All Things RPG

The Fighter in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is often seen as the bread-and-butter martial class—straightforward, reliable, and always ready for combat. But beneath its surface simplicity lies one of the most customizable and tactically flexible classes in the game. Whether you want to be a heavily armored tank, a graceful archer, or a deadly duelist, the Fighter can do it all—and do it well. In this guide, we’ll dissect the Fighter’s mechanics, highlight its powerful subclass options, and break down the expert tactics that separate novice warriors from seasoned champions. Fighting Style: Early Customization At 1st level, Fighters gain a Fighting Style—passive bonuses that help define their combat role. Key options include: Defense: +1 AC while wearing armor. Great Weapon Fighting: Reroll 1s and 2s on damage with two-handed weapons. Archery: +2 to ranged attack rolls. Dueling: +2 damage when wielding a single one-handed weapon. Each choice helps refine your b...

The Druid in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a versatile and powerful class, drawing its strength from the natural world. Capable of shaping into animals, calling upon elemental forces, and healing allies, the Druid is a true force of nature. However, despite its adaptability, the Druid requires careful management of spells and abilities to truly harness its potential. In this guide, we’ll explore the Druid’s core mechanics, delve into its most iconic features, and offer expert strategies for mastering this shape-shifting, nature-wielding class. Druid Mechanics: A Deep Connection to Nature Spellcasting: The Core Feature   Druids are full spellcasters, meaning they have access to powerful spells from 1st level onward. Their spell list focuses on: Healing (Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Regenerate) Crowd control (Entangle, Spike Growth, Wall of Thorns) Elemental damage (Call Lightning, Flame Blade, Ice Storm) Utility and exploration (Pass Without Trace, Speak with Animals, Water Br...

The Bard in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is the ultimate jack-of-all-trades. With an expansive spell list, powerful support abilities, and surprising combat versatility, the Bard thrives in almost any situation. Whether charming foes, inspiring allies, or weaving magic through song and story, this class is perfect for players who love adaptability and creative problem-solving. However, despite its versatility, the Bard has some mechanical nuances that make it more complex than it first appears. In this guide, we’ll break down the Bard’s strengths, explore its deeper mechanics, and provide expert strategies for excelling in and out of combat. Bardic Mechanics: More Than Just a Performer  Bardic Inspiration: The Core Feature  The heart of the Bard’s utility, Bardic Inspiration grants: A bonus die (starting at d6, scaling to d12) that can be added to attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws. A limited number of uses per long rest (equal to Charisma modifier) until rep...

The Barbarian in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition  is the ultimate melee bruiser. With unparalleled durability, explosive damage potential, and a primal fury that shrugs off pain, this class is a favorite for players who love to wade into battle fearlessly. However, despite its simplicity, the Barbarian has deeper mechanics than many realize—some of which are hotly debated among D&D veterans. In this guide, we’ll dive into the Barbarian’s strengths, explore its mechanical quirks, and provide expert tactics for dominating combat. Barbarian Mechanics: More Than Just Rage Rage: The Core Feature The foundation of the Barbarian’s power, Rage grants: Advantage on Strength-based attacks. Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. Bonus damage on melee weapon attacks. This combination makes the Barbarian highly resistant to weapon-based enemies while boosting offense. However, Rage has limitations: it only lasts for 1 minute, ends if you don’t attack or take damage o...

For those of us who have been rolling dice since the days when THAC0 was a thing, the changes in D&D 5.5 feel like a strange shift in priorities. Wizards of the Coast has replaced the term “race” with “species,” revamped ability scores to be completely customizable, and pushed for more real-world representation within the game’s lore. The stated goal is to be more inclusive, to give players more freedom in character creation, and to remove “problematic” elements. But let’s be honest—D&D has always been inclusive. The idea that the game was somehow restricting people from telling the stories they wanted is revisionist nonsense. When we talk about orcs, elves, gnomes, and dwarves, we’re not talking about human ethnicities—we’re talking about wildly different fantasy beings with distinct physiologies, cultures, and in many cases, entire cosmological origins. Comparing a towering, brutish orc to a nimble, crafty gnome isn’t about skin color; it’s about fundamentally different speci...

Hey fellow adventurers, I just wanted to share something special with you. The La Notte Eterna 5e BackerKit preorder store is closing on February 28, 2025 , and if you're into dark fantasy, rich lore, and fresh mechanics for D&D 5e, this is something you’ll want to check out. You can find all the details here: lanotteterna.backerkit.com Why La Notte Eterna 5e Stands Out After a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign that raised €82k , this setting has built a growing community of players who are diving deep into its world. I’ve been following it for a while, and what really sets it apart is how it blends an epic, immersive world with mechanics that make 5e feel fresh again. Innovative Mechanics That Change the Game New races, subclasses, and backgrounds designed for a world of perpetual darkness A magic system that introduces exciting new spellcasting options World events like celestial meteors that can change the course of a campaign Balanced challenges for all levels , ...

I’ve been running D&D games for years, and one thing is clear—players love breaking the mold. Not everyone wants to be a knight in shining armor, a noble paladin, or a selfless cleric. Some players crave something darker, something more ruthless. Enter Heroes of Evil for 5.5E, a new supplement that flips the script on traditional heroism and lets players embrace their inner villain. I had the chance to run a session using some of the subclasses, and let me tell you—this book doesn’t just tweak existing options. It completely changes the way you think about character creation and game mechanics. What’s Inside? This Kickstarter is bringing 12 brand-new subclasses , one for each of the core classes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. But these aren’t just rebranded versions of familiar archetypes—these are built from the ground up to embody treachery, cruelty, and raw power. Take the Path of the Butcher for barbarians—it rewards you for sacrificing allies' safety to fuel your own blo...

The world of tabletop RPGs is more vibrant than ever, but for many passionate players, the true magic of Dungeons & Dragons lies in its old-school roots. Across the globe, dedicated communities are keeping the spirit of classic D&D alive, embracing the nostalgia, tactical depth, and storytelling freedom that defined the game's early days. From Latin America to Asia, Africa to Oceania, RPG enthusiasts are gathering in local game shops, online forums, and convention halls to roll dice, craft epic adventures, and celebrate the legacy of old-school D&D. This list highlights some of the most dedicated old-school Dungeons & Dragons communities worldwide, but it's by no means exhaustive—we welcome readers to share their own favorite groups and initiatives! North America: The OSR Movement and Classic Enthusiasts In the United States and Canada, the Old School Renaissance (OSR) movement has gained significant traction, reviving classic D&D gameplay through dedicated ...