Can you perfectly balance D&D encounters using math? | One Step Closer to Being a Better Game Master

[@HiddenNerdySide]

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[@petesbeatsmusic]

As a Math Major, I very much support. May the Algorithm smile upon you!

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Thank you, good sir. Glad it’s math major approved!

[@zachwild2178]

Love it! Keep up the great videos. You make some of the best D&D videos I've seen!

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Thanks, Zach!

[@michaeljoyce3979]

How do you not have more subscribers??? By far my favorite DnD KZbinr out there! Like, I never even comment on KZbin videos but I just made a channel just so I could. I felt I had to just from how good your content is. Keep it up!

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Thanks for the kind words, my man. And will your support, we'll get there eventually. Just enjoying the ride :)

[@KevinVideo]

When your party is full of min-maxing murder hobos so your creature's attack modifier is no lower than +17 and has anywhere between 1000-1600 hp.

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Haha! Miiiiiiight be time to add a second creature…

[@ijizumapantsu9081]

I actually use a similar method to make my encounters xD I total the party's average damage per turn times that by the number of rounds I want the monster to live and determine enemy damage by taking the total health of the front liners that will take the majority of hits and dividing it by a number of rounds that feels reasonable to me.

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Well you know what they say… Great minds… 😁

[@tristanmoors7835]

This is actually really good

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Thank you very much!

[@jackofalltrades1594]

Hey man I've been watching for a long time and I have to say I really love your content. I don't comment alot but I just want to say keep it up and don't pressure yourself.

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Thanks for the support!

[@Eaglefield_]

Ima make an excel sheet for this

[@seanhayes9056]

This sounds like a great tool for the BBG

[@HiddenNerdySide]

I think so as well. A tool to use not all the time but when you want to double-check important encounters :)

[@thebowiththemost119]

Hey HNS, your videos helped me decide to DM a Demon Slayer campaign in the very near future (Thank You!) and I was wondering if I can get so advice, especially since it’s gonna be my first time DMing, let alone playing DnD. So, this campaign is gonna be set in an alternate universe from Demon Slayer. I’m basically adding some stuff to it (Like making the Breathing Techniques actually create their elements, or adding some new creatures along side the Demons.) and I know it’s gonna be set in America, but I can’t decide the time period. I’m stuck between 1795 and 1988. The reason a part of me wants to set it in 1795 is because I just got done watching Hamilton again and I think having President George Washington slay a Demon infront of the players would be both extremely funny, and extremely awesome! Plus, I was thinking about going with a whole alternative universes steampunk feel. The reason a part of me wants to set it in 1988 is because the 80s in America were a pretty dangerous time. Serial killers roaming, drug lords ruling their illegal kingdoms, and violent crimes all over, all in the dead of night, the time demons roam, plus, one of my Upper Moons was basically created with the 80s in mind, but that can easily be changed. So, what should I do? What’s the best option?

[@HiddenNerdySide]

Well, both time periods have their ups and downs. The 1795 time period is closer to the typical D&D campaign setting and so won't have to play with technology and industrial advancements too much. On the other hand, dealing with that stuff could be really fun and a new experience for your players. Just from reading your descriptions of the two time periods, it seems like you're way more into the 1988 idea so I'd say go with that. It's always better to go with your passion. I'm sure it's not the only reason but creating a campaign around one joke isn't always the greatest idea (even though it would be hilarious imagery). Either setting sounds fun to me though!

[@thebowiththemost119]

@@HiddenNerdySide thank you so much!

[@thebowiththemost119]

@@HiddenNerdySide yeah, I’m definitely going with 1988. Also, I had this idea. You know how some demons in the anime can combine with things like trains? What if I have a demon like that, better with an airplane already in the air! That would be an awesome encounter! Wouldn’t it?

[@torymiddlebrooks]

Comment for engagement

[@HiddenNerdySide]

The real hero play 😎