http://diceofdoom.com/blog The Dice of Doom is a blog about gaming, being a gamer and general interest content suitable for nerds. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:12:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/powergaming-making-a-powerful-druid-in-core-3-5-dnd/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/powergaming-making-a-powerful-druid-in-core-3-5-dnd/#comments Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:01:10 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2515 Druids are one of the more powerful classes in core 3.5 D&D. However, they are certainly not the easiest of classes to play, and there can be a lot of paperwork involved. This article will cover the various abilities, spells, and strategies involved in playing a Druid, and provide simple advice to making a powerful Druid using only core 3.5 D&D. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/powergaming-making-a-powerful-druid-in-core-3-5-dnd/feed/ 17 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/making-the-most-of-magic/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/making-the-most-of-magic/#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:26:58 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2089 How to make the most of magic in your fantasy role-playing game. Advice for spellcasters, dungeon masters and writers. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/making-the-most-of-magic/feed/ 15 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/01/do-the-laws-of-physics-have-a-place-in-fantasy-role-playing-games/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/01/do-the-laws-of-physics-have-a-place-in-fantasy-role-playing-games/#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:16 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1769 Back in the old days of playing D&D 3.5 I was running a campaign with 8 players (yes, 8…). Amongst the usual set of crazy logistic issues that had to be faced (pallets of snacks for example…) we also had … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/01/do-the-laws-of-physics-have-a-place-in-fantasy-role-playing-games/feed/ 8 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/11/powergaming-making-a-powerful-fighter-or-monk-in-core-3-5-dd/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/11/powergaming-making-a-powerful-fighter-or-monk-in-core-3-5-dd/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:25:55 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1712 It’s reasonably well known that Fighters and Monks are the weakest classes in 3.5 D&D. Whilst this can be partially be fixed by extending to non-Core books, this doesn’t actually solve the problem, and for some, that simply isn’t an … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/11/powergaming-making-a-powerful-fighter-or-monk-in-core-3-5-dd/feed/ 27 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/09/powergaming-choosing-a-wizard-school-specialization/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/09/powergaming-choosing-a-wizard-school-specialization/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:20:18 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1452 Wizards, apart from being arguably the most powerful character class in 3.5 D&D, have the neat ability to choose to specialize in a specific school of magic, just in case nigh-unlimited power wasn’t enough, in exchange for dumping the ability … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/09/powergaming-choosing-a-wizard-school-specialization/feed/ 1 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/09/powergaming-use-magic-device/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/09/powergaming-use-magic-device/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:29:50 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1349 In this first proper article on Powergaming (read the intro here), we will look at a 3.5 Skill, Use Magic Device. This Skill is oft neglected by many players, both new and old alike, who do not understand the potential … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/09/powergaming-use-magic-device/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/08/powergaming-introduction/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/08/powergaming-introduction/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:54:32 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1337 Today we begin the first of a series of (hopefully weekly…) articles discussing various powergaming strategies in D&D, both 3.5 and 4E. But what do we really mean by powergaming? How can we discuss details without understanding it? Well, that’s … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/08/powergaming-introduction/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/05/upcoming-articles-monster-of-the-week-index/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/05/upcoming-articles-monster-of-the-week-index/#comments Sat, 16 May 2009 15:48:52 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1033 As some of you may have noticed, Monster of the Week has lapsed. In order to keep things fresh and interesting, I have decided to discontinue it for the moment, and focus on providing a greater variety of articles. Some … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/05/upcoming-articles-monster-of-the-week-index/feed/ 2 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/05/monster-of-the-week-basilisks/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/05/monster-of-the-week-basilisks/#comments Sat, 02 May 2009 04:48:44 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=996 Basilisks are, like many D&D creatures, a solid mythological creature. Check the Wikipedia entry, it’s quite good. What’s particularly interesting is, apparently, a Cockatrice is a variant of a Basilisk, with more bird than lizard. Anyway, the important thing is, … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/05/monster-of-the-week-basilisks/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/04/monster-of-the-week-aboleth/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/04/monster-of-the-week-aboleth/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:24:28 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=990 Aboleths are large and intelligent marine creatures not to be confused with an Axolotl, another strange fishy creature also starting with ‘A’. However, rather than having legs, an Aboleth has psionic powers and another nasty stuff. They look something like … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/04/monster-of-the-week-aboleth/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/04/monster-of-the-week-goblins/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/04/monster-of-the-week-goblins/#comments Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:45:33 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=977 Goblins are like the eternal minion. Fireball fodder. Unlike Zombies, they can think for themselves, so are perfect for enlisting in huge quantities for random armies. Ever since The Hobbit they’ve been associated with being standard foes, and are thus … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/04/monster-of-the-week-goblins/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-wraiths/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-wraiths/#comments Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:00:40 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=954 Wraiths are incorporeal undead, pretty standard in just about any fantasy setting. Their very nature makes them very difficult to injure at all. For a DM, they are a handy monster as both a random encounter, and forcing the players … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-wraiths/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-medusa/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-medusa/#comments Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:02:20 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=925 I was going to write an article about Cockatrices, having been killed by one in NetHack (a Rogue-like game, more on NetHack later this week). However, I found 4E D&D doesn’t have them… yet. It’s possible they’ll be in the … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-medusa/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-vampires/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-vampires/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:12:30 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=914 Another classic creature born of human fear and storytelling, Vampires are a staple in a host of roleplaying games. They are inherently a strong opponent, and a puzzle, all at once. They are intelligent, and can serve in both combat … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-vampires/feed/ 6 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-hellhound/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-hellhound/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:39:47 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=891 Yay, Hellhounds! I’ve favoured them a little ever since DMing a solo game where the player used Handle Animal to tame one, and I let him keep it as his Animal Companion. Anyway, historically, Man has liked two things: dogs … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/03/monster-of-the-week-hellhound/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-hydras/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-hydras/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:29:23 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=885 From the trials of Heracles, we get a classical monster which is instantly recognisable, and a dangerous opponent. Tough and strong, with enough heads to attack everyone at once, the Hydra is a good “monster-y” monster: it’s only purpose is … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-hydras/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-humans-and-pc-races/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-humans-and-pc-races/#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:50:48 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=860 Humans, and, to a lesser extent, other player races, are quite handy for use as enemies in many campaigns. I mean, the real world’s done pretty well with just Humans, even without magic! Incredible, yeah. Anyway, in both campaigns set … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-humans-and-pc-races/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-ettin/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-ettin/#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:24:56 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=836 Originally just a word for a giant, an Ettin is now a two-headed giant or ogre-like creature. The fit a nice niche in D&D: they’re stronger than Ogres, which are a good foe for a low-level party, but they are … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-ettin/feed/ 2 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-zombies/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-zombies/#comments Sun, 08 Feb 2009 04:22:12 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=832 Ah, Zombies. A classic creature from various mythologies that, like many others, has been revived through modern film and literature, and is thus standard fare for roleplayer gamers such as us. Ironically, many of the aforementioned reviving pieces are set … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/02/monster-of-the-week-zombies/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/01/monster-of-the-week-mimic/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/01/monster-of-the-week-mimic/#comments Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:39:27 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=821 The Mimic is a classic monster dating back to the beginning of D&D. It’s a creature that, in standard Gygaxian fashion, tries to kill you despite looking like a piece of furniture. It can assume the shape of just about … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/01/monster-of-the-week-mimic/feed/ 6