Combat as War or Sport? & Adversarial DMs - Web DM 5e Dungeons & Dragons

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Fantasy Vietnam: hillcantons.blo...
tuckerskobolds...
Written & Hosted by Jonathan Pruitt & Jim Davis
Produced, Directed & Edited by Travis Boles
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Intro To 5th Edition - • 5th Edition Dungeons &...
Backgrounds, Feats & Spellcasters - • Backgrounds, Feats & S...
Inside Editions - • Inside Editions - Web DM
Getting Started in 5th Edition - • Getting Started In 5th...
Character Creation Part One - • Character Creation Par...
Character Creation Part Two - • Character Creation Par...
Campaigning “On Rails” - • Is Your D&D Campaign "...
Treasure - • Treasure: How Much Is ...
Player Styles - • Different Player Style...
Killing Characters - • Killing Characters Res...
Barbarians & Bards - • Barbarians & Bards - W...
Druids,Fighters, Monks, Rangers & Rogues - • Druids, Fighters, Monk...
Sorcerers, Warlocks, Clerics, Paladins & Wizards - • Sorcerers, Warlocks, C...
Beholders - • Beholders - A Classic ...
Kobolds, Goblins & Bullywugs - • Zombies in 5e Dungeons...
Red Dragons - • Red Dragons in Dungeon...
5e Dungeons & Dragons is here to stay, and Web DM is here to help!!! Jim Davis & Jonathan Pruitt have been playing Dungeons & Dragons for a combined 30+ years, and on Web DM they demystify, dethrone, and defrock this Dungeon we call Dragons! Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on 5e Classes, Monsters, DM Tips, and more! Join Pruitt & Jim as we kick down the door and talk some serious Dungeons & Dragons!

[@WebDM]

Thanks for watching! Want more Web DM in your life? Get our podcast here: www.patreon.com/webdm

[@peershaunm]

you guys have one of the most entertaining ttrpg shows on youtube, keep up the good work.

[@william2187]

"then we sent in the dogs" not gonna lie had to stop the vid so my laughter wouldnt drown it out. good stuff guys!

[@JPruinc]

LOL! Glad to entertain!

[@Aidan8et]

That delivery. So calm, refraining a wry smile with a touch of crazy. It was perfectly creepy & hilarious...

[@PanzerMold]

Such conviction! Lol

[@TheWonkster]

Danny Hampton That's why you send in the Shadow Mastiffs

[@clericalerror4040]

I'm an ex-Australian Army Mechanised Infantry Combat Medic. I play a Battlemaster/Light Domain Cleric/Commander. I use sandbags, I dig in positions, I have re-purposed a mule to act as a light vehicle, I mitigate damage to my squad, I use fish hook ambush tactics, I use Commander's Strike to call in supporting fire, triage is implemented when needed, I yell a lot, and I drink a lot, and I use roman shield warfare (Shield Master). I don't use fire spells, for the same reason that modern day armies don't use flamethrowers. The Geneva Convention. I fucking love D&D because I get to employ "small squad tactics" as a form of therapy. I swear it staves off PTSD, for me at least. It scratches the itch. Peace Out. PS. Jim and Pruit. I want to see more beards!

[@Bigred073]

I envy you, I can't get a single party member to go along with my plans... Me: hey guys, I have this awesome plan that will succeed if we just work together. We just need to do this, this, and that... Next player in Initiative: ...I'm going to do this wildly ineffective thing instead! ...That player ends up being useless the rest of combat because they're either unconscious or keep repeating that same ineffective action, and I end up getting singled out by the enemy because reasons.

[@Malkor13]

Hey Bigred. As a DM and a player who enjoys being the battle master tactician, I am sympathetic to your cause. I have found a few ways to make your team coordination better if you care to keep reading. One of the most important points is that you openly discuss how you want to play the game, preferably in session 0, with your fellow players and the DM. If you explicitly state what combat means to you personally, you can cut through straight to the point and hear how people feel about it and go from there. Another key point is buy in, or engagement. Be aware of what your fellow players want out of a combat and find a way to engineer part of what excites them into your plans. If it is important to them it should be to you as well. Everyone should feel somewhat important and active, even if the spotlight is on someone else. Lastly, be open to compromise. Things don't have to be perfectly maximized damage or control wise, but rather enjoyment wise. Maybe you let the warlock teleport on someone's back and stab them with their devil blade for the finishing blow. Yes the barbarian could do it better, but the collaboration of their party and the chaos of an improvised act can greatly enrich the experience. Having someone swing from the chandelier while another grapples the foe after they were charmed by another involves coordination between many skill sets and although not the 'best' answer to a combat, it may be the best fun for you and your group. Hope this helps:)

[@DaPsychocat]

What are "fish hooks amush tactics" ? I'm quite curious.

[@getthegoons]

Holy shit

[@clericalerror4040]

A "fish hook" is a counter ambush tactic. Imagine you and your party were walking down a straight road with vegetation/terrain on either side, and you suspect that you're being pursued. Shift off the road to a flank and hide at the next bend. Any enemy that was following is now walking into your ambush, assuming they hadn't seen you leave the trail. You can use this technique as a precaution, or as a trapping play. You'll find all modern armies use this same technique, but maybe use a different term. It's also highly relevant in tank warfare; particularly in urban arenas.

[@freezewindow1]

imagine a DnD campaign in a world where dungeon crawling is like football in america, including sponsorships, commentators, bribing referees and so on

[@TaKKun1123]

freezewindow1 that would be a very fun campaign setting to be honest.

[@jimdavis141]

freezewindow1 XCrawl was basically that for 3e. Never played it but it sounded fun.

[@freezewindow1]

thanks, i'll check that out then !

[@JPruinc]

Jim, can we play that adventure?

[@weaponizedlizardmen360]

JPruInc please record it if you do

[@quinns.w.9404]

This series' greatness lies in that fact that it's like ESPN for d&d.

[@WebDM]

+Quinn Whitehead so funny you put it that way, when we started 2yr ago thats basically how i described the approach.

[@samgardner8456]

I love when you guys get real about terrible people being terrible.

[@JPruinc]

Thanks! Keeping it 100

[@Mentiac]

So, exp is important. So... video on exp and different ways to grant experience?

[@JPruinc]

I'll see what we can do.

[@jimdavis141]

Lawrence Salcido it's on our radar. Probably not over the summer, but possibly the fall

[@cougar71624]

Yeah, if you can teach me how to remember to give my players xp that would be great

[@BigMac8000]

Try milestones. It's way easier. You can also subtly manipulate players by triggering a milestone at a weird time. For instance a player of mine was in a cave - his team was hiding from an Erinyes and a Chain Devil. They successfully hid but were trapped. My "tank" character recently had realized he'd built his character wrong, and was roleplaying it wrong. We sat down and revamped his character, correcting his AC by taking armor he'd been neglecting, fixing some errors and talking about the philosophy of his character on paper - basically he was a versatile tank and not a berzerker tank like he thought he was. He'd been trashed the last 3-4 combats just by luck, chance, and poor stat calculation. Finally he said, "Fuck this" and charged out, and lit the situation on fire. He used a special ability to distract the two, then the Erinyes gave chase. Miraculously he rebuked 5 attacks with his AC, ran through a wall (item) and then hid. He found himself in a room full of treasure, stopped, thinking he was safe. But he had an out-of-date map (pre-siege of this mine) and the Erinyes cornered him. We were about to end the session and I awarded him 3 levels on the spot. Now, I'd been giving people 2 levels at milestones because it's easier for players to quickly do 2 levels at once than crawl at one level at a time. I made them wait a while - he'd gotten into about 10 separate conflicts, really figured out his player, and he'd been involved in every fight, every situation, skipping rests, and I'd been pushing him to boot (he took a contract and I had his "boss" push him). He's the tank, braving fire is his business. He accepted his role, he really took his character seriously and suddenly he was at a huge make or break moment. He's got to fight and Erinyes - and he's looking at his powers REAL intently now. This is a make or break moment for him. So bam, milestone. I told him and the players why straight up too - despite getting trashed in the last 4 combats, you know your role, you know who you need to be and this is the moment you've accepted the personal philosophy as doctrine in yourself. That's a milestone if I ever saw one. He's gonna be 14 to their 11 for a WHILE, because he leaned into his character and put his character in a precarious position. That and frankly I'm really looking forward to him having that 1v1, if he loses he still has 3 levels. It makes more sense. Milestones my friend, milestones.

[@kyubii972]

Lawrence Salcido yes please because I'm about to DM my first game and I do want to encourage people to role-play their characters by giving experience I don't want just murder Hobo's in my game and you guys have way more experience than I do

[@oboeshoesdd6113]

Camera Dolly Magic Item, Legendary Adds +10 to production value.

[@Emma-ko5gx]

When Jim Davis has a case of the sillies characters die.

[@JPruinc]

It's a TPK every damn time!

[@Xenibalt]

rofl =]

[@Rankerquat]

Something I feel that a DM should discuss before every game is on how they plan to handle morality in combat. Like, there're three avenues I think: 1. All Monsters are evil and they disappear in a puff of smoke/loot when they die. _(the "Zelda" model)._ 2. Monsters have complicated/sympathetic motives and the DM will do whatever they can to make you feel bad for killing them. _(the "Make the Paladin Cry" model)._ 3. Some Monsters are cool, some are jerks, and the DM is responsible for letting you know who's who. _(the "Some of My Best Friends are Orcs!" model)_

[@Rankerquat]

In short, I just wanna be told _up front_ if I'm ever going to be looting a Goblin's corpse and I find a picture of his (now widowed) Wife and Kids.

[@bibbobella]

But isn't that the kind of the fun part. Like for an example I have a friend playing a game (solo) and he cleared a small fortress with low level bandits. What he didn't expect was finding someone hidden in the cellar apparently doing something evil (sacrificing a baby deer) and went in and killed him but he never gave the person a chance to explain himself. He litterally just went and killed this person in one quick swoop because ofcourse he did he had just been fighting a bunch of bandits that tried to kill him too. The thing is as he slowly realished this guy was "good" he was trying to help people from the outside after getting thrown out for his use of black magic and just happened to stumple upon a bunch of important information that he was trying to share with people but no one listened exept for the bandits since he had a bad reputation. Ever since then he have been thinking about why these "people" might be doing what they are doing..I personally love that way of playing. Every single person/monster have a reason to be doing what they are doing and can in some cases even be talked reason to. (unless they are a unthinking killing machine ofcourse and I mean some of them just really want to rule the specific country or so or just want to spread fear and terror those are kind of hard to negotioate with but that is part of the fun too)

[@Rankerquat]

Ya it's cool when enemies have complicated motivations, I'm just saying there's a lot of dissonance in the way DMs play their "Always Chaotic Evil" monsters. Some DMs will look at you like you're crazy for trying to talk things out with Gnolls, while others will wait until the last second to let you know that Gnolls are actually good in their universe. It's fun when DMs subvert expectations like that, but I like knowing up-front if the DM has a moral-quandary fetish lol

[@bibbobella]

Ahh that is fair enough. I would however never tell my players up front but I would give them hint throught out the story (if at all possible) that they might not be as bad as people say or believe. That being said if they went and killed them then that would be it. I wouldnt try to make a big deal out of it since it isn't exactly a suprise.

[@Rankerquat]

bibbobella good point!

[@AJ-kj1go]

I just poop in my opponents water supply to slowly poison them, the other 23 1/2 hours a day I hide in the dirt and eat worms. On one will play with me but I'm undefeated damnit

[@magnusanderson6681]

What the hell? No divination campaign? You'd be dead in 23 1/2 hours m8.

[@darthvaderreviews6926]

Pruitt's growing more and more overtly evil as this series goes on. I like it.

[@JPruinc]

This is the Darkest Web DM...to date...

[@Recardoguy007]

JPruInc as he is slowly stroking his beard, his head dips down looking over his glass and says with a gruff dark voice....."playtime's over"

[@Andrewc87563]

I think Pruitt is copying Asmodeous beard from D&D 1st edition

[@calebfoster604]

Could you guys do an episode on having players in positions of power? As a DM, I've always found it difficult to handle players who want to become dukes, barons, generals, etc. Great job as always and keep up the great work!

[@Emma-ko5gx]

Caleb Foster that's a great idea!

[@MrSweetiebear95]

The beardprentice has become the beardmaster!

[@JPruinc]

Many razors died to bring you this beard...

[@williamblazkowicz5587]

@ web dm If i was to face tuckers kobalds i would make them suffer by sealing the entrence to their home, entrapping them and dooming them to starvation.

[@marcperez2598]

if using real life physics, you could invoke the Kingston Tunnel effect, which forces pressure waves to surge through tunnel faster and more ferociously. so pour oil through out the cavern then use a torch and boom! the whole tunnel system collapses, and hopefully you aren't in it.

[@probablythedm1669]

As a DM, who really can't be bothered to calculate CR, I'm in favor of the "Combat is war - but it's a fun war!"-approach. Yes, combat is probably unfair all the time (either for the enemy or the PC's) and I expect the players to approach it in a clever manner or risk getting their asses handed to them. However, beating an encounter just means solving it in whatever way you want. You get the XP if you broker a deal instead of fighting. You beat it if you sneak past it. You beat it anyway you solve it, and "murder all the things" is just one of many possible solutions. The goal really is to make combat a fun challenge and provide both a bit of heroic fighting and room for tactics, but also play along if the party wants to try some other solution to avoid combat (because those tend to be a lot of fun). *To take the "minion fails, dragon swoops in and burns the village"-example:* My dragon won't burn the village. It needs the village. The burning happened at first, when the dragon wanted to show everyone why they should buy its mercy with treasure and food. If it goes around burning everything it'll run out of food and tiny creatures that gives it shiny stuff for the hoard. That's just shooting yourself in the foot and the dragon is usually smarter than that. But that minion is fired, maybe in more ways than one. I mean, the dragon is busy ruling (as in laying on its hoard while having food and more treasure provided for it) and it has minions to ensure it doesn't have to do any work, because why be the boss if you're doing everyone's job for them? If its going to step in every time a minion fails it might as well just micromanage everything and give up on the whole "getting fat on my hoard while the humanoids worship me"-plan. But that poor dragon is going to be so stressed if it has to micromanage everything. Then exhaustion will build up and eventually it'll just give up and get competent minions or burn out and have leave to rethink this whole "rule everything and do everything myself"-plan. The BBEG didn't work that hard to do everyone's job for them. The BBEG worked that hard so it could focus on just the stuff it wants to do, and have other people take care of all the boring stuff. :) Though the idea of the obsessively micromanaging lich highly amuses me, as a comedic villain. It can't get exhausted, but that just means it has to do *everything* itself. "Stupid zombies! Shuffle right damn you! Right foot forward, then moan and drag the left foot! Now try it again and get it right! What? Heroes? Here? Go away, can't you see I'm sweeping the lair?! Well, I was, then I saw this disgrace of a shuffle and... never mind. Look, I have an opening for a battle tomorrow at noon. Now go away or grab a broom! And bloody sweep towards the exit if you do or I swear you are FIRED! FIRED I SAY!" In the end the whole adventure would probably be about a misunderstanding and the lich is actually just an obsessive (undead) old man that wants to be left alone to yell at his zombies.

[@Necroscrow]

This is beautiful. What I wouldn't give to have you as a DM.

[@WarhawkLieutenent]

My man Pruitt with the Sugarland Sweet Tea. That's how you know they're true Texans.

[@JPruinc]

It's soooooooo goooooooood!!!!

[@filippocataldo3275]

Jim's facial expressions in the intros are priceless. Thanks for the videos guys, are really helpful!

[@TheNeoAvalonEmpire]

I'd be really interested in a discussion on roleplaying deals. Things like fey, devils, and mortal courtrooms.

[@JPruinc]

A show on deals? The best deals. It'll be a huge show! Yuge! Bigly!

[@davidphillips-zee1083]

I just started out with a small loan of a million gold pieces from the fey, now look at me.

[@BigMac8000]

You should see Mathew Mercer's demon deal in Critical Role - it's exceptional. It's eloquent and tricky without being scummy - it's a beautiful length of rope in which to hang yourself. Check it out. Happened in Hell in the episode 93-94 or so. It's genius.

[@sikuku5957]

I also really want to see a discussion about deals from you guys!

[@wapplesauce]

"It's not the module you're just an ass" So many folks I've seen online need to know this lmao

[@Technotoadnotafrog]

Unless it's that part of Descent into Avernus that says to kill the party.

[@iX1NS0MN14CXi]

Also Jonathon, The facial hair is coming along nicely

[@AJ-kj1go]

our little boy is growing up so fast

[@quinns.w.9404]

He's starting to have a super villain goatee

[@JPruinc]

Yeah, I'm ready to start a metal band or cosplay as Doctor Strange...haven't decided yet.

[@iX1NS0MN14CXi]

JPruInc You'll bomBARD the crowd with your heavy tunes and awesome lyrics

[@bryanmurphy9051]

You can do both.

[@CrazyConnor2]

"Want some Mountain Dew you *PIECE OF SHIT!*" XD

[@Wullf13]

Sometimes I almost enjoy the small after episode rants from you guys more than the main episode lol. Keep it up guys

[@kyubii972]

Wullf13 I'm very happy they started having those at the end it's good to have a serious discussion but it's also nice to know that they are just people who like to have fun playing Dungeons and Dragons with their friends just like we all do and those moments where they are goofing around are perfect for it

[@shadowtheory7500]

The biggest clickbait thumbnail of the year. I mean, check out that sick tennis outfit!

[@DungeonDad]

As with most things, I think there is a happy medium. Everyone likes to be the hero sometimes, but those moments are meaningless without real danger.

[@CthulhusDream]

Nice dolly shot!

During the whole vid camera does a few focus or zoom micro tilts occasionally, perhaps auto-focus? Not a big problem, just wanted to mention it.

[@CthulhusDream]

I didn't say it was a problem? I thought it was cool and slick. I think the one at the intro specifically is deliberate

[@terranl1505]

Jim Davis is my favorite type of person

[@JustAQNow]

Look at the beard! Look at the dolly shot! What is haaapppenniinnggg, IT'S AWESOME!

[@JPruinc]

All the things are happening! And at the same time!!!

[@kyubii972]

Arsequeef it broke new ground!!!

[@Goblinerd]

0:22 For a second there, I thought Jim was gonna go full PTSD on us.

[@willpsanford]

Fantasy fucking Vietnam might be my favorite quote from this show

[@dustinsmith2021]

Did you put on a belt of dwarven kind, Pruitt?

[@NoxHarmonia]

Something that I've done with XP is awarding it to the group via "life experience". This means that there are 10 spots for events to be counted towards leveling up, which happens when 10 events (small count as 1, large/more meaningful = 2 slots) are noted down. This happens at the end of a short rest (which is the equivalent of the long rest in the standard 5e rules). So far it's really worked out well and the players have come up with very clever and interesting ways to approach every quest because they know they are going to always be rewarded for what they do and not just who/what they kill (or whenever the GM traditionally hands out XP).

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

Similar frequent argument among HEMA practitioners...

[@Frostman411]

Y'all... Y'all... the first 30 seconds of this video may be the funniest y'all've ever been. That was perfect.

[@loganmeyer9200]

Love these videos by far the best videos for someone whos creating their own game. Also I would agree that us military types can kinda be fucked up.

[@Daredhnu]

it's natural to get fucked up by what you guys are put through, war truly is hell and it leaves its mark on all who suffer through it.

[@suptatoms]

That Pruitt goatee is getting me a little hot and bothered...

[@dm_zemo]

Holy shit that intro doh. That camera trucking in was INTENSE. And then Pruit's beard. And then JIM goes all Full Plate Jacket. I feel like you guys have really hit a stride. Every episode is getting better and better, and now every Wednesday I'm like "aw hell yea it's WEB DM DAY!" Never stop. Never ever stop. If you guys did a live pay-per-view show I would buy the shit outta that, take off work, and shrug all social responsibilities to watch you guys in all your splendor. Well done gentlemen.

[@TheBloviously]

You guys are great. Really helped me when I decided to DM my own game. I love the way you guys give practical advice backed up with personal stories. You have a very good balance of information and cool stories from your own campaigns. Thanks for all the advice and entertainment!

[@benpressly200]

That beard is looking A+ with the salt and pepper, Pruitt

[@earlthepirate5806]

Oh man the best thing of the week :) watching WebDM after work

[@JPruinc]

So happy to be part of your day!

[@Harrow_the_Ninth]

Got a case o' the sillies

[@JonHerzogArtist]

I'm a firmly Team Sport GM, but I've had good fun as a player in Team War games, and learned some lessons from them!

[@iX1NS0MN14CXi]

I've been waiting for this all day

[@finnianquail8881]

PinkCanoeDaVagoo Same, I prayed do Asmoedeus for time to go faster...

[@MrAces023]

I was looking for it yesterday lol

[@finnianquail8881]

Sheogorath Did you do the fishstick? I heard it was a very delicate state of mind.

[@MrAces023]

Finnian Quail the wait was making my teeth itch

[@finnianquail8881]

Sheogorath LOL

[@CaptainOrlax]

Never before have I been uncomfortable with something for being so deeply dark. Kudos on that intro.

[@manuelcamara6400]

Can you guys do a discussion on Sphinxes?

[@ZerkMonsterHunter]

Manuel Camara I still need to use one of those in my campaigns. I remember seeing a random table for Sphinx riddles somewhere, may have to track it down.

[@manuelcamara6400]

ZerkMonsterHunter 4 OMG yes. Sphinxes are some of my favorite monsters in all of d&d. From their design, to their power, and craftyness, to the fact they are literally summons of the gods. Let that sink in for a sec: summons of the gods.

[@JPruinc]

I'll put it on the list.

[@manuelcamara6400]

JPruInc Thanks you SO much.

[@ZerkMonsterHunter]

Pruitt back with the list.

[@SinerAthin]

As a DM, I probably lean on combat as War, with monsters that actively tries to win and a consistent world where players can indeed get in over their heads if they don't do their reconnaissance work, but I don't think I've ever had an issue with the adverserial side. On the topic of tactics though; although I know a lot of tactical DMs and Devs who will take any monster and play them to the best of their own ability as a DM as if it was a game of chess, I personally factor in the psychology and intelligence of said monsters. That means when I play as Ogres: Sure, the Ogres want to win, but they are also stupid as hell, which means their best(and main) tactic is often going to be to simply try to run at and bash in the face of whoever they are fighting. And when they do try to set traps, their attempt is often so bad its almost comical, like stringing up a rock on a rope and even putting a poorly written "STANDZ ERE FOR LOOT" note below. Goblins are generally crafty creatures and have a rudimentary understanding of trap making and poison, and while they are no tactical geniuses, they'll make prolific use of what they know. They are cowardly and their cowardice often prevents them from exploiting opportunities, but reckless parties might still find themselves balancing across half a dozen pit-traps while more seventy goblins comes pouring out of the walls all around them! And on the other end of the spectrum, you might have cold hearted Drow warriors and assassins with decades or even centuries of experience, who will nearly-flawlessly exploit every little opportunity, bringing to bear exotic poisons and master- level swordmanship combined with a tactical understanding that makes regular human elite soldiers seem like naive children by comparison. I personally agree that RP does not end when combat starts, and I think the way you use the monsters and the tactics they employ should also reflect the monsters themselves :)

[@zyderman2050]

Has anyone made a graphic of Jim Davis as Charlie Brown for that ending? "You didn't like the module 'cause you're an ass! Good grief."

[@masonsmith2684]

This has inspired me to make a combat-is-war fighter kinda character, thanks for this perspective on the game! Keep up the good work!

[@jacksonl.2201]

I heard you mention DD at 21:13, would a DD D&D campaign be a good idea?

[@csb8336]

hey...what happened to the sweet a** drawings on the d20 background??

[@NinjaNanya]

Great Video Personally I tend to run my group as a combat is War game. I'm all about the story of it, but War is more than just fighting, lately they were attempting to defuse a house War before it started, or at least gain allies before that happened. I don't think I've ever tried a game with Combat as Sport, honestly I'm not certain how I'd do that... My mind just cannot wrap itself around that. I am going to have to try and think on how to do so, so thanks for putting the idea in my head. I do find your Review of 4e in this a little... Lacking. I had a GM Whom while a horrible Railroader put in a good amount of RP Elements, and honestly every fight was a small group Tactics battle. It eventually got to the point where we set up a Double Crit for our Rogue while buffing him with a bunch of extra dice for solo bosses and we had an AoE Team with those single hitters playing protect the AoE Team. It was a lot of fun, but you need to be the person into that Gamified play with At Will Encounter Daily and think about when you're using what. While I really like 5e I do find if you're not playing a mage of some sort it's really limiting on your options unless you play mother may I. As a DM Though I encourage those Mother May I's as best I can because it is a lot of fun to see where they'll go. But as a Player I've been told No a lot and it makes me miss not having to Ask. Towards that conversation at the end, it's kind of why my group won't play the modules Wizards of the Coast is putting out lately as without a lot of tailoring they tend to play like kill games. But even still I've been loving the Forgotten Realms book as a setting, and we are simply crafting our own story in there. Can't wait for next week.

[@dustinmccollum7196]

war..... war never change.

[@ericgrajeda9916]

Idk if we chose it but it was inevitable.

[@phoenixking62]

Are you guys planing on doing any more of those Unearthed Arcana reviews?

[@malikchristie6511]

So it's funny. At the end of the video when y'all were talking about how every group need a counselor I immediately thought about my favorite character Valerian cross. He lost his parents at an extremely young age and looked at the group's Paladin / Ranger as a father figure and then when the ranger Paladin died my character went into a vegetative comatose state and we both ended up making the characters. My DM was like super impressed

[@Sean-ne3gx]

Great episode as always guys, it gave me some things to consider withy campaign, thanks. Also, Pruitt, now I wanna see a campaign where you play a dude bro professional fighter with a scribe follower that he gives interviews to at the end of adventures, lol. Can we get that after that twice damned hag finally gets what she deserves?

[@LeganArabach]

Storm King's Thunder. First Chapter, First encounter... Fought near every single Goblin and both Worgs in the village because I failed a fucking stealth check. A worg hit me for 10 damage on the first turn of combat and I had 11 hp total. The party really bonded that evening haha. A no mercy DM is really fun, it makes you push your limits of creativity and resourcefulness. And the DM was my fiance too, so she wasn't going to show me any mercy lol.

[@LeganArabach]

And to that bit at the end with the therapy and such, we came to find out that the Goblins were all frolicking and playing in the abandoned village and we came in and slaughtered them; akin to walking into a kindergarten playground and opening fire. One goblin was just looking for treasure in the horse barn haystacks, two were using the bell tower rope as a swing, and two were playing blind tag by putting pumpkins on their heads and running around in a pumpkin patch. We all felt like monsters afterward.

[@sticktotheextreme]

"Put some more cheetohs in your fucking mouth."

[@sausikins4568]

Always my most looked forward to video of the week, and you guys always deliver! Thanks to all three of you for all the hard work and stellar content.

[@Tbrunscheon]

Pruitt, the beard is majestic!

[@kolbycampbell3957]

Having only been introduced to what I now know to be combat is sport, the idea of combat is war has opened up a whole slew of ideas and possibilities in how I run my combats that has me actively excited to build my next few encounters. THANK YOU for helping me find these ideas that I hope will make my game that much better for me and my friends

[@Dhalgrim]

oh my lord that "after" rambling segment was so damn funny^^

[@5PAWNTech]

This episode's intro is now easily my favorite.

[@WebDM]

+5PAWNTech i think its mine, too.

[@a7699aaa]

hey, two beards this time! great!

[@damienthetexasian6827]

My Dnd group in High School played with a former Army combat engineer as DM, once. ONCE. All i remember was a pit trap combined with falling rocks,...you try to fly and you're crushed by the falling rocks.

[@thorinbane]

Had the worst DM who played favorites but also was super harsh. I lost 26 characters through our 4E campaign. Soured me on D&D and that gaming group. :(

[@Akravator12]

Good topic! Loved the new rig you got for dramatic zoom!

[@kurtoogle4576]

I really enjoyed this discussion, and hadn't seen the topic elsewhere. Very thoughtful. Thank you! :)

[@nardopolo7407]

werewolf the apocalypse has a good example of actions influencing rewards given the renown system is utilized for your character to gain ranks.

[@Comicsluvr]

My War Cleric (the irregular party battle leader) has a Military background. I try to bring military tactics to combat because I WANT my team to survive. Like Pruitt, we try to get into the best position we can and then unleash Hell. However, we also haven't had an opportunity to have any sort of 'last stand' situation yet. If we did, you better believe that if fleeing isn't an option I'm going to be laying out choke points, Magnificent 7-style tactics etc. Once in a while I think this is fun IMHO.

[@TheNerdySimulation]

That was some wonderful Camera Work there at the beginning! It really brought emphasis to their opening statements, which were hilarious in their own right. Keep up the good work, guys! :D

[@Wolfphototech]

*I like both .* *An both are good .* *But combat as war path has more potential .* *Yet the majority of DM/GM's & players today tend towards combat as sport & hobby .* *Side note Combat as war tends to be explained as brutally and military tactics on a battle field .* *This is a low level civilian & foot soldier understanding of it .* *To get a more accurate understanding of Combat as war in D&D is to look at the play style of old school Tabletop Roleplaying games .*

[@SpaceTrump]

After the dogs we sent in Gelatinous Cubes to clean it all up! :D

[@Andrewc87563]

Great episode. Channeling your Blood Bowl "space marines" self Pruitt.

[@caiusofglantri5513]

My goblins sound like Tucker's but with terrible discipline, laziness and petty viciousness undermining their own deadly tactics. I make an int check to see if they attack to maximum efficiency or do something stupid.

[@TheNeoAvalonEmpire]

You all bring me great joy. :)

[@witchesbruise8792]

Adversarial DMing isn't limited to combat as war games. I've played in Combat as Sport games where I attempt to use Combat as War tactics and the DM will sometimes shut those down - just none of them work or they require lots of extra skill rolls, or they only provide a minor benefit, etc. In CaS games, using CaW tactics can be perceived as "trying to cheat" or "attempting to sidestep the encounter/whole adventure". The DM selected this encounter and might have put a ton of work into making sure it's balanced so that it's challenging but we squeak by with a win in a climactic moment. If I try to "skip" that combat or trivialize it or something like that, it could be seen as rude, or not playing the game as intended, etc.

[@oiveyizhmier528]

WHen I was stationed on an FFG in the 80's , I had an ongoing AD&D game. IT was brutal, harsh, doorkicking murder and several people wouldn't play because I 'spent too much time talking and not enough in combat'.

[@ShasOSwoll]

Don't think we've ever done combat as war. I've had party members spend multiple rounds unconcious next to enemies and never get coup de grace'd

[@rustyshackle8000]

Man, now I'm thinking about a campaign that focuses on a bunch of low level soldiers. Think the All-Guardsmen party, but in D&D.

[@konatelassina5301]

“Involve all the PC’s on dragons flying through the air”. Ugh, that sound awful. Not a munchkin-style player.

[@DaPsychocat]

With Jim Davis saying "good grief" I want his face in JoJo style with "yare yare" written above him.

[@steveno3141]

I try not to be too evil, I won't send the lich or dragon out at first level, but i (even as a PC) go dark souls/max diff combat. Exploding barrels, cover, and elevation, etc. will be used. That said if the party goes through three encounters and barely gets touched I'll increase the challenge, if I'm pushing a TPK every other encounter I'll dial it back a bit. Sending three goblins at 6 PC's to easy, sending twelve goblin's with moltovs at two PC's is overkill. I reward exp to combat, role playing, and creativity, problem solving.

[@thenovicedm7966]

As a military guy that has played DND (all versions) for nearly 30 years I say grab a man/woman in uniform & add them to your game. Then again....college & high school students (young) are awesome too.

[@wesleyjudson599]

It's funny, because as a player I really like combat as War, but as a DM while I play combat as a Sport, I run roleplaying as War. I give hints to a character's motivations that are subtle, tone-of-voice, hints. I also let characters surprise PCs that never rolled insight on the character's motives. The main reason I like to do this as a DM is because I like to run roleplaying like detective novels on my NPCs. I've backed off from the more extreme version of this now, because my players don't like it, but I still like DM-ing this way. I'm sure these two versions could apply to nearly any kind of play.

[@xCCflierx]

Psychopathic party stayed in a burning building until the flames took down our cleric, then everyone else left. Had the throw infernal tiefling into flames to retrieve him before he almost died in the FIRST SESSION. Just cause the DM wisperred, "you don't get any exp for the ones you leave to burn in the building." He went down trying to heal a simic rouge and the rouge didn't really even want to go back in for him. DM said we were just meeting up and don't know each other, and most of the party was chaotic or neutral so noone willingly jumped in.

[@bisonhappenstance]

If you guys are fans of TNG, I hope you've been listening to or check out the Greatest Generation podcast. It's my favorite. One podcast for each episode and they're up to season 6, I think. Gotta' listen from Ep 1 to catch the developing nuance of Loaf and to grok the growing understanding of Riker's obsession with consent. Not for the young'uns or anyone in the pocket of Big Rod(denberry), or for those who take it all too seriously. I love your stuff! Thanks!

[@kapittsalt]

Has the dimetrodon always been there?? +5 pts regardless.

[@finnweber2388]

I'm not a vet but I came up with a fantasy Vietnam tactic it's (barrel 5gp 1000 ball bearings 100gp sealing wax 10gp black powder 40gp) make a fucking bomb and set it off with a cantrips inside a gargantuan monsters mouth laugh as it takes .5x1000 dmg

[@glacialrelic7878]

I watched your videos on Clerics and divine intervention, would you guys maybe do a video on divine flavored rituals/acts? For example from my knowledge there is a old rite in previous editions of D&D called "The Rite of Rebirth". In this example a character would go through a ritual like act and eventually become a Dragonborn as a champion of Bahamut. These are things I would be very interested to see you two go into detail on! (Should I ask about this in another manner other than a KZbin comment?)

[@a8lg6p]

I felt like while it was trying to sound neutral, but even though it hit most of the major points, it didn't really give the "Combat as War" perspective its due. (And maybe not the other side either.) It sounds like his games lean more towards the standard, "modern" combat as sport approach. Which is fine, but... Especially after seeing this video, which gets into how it ties into this "old school" philosophy... Which tends to be more heroic rather than super-heroic, there's more emphasis on player agency, possibly involves mega-dungeon crawls... Which I'm used to hearing derided as immature mindless "hack n slash", because there isn't emphasis on acting and grand narrative, but I'm learning can actually be a much more sophisticated strategy game, where smart resource management and player creativity in coming up with clever solutions are essential to survival (and also lead to crazy epic madcap emergent stories), instead of just being led from plot point to plot point, interspersed with set piece battles that you're guaranteed to win as long as you made a good character build. I'm sure it's possible to combine elements of both, and/or mix and match, but it seems like they really are very different games. Neither is inherently superior; there are pluses and minuses to both, and it's a matter of preference. But no one campaign can be all things to all people. Basically, it seems like by trying to split the difference, he's failing to convey the most compelling case for either side. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5-ulGlqdqmMnJo

[@themaverick6269]

I regard to the last bit of the video; that's actually a great plot hook. The players just wanted to protect the Town; now it's burned to the ground. How do they feel about that? Do they feel guilt? Anger? Frustration and anguish at their own impotence? My friends... You now have one hell of a campaign on your hands if you pull that off. Just saying.

[@momqabt]

Epic scenarios lots of shit going on...and a warlock has 2 spell slots for the whole god damn thing and all the rest is EB EB EB. Yeah no thanks. CC casters are nerfed in this in a lot of ways as well. You want to polymorph the big bad? You got minions to deal with. You sleet storm the minions who are rushing ahead to protect their master/leader? Yup he's gonna be blastin away at you. You are boxed in to one lasting effect on the minions and then evocation evocation evocation and hope you don't fail that con save. It's one of the reasons I made a town guard (custom tailored background) wizard enchanter (mostly non-damage spells)/arcane archer. AoE cc and backup bullshittery with a bow from a law enforcer. The reason she uses mostly non-damage spells is because you don't want to kill civilians when you want to control a riot as a civilized law enforcer

[@jek__]

Lol I loved Jim's face when Jon was doing his sportsguy voice @. He seems to be recalling some potentially painful memories The distinction between war and sport is a nuanced and interesting one. It comes up in MTG implicitly all the time, GR decks tend to play "fair", whereas UB decks tend to "fight dirty". In that a match between two GR ish decks will be more like a sport, whereas the more cutthroat styles are more like war (i know, huge generalization with the colors). Someone who doesn't want to get into the fight in the first place is the one who is going to war. In the animal kingdom, males tend to fight for fun, whereas females fight to win. Females go to war because they didn't want to fight as sport in the first place. You're more likely to get into a fight with a male mammal, but if you're already in the fight, you're more likely to die in a fight with a female mammal, because they fight to win. I guess it really boils down to varying levels of ruthlessness, and how well the other players tolerate that. The distinction between war and sport is not only subtle, but subjective and relative

[@blahpunk1]

I started running games again a couple of years ago after a 20+ year absence from the the game. Having come from a 2nd ed background the new characters (its Pathfinder) seemed way to powerful. Having every encounter be extremely dangerous just gets tiring after a while, but having them be too easy is boring. That life and death drama is what makes the game so delicious. I felt like some of the players were content to pretend to be their favorite action heroes and glide effortlessly from encounter to encounter, kicking a$$ and chewing bubble gum. To me it seemed empty. So I've been getting used to combat as sport and throwing them a few softballs but I'm also introducing some encounters that that are actually lethal. Players realize that the encounter is not balanced and/or fair and they run. For a moment Golarion feels like a real place! :-) Cool video guys.

[@jaradaj]

I got a weekly genesys realms of terrinoth game with 2 vets. Their rp is amazing, every combat is memorable. Highly recommend....

[@geoffreyperrin4347]

As a DM I like making something like a fort or cave and I tell players "there are 30-50 enemies. If you aren't strategic, you will probably be in over your head. If you are strategic, you should be able to handle it, either by taking them on in small groups or sneaking to the boss and kill him, or something else you think of"

[@ddublu397]

I love tying adversarial dming to locations. Some locations are just trying to get you dead, afap. Others are much, much more benign.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

Just want to say I love the bit about everyone needing therapy. It's very true. I found one of my recent characters dealing with PTSD. He would just sit down and shake/throw up at the end of combats. It was kinda funny to realize why he was drinking so much. He eventually pushed through the other side and learned to deal, but it was an unexpected development in the character when it started.

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

I've had the warfare mind I guess, I should probably find out how my players think...

[@alamos52]

hilarious intro and good discussion. after DMing a couple games of Godlike, I've had to promise I'll be nicer with dnd5e

[@charlesmayes7020]

My first RPG experience was with the old MERP system. Definitely more like combat as war. We lucked into an item that let us teleport twice a day and a rod that fired a large ensnaring net. That was the only way we won most combats, trap a bunch of them, and pop two guys behind them for flanking and surprise bonuses.