Like Dragon Like Son

This week we discuss everything Armor Class. From how to calculate the old THAC0 to the bounded accuracy of 5E's system. We dive into the spells, feats, and races that can boost AC. And we take cover and dodge around to find more ways to keep from getting hit -- we even come up with a way to boost AC to 30, if only for 6 seconds. Stick around to the end for the actual maths on which class will giv...

Conditions are a fundamental component to D&D, but are often misunderstood, or poorly applied. We discuss better ways to use everything from grappling to poisoned, from incapacitated to invisible -- and we even offer a couple of new conditions. Don't be stunned by our unrestrained conversation that is prone to being charming. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oa...

We take a look into the newest announcement of D&D settings: Spelljammer. While we don't yet know all the details of how 5e will be different from 2e (the last time we saw official Spelljammer content) there are a few things we do know. Join us as we unpack this setting and look at some of its new monsters. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oatway where they dis...

Sometimes we get misled by the name of a subclass, and probably none more so than Oathbreaker. We discuss where this unusual subclass comes from, the weird quirks it offers, and how to build something better. We also clear up the old javelin vs. spear debate (and why your Paladin might want to switch to spears). And we do some comparisons with Warlock, noting how Paladins are about the oath they m...

From the decks of a ship to the bottom of the ocean, nothing says adventure like the life at sea. This week we look at ways that players and DMs can create characters and environments well adapted to water-borne combat. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oatway where they discuss everything D&D, from character builds to personal experiences. Stay tuned for new ep...

With the release of the adventure, Call of the Netherdeep, D&D has a few new aberrations to check out. Generally as a cohort of creatures, Aberrations probably don't get looked at as much as Dragons, Giants, Fey or Fiends. But there is plenty of interesting ideas for unusual settings, or strange and terrifying twists thanks to the alien nature of these creatures. Join us to unpack some Aboleth...

Good DMs tell their players how to improve, but GREAT DMs use NPCs to show their PCs how to live up to their true heroic potential. But there are many NPC pitfalls to avoid. This week we look at a few different types of NPCs that can change the dynamic, and maybe help the PCs in a less obvious way. Join us as we delve into Sidekicks, Rivals, Survivors and Adversaries. Welcome to Like Dragon Like S...

Death can be a real bummer -- especially if you didn't see it coming. While it has always been a part of the D&D experience, how you handle that experience as a DM or a player can be the difference between tears or cheers. Join us as we explore how to make death meaningful to players and the campaign. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oatway where they discuss e...

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a DM can be the time you spend creating a world for your players to adventure within. For those considering building a setting for a campaign, or even those who have done this before but want to up their game, we offer enthusiastic words of advice from our own experience. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oatway where they...

Ever needed to carry more stuff than your strength allows? Looking for a place to hide your party for an hour? Maybe your need to imprison a dozen of your enemies? Or store 27,000 cubic feet of gold coin? Whatever your storage needs, we've got you covered this week with our guide to extradimensional spaces. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oatway where they discuss...

Sometimes we find ourselves grinding through battles only to reduce our foes to zero hit points -- and frankly, that can get a bit boring. So this week we look at different ways you as either DM or player, can spice up combat by re-focusing the combat objectives away from simply killing everything, towards other more unusual and interesting objectives. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast ho...

Sometimes as DMs we tend to over do it. And when it comes to treasure, it's easy to shovel out mountains of gold. But then what do you expect players to do with it? What if they start spending it in ways that de-rails the game? This week we look at some creative options for reducing player wealth. From taxes and thievery, to property investment and hired henchmen -- there are a multitude of ways t...

'Twas the night before Mid-Winter Fest and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a Brigganock. Join us for our annual look at the magic items we hope to see under the tree this year -- with a special focus this season on the best items in the game: Artifacts! Jack discusses how he has cutom built artifacts for all the players in his game, and we look at how to improve on the...

There are so many interesting feats that you will never get to play. Well you could, if you didn't value an ability score bump more. So here's our hot take: with more and more feats being introduced into the game, why not let everyone take one or even two more just to round out their character? Join us as we look at the new Strixhaven feats, and talk a bit about Jay's new Triton character build (a...

If you are really lucky, maybe you will get a chance to play a long campaign with the same group of players over months, maybe even years. Through countless adventures, the PCs have become seasoned heroes, and now they must face one last challenge: how to say goodbye. This week we look at what needs to happen before the final curtain falls on your campaign. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podca...

While many players try to optimize their damage output, we find ourselves asking: How do we optimize our support output? It's not as glamorous to take the help action, or dodge action on your turn -- but if done well, and combined with a few object interactions, you might soon find yourself significantly boosting the damage output of everyone else at the table. Join us as we look at how to play th...

Having spent some time digesting Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, we set out to put the book to the test: cooking up our very own Brass Dragon. We show you how to roll up the characteristics and features that quickly lead not just to a unique boss monster, but to an enticing NPC that a whole campaign could revolve around. Fizban's Treasury reminds us of our recent forays in designing the Casion Dread...

We believe that class design should be about archetypes not stereotypes. Currently, however, all monks kind of look the same, and it takes real effort to style them into something less obvious. That means taking a step back and looking at the whole class differently, and in particular how to use Ki differently. What else could it be used for? How could that lead to very unique subclasses that all...

It's that time of year when we launch our adventurers into the realm of horror to confront the creatures that we love -- love to scare them with at Halloween that is! Join us as we count down our favorite fright night beasts of the season. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack Oatway where they discuss everything D&D, from character builds to personal experiences. S...

Bidet, fellow critters! We are super excited about the new season of Critical Role that begins today. And in anticipation, we have gone and had a look at Marquet, the continent on which the campaign is set. As well as looking back on some of the exciting contributions that Critical Role has made to 5e, we also make a few predictions of things we'd hope to see. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a po...

This week we take a journey beyond our Crystal Sphere, out into the multiverse -- bolding exploring new races being playtest in the latest Unearthed Arcana release. Join us for Giff, Plazmoids, Autognomes and more! We look at our favourites among the stars, and discuss what the realease of the Spelljamer setting would mean for 5e. Welcome to Like Dragon Like Son, a podcast hosted by Jay and Jack O...

With the recent release of new Feywild source books, we look at the highlights that we love about this new dimension of D&D. We dig into new races, new monsters, new magic items -- and a new way to build a fey campaign setting that is very similar to how the Domains of Dread were laid out in Van Richten's Guide. Join us as we build an Archfey, and their Domain of Delight, and set the stage for...

With the new Feywild camapign setting just around the corner, we look at some of the existing mythology of the Feywild, of the Seelie Court and the Gloaming Court, of the Archfey who make up each court, and of the popular culture (and folklore) you can draw upon to make this your own setting -- and how easily the stories of such a place can be told. We also look a bit at some of the existing class...

So, you've decided to make a new character. Though you might be tempted by the simplicity and comfort of human, we encourage you to take a look at all of the possibilities out there in the Forgotten Realms (and beyond!). This week, we discuss which race gives you the best setup for early game mechainics and long-term roleplay. From Tortles to Yuan-Ti, we lay out each D&D race, picking apart wh...

The age old question: is it better to award XP, or to gain levels at set milestones? Is there a way to do it so that it doesn't go too fast? Or too slow? To encourage richer style of play, or encourage better attendance at the table? These are the carrots of progress the DM must weigh, and distribute to the worthy. This week we talk about our experiences with experience,. Welcome to Like Dragon Li...