Is D&D 4e the worst edition for role-playing?

TLDR: No... but you know the algorithm rewards click-bait headlines.

As I was re-reading some of my older books, I had a re-revelation about about some of 4e least-fair critiques, one of which being that D&D 4e doesn't support role playing mechanically.

Now, to be fair, no D&D edition support role playing with very robust mechanics. It is assumed you will play out any NPC conversation with the DM and they might call for a skill roll. That's pretty much it.

But D&D 4th Edition actually adds an element of social mechanics through Skill Challenges. There may be a role-playing goal the party needs to achieve such as a negotiation which may consist of a number of successful skills checks to convince the NPC or group to help the party. The PCs may bring different skills to bear such as Diplomacy, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, or even Performance... Basically anything that might win over the NPC in the negotiation.

This could be a diplomatic negotiation, an interrogation, rallying troops to improve morale before a battle, winning a contest of wits... Basically, it could be anything that relies on the social skill of the PC's. 

Skill Challenges can also be used for physical events that require multiple checks such as a chase scene, or finding one's way out of the wilderness, but my observations are more about the role playing aspects of these challenges. I also discuss the character generation process within the Player's Handbook and how that supports the role playing aspects.

I understand 4th edition is nowhere near perfect. It certain has its flaws. But I also believe those flaws are often exaggerated because reasons. Regardless, I hope you enjoy my video observations on role playing in 4e. In future posts, I'll likely explore the absolute gems that are the 4th Edition Dungeon Master's Guides. Please like and subscribe to help me out with the algorithm! 

Review: Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5e

Back after a long hiatus. This week I take a look at Lord of the Rings Roleplaying (5e) and talk about how it compares with The One Ring and its 5th Edition predecessor Adventures in Middle Earth. There were some strange choices made by the designers of this RPG which I note around 14:00. I discuss Jouneys, Counsels, and other mechanics specific to this game. Chapter timestamps below (sorry about the audio delay in the middle).

TLDR: This is an excellent adaptation of The One Ring to 5th Edition mechanics. However, if you are not adverse to trying a new system, consider picking up The One Ring instead, which in my opinion captures the "feel" of Lord of the Rings slightly better than the 5th Edition mechanics.

Lord of the Rings Roleplaying - https://amzn.to/43swqrm
The One Ring - https://amzn.to/3P26I8O

Side note: I forgot to mention in the video that if you have any Adventures In Middle Earth books, do not fret. Adventures are almost entirely compatible and will likely translate with minor adjustments. Any cultures not in the core book will need some adjustments to fit the new design.

00:00  Intro
00:25  Overview of Lord of the Rings Roleplaying and The One Ring
02:00  Setting of Lord of the Rings Roleplaying and The One Ring
04:10  How Lord of the Rings roleplaying adapts 5e mechanics
04:50  Cultures (similar to Races in D&D)
07:45  Callings (similar to Classes in D&D)
08:30  How Callings maintain the lower magic feel of Lord of the Rings
    09:25  The Captain
    10:38  The Champion
    11:20  The Messenger
    12:32  The Treasure Hunter
    12:54  The Scholar
    I forgot the Warden which is somewhat like a D&D Ranger (or a LotR Ranger, for that matter). 
13:58  Some 5th Edition rules are missing from the book.
19:50  Journeys
24:12  Differences in Healing and Resting
28:20  Patrons
30:10  Counsels
31:50  Shadow Points
34:06  Differences between Lord of the Rings Roleplaying and Adventures in Middle Earth
36:30  Skill Differences
41:30  Is it a buy?
44:55  Maps of the Shire and Eriador
46:50  Outtro

The One Ring Unboxing

Unboxing the The One Ring, which recently released in its second edition by Free League publishing, who also publishes such RPGs as Tales from the Loop, Alien, Twilight: 2000, and Forbidden Lands. I browse the Starter Set contents and Core Rule as well as discuss some of the changes in the game between the first edition and second edition. Timestamps below the video.

00:15  Introduction
01:35  Core Rule Book and Box set covers
02:30  Mini-GM screen in the box lid
04:10  Poster map
06:13  Starter Set (white) and Sauron (black) dice
10:00  Stance / Journey Cards
11:25  Equipment Cards
14:00  Endurance vs. Load encumbrance system
15:20  Timeline and content focus of The One Ring 1st edition vs 2nd edition
18:00  Hobbit pre-gens
19:54  Starter Set booklets
20:40  Twitch viewer comment about BattleTech
21:05  The One Ring core rule book
22:40  Free League publishing art direction
24:20  Second Edition vs First Edition art style
32:30  Comparison of Middle-Earth maps in the editions
34:15 Map of Eriador
37:45  Map of the Shire
39:40  Hobbit characters
41:15  Attributes and Skills
44:25  How Skill rolls work
48:00  Travel and Journeys
52:00  Starter Set rules vs. Core rules content
52:30  PC Cultures in Middle Earth
54:25  Monster Bestiary
56:00  Content left out of the 2nd edition. Possible supplements?
58:50  Adventures In Middle Earth
1:00:20 Outtro

New D&D DM asks: Which hardback should I run?

I often see new Dungeon Masters asking on social media what hardback they should run after the Starter Set or the Essentials Kit. While the hardbacks from Wizards of the Coast are excellent, they are not always the easiest to run for newer DMs due to the sheer volume of adventure. In this video, I break down my recommendations for what adventure(s) to run next. Number 4 might surprise you!

D&D Hardbacks - Candlekeep Mysteries, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Tales from the Yawning Portal

Kobold Press - Tales of the Old Margreve

Troll Lord Games - 5th Edition Adventures

Goodman Games - Fifth Edition Fantasy

The Village of Hommlet (4e)

GM 101: How To Say Yes

There are many ways you can say "Yes!" to your players to give them more control over narrative or lore in your campaign. In Episode 8 of my Game Master 101 series, I discuss ways you can give a player the spotlight even if it bends or breaks the rules a bit. I also discuss some other narrative controls you can hand to a player during play. 

As a new Dungeon Master, you may be hesitant to bend or break the rules in a way that benefits the players. When they ask if their PC can do something which normally they could not, think about how you can give them the opportunity to perform their requested action even if it is not covered in the Rules As Written.

TLDR: If the ask is small, and it's going to get your player more invested in the campaign or encounter, then do it.

Raging Owlbear tops 1 million views!

Just 6 years ago, I started a little experiment talking about old school gaming and the D&D Next play test that was to become D&D 5th Edition. In that time, my blog has seen some really explosive months where I was getting over 20,000 views on average, and some less than stellar months when I mostly ignored the blog leading to a slump in views from its highs.

However, in over 6 years of content, there are several posts that stand out. I have reviews of which I am proud that have consistently brought in thousands of views year over year. I have posted my share of unpopular opinion pieces for the internet to pillory, doled out sometimes questionable advice... but all in all, it's been a fun experience. 

Sadly, the loss of Google+ and the comments section upon which my blog relied really hurt the interactivity with the audience (all 9 of you)... but somehow I clawed my way up to 1 million page views and the blog stays steady at around 10,000 views a month even when I ignore it.

June was one of those ignoring months... and also the month where I topped the million view mark. 

My goal for the rest of 2020 is to get the juice going again. Perhaps I'll get to 2 million before I retire the blog. The way the world is, who knows what will be in store over the next few years. 

Stay safe and stay sane... and thanks for reading -- all 9 of you. Your fingers must be aching after clicking my posts 100,000 times each. If you're relatively new to the blog, I invite you to peruse some of my favorite articles.

See you again soon!

Adventures in Middle Earth and The One Ring - D&D Alternatives

2022 UPDATE: The One Ring is now back in print with its second edition. Adventures in Middle Earth is currently still out of print, but may be coming (somewhat) soon.

In the 3rd episode of my impromptu series, I explore two RPGs set in the Tolkien's Lord of the Rings universe -- The One Ring and Adventures in Middle Earth. 

Both RPGs are low fantasy / low magic to match the narrative feel of the The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The One Ring has a mechanic based on d6's and a d12, while Adventures in Middle Earth uses the familiar D&D 5th Edition / d20 mechanics. Both systems are wonderful, although The One Ring has a bit less power creep than its 5th Edition translation. Adventures in Middle Earth has many ideas and mechanics that can be adapted to your standard D&D 5th Edition game or other d20-based low fantasy game.

If you're a fan of the Lord of the Rings and D&D-style fantasy, you absolutely need to pick these offerings while they are still available at retail prices (they are now out of print). See the video for what I love about these two games and how they differ.

The One Ring RPG - Books / PDFs
Adventures in Middle Earth - Books (currently out of print)

Lone Wolf Adventure Game - Alternatives to D&D

Though D&D may be the 800 pound gorilla in the table top RPG space, there are dozens and dozens of other wonderful fantasy and science fiction games out there.

In this video I discuss the Lone Wolf Adventure Game, based upon the adventure booklets by Joe Dever from the late 1980's. This is a fantastic, rules light fantasy RPG with very deep setting lore. The game uses a simple d10-based combat and skill resolutions mechanic. The illustrations are wonderful and the basic box set is a great value at $30.

Lone Wolf Adventure Game: https://amzn.to/3amGYNl

At the end I also note another alternative from Cubicle 7, Adventures in Middle Earth. I plan to talk more extensively about AiME in an upcoming episode.