Encounter Math, Bastions, New Acq Inc, and More!

I return from Gamehole Con energized to create videos, design, and blog! You can hear Shawn and I talk about Gamehole on the podcast (or YouTube).

Adventure Tools for 5E 2024

I’ve updated my Adventure, Encounter, and Monster Designer to version 2.0, covering the new encounter design math found in the 2024 game! I also updated several of the Rules tables.

And I’m already working on the next update, including fully updated gold and magic item tables, Bastions calculators, and more! As always, you can get the tools by joining my Patreon.

Reviewing the 5E 2024 DMG

That revised encounter math? I made a video about the encounter math changes! And a video about how the 2024 DMG updated traps, and another on what is awesome about the new Bastion system… and a video looking at what could have been better about Bastions. (If you are reading this on the web site, the videos are viewable below, or click on the links above.)

Creating these videos has really helped me analyze how 5E has changed and what I like about both D&D and other RPGs. Move videos to come! If you have particular topics you would like to see covered, let me know on the Patreon Discord or in comments here.

Lots of Gaming Will Lead to Blogging

Prior to Gamehole, I was writing very little as I focused on a second day job to pay for college (we are now “empty nesters,” with two kids in college). I am fortunate to have been able to get some great home games in the meantime, including playing Blade Runner, Alien, Deadlands, Call of Cthulhu, Coriolis, 5E, and more all in the past few months.

This is all providing additional ideas for my blog series on new campaigns. So, expect more to come both here and in video form.

Design

Similarly, I am working on one of my own projects, dusting it off and moving it forward in my spare time. I have turned down some really great contracts this year as I first focused on college tuition and now on my own projects. If I am going to help pay for college with design and not just my day job, I have to do better than an hourly rate!

However, I did just see a prior project released! The awesome team at Penny Arcade asked Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Shawn Merwin, and me to work on a new 5E Acquisitions Incorporated Supplement, Acquisitions Incorporated: Annual Report! New subclasses, spells, magic items, franchise campaign ideas, and more! It was amazing to work on this and I want everyone to see Scott and Shawn’s incredible work. Did we create a spell version of rideshares? Yes. Did we create spells for renting a magical apartment and getting grub magically delivered? Yes and yes. Wait till you roll to see who last inhabited your magical rental unit! The supplement just came out this week to backers of the recent Acq Inc Series. Penny Arcade says they will make it available for sale in the near future. Stay tuned!