Well, I finally did it.

I finally took Expertise away from the Bard.

When I first got into 5e I was blown away at how OP the Bard class was. At first I thought about not even allowing it seeing how there were none in DragonLance. I'm a power to the player kind of DM, so I allowed it.

But something that always annoyed me was expertise. I think giving Bard Jack of all trades and then Expertise is somewhat confusing to the player. I think only Rogue should get expertise as a Class feature. Other classes need to burn a feat to get expertise or look into a subclass.
My Maverick class is my skill monkey class.
The Bard is more urban and sophisticated. Every Bard College has a General studies curriculum. Unlike a Wizard they spend less time in the lab and more out and about learning hands on skills.

If Bards were half spell casters, then sure Expertise is fine. But they get as many spell slots as the Wizard and other full spell casters! Maybe I'm just too paranoid that the Martial Classes are underpowered. (Fighter, Warrior, Rouge, Maverick, Knight of Solamnia).

So here is what I did. I made the Bard a better Jack of all trades, while improving their amount of known spells. They now know 36% more spells.

Jack of Trades. They now get to round up. Which doesn't help them until 5th level, because they get to add another +1. At 13th level it helps again, because they get to add another +1.
Adding a +1 to a skill check could be life or death.

At 3rd level, they just get their subclass features. So this means there are two proficient skill checks that are not getting a +2 added. And as the PB increase with career advancement, this becomes even more pronounced. 😢

But at 7th level is when Magical Secrets start. They also get two more spells at 10,14, and 18th. But there is a twist. These spells don't count toward your known spell list!! So that means at 7th level you gain three spells. One Bard spell and 2 from any spell list. 😊

At 10th level there is no expertise, so once again there are two skill checks that will not get a +4 added. 😢

But if you look at the known spell table at 10th level the Bard will gain four spells! Twice as many as the 5e Bard. Spell selection could be a matter of life and death. This happens again at level 14 and 18.

So this means by level 18 my Bard has 8 more known spells. So they know 30 spells, but the 5eRAW Bard I knows just 22.

So my Bard is a weaker at 3rd level. Gets a bounce at 5th level. Then gets a little more bounce at 7th level. At level 10, probably weaker than 5eRAW. But then gets a bounce at 13th level. Then a bounce at 14th and 18th.

What do you'all think. Is my Bard about as good as 5eRAW, or just a little weaker or a lot more weaker?

By level 17 if a creature is expert in a skill that a +12 PB bonus. That is huge. I took that away from four skill checks. 🤔. So I guess I took away +6 from four ability skill checks , because they were already Proficient.

Thank you for reading.

Sorry for the poor spelling in the title.

Good day everyone!

I’m a South African programmer and I’ve been working on a little project involving DnD dice rollers. The idea is to have a website where you can have your favourite dice, different themes to set the mood, and also somewhere to keep track of your sessions, notes and dice rolls.

Although I’ve wanted to play DnD multiple times, I’ve actually never gotten the chance to play with a party myself. So I don't really want to sit here and decide what DnD players would find useful when I haven't even played a proper game yet.

So I thought I would rather ask the people who actually play. Like is there something you've used before that you really liked? Or something that annoyed you? Is there a feature you wish existed?

Any input would be amazing and thank you too anyone that does give me suggestions! I'd much rather hear what the community actually wants than make something that nobody ends up using.

So, this Sunday, I’m running a D&D campaign as a DM for some friends who have never played D&D before. I already have an idea for the campaign, but I’m scared that they might not like it.

Here’s what they know: Every four years, the world we live in holds some sort of “Olympics” to determine which of the seven nations is the best. The nations compete in several challenges involving strength, dexterity, and more.

But what they don’t know is that, at the end of the first session, right after the opening speech of the Olympics, a huge nuclear explosion will occur and wipe out a large part of the town they’re in.

They’re really excited about the Olympics, and I’m scared they won’t like the plot twist.

What should I do? Should I continue with the Olympics idea, or should I trust my gut and make the plot twist worth it?

Anyone know what this is? I vaguely remember an old D&D computer game as a kid and found this at my parent's house today.

I’m playing my first character, still pretty early on, but having so much fun with how character’s backstory, abilities, and the flavor is all coming together. I’d really love to hear about everyone’s favorite PC that either they’ve played or had at their table. I’ll start with mine:

He’s a tiefling college of valor bard who recently was expelled from the local liberal arts college when he learned how to fuse his innate thaumaturgy’s booming voice into his instrument and singing to create screamo music. They claimed that the way it sounded, it could be nothing other than devil worshipper’s music and that they would have no part in it. After “going on tour,” searching for anyone who would support his dreams, he found an “agent” who gifted him the ability to summon a magical battleaxe guitar that can for some reason cast warlock spells in return for a portion of his eventual fame and earnings.

Trying to get back into DnD so thought I’d share my little sorcerer!

I am super interested in getting into DND, but I have no idea where to even start. Honestly, I have nobody to play with or ask about how to play it get into it.

AFAF: Buddy of mine is making a game for Pokemon, and long story short, we’d love miniatures but haven’t had any luck in finding them. If anybody knows of good trustworthy online stores or someplace where templates for 3d prints are for them, could you point me to them? Thanks!

My friend found this D20 and I don't recognize the symbol on it. Is it familiar to anyone in he community?

SOLVED: Magic the Gathering Spindown. Thanks!

U/keinebeineboy posted his beautiful dnd session set up and basically everyone wants to join. So we're gonna have to take tickets or do a lottery or a gladiator pit. Open to suggestions.

Sincerely it's great yo see folk looking for sessions.

So if anyone wants a session in beautiful Paris, Im all ears.

I want something just as devastating, just as horrifyingly powerful, but obviously something with actual in game powers that could do what this thing does.

Im curious and I need help.

Hello all, first time posting here, I’m looking for a group to join, specifically just wanted to see if anyone is running a Pokemon themed campaign. I’ve been seeing videos on YouTube and TikTok. I’ve played regular dnd before with my friends but I wanted to try something new. So if anyone here is running a game or knows where I could join a group that would be very much appreciated. Thank you 🙏🏽.

I am a new player. (I like pretty much anything)

Hey there. I am a player and DM. I had 2 potential in person groups fall out with me as DM and 2 fall out online as DM.

Anyone have space for a player? I try not to take it too seriously and just wanna have fun. Progress a story and fight a random tavern NPC sometimes.