them as written in the adventure.
The DM should only throw guards and thugs at the party if it is necessary. Don't add to the adventure - but if the party goes off the rails, you can take whatever action is necessary to get them back on track (such as an encounter with a bunch of guards and thugs blocking their path and which chase them back to where they need to be either literally, or metaphorically).
For Example: Recently, my APL 8 party started venturing into Chapter 5 of Princes. While they completed the Fane of the Eye, I knew that any further exploration in Chapter 5 would be suicidal. To get the party back on track to completing the remaining Haunted Keep and 2 Elemental Temples, I embellished a setpiece encounter. The encounter itself involved an earthquake which disturbs a purple worm (this encounter is in the book).
Rather than running it verbartim, I embellished the description, adding vents of sulphuric gas, explosions of magma, and creeping lava which made it clear to the party that sticking around was suicidal (my justification was that both the surviving cults - Earth and Fire were unleashing their fury as they begun the rituals to summon their respective princes). My ploy worked, and the party fled to the upper levels as fast as they could, retreating through a small section of the Earth Temple (which had yet to be explored) in the process. They couldn't escape via the Fire Temple as I closed off that access by having a massive erruption cause the floating platform to be suspended on a column of violent lava which was travelling toward the surface. Unknown to the party, I flooded sections of the Fire Temple with lava making it impassable so as to prevent them from using the Lift platform to travel downward to the Fire Node until the party was ready to face it.
Hey Kalani, thank you for the complete and clear answer. It is a little sad to hear how the adventures are so tied to the course suggestes by the books--especially the mini-adventures of City of Danger (the one I was reading)--but it is rather fair for an official table, where different players should progress more or less equally.
There are other things you can do which can make the act of committing a crime a bad thing. Examples include:
- Forfeiting faction rewards (renown, bonus XP listed in the adventure, payment for services, etc).
- Appropriate fines (depends on level and crime committed)
- Downtime penalties, in which the PCs spend X downtime in jail (at modest level). *
* This one alone might make players think twice, esp. if their lifestyle is higher than modest - as it takes 30 days to increase lifestyle to a new level, but only 1 day to lose it.
Firbeck wrote:
leonardoraele wrote:
Firbeck wrote:
Skerrit wrote:
Firbeck wrote:
Firbeck wrote:
One of the players in my group is a ranger (beastmaster) halfling, with a giant wolf spider beast companion.
Concept is a halfling riding wolf spider as a mount w/exotic saddle and climb speed, being able to traverse/
scale (castle/cavern) walls to bypass choke points/dangerous areas to targets with reach (lance).
Perusing the MM, exotic mounts have explicit entries listed (i.e. pegasus, giant lizard, mastiff).
Giant wolf spiders don't have such entries. But I'd like to hear others opinions.
1) Can wolf spiders be used as mounts under AL rules?
2) Can the giant wolf spider wear exotic barding (proficiently)?
Asperix wrote: