Dungeon Master 101 - Traps and Puzzles: Part Two

[@ReinoudvanReekumナウト]

I always use puzzles as an optional choice. Even puzzles where I think that they are simple are just mind boggling for my players. I have done extensive research on puzzles, though. It seems that different players like different puzzles that work with their intellectual talents. So if a visual puzzle doesn't work, try one that has to do with linguistics or mathematical logic.

[@steveblunden2295]

Puzzles and character intelligence: my chief reference on how to handle this is nicked directly from Lord of the Rings when the Fellowship find the Doors of Moria. Gandalf is the wisest one there, but it is Merry (or in the film, Frodo) who provides the clue or train of thought that leads to the wizard finally solving the problem. I had a situation where the player playing the Barbarian worked out a coded message quicker than the sorcerer. So I ruled that the Barbarian's suggestion led to the sorcerer finally deciphering the message himself.

[@Quackadalias]

Well, when I do character creations with my players, I make sure my players realize what they are getting into. If they're not quite the smartest one in the room and they know it, they should probably keep their INT down or around the average point. I feel like when players create their characters, the character should embody them in a fantasy setting away from struggles of reality. It should be not just the character, but themselves that in this world able to do all sorts of things.

[@grnlfe01]

Congratulations on your placement. I too struggle with puzzles but these are a good set of tips for incorporating them into a session or campaign. I had one that was based on a reverse Fibonacci sequence that my players just stream rolled over but it was a good means of breaking up combat.

[@AcreletaeDnD]

Some days breaking up combat is all we can do...

[@Bondanalloy]

There's a horror/comedy(?) movie about Krampus coming out soon.

[@AcreletaeDnD]

That is actually fantastic! I feel a game table outing coming on!

[@MrSteeTV]

Ah the christmas joke riddles is a great idea. Because he had nobody to go with hamiright?!

[@AcreletaeDnD]

*groan*

[@MrSteeTV]

:D The best haha

[@AcreletaeDnD]

+MrSteeTV it's punderful

[@MrSteeTV]

haha ah jaysus. but on a serious note, I was wondering if you could help me with one final thing that I've been trying to find an answer for for the better part of three days and just can't find an answer for. On the 5e premade character sheets, in the weapon box, it goes, *weapon name* *attack bonus* *damage* now, what exactly is the attack bonus? On one forum it seemed like it was added to the d20 roll on top of your regular modifier. So if you roll a 10, have +5 attack bonus and a +2 dex modifier you can hit a 17AC, yet on a lot of other places I looked it just was not mentioned. It's literally the only thing I need to know for sure before I can finally drag my family together to play.

[@thomasbollinger934]

I have found your videos really helpful as a dm, but one thing that I have trouble with are skills both in combat, and out. like how do I get my characters to consider doing fancy things?

[@AcreletaeDnD]

I'm really glad they've been helpful! That's a really interesting question. I know that 5th edition promotes 'flourishes' as part of players' turns in combat, perhaps you could adapt that system into your game? What edition/game do you play?

[@thomasbollinger934]

+Acreletae I pay fourth edition. Thanks for the advice! I will be sure to look into it.

[@AcreletaeDnD]

+thomas bollinger do! It's just an extra free action to basically make an ordinary turn into something cool. I've had players treat it as a 'taunt' move, some take the description of their attack and add in a little acrobatics or a verbal threat/insult, and others add in something as simple as banging a mailed fist against their breastplate. It adds a certain something to the battle in our collective imagination I find :)

[@ProtestantsRUs]

you should get an actual channel pic... and upload more than once a year

[@AcreletaeDnD]

+Wesley Tomsky Right on both counts! Gonna be doubling down on KZbin from here out, so expect improvements!