Actions in Combat Guide for Dungeons and Dragons 5e

[@jamesorth8231]

Funny thing is you can do this 0:14 with 11 fighter/ 3 thief rogue *pick up sword* - free action *equip shield* - full action *stab mouth/rip eye balls out* - action surge 3 attacks for mouth and both eye balls *slide down its back* - movement (difficult terrain?) *..and off his tail* - part of movement, Athletics or Acrobatics check? *throw eyeballs on ground* - you can drop things at will *and give a healing potion* - bonus action fast hands from thief Idk why Monty gave Kelly crap for this, its a totally legit turn :P

[@DungeonDudes]

You are amazing sir. Well done.

[@johnpettus5874]

Nice. Nice work.

[@uluairi]

Amazing! Just remind me not to call you for any of my games XD

[@breadbread4226]

Depends on the size of the dragon.

[@sinnermcw2]

bread bread Now thats a DMs answer

[@kevinclarke5810]

Best improvised actions I ever took where when my character and party found our way into hell and attacked by a swarm of fiendish ants. My cleric had cast create water over the ants to make them wet, then blessed that water and caused massive damage to the entire colony.

[@mikeyf0619]

Making holy water takes an hour.

[@Jay.waveee]

@@mikeyf0619 shhhh

[@jorispost3059]

@@mikeyf0619 there are actually 2 ways to make holy water, 1 takes time and materials and the other way cost only a spell slot

[@steave435]

@@jorispost3059 "A Cleric or Paladin may create holy water by performing a Special ritual. The ritual takes 1 hour to perform, uses 25 gp worth of powdered silver, ***and*** requires the caster to expend a 1st-level spell slot." And, not or.

[@SergeiTheSlav]

@steave435 Sure the move requires an hour, but I'd rather make my cleric feel cool and have a good time than tell them right away that they can't do that. The whole point is having fun and great storytelling

[@HBookbinderGM]

We just started playing as a family and it is my first time DMing. But in our last encounter, my son and wife were hitting a Flameskull back and forth like a baseball (their description) - that became like a tennis match. My other son was trying to swing at it with his sword but kept missing. Strike one, strike two. It is indeed the descriptions that make the encounters memorable rather than simply the roll of the dice.

[@Shane-The-Pain]

You're playing with the whole fam! As an OG, some of the greatest moments in gaming are family gaming moments. Your story is very cool. 😎

[@arikwolf3777]

That is so true. And it doesn't matter which game your playing.

[@jctxcboy36]

I play with my 3 kids...I am also introducing them to Battletech also.....good luck and have fun!!

[@cheetahcheet675]

Movement 2:26 Action 6:52 Bonus Action 14:13 Reaction 16:24 Interactions 18:08

[@sw33py96]

Imagination 21:56

[@ericg7183]

My nephew is twelve, and wanted to play D&D. I am old school, I cut my teeth on the red Basic box set, the one with the Erol Otus artwork. The last time I played though, was D&D3e. For Christmas, he got the boxed Starter Set. We played through a rough session, with me as DM, and he, my other nephew, and my sister, all played and had a lot of fun. I have picked up the core books, and we will be playing once I get the feel for the game rules. Your videos are a huge help, and I have sent him the link to your channel so he can learn from you guys as well.

[@rokkfel4999]

That's ...thats beautiful man

[@Mandalorian2814]

Well I hope you've started enjoying 5e. I skipped over 4e. Like you I was 8, early 80's and my buddy's dad run the neighborhood kids in D&D the Red box. Been playing ever since. I have 3yr old when he's ready I'll learn him on some D&D.

[@nickreilly1011]

This is going to really help my pcs in combat. I didn't know most of these these rules a dm. Your guy's videos are really helping me become a better dm. Thanks for the intelligent and informative content.

[@DungeonDudes]

We're so flattered to hear that -- we hope this helps you make your games even more awesome than they already are. Never forget that the rules are a *tool*, not a straightjacket. Use them to help you tell memorable stories :)

[@aldrigvila]

Ive completely fallen in love with your channel. About to restart our DnD obsession 15 years later and Im allready 10 vids deep in your channel. You deserve WAY more subscribers so Ill do my part!

[@Siriagus]

Wow! This is probably the best video I seen explaining D&D Combat rules. I really like how you address a lot of misconceptions and includes som exceptions to the rules. In addition, you did a great job on the dialogue (keeping it short, but very clear and understandable). Thank you so much, Dungeon Dudes! :)

[@eruditecaptain3117]

I'm sure that someone else has pointed it out, but when the Dudes mentioned the size restrictions on moving through another creature's space, they referenced a Halfling moving through an Ogre's space. Halflings have a nifty, but oft forgotten racial feature called Halfling Nimbleness that lets them move through the space of a creature that is a size larger than them. Assuming they haven't been increased in size by magic, that means that Halflings can move through the spaces of any creature that is Medium or larger, unlike gnomes, goblins, and kobolds.

[@HundredYearsBoar]

Delivery, content and insight are all getting better every episode. This is an episode I have to show at least a few people I know who....get confused about just what they can do. Even politely reminding people that they might not be able to do something can be a point of contention apparently 😰 Edit: and there's so much in here that people have no idea they CAN do

[@DungeonDudes]

Thank you for the high praise! We're always happy to provide the "help" action to lend advantage to your game :) - Monty

[@HundredYearsBoar]

I’m waiting for the day that one of your videos doesn’t blow me away and I will let you know about it first hand...but that is not this day

[@Comicsluvr]

Watched this episode before the game today. Reminded me of Disengaging. Saved my ass during the fight a little while ago.

[@Cxdfc]

Hmm, if Kalik was a fighter he might be able to do some of that intro ~”run up” 10ft ~If the sword was on the floor: pick up the sword as part of the attack on the dragon. Drawing a weapon can be part of a weapon attack ~level 11 extra attack(Times 3): on a very injured dragon, you crit and DM asks how you want to theater of mind kill it... its an epic dragon fight so depending on how lenient they are they may let you gouge out the eyes ~”slide down its back” the rest of his movement. ~action surge: interaction with potion to give it to ally *If killing the dragon was end of initiative then the last of the movement and action surge wouldnt be needed, they could do whatever. OR use Action surge to spam attack dragon times 6. All this and he’d still have bonus action left over

[@Nr4747]

"pick up the sword as part of the attack on the dragon. Drawing a weapon can be part of a weapon attack" - nope ! Picking up stuff is a "free action", specificially an "object interaction". This is important because you only get up to one "free action" per turn, meaning you could not, for example, also open a door on the same turn without burning an action to do so.

[@xezzee]

Give me ruling as DM would: "I want to pull the dragon's eyes out" what would you require me to do? Assuming you make 1 attack targeting the eyes and only way we can do so rolling 20 with only thing it does is blinding the dragon and dealing no dmg: Wood elf, multiclasss 2lvl fighter 2lvls rogue and you can do this as Paladin lvl5... total lvl9. Cunning action and Action surge Feats Mobile and Dual-wielding ​@@Nr4747Shield is technically improvised weapon, with dual-wielding you can draw two weapons allowing our paladin to draw Rules as Written sword and shield as part of attack action. We move 10ft, do high jump use attack action to thrust the sword, climb up the gargantuan dragon spending 10ft movement and making successful Acrobatics check, we drop our weapons (letting go does not require any action) use our Extra Attack to target the eyes trying to pull them off, rolling 20 on attack critting pulling the eyes off, we run on the back of dragon as difficult terrain using out bonus action to dash and cover 20ft with cost of 40ft we jump off with front flip another Acrobatics check landing 15ft and run 15ft (max movement 90ft) next to our fallen comrade using our action surge to administrate healing potion brining him back to the fight. We satisfy everything else but "what do I need to pull off the dragon's eyes?" WE ARE PALADIN! Lay on hands ?!??

[@coreyl6221]

Good stuff! Even when I click on a video covering something I think I know I ALWAYS pick up something new from you guys. Had a player polymorph into a wolf when a wolf was stalking the party and then say she wanted to strike the canine "lets play pose". 1 successful persuasion check later a fight was avoided. Rest of the group was ready to throw down. If people know their options you just never know how problems will get solved😉

[@DungeonDudes]

Great ideas from your players. Really like that as an example of how the Druid gets to play "the negotiator" for a change! -- Monty

[@kyledrier8357]

haha amazing, that was really creative. It's opportunities like that which make D&D such an interesting and exciting experience.

[@bibbobella]

My PC's often just say stuff like "Okay I attack!" And then I desribe the effect of their attack and what it does. I don't really know how this started tbh but they seem to be enjoying it because since I know the hitpoints and the amount of damage/the effect the attack have on the monster I can describe what happens a bit more fluently rather than them telling me "I go up and a force my sword into his stomac!" And I then have to correct them and go "You attempt to force your sword into their stomac but they move slightly before you hit making the sword take a deep cut on the side of his stomac rather than through it." Now I don't mind this AT ALL it is just me getting some ideas as to how they want to attack and how to desribe it but it has slowly just turned to them going "Okay I attack with my long sword!" and I then describe the hit in details depending on if they hit and if they do how much damage they do. Works pretty well and they seem to enjoy it a lot and so do I..Only exceptions is if they are fighting a boss monster. In that case I go with Matt Mercer's way of handleing it and ask "How do you want to do it!" and they can then give me a quick idea of how they care to do it before I will describe it in more detail.

[@DestroAzureDx]

I think it's ok to correct your players for variety but hopefully not like a continuous thing

[@CosplayZine]

Maybe say what is going on in the scene and ask what they "Attempt to do" so that let's them know that what they are trying to do, may or may not work out the way they hope?

[@jordanhatt6824]

My DM describes how we attack unless we say how we want to do it and with kills he just asks how we wanna do it, that way we know it's a kill and he will let us do epic shit

[@jeremyjenkins250]

As a new player of D&D, thank you guys. You guys have clarified so many things for me.

[@markz221]

Totally love this video. Your KZbin channel is my go-to place for D&D info. You guys do such a great job of breaking things down in clear, simple terms. Super helpful and much appreciated!

[@jacquescelliers1491]

Love the video guys! Speaking of combat, I remember a game I played a while ago where I was at class at campus on a Saturday afternoon, but my friends had already begun the game. When I arrived at their house I heard the story of how my one friend's tiefling got slain in combat because he tried to take on several mercenary captains alone. Long story short, he angered some of the other players by playing recklessly all the time and just before he died, our bard had the ability to shove him out of the way to safety but instead chose to dash away and let him die at the hands of one of the captains. Guess the moral of the story is don't be a dick to your teammates otherwise they might run away and leave you to die.

[@DungeonDudes]

Ouch! Reminds me of the line "I'm not going to kill you, but I don't have to save you!"

[@jacquescelliers1491]

Dungeon Dudes Indeed XD

[@CouchMonkeyPumper]

DM's don't be afraid to throw your players off stuff, I had an orc warchief [Large] throw one of my players off a very high drop, instant death fall, what followed was a brilliant piece of play from the bard who dived off, grabbed the dwarf and cast dimension door to shoot back up on the balcony, definitely took some damage still, but didn't die.

[@samynov]

(5e edition) Once as a Cleric i was trap in a cell with manacle on my hands, i asked my DM to snap one of my tumbs in order to dislocate it and remove the manacle on my right hand, i lost 1 hp doing so and another 1 hp replacing it, but hands free i was able to cast healing touch to an ally who came to my rescue and who was 5ft away from the cell's bar and who was fighting my jailers. My Dm was impressed by my role play as it was my very first game of DnD.

[@AlexanderBaird]

I just recently got into D&D and these videos are super helpful! I have an awesome example of why using the environment is super fun. My friend and his level 3 party were being chased out of an old, decrepit windmill by a coven of witches which were like level 6 or 7. While the party was running for their lives, my friend cast “shatter” at the base of the windmill which was already leaning over. With some quick improv and some lucky rolls the DM determined that the building crashed down on the whole coven lol. I can’t wait to make my own experiences like that

[@mikesmith6438]

What about the Ready Action? A discussion of that one would be really helpful.

[@PMMagro]

Ready steady go. Just bribe the DM with snacks or drinks.

[@ThisGuy2330]

@@PMMagro Works every time!

[@MrSeals1000]

Did they ever make a video on the Ready Action? I feel like it could be very useful to help players understand so they can plan against enemy tactics, or be aware of how enemies can retaliate against the players tactics.

[@ericmariscal428]

I was hoping they would talk about that I have no idea how to implement it as a fighter character. I know range characters can ready an attack for enemies that move into their range. I just want to know all the options I have instead of just being a “I swing sword all of the time character” I’m trying to make my newest character more like an experienced and smart fighter instead of a dumb strong brute like my other characters.

[@finalfantasy50]

@@ericmariscal428 readied action doesnt really help as a fighter, you dont get multiattack, using polearm master to use attacks of opportunity when they enter and leave your range would be a better use of your reaction spellcasters get to use readied actions better for example readying a touch spell like spare the dying and have a familiar fly to a character that is making death saving throws and using your reaction to cast the spell when the familiar reaches your ally

[@shallendor]

Our Pathfinder DM, allows us to speak in character up to 10 words per combat round.

[@IamIK3]

Pathfinder sounds intense af compared to 5e lmao

[@narcozero8410]

Eze The Igwe Well i started with pathfinder and just recently moved to 5e. It’s pretty much the same, except in 5e there is only the rules that actually matter, and not buried within 30 feet (plus a modifier depending on the size of your brain relative to the depth of your skull, in inches, minus the number of pages of the monster manual you’ve read yesterday) of information you will never use.

[@IamIK3]

Narco Zero so like 5e but waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more detailed?

[@narcozero8410]

Yups. Modifiers everywhere. If you want the game to have a numerical answer to every single situation, pathfinder is the way to go. But it’s so precise that it’s impossible to remember everything, so you either improvise or reaaally slow down play to look at the manual everytime.

[@mstrswrdsmn21]

Yup. 5E characters are much weaker than their Pathfinder counterparts if we're directly comparing them. Pathfinder gets ridiculous really fast, which is why I prefer to DM 5E. Players are much more manageable and humble.

[@agentcoriolis9208]

19:35 very important advice. Not only is it meta-gaming, but it strangles the freedom of creativity when someone essentially hijacks your turn.

[@mythodude]

@ByronBanquo No no, you accept your fate as you're crushed between an instant fortress and a beholder. Or you murder/fire your party member. Kill your character before you kill the 4th wall.

[@McQu4Ck]

ByronBanquo My group/fellowship has had to deal with the same thing with our paladin/Dragonborn. Not paying attention to his size or how his spells work either. Almost killed my dwarf-cleric several times and even killed a npc guide we had by using his breath attack and accidentally knocking the ceiling down on us 😅

[@ronn-ammon8975]

ByronBanquo : People who can't be bothered with reading spell descriptions shouldn't play spell casters. I think they've the players the low-maintenance 5E fighter:Champion was created for. About the worst I played with was a guy whose 1st level Druid was, among other things, looking to find a grizzly bear to be his animal companion. He didn't wind as in Yogi's belly because he tried to get the rest of us to join him on a trip to the forest and fortunately, despite never having played a Druid, two of us still knew better. Your crew's wizard is definitely worst. Players like that should be REQUIRED to open up their Prayer's Handbook (presuming they have one, - and if not: to GET ONE) and read it like they're studying for an SAT; get & thoroughly read some appropriate spell cards as part of their "spell preparation"; or simply be barred from playing spell casters until they learn better.

[@tzarl]

Don't forget the 'help' action! This can be great for characters who aren't super adept at combat or for when you are disarmed or otherwise inhibited from making a regular attack.

[@toddgrx]

If you “help” on your turn, do you have to declare how you help? I don’t see how you would likely know/anticipate to “help” another pc needing to make a saving throw Or could you declare that before your turn and when it’s your turn you can only “help”?

[@SpoonOfDoom]

​@@toddgrx You use "help" on your turn to aid someone in a task, and when that character does the next skill check *for that task*, they gain advantage. So you can't just say "help" without specifying with what you help. You can also distract or otherwise make an enemy in front of you more vulnerable, which would then make the next attack an ally does against that target have advantage. Mechanically, I suppose you can think of it as putting a very specific buff on someone else (or a debuff on an enemy).

[@toddgrx]

@@SpoonOfDoom yeah. I can see those scenarios be anticipated but there aren’t many skill checks done during combat that you could foresee that would make you give up your other possible actions to “help” The “help” to distract could easily be foiled if a monster between you or your ally moves away. I’m really trying to figure out possible uses of all the “actions in combat” so I can help my players understand how they might be useful

[@MatthewLesnewski]

Great breakdown guys on Combat and all the nuances therewithin! Differently going to use this a go-to link for my player resources library.

[@DungeonDudes]

Thank you!

[@StormWolves12]

I'm actually here with a notebook taking notes lmao

[@nicolasvillasecaali7662]

My brain with many videos of this channel (even if I know it already): Write that down, WRITE IT!!

[@alertpenguin8403]

Same

[@silentbrhd999]

Whatever helps you out brotha.

[@TheFabel1337]

Haha, yeah it’s that good and in depth. Love the Dungeon Dudes! ;)

[@Subo23]

That’s how we do it

[@Krypticklefist]

This Web DM tribute opening is what this community is all about 🙌

[@patrickburns8471]

Thank you for this. My group are all over from 2nd throw Pathfinder. And first timers. The first timer had 5ed so I decided to move the game we started in Pathfinder to 5ed. Story is doing fine and we are all learning this now. But this video cleared alot up for me and I am going to share it with them. Ty

[@josephreynolds1220]

Thanks guys. I’m cramming for an adventure tonight after not playing since 2e. Very helpful.

[@generalsci3831]

Thanks for being a great reference, guys! This vid is helping an out-of-practice vet from the 3.5 days get back into the game with a sweet Human Cleric. :)

[@carlosrestrepo5344]

Rookie DM here. Thanks guys for making things just simplier. Now, when playing, me and my mates can spend more time enjoying the actual combat scene than checking rules.

[@pappinr]

Excellent video! You guys really need to publish a handy quick start guide to combat with all these excellent rules explained. Thanks!

[@markgarrett7428]

getting ready to DM my first campaign in...jeez....six years or so, and this video was a great refresher and I even learned some new things. Thanks guys! Subbed!

[@xxmartinixx11]

As a new dm who has played some games with experienced players and now dming some new players, I always look for ways to make things interesting and get my players to really get into it and this video has helped me out a ton, thanks guys

[@TheNaraShikaku]

4:44 this never made sense to me. If your walking speed is 30' and you walk 30', there shouldn't be any time left to fly half your flying speed. It should be proportional. For instance, if you walk 15', you can then fly 30' since you used half your time walking. But "specific beats general" I suppose, and the rules do concur with what he says in the video, strange as it may seem.

[@kosviik9584]

Then we get into the muddy territory of gameplay vs realism. Because while yes, you spent that time running slower and not flying, you could've kept flapping your wings, being in a semi-flying situation where it makes you run faster. Or giving a running start when the running speed is faster than the flying. It stops making sense however when we consider swimming, as being a fast swimmer doesn't help at all with the limited movement on land if we are going from land into water. And you have to be one hell of a fast digger for burrowing to make any sense in the picture... So all in all there are arguments towards both sides, and I think the current one is not only a nice middleground, it is also very easy to use because it is literally just "substract whatever you used from all others too".

[@G1ue5tick]

This was the most helpful video I’ve seen so far! My friends and I just started playing and I was elected DM. Omg I needed this breakdown, our combat is going to be so much better 😂 Thank you!

[@YoshionoKimochi]

The DMG have some awesome alternative actions that can be taken. Really good resource.

[@vanguardsmithing7501]

Haha again perfect delivery, no lengthy diversions, no me asking what about, about, about? Already getting now from these last two videos than the last 30 I've watched :D

[@BrianWoodard]

“Interaction” as it’s own thing was enlightening. Thanks!

[@Nate-fg4oe]

As a new DM, these videos are super helpful. Thanks dudes!

[@PaiOeShi]

Tiberius Stormwind could have watched this video a few more times.

[@InLiquidColor]

The intro of this video paired with this comment are gold.

[@Rise7Fall9]

I was thinking the same thing while watching lol.

[@KevinScott76]

Awesome! Thanks - I'm about to DM after 37 years of not doing it. Lots of great advice!

[@phedreparks5697]

As a new player I am SO grateful for this explanation! Thank you!

[@halkross9896]

Excellent explanation of the rules gentlemen. Thank you for the tutorial.

[@SaltyRedNeck444]

we have a house rule that drinking a potion can be a bonus action, if you have a specially made potion belt/bandolier.

[@dennisdavis6943]

That's a really cool item idea!

[@ShockAweGaming]

Good combat, and a good GM, can make or break a game. My combat example, albeit a BAD on, resulted in my walking out from a campaign. All characters were level 10, by creation. I was playing a Rogue/Assassin. My party members were 2 other level 10 Rogue/Shadowdancers. Campaign was a 3 part tournament: Battle against monsters, PvP, then a group battle. My group's PvM round came up in the arena, whereby the GM declared that it was now high noon, with no shadows, no cover, and he wouldn't allow us to sneak. Bullshit, but whatever. Later on in the SAME IN-GAME DAY our group's PvP round came, whereby the GM declared that is was noon (AGAIN), with no cover (AGAIN), with no shadows (AGAIN), and we couldn't sneak (AGAIN). I finally got sick of it and simply said I was going to try to assassinate one of the players we were fighting against by "sneak attacking" by having my character spring off the wall from behind another combatant, out of view of the person I was attacking. This took 30 minute (at table) of the GM refusing to allow it and me refusing to do anything else until he did allow it before we continued. Roll for acrobatics, natural 20. Roll for stealth, natural 20. Roll for attack, natural 20. GM response "You failed". I got up, took my character sheets, and left mid combat.

[@DungeonDudes]

Sounds like a brutal experience. I've been there myself, too. I totally have walked from a table with an antagonistic Dungeon Master that wasn't interested in facilitating a fun and rewarding experience. -- Monty

[@MrTailson1]

Yeah, screw that GM. That is someone who doesn't want to have fun, and is just trying to force players into unwarranted situations. I would have left too.

[@bibbobella]

Why the fuck would you go out of your way to punish players for picking a specific character/ability?..If you dont want them to sneak around, using stealth and all that then talk about that before starting the game otherwise just figure out some other way to combat it in a non bullshit way. Put them up against monsters that mostly go by smell so the characters either have think outside the box while attempting to sneak near the monster. Maybe they can try and get the wind in front of them so it will have a harder time getting to them or using some other survival tecknics like covering yourself in mud or dust or whatever to avoid it.. If it is in the middle of the day and there arent a lot of cover..fair enough might be way harder too find a hiding spot but it shouldn't be impossible..just really unlikely or tough to pull off. Hell I ran a turnament arc with my group not too long ago. One of them is a rogue that loves to hide and try to take quick shots before hiding again..I did not mind this one bit..but it was somewhat tough for him since the audience werent exactly being quite about it or nessesarily on his side sometimes even being bored about it so if he didnt hide in a place where the audience had a hard time seeing him..well then he would most likely get caught thanks to flying food towards his hiding spot or a bunch of people pointing to it or yelling it but I never said "you can't hide" ever..That would be removing his character's fighting style completly and that simply isn't fair..Just..made it a bit harder to pull off and forced not just him but also his teammates to try and distract the other guys in order to let him have a chance at not getting caught.

[@timhatched]

This sounds really fake

[@YoshionoKimochi]

Dude... you rolled 3 nat20... you succeed, I don't care what you were trying to do!

[@AVspectre]

I do appreciate this as I often forget some of my options available and certainly am not good at optimizing my turns. This should help.

[@chetmanly8831]

Greatly audible and clear dialogue, greatly helpful lads. Good work

[@ericsmith6996]

I would just suggest one change to what you've laid out: Rather than granting a player the ability to fully move in each mode ( running, flying, swimming, etc.), I would divide those into fractions. So, for example, a chracter with a running speed of 30 and a flying speed of 60 could spend half their movement in each mode (run 15 feet, then fly 30, or vice versa). That makes MUCH more sense. Other than than you guys rule! :-)

[@madthproductions]

Thank you for this video. It's single handedly improved my party's playing experience 20x, at least. And my DMing unmeasurably lol

[@equinox5546]

I'm a newbie and this guide helped allot in my adventures.. Thank you Dudes... :3

[@johnr7279]

Super job guys (dudes)! A part of what you're getting after, I think, is developing some D&D common sense. Does it makes sense that I can do 'X' during my turn, use it as a bonus action, move that far, or whatever? Applying some gaming sense like this helps players by being able to judge things for themselves before simply asking the DM if they can do it. Again, great job!

[@DungeonDudes]

Absolutely! A little bit of rules understanding, some good common sense, and a healthy dose of imagination, make the game really sing. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a player fixate on their character sheet or the rulebooks instead of using their imagination and common sense. The toughest part is that *sometimes* players don't get enough information from the DM to make good choices, so an important skill is knowing how to probe the DM for more description. -- monty

[@LeeLee-wj2oy]

Me and my buddies just started playing u guys have belped alot thank u

[@Emceemur]

Glad I found this! I do video games but Im branching into tabletop too. Ive been DMing since 1990. I will definitely stay tuned to this! I’m versed in 2nd edition but Im trying to learn 5th.

[@DungeonDudes]

Good luck! There's a lot of new lingo to pick up with 5e, but you'll master it in no time :)

[@Emceemur]

2nd is kind of incomplete in places and just tells the DM to “figure it out” or just do what “feels right”. You could build monuments to the amounts of shitty DMs out there. So 2nd gets a bad rap. Im already seeing OP clerics and some imbalance in 5e so I hope it evens out by the time I read the 3 core books through.

[@DungeonDudes]

5e has a *little* bit of "just figure it out" advice to DMs, but fortunately there's so many resources around now it's much easier for DMs to learn the ropes. There are imbalances in 5e, but they are almost all benign outside of deliberate exploits. Beyond their domains, the 5e Cleric has a surprisingly narrow spell list, for example.

[@shaneoleary451]

Emceemur eh clerics are not OP at all. Generally people are most "scared" of Sorcadin. The sorc. Pally mutliclass. However even that isn't bad. In 5e the most powerful classes are not that much more powerful than the weakest. Unlike past editions there is some balance. Of course some are better and some are worse but generally you have to try to make an unviable character. Unlike in the past where it became a challenge to some to even be somewhat viable by late game.

[@Emceemur]

Well that’s good stuff to know. I’m definitely looking forward to playing it. We’ve been in our 2nd edition campaign for 3 years straight now. I’m actually novelizing it!

[@devinjones1182]

The intro reminded me of two players I have xD at least every session I have to remind them that they have limits

[@kyledrier8357]

Great job guys, one of your best videos yet I'd say! Very helpful as always!

[@DungeonDudes]

Thanks!

[@ericsharp78]

As far as improvised action, I used my low level monk's staff to jam a windmill's gears to knock a goblin off of one of the moving vanes. Fall damage killed them. Lol

[@Jms2bond]

I needed this video, we started my first campaign. Curse of Strahd, and I'm dragging my group down not knowing everything I can do

[@teffsly]

Love this channel. Best DND advice and breakdowns, gets me pumped for game day. You both are super cool dudes and I want to see more from you guys. Maybe start a discord ?

[@jujujohnson01]

Thanks guys for explaining a lot, but little confusing sometimes explaining "what ifs."

[@benjaminlehmann]

Guys, this was fun. Thanks for your ideas and content.

[@dianawinters1411]

In tomb of annihilation, my character was pounced upon by an allosaurus, 1shotting them (but not killing them outright) My turn was next, and I rolled a nat 20 on my death save... followed by a free action to play dead using a performance check. I rolled a 19 (+5) Thankfully our entire arty was able to make it through the encounter with no deaths, but it was pretty dicey...

[@HealHealBangBang]

Love the Nintendo gear 💛 Looks slick! Great video, thanks!

[@DanelerH]

An action you didn't talk about was the Ready action. This was something I found myself researching thoroughly between sessions while we were fighting a Green Dragon. The dragon kept coming out of the water, attacking us, then going back in. We didn't really have a way of hitting it in there (that we noticed, at least). Instead, I looked into the Ready action. We spent our actions preparing to bombard the dragon with attacks when it came out of the water. The Ready action has become one of my favorite things to do on my turn when the DM has done something annoying (which was all fun and games until she had the enemies use their Ready actions to barrage us when we turned down a hallway a few sessions later).

[@DangStank]

Got my first session coming soon. (Not in person of course) Thanks for the guidance

[@o_xxie4135]

We made a spell/cantrip that allows the person to be given a bonus turn or x2movement and it recharges after every encounter/ every 5-10 turns depending on the encounter. Mainly because we had a support mage that would heal but we couldn't fight enough so this spell improves movement or lets you attack twice. Super cool because its a passive that is super helpful

[@o_xxie4135]

BTW WE WERE ALWAYS FIGHTING SWARMS BECAUSE IT WAS AN UNDEAD CAMPAIGN

[@AndrusPr8]

One of the most used bonus actions is commanding a familiar, unseen servant, conjured animal, etc.

[@Rippone]

So well explained. Love your videos. Thank you so much Dungeon Dudes!

[@MissTinaTv]

I've never played before (my brother did), so I'm here for a crash course ahead of Baldurs Gate 3 release next month. Thank you for your help!

[@Roylucky13]

I am a new dm and am just getting started playing with my wife and 2 little girls. This was a big help! Consider me subscribed and notified! I'll be looking into your other videos soon. Thanks again

[@PlantingMemories]

Glad I found your channel, this stuff is so helpful thank you!

[@Crainage1056]

I think listing of things that are going to be talked about in the video shown at the beginning would be a nice touch to the video, it would be easier to find what the viewer is looking for, overall I like it.

[@MrMoshmuma]

Great video guys. Really useful resource for new players!

[@DungeonDudes]

Thank you as always! :)

[@pikafoto-medieservice7360]

Thanks guys - really good content, first - but not the last - time I see you. Btw - your guy on the left is the spitting image of Liev Schreiber which is pretty cool ✌️😎

[@trequor]

As a DM, i love it when my players interact with each other during combat. I don't run my games like a damn funeral. As long as everyone is respectful when it comes to the player declaring actions, I think it adds to the experience to RP characters shouting to each other across the battlefield like "He's got me!" Or "I've got this one, help X" Or "Throw a fireball you fool!". It's just part of the fun in my opinion

[@destroyerinazuma96]

Session 1 I asked if shouting a simple word or two was a freebie. Thank God GM said yes. My Cleric woke up everyone in the camp with shout while shooting the monster to distract it from my surprised allies.

[@Knight_and_Dawn]

what would you class a perception check or an investigation check though? actively looking around etc.

[@Cryofax]

Helpful video. Though I have one quibble about movement. It seems wrong if you can run 30ft, and fly 60ft, that you could walk 30 and then fly 30 more on your turn (subtracting). If you break them down into % of your movement, 30ft on the ground takes 100% of your movement, as does 60ft flying. So logically you'd break those down that way. For instance move 15ft (50%) and then fly another 30ft (50%). Running 30 then flying 30 is like getting 150% of the effort/time it takes to move.

[@DungeonDudes]

Glad it helped! On the movement question: We pulled that information from this explanation under the header "Using Different Speeds" of the Player's Handbook, page 190: "For example, if you have a speed of 30 and a flying speed of 60 because a wizard cast the fly spell on you, you could fly 20 feet, then walk 10 feet, and then leap into the air to fly 30 feet more." It does seem strange, but it's not based on percentages. Basically, you always subtract any movement spend from each speed. -- Monty

[@Cryofax]

Sorry I should have clarified I thought the RAW were off in that case, you guys presented it correctly. It's obviously a bit easier, even if less realistic, to just do it that way than convert it into a percent of overall movement "energy". As if DMs don't have enough to worry about! :)

[@mrdirtycanuck6882]

Here’s a DM exercise you should try to teach the players (&new DM’s) the scope of a 6 second round in combat. At the first game session: go into your backyard (if you have space available) have some things set up 1) target A & B & C 2) an obstacle 3) a “potion on a table 4) an object to hop over and a bow/x-bow/dagger to throw at a target. Have each player run through 1-3 scenarios where they do actions in 6 seconds including moving. This is VERY fun to do, and develops in the characters minds how tight a round is. It’s really fun when you get everyone involved at the same time-this exercise will change the way you & your players perceive the level of skill their characters have, and how absolutely little they can see of an active battlefield (no they didn’t see the Wizard to the side casting that spell). This is an amazing way to get the players more into a thoughtful and tactically successful team. It just a simple real world timed exercise. And I believe a beautiful addition to a campaign

[@mrdirtycanuck6882]

And yes...my favourite action to watch in real time is someone trying to walk while pulling a scroll o rolled paper from a bag, reading 10 words aloud from it whilst dodging nerf darts and then explaining how they retain a dex modifier and can discern battlefield realities. So please add this to your campaigns, if not for anything other than a good laugh.

[@AlternityGM]

The 6 second action round is very unrealistic especially given all the complex actions/bonus actions/reactions that PCs can do in an action round per the 5e rules

[@mrdirtycanuck6882]

AlternityGM I agree wholeheartedly. That’s why I run a quick reality check session. It ends all absurd actions statements on the first session-no long winded monologues or attempts by players to bend time. I find they drop their combat communication to single word and calls “Flanking” etc-it leaves time for responses too. I’ve used this and it works for my groups. Might not be for all to try. I think the 1/round maybe a second or bonus action (circumstantially) is the best way to run a combat round. Or change it to 10 second rounds: 6 per minute

[@flashfan1122]

This is SUPER helpful! Thanks mates!

[@taleg1]

interaction that you dm might not allow, but actually would work a lot of the time: Kicking a stone toward your target as you move in to attack as a distraction.

[@WannaComment2]

8:52 Technically yes, monster can do this too, but this is the kind of thing that might just result in an instant death in many situations, so it's rarely something you actually want to do.

[@jasonz7788]

Thank you dungeon dudes

[@nickw2876]

Shopkeepers always have an assistant to provide "help" advantage to frustrate the charisma bard abusing all purchases...same with paired guards...etc

[@Mephiestopholes]

I should've thought of that a Long time ago. Well.. a long time ago was 3.5....

[@joshuaboger4681]

Thanks Dungeon Dudes. New DM here, you’ve made the process really fun and easy! My party thanks you! Can’t wait to see more!!

[@BlackShadow1991]

Thank you for the guide, Dudes :D

[@lightbornadventures]

That jacket and hat

[@frogfrogu]

At 15:40 Monty says, "[Or] rogues, which can actually transform main actions into bonus actions when they need to. They can dash disengage or hide as a bonus action instead of a main action." Just in case new players are watching, this statement needs clarification. The Cunning Action (PHB p. 96) grants the rogue the ability to use her bonus action for a dash, disengage, or hide action. To be clear, it's not used instead of an action, but in addition to an action. For example, in the same turn a rogue can legitimately (1) move for a movement action, (2) move for an action (a dash), and (3) move for a bonus action as allowed as a cunning action. The Dungeon Dudes are great, and I have learned a great dead about the game from them.

[@Surgicalshred]

My level one Wizard BLASTED a spectre hauling ass in the air with a Firebolt for the killing blow. I could just see the spell lighting up the vaulted ceiling in flight, as the lavender energy of the slain spirit dissipated in a haunting scream. It's almost like hallucinating when reading a juicy novel!

[@yager6627]

Good job. Super helpful

[@kdefensemartialarts8097]

Thank you for your videos.

[@mikesmith6438]

This is a great video! I learned a lot. Thanks, guys!

[@DebbieBuckland]

Very helpful

[@CalebeCopello]

Awesome video, helped me a lot.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Regarding potions, our DM has house ruled that drinking a potion is a free activity, but only one potion per turn. Feeding a potion to someone else uses your action. - He gave my battle master fighter with Defensive fighting style a shield that grants an extra reaction per turn. It's almost too powerful. - On interactions, in the middle of a combat, when we need to change weapons, about half of us will just drop the current weapon and equip the next one, hoping to pick discarded items later. We use this primarily when a fight transitions from ranged to melee.

[@joeseatat]

Spooked the horses attached to a carriage during my turn. They bolted and ran over several bad guys. So satisfying.

[@shannonjackson3040]

Do you have a video on underwater combat? If not I really hope you make one in the future. Your videos really have helped me learn about d&d.

[@paulkalogeras7333]

Can we have also some discussion on the ready action and how it works ? We had a lot of discussions in our party of how it can be utilized:) especially when holding a spell.

[@DungeonDudes]

Readying is tricky, but remember that when you ready a spell it uses up your concentration.

[@gabbygarant-grenon4911]

Hey guys, here’s my situation trying to understand the ready action. So buddy there cast Darkness on an area and there is 3 monsters in it. I am standing 10ft outside of the area (leaving 5ft outside just so a monster can step out) using the ready action to hold a melee attack with a longsword for as soon as a monster comes out of the darkness. Would my attack be triggered when that happens? Not sure if I understand the ready action properly. Thanks for replying

[@gearsoftheuniverse8316]

Great video! Thanks, dudes!

[@henryfleischer404]

I didn't know that dodge was an action! That's going to be very handy once my current character learns how to fly, as cover is going to be scarce in the sky.

[@davemontgomery7531]

Thanks guys! So clear👍

[@Char-22]

You guys are amazing!