Dungeon Master Assistance

Where anyone over 18 can share thoughts and ideas on RPGs.

D&D 5E – Uses for a shield

3 Comments Posted by Ronny on December 18, 2014

Pal_Shield

What is the best use of a Shield and Longsword combo?

I received this inquiry the other day: “I like to play a Paladin that often uses a Shield and Long Sword combo. However, I have noticed that there is no shield bash in 5E. I have been using the shove instead as an action between a Trip and Shield bash. Are you aware of any attack that tries to leverage a Shield in 5E? I would really like to stress a shield proficiency for my build if possible.”

Here are my thoughts:

A shield is an improvised weapon dealing 1d4 bludgeoning damage.

Paladins are proficient with shields. Whether said proficiency extends to it being used as an improvised weapon is not specified, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.

Note that shields aren’t light weapons, and thus can’t be used for normal two-weapon fighting.

If your Paladin adopts the “protection” fighting style at 2nd level:

“When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.”

If your group is using feats (I think most are) there is the “Shield Master” feat:

You use shields not just for protection but also for offense. You gain the following benefits while you are wielding a shield:

If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. (If I was DMing the game, I would allow the use of this bonus action to either shove a creature or to attack it with the shield as an improvised weapon.)

If you aren’t incapacitated, you can add your shield’s AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you.

If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect.

And the “War Master” feat will allow you to cast spells while holding both your shield and sword.

I would like to hear if anyone has any other thoughts on this matter.

D&D 5E – Initiative Cards

17 Comments Posted by Ronny on November 12, 2014

Init_Cards

Free fillable initiative cards for 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons.

Download the fillable pdf file here: Int_cards

The Initiative Cards in this download include eight 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ cards on one 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet. They include examples of how they can be filed out for both PCs and Monsters. What I do is have each player roll for their PC’s initiative and write the results on their card. I do the same for the monsters. I then gather all the cards and sort them in initiative order before the start of combat. I can then refer to the stats on the cards during combat.

For those of you who (like me) prefer a larger card, here are the same cards only these cards are 3″ x 5″: INIT_MONSTER_CARD_3x5

As always, comments are welcome.

Playing Aids Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, initiative cards

D&D 5E – Quick Play Character Sheets

83 Comments Posted by Ronny on October 27, 2014

races

Ready-To-Play First Level Character Sheets

If you want a ready-to-play first level character for fifth edition dungeons and dragons, simply select your character sheet below. Pick the race and class you want, download the filled-in character sheet, give him a name and he will be ready to play.

There is a newer version of these sheets HERE.

I used the Autofill Character Sheet that I posted [here] and used the suggested quick build from the Player’s Handbook as a guide to fill in the information.

If you want, you can change any of the information.

Changing the level will only update the next level XP goal, the proficiency bonus and all of the fields that are effected by the changed proficiency bonus. You will have to make all other adjustments that may be needed for the new, higher level character.

I used the standard array [15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8] for ability scores. I placed the first two scores in the abilities as suggested in the Player’s Handbook for the quick build for the class, and I put the others where I thought best for the class. I then adjusted them based on the character’s race.

For all the rest of the information, I used my best judgment to create what I thought would be a “typical” build for each race and class.

~~I only have Human and Dwarf for now. I will be adding the other races as I get the time to work on them.~~ Finished

Human

Human_Barbarian, Human_Bard, Human_Cleric, Human_Druid, Human_Fighterr, Human_Monk, Human_Paladin, Human_Ranger, Human_Rogue, Human_Sorcerer, Human_Warlock, Human_Wizard

Dwarf

Dwarf_Barbarian, Dwarf_Bard, Dwarf_Cleric, Dwarf_Druid, Dwarf_Fighter, Dwarf_Monk, Dwarf_Paladin, Dwarf_Ranger, Dwarf_Rogue, Dwarf_Sorcerer, Dwarf_Warlock, Dwarf_Wizard

Elf

Elf_Barbarian, Elf_Bard, Elf_Cleric, Elf_Druid, Elf_Fighter, Elf_Monk, Elf_Paladin, Elf_Ranger, Elf_Rogue, Elf_Sorcerer, Elf_Warlock, Elf_Wizard

Halfling

Halfling_Barbarian, Halfling_Bard, Halfling_Cleric, Halfling_Druid, Halfling_Fighter, Halfling_Monk, Halfling_Paladin, Halfling_Ranger, Halfling_Rogue, Halfling_Sorcerer, Halfling_Warlock, Halfling_Wizard

Dragonborn

Dragonborn_Barbarian, Dragonborn_Bard, Dragonborn_Cleric, Dragonborn_Druid, Dragonborn_Fighter, Dragonborn_Monk, Dragonborn_Paladin, Dragonborn_Ranger, Dragonborn_Rogue, Dragonborn_Sorcerer, Dragonborn_Warlock, Dragonborn_Wizard

Gnome

Gnome_Barbarian, Gnome_Bard, Gnome_Cleric, Gnome_Druid, Gnome_Fighter, Gnome_Monk, Gnome_Paladin, Gnome_Ranger, Gnome_Rogue, Gnome_Sorcerer, Gnome_Warlock, Gnome_Wizard

Half-Elf

Half-Elf_Barbarian, Half-Elf_Bard, Half-Elf_Cleric, Half-Elf_Druid, Half-Elf_Fighter, Half-Elf_Monk, Half-Elf_Paladin, Half-Elf_Ranger, Half-Elf_Rogue, Half-Elf_Sorcerer, Half-Elf_Warlock, Half-Elf_Wizard

Half-Orc

Half-Orc_Barbarian, Half-Orc_Bard, Half-Orc_Cleric, Half-Orc_Druid, Half-Orc_Fighter, Half-Orc_Monk, Half-Orc_Paladin, Half-Orc_Ranger, Half-Orc_Rogue, Half-Orc_Sorcerer, Half-Orc_Warlock, Half-Orc_Wizard

Tiefling

Tiefling_Barbarian, Tiefling_Bard, Tiefling_Cleric, Tiefling_Druid, Tiefling_Fighter, Tiefling_Monk, Tiefling_Paladin, Tiefling_Ranger, Tiefling_Rogue, Tiefling_Sorcerer, Tiefling_Warlock, Tiefling_Wizard

Enjoy.

Playing Aids character sheet, character sheets, Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, first level character

D&D 5E – Poisons

18 Comments Posted by Ronny on October 6, 2014

poison

Poisons in D&D 5e explained

Although save or die poisons haven’t been in D&D since before the 3^rd edition, I still regret the time I was running an adventure and a first level character encountered a poison spider. He failed his save and died. Not fun. D&D 5e has really simplified the use of poisons. No more initial and secondary damage. No more ability damage. No onset time. No multiple saves (I was always forgetting to require the second saving throw a few minutes later for secondary damage). And, of course, no save or die.

I am sure there will be more about poison when the Dungeon Master’s Guide comes out, but for now here is my attempt to remove some of the confusion about poisons in the current, fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons. [As expected, the Dungeon Master’s Guide contains additional information regarding poisons. Starting on page 257 it describes the four different types of poisons (contact, ingested, inhaled and injury). It also has a list of 14 different sample poisons with their descriptions and prices. It also has information on purchasing poison and on crafting and harvesting poison.]

Using Poison

The only poison listed in the Player’s Handbook is basic poison. You can buy a vile for 100gp. You can coat one slashing or piercing weapon or up to three pieces of ammunition with it. Applying the poison takes an action. A creature hit by the poisoned weapon or ammunition must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or take 1d4 poison damage. Once applied, the poison retains potency for 1 minute before drying.

The description doesn’t say that the poison wipes off when you hit a creature with it, so you can continue doing damage for 1 minute after it is applied. Plenty of time for the typical encounter. The poison damage is in addition to any other damage the weapon would normally inflict. The creature hit by this poison takes poison damage but doesn’t become poisoned (see below).

Unlike previous editions, the Player’s Handbook doesn’t say that using poison is an evil act. So it is up to the DM to decide. Perhaps some types of poison are more evil than others?

Some poisons do hit point damage, some give you the poisoned condition, and some do both.

Taking poison damage

Poison damage is hit point damage, the type of damage is poison. Most poisons allow a Constitution saving throw to avoid any poison damage [basic poison and poison spray spell for example], but some don’t allow a saving throw [like basilisk poison]. Still others do poison damage on failed save, or half as much damage on a successful save [like the cloudkill spell or dragon breath].

Becoming poisoned

Although a failed saving throw is not always required to receive poison damage, you must always fail your Constitution saving throw to become poisoned. When the description says you “become poisoned” it means that you will have the poisoned condition, which gives you disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

The poison description will indicate how long this condition will last. The weakest last only until the start of your next turn. Others last until end of your next turn, or for 1 minute or for 24 hours. Some last until saved against and allow you to attempt a saving throw each round. The most powerful last until removed by the lesser restoration spell or similar magic.

On a successful saving throw against some creature’s poison, you are immune to this creature’s poison for 24 hours

Additional conditions

While the poison condition is in effect, different poisons may also impose one or more additional conditions (sometimes the additional conditions are only in effect if the saving throw fails by 5 or more). The additional condition might be Paralyzed, Incapacitated or Unconscious. For the Unconscious condition, some poisons allow another creature to use an action to shake the target awake. Although awake, he would still have the poison condition. Another effect could be that you can take either an action or a bonus action on your turn, not both, and you can’t take reactions. Other poisons have you take some amount of poison damage at the start of each turn, or not allow you to regain hit points while you are poisoned.

Diseases

Arguably, the worst poisons are those that leave you infected with a disease.

These allow a saving throw against disease or become poisoned until the disease is cured.

Here are the diseases listed in the Monster Manual:

GAS SPORE – Spores invade an infected creature’s system, killing the creature in a number of hours equal to 1d12 +the creature’s Constitution score, unless the disease is removed. In half that time, the creature becomes poisoned for the rest of the duration. After the creature dies, it sprouts 2d4 tiny gas spores that grow to full size in 7 days.

OTYUGH and DEATH DOG: Every 24 hours that elapse, the target must repeat the saving throw, reducing its hit point maximum by 5 (1d10) on a failure. The disease is cured on a success. The target dies if the disease reduces its hit point maximum to 0. This reduction to the target’s hit point maximum lasts until the disease is cured.

Reference Material Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, Poison, Reference

D&D 5E – Character Sheet – Autofill

41 Comments Posted by Ronny on October 1, 2014

Sheets2

I added autofill to my Character Sheet. You fill in most of it but, where it can, it will make the calculations and fill in the rest.

UPDATE: The character sheets on this page are an older version. For the most recent auto-calculate Character Sheets click HERE.

UPDATE – Need more room to enter all of your information? Need a reference sheet listing the features for your class? Go to this more recent post for a larger character sheet and class feature sheets:
https://olddungeonmaster.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/dd5e-character-sheet-rev7/

[I made a minor correction to the file – it wasn’t calculating the weapon damage bonus correctly – if you downloaded this file before Oct 7, 2014 – you should replace it with the new one]
[I made another minor revision to the file. After using it for a while, I decided that it needed a fer minor formatting changes. if you want the older file it is available here. ]

I recommend that you make a copy of this before making any changes, and save a separate copy for each character. You can save a separate copy each time you advance a level to have an historical record.

I tested it on Adobe Reader XI (Version 11.0.5). If you use another PDF reader and something doesn’t work, download and use this one (it’s free).

What has changed from the previous version?

Page 1

This form no longer calculates the “Character Creation Date.” You can enter any date you want.
When you enter your character’s “level” The “Next Level Goal” will be filled in with the total XP required to advance to the next level. For example, if you enter your character’s level 5, it fills in the experience point total required to advance to level 6. The exceptions are for levels 0 and level 20. It leaves the spaces blank if you enter 0, and it lists the XP required to reach level 20, even when you are already at level 20, because there are no riles for advancing beyond that level.

Entering your “level” also calculates and fills in your “proficiency bonus.”

Initiative is not filed in for you. Typically this will be your Dex modifier, but there are feats and effects that might change this.

When you fill in your Ability Scores, the form automatically fills in your ability modifiers and also puts these in the appropriate spots for your saving throws and skills.

Click on the little boxes next to a saving throw or skill and your Proficiency Bonus is automatically added to it. If you have additional bonuses to a skill or save, you will need to note it in the Notes section.

The Passive Wisdom (Perception) bonus is filled in for you based on your level and wisdom modifier.

It does not calculate Hit Points or Armor Class.

The spaces in the Weapon boxes remain blank until you enter text on the line provide for the weapon’s description. Type in any name or description and it will fill in your ability bonus for attack and damage. If you have proficiency with this weapon, click on the box next to the word proficiency and your proficiency bonus will be added to the attack bonus. If you are using a finesse weapon and want to use your Dex bonus on attacks instead of your Str bonus, click on the “Finess Weapon” button and it will switch them. If you want to use your strength modifier on a range weapon and it has the thrown property, click “thrown”. Any magical bonus you enter will also be added to the attack and damage bonus.

Page 2

Your “Carrying Capacity” and “Push, Pull or Lift” numbers are calculated and filled in based on your strength.

The “total weight carried” box is calculated based on the total weight entered for all the items above. You must use only whole numbers or decimal numbers (don’t enter 1/2 for instance, use .5 instead). If you enter anything other than a number it will display “NaN”. This total does not include weight of coins or treasure.

Refer to my Weight of Standard Equipment Packs.

You can insert an image into the “character sketch” area. Just click on it and locate the image you want to use. This must be a PDF format image. If you want to use an image from my Player Character Image Gallery, you must first convert it to PDF format. There are several available programs for doing this. If you have a problem with it, just let me know.

Page 3

This page remains blank until you use the pull down box to select your spellcaster’s primary ability: Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma. When you select one, it fills in your spell save DC and spell attack modifier.

If you need more room for spell descriptions, you can download spell cards here: Spellbook Cards

NON-PRINT BOXES
There are two shaded Buttons on the bottom of page 1 that do not print. The first is “Update Calculations.” All of the fields on all 3 sheets should update whenever any change is made to any one of them. Sometimes it doesn’t do this right away. That is what this button is for. Click it and all of the calculations for all of the fields that are field in for you are forced to recalculate and update. I recommend that you click on this button before you print the sheets. Of course you can click on it at any time to be sure the values are all correct.

The other button is “Clear”. This clears all information from all of the fields. You can click this to clear all information and start over, or if you want to print a blank sheet to fill in by pencil. Be careful though, this clears all information on all 3 pages. I found that sometimes this doesn’t clear the image from the character sketch. If this happens to you, try saving and closing the file. Re-open it and you should then be able to clear the character sketch.
If you realize you clicked the clear button it by mistake, you have one chance to restore the erased information. You can press Ctrl Z to restore the form. But you must do this before you do anything else or it may be too late.

The previous version of this form is still available here: 5e Character Sheet

Playing Aids character sheet, character sheets, Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition

D&D 5E – Multiclass

9 Comments Posted by Ronny on September 21, 2014

Multiclass

As a DM, should you allow your players to multiclass?

To Multiclass, or not to Multiclass, that is the question –
Whether ’tis Nobler in the game to suffer
The Outrageous Limitations imposed by a single class,
Or to take on a Second – perhaps a Third or more –
And by so doing, overcome them?
(My apologies to the Bard of Avon.)

My knee-jerk reaction is to not allow characters to multiclass. When I developed my D&D Lite rules, I had to disallow multiclass characters. This was the only way that I could simplify the rules and still use 90% of the standard D&D rules for the 3.5 edition. However, with the fifth edition most of my objections have been addressed.

Objections to Multiclassing

1) It is too complicated.
This was my primary objection to multiclassing in the previous editions of the game. They have done an excellent job simplifying the muticlassing rules in 5e. And besides, if a player wants to multiclass it does nothing to complicate the game for anyone but him, and possibly the DM.

2) It encourages “munchkinism”.
There are players that will use “level-dipping” to grab some features from a class so they can min/max their character. This is the main objection that many Dungeon Masters have with multiclassing. 5e makes this a much less attractive option for players that only see it as a way to create the ultimate PC. You can create almost any character you can think of without the need to multiclass.

I think that I will allow it.

After much thought, I have decided to allow muticlassing in my games. I will discourage its use, but if a player has a character concept in mind that needs muticlassing I will allow it. The only requirement will be that the player must explain, in terms of what is happening in the game, why his character wants to advance in this different class and how his character is getting the initial training or what event has propelled him in this direction. (See the small sidebar in the Player’s Handbook as a good example.)

I will strictly enforce all of the multiclass rules.

You must meet the minimum ability requirements, not only for your new class, but also for any of your current classes.
You only get the proficiencies listed in the multiclass rules for the new class you take. These are severely limited. For instance, you don’t get any ability save proficiencies and you can’t get proficiency in heavy armor.
You don’t get any free equipment. You will have to find, be given, or purchase your spellbook if you want to lake a level of wizard.
If you have levels in more than one class of spellcaster, you must keep track of your spells for each different class separately. The rules are clear as to how many spell slots you get based on your various spell caster levels.

Some other options

If you don’t want to forbid multiclassing, but want to have some reasonable restrictions, here are some suggestions:
1) Require a PC to advance 3 levels in any class they have before multiclassing. This is not unreasonable, and makes for less “level-dipping”. Most of the best features of each class don’t occur until 3rd level anyway.
2) Have some classes only be available at first level. You can only have levels as a Barbarian or Sorcerer, for example, if your background indicates that you have always had this in you. This could also apply to a Druid. You could also restrict Monk, Warlock and even Wizard to this list. The Wizards cantrips are always available because he has been casting these spells for so long they are second-nature to him now, so how could a Fighter simply start being a Wizard with cantrips and all the rest?
3) Don’t allow certain combinations. Some classes are polar opposites of each other. These would include Barbarian/Monk, Sorcerer/Wizard, Cleric/Warlock, and Paladin/Rogue.

House Rules Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, Multiclass

D&D 5E – Spellbook Cards

72 Comments Posted by Ronny on September 13, 2014

Do you use Spell Cards to reference your spells?

I have always found it useful to write down the information for each spell that my character could use on a 3×5 index card. Then I could pull just those cards with the spells I had prepared for easy reference.

Gale Force Nine has announced that they ~~will soon have available~~ now have available an official set of spell cards for 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons. I will probably get a set when they are available. You can read about them here: Adventurers Kit

In the mean time, Someone on reddit created an online spell card creator, where you can upload your own CSV file to make your own cards. It’s located here: D&D Next spellbook card generator

If you are like me, and like the larger 3×5 cards, you can download a Form-fillable PDF file that I created that prints 4 3″x5″ cards on one 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of paper. You will have to enter all of the information about each spell, but then you can print them on your own printer. The first card has the information on the GREASE spell for you to use as a guide. You can download this file here: Spell_Cards

5e_Blank_cards

UPDATE – now more cards on a sheet!

Thanks to the suggestion by James RW. You can download them here: 5e_Blank_Spell_Cards

These cards are the more traditional 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, like the power cards that the 4e Character Creator would print out.

Thanks to godeckyourself.com for appropriate printing instructions:

Prepare
Take some time to find the right paper for your printer.
Traditional paper makes your prints look dull and faded, and feel very flimsy. Find the thickest paper your printer can handle; photo paper tends to have a nice thickness.

Print
For best resuLts use the Latest version of Adobe Reader. After clicking print disable print scaling to prevent the cards from stretching.

Protect
Buy some card sleeves at your Local gaming store to protect your deck from gaming onslaught. These cards are the same size as poker cards, 2.5 by 3.5 inches, and fit modern sized card sleeves.

COLOR CARDS

As requested by Gabriel Schive, you can now have spell cards in various colors. Download them here.

Playing Aids Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, Magic

D&D 5E – Spellbook

Leave a comment Posted by Ronny on September 1, 2014

Ian Eller posted a system for creating a lost spellbook with just a few dice rolls.

spellbook

Here is a link to his post: Magical Monday: Tons of Tomes

Playing Aids dungeons and Dragons, Spellbooks

D&D 5E – Bounded Accuracy

41 Comments Posted by Ronny on August 30, 2014

This is my attempt to explain the term “bounded accuracy”.

bounded accuracy

Bounded accuracy is the term that WotC uses to represent a role playing game design concept. It is not a “rule” and you won’t find it in the Player’s Handbook, but it is the foundational design philosophy behind the core of 5 Edition D&D.

The “accuracy” part of the term refers to how hard it is to do something. For combat, this relates directly to armor class and bonuses to your attack roll.

The “bounded” part of the term refers to establishing upper limits.

What are the limits?

There is a maximum Ability Score of 20, a maximum Difficulty Class of 30, and a maximum Armor Class of 30. There is a maximum Ability bonus of +5 and a maximum Proficiency Bonus of +6 making a maximum total bonus of +11 (resulting in a maximum score of 30 on a roll of 19.)

Also, there is typically no more than +1 on magic items, with +3 being the cap and representing things of artifact power. The game makes no assumption that you have magical enhancement bonuses on your weapons and armor.

This is all about the Core Mechanic: To resolve an action roll a 20-sided die and add modifiers. If the result is greater than or equal to a target number then the action succeeds.

Regardless if this target number is a Difficulty Class (DC) or an Armor Class (AC), the concept is the same.

DC-or-AC	Difficulty	To Break	Armor	To Hit
5	Very Easy	a glass bottle		an inanimate object
10	Easy	a wooden chair	No Armor	a badger
15	Medium	a simple door	Leather Armor*	a troll
20	Hard	a small chest	Plate Armor**	a dragon***
25	Very Hard	a treasure chest		a tarrasque
30	Nearly Impossible	a masonry wall(1 ft. thick)		a deity
with shield and +2 Dex modifier with shield **Adult Red Dragon is AC 19

To explain the effects of bounded accuracy on the game, it can be illustrative to compare its effect on three different characters.

Let’s start with a typical commoner. We’ll call him Fred. Fred is average in every respect. All of his ability scores are average (10) and Fred has no proficiencies or special skills. The table above was designed with Fred in mind. If any task is hard for Fred, it has a DC of 20. Fred adds no modifiers to his d20 roll when he attempts a task.

Our second character is Norman. Norman is a first level Fighter. The highest modifier Norman could add to his d20 roll would be about +5 (Ability +3, Proficiency +2).

Our third character is Conan. Conan is a 20^th level Fighter. The highest modifier Conan could add to his d20 roll would be about +11 (Ability +5, Proficiency +6).

All three characters attempt to do something “hard”. They all need a 20. Fred rolls a 20 and succeeds. Norman’s roll is only 15, but with his +5 modifier he also succeeds. Conan only rolls a 9, but with his +11 modifier, he succeeds. So this “hard” thing is hard for Fred, not so hard for Norman and it is easy for Conan. Being normal PCs, Norman and Conan are better at some things than they are at others. They do not have maximum ability scores in all of their abilities, and they are not proficient at everything. At some tasks, they may not have a better chance of success than Fred does. Conversely, not all Non-Player Characters (NPCs) are as “average” as Fred. At some tasks, a NPC may have an ability score that is higher than a PC and a larger proficiency bonus. So most tasks within reach of specialist also fall within the ability of a lucky novice.

Higher level characters and tougher monsters are that way because they can do more damage, more often, in more ways than lower level characters.

If you are new to D&D, this may all seem obvious, and hardly worth more than a passing glance. However, this is a break from some earlier versions of the game. In some earlier versions, your PC’s “to hit” bonuses and Armor Class increased with each level and thus forced monster attacks/defenses to also increase with level. This resulted in lower level creatures being unable to have any possibility of hitting higher level PCs and visa-versa. This was done in the very reasonable goal of allowing higher level PCs to combat tougher monsters. D&D 5e accomplishes this goal, not by making tougher monsters harder to hit but by making them harder to defeat by giving them more hit points. So as PCs increase in level they do improve in their ability to hit higher armor classes (although at a much slower rate) but their ability to defeat tougher opponents comes mainly from their increased ability to inflict more damage when they do hit, and their increased capacity to survive stronger attacks due to their own increased number of hit points. So in this edition, characters can meaningfully interact with the same threats for most of their career, if they so choose. Lower level monsters will still be a threat at higher levels if they are encountered in larger numbers.

This was described by Rodney Thompson in Legends & Lore (June 4th, 2012) on the Wizards of the Coast website. This is no longer available on their web site, so I quote from it here:

The basic premise behind the bounded accuracy system is simple: we make no assumptions on the DM’s side of the game that the player’s attack and spell accuracy, or their defenses, increase as a result of gaining levels. Instead, we represent the difference in characters of various levels primarily through their hit points, the amount of damage they deal, and the various new abilities they have gained. Characters can fight tougher monsters not because they can finally hit them, but because their damage is sufficient to take a significant chunk out of the monster’s hit points; likewise, the character can now stand up to a few hits from that monster without being killed easily, thanks to the character’s increased hit points. Furthermore, gaining levels grants the characters new capabilities, which go much farther toward making your character feel different than simple numerical increases.

Now, note that I said that we make no assumptions on the DM’s side of the game about increased accuracy and defenses. This does not mean that the players do not gain bonuses to accuracy and defenses. It does mean, however, that we do not need to make sure that characters advance on a set schedule, and we can let each class advance at its own appropriate pace. Thus, wizards don’t have to gain a +10 bonus to weapon attack rolls just for reaching a higher level in order to keep participating; if wizards never gain an accuracy bonus, they can still contribute just fine to the ongoing play experience.

This extends beyond simple attacks and damage. We also make the same assumptions about character ability modifiers and skill bonuses. Thus, our expected DCs do not scale automatically with level, and instead a DC is left to represent the fixed value of the difficulty of some task, not the difficulty of the task relative to level.

The link is back up on the Wizard’s site if you want to read Rodney Thompson’s comments in their entirety : Legends & Lore Archive | 6/4/2012

Reference Material D&D, dungeons and Dragons, Reference