Dragonbane Tutorial: Pitfalls and Houserules

There are some rules and aspects of Dragonbane that take a bit of getting used to. Especially if you come from 5E. Also, there I some aspects of the game, that are barely covered by the rules.
In this video, I show you what to look out for, and my houserules.
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[@user-fc7sv5ln6m]

This is such a useful video for a new DB GM! Thank you so much!

[@JasonFuhrman]

Great tips! I'm running this soon and everything you say makes sense. I think many people will equate this to 5e, but it's far deadlier, so it's important for players to understand while this may be heroic fantasy it's not superhero fantasy (5e).

[@windmark8040]

An interesting take on approaching traps, which have never been that interesting to me, as a GM. I tend to use them sparingly and only more so if there is a thief character in the group. Thanks for another very useful Dragonbane video.

[@Sebbaasdungeon]

That approach to traps was a revelation to me when I first heard it. It completely changes the concept, and how to approach traps. But it's much more fun!

[@TroelsRohde]

I am going to implement the Group Action from Blades in the Dark. One person Leads the check. Like sneak. Then all who wants to sneak rolls. You take the beet roll of all, BUT all that fail costs the leader 1 WP

[@Feraille]

I have just finished to read the campaign included in the DB box today and my thinking was: wahow! How the PCs are going to make it to the end? You definitely need as a GM to mitigate the rulling to that extent. Thank you for the insight. Your channel is a great resource.

[@retrodmray]

Thnx for another great Dragonbane video! I agree with these and will certainly find some of them pretty useful in our game! Thnx 🤓👊

[@wingusryu8289]

I like your fixes for sneaking. Definitely gonna use those. Still waiting on my box set. I have the pdf but i really don't want to read those till I get the physical copy first. In the meantime these videos are getting me more excited to run. QUESTION: Have you tried out the solo mode? Any feed back? I want to use it myself to run a couple games with just myself to learn the intricacies of running the system.

[@Sebbaasdungeon]

I have tried the solo mode, but I found it to be not for me. Nice random tables though. I'm mostly an RPG player for roleplay and story, and if I want to tell a story on my own, I write novels. I have heard good things about solo mode from regular solo players, though.

[@wingusryu8289]

@@Sebbaasdungeon yeah, I am not planing to do any campaign or anything just thought that the random tables and monster AI might make for some fun little skirmish matches on a single map. One, so I can practice the rules and Two if I have nothing better to do and want to play as a little board game for 15-30mins. Playing in a group is definitely preferred but getting people together is hard as an adult. Most of my rpg buddies have all moved away and not much interested anymore but I am trying to brainwash my daughter and her friends into playing. So far only a handful of times 😩

[@JohnPowell6]

I would say rather than deadly, DB combat is fast - characters can go down fast, but actually dying is unlikely.

[@Sebbaasdungeon]

The dying rules are generous. As long as someone can perform healing. But you need actions to rally or heal characters, which you also need to fight or flee.

[@DMzack89]

I'm enjoying reading the rules I haven't played yet but one thing not sure if it's addressed anywhere how do you rule spells say a player casts DOMINATE on a monster that requires a opposed Wil roll but no Wil is listed for NPCs or Monsters. This issue arises for many spells for other abilities too.

[@Sebbaasdungeon]

on page 84 it says that monsters cannot be intimidated or persuaded. Also the dominate spell only mentions NPCs. I'd say that monsters can't be dominated. Any ability that would require them to roll a WI test will not work against them. Exception would be monsters listed as non-monsters, like goblins and orks. Those would roll with a WI of 10, as in the spell description.

[@BanjoSick]

Sounds so much like Forbidden Lands. Whats the point?

[@Sebbaasdungeon]

I can't tell you that. I feel it's different enough. Dragonbane is a bit more heroic, and less random. Forbidden Lands is a great game, so if you are happy with that, just keep playing and have fun.

[@TroelsRohde]

The feel and tone is different. FL is very focused on survival, the combat system is less predictable and can be punishing in its death spiral. While going down in DB is annoying, its not as deadly as FL. If you like a system where are mage can fling spells, that is NOT FL, where its dangerous and arduous. In DB you can be a high fantasy mage, you can't in FL. And with armour being a surefire thing in DB and a big prayer in FL you also, have something about the longevity of campaign, with real progression. I would argue that a huge part of FL progression is actually in your Stronghold. You get better acces to WP and several other things in a Stronghold. And it is quite unique. DB would not deal with such fiddlyness but start a bar room brawl, where there are rules for chandeliers and rummaging pigs... Yes, you could kill people with the cars "improvised weapon: rummaging pig"

[@TroelsRohde]

Oh yes, and loosing hit points doesn't mean you also loose both defense and attack. If you really like that, stick to FL :) (also stick to FL of you emphasis the exploring and travel, strongholds, are much much more rich setting, way more quality material, nicer books, better online resources, and the darkness of it) I mean FL is truly a great game. I look forward to trying DB though