u/DMJM_91

Im preparing to run Storm Kings Thunder merged with Tyranny of dragons for a level 1-20 campaign.

Will be using the 5.5e and therefore the new monster manual.

I really like that the hill giant has a version of the Topple Weapon Master (prone on melee hit) and have been thinking about adding weapon masteries to the other to martial focused Giants, Frost and Fire.

I would like to add Cleave to the frost giant and Graze to the fire giant.

For Cleave I would remove the once per turn, thematically the attack is like a sweeping attack hitting multiple creatures with one stroke.

For Graze I’m think that the damage would be equal to the fire damage of the Fire Giants Flame Sword attack only. Thematically this would be that the heat from the sword is so intense that even though the attack missed you, you take some damage.

What do you think in, how much of an impact would this have on the CR of the Frost and Fire Giant?

Rules for reference.

Cleave PHB p214
If you hit a creature with a melee attack roll using this weapon, you can make a melee attack roll with the weapon against a second creature within 5 feet of the first that is also within your reach. On a hit, the second creature takes the weapon's damage, but don't add your ability modifier to that damage unless that modifier is negative. You can make this extra attack only once per turn.

Graze PHB p214
If your attack roll with this weapon misses a creature, you can deal damage to that creature equal to the ability modifier you used to make the attack roll. This damage is the same type dealt by the weapon, and the damage can be increased only by increasing the ability modifier.

Im preparing to run Storm Kings Thunder merged with Tyranny of dragons for a level 1-20 campaign.

Will be using the 5.5e and therefore the new monster manual.

I really like that the hill giant has a version of the Topple Weapon Master (prone on melee hit) and have been thinking about adding weapon masteries to the other to martial focused Giants, Frost and Fire.

I would like to add Cleave to the frost giant and Graze to the fire giant.

For Cleave I would remove the once per turn, thematically the attack is like a sweeping attack hitting multiple creatures with one stroke.

For Graze I’m think that the damage would be equal to the fire damage of the Fire Giants Flame Sword attack only. Thematically this would be that the heat from the sword is so intense that even though the attack missed you, you take some damage.

What do you think in, how much of an impact would this have on the CR of the Frost and Fire Giant?

Rules for reference.

Cleave PHB p214
If you hit a creature with a melee attack roll using this weapon, you can make a melee attack roll with the weapon against a second creature within 5 feet of the first that is also within your reach. On a hit, the second creature takes the weapon's damage, but don't add your ability modifier to that damage unless that modifier is negative. You can make this extra attack only once per turn.

Graze PHB p214
If your attack roll with this weapon misses a creature, you can deal damage to that creature equal to the ability modifier you used to make the attack roll. This damage is the same type dealt by the weapon, and the damage can be increased only by increasing the ability modifier.

We just finished a campaign and the next one in your group to DM said he might wanted all of the players to use D&D beyond because he might want to use the new map feature.

I’ve always been a pen and paper player but if the DM wants me to use D&D beyond I will.

But I know very little about the site. What are your best tips and tricks for D&D beyond?

I’m an software engineer so no need to hold back on more technical details or advanced features.

I think the equipment section desperately needs an buy button and not just an add button.

The buy button should have a input field with the default cost already added which can be changed by the user. When they buy is completed the gold should be removed automatically and the purchase should be denied if the user has insufficient gold.

The Frost Druids from Rime of the Frostmaiden is kind of insane now with the new 5.5 edition.

I’m particularly thinking about Conjure Animals.

The Frost Druid has one 5th level spell slot and only awaken as a 5th level spell which I won’t use in combat. So using the 5th level spell slot for conjure animals seams like the best use of the high level spell slot. Meaning 5d10 slashing from that spell.

Spell for reference

PHB'24 p254

Conjure Animals

Level 3 Conjuration

Casting Time: Action

Range: 60 feet

Components: V, S

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

You conjure nature spirits that appear as a Large pack of spectral, intangible animals in an unoccupied space you can see within range. The pack lasts for the duration, and you choose the spirits' animal form, such as wolves, serpents, or birds.

You have Advantage on Strength saving throws while you're within 5 feet of the pack, and when you move on your turn, you can also move the pack up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see.

Whenever the pack moves within 10 feet of a creature you can see and whenever a creature you can see enters a space within 10 feet of the pack or ends its turn there, you can force that creature to make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 3d10 Slashing damage. A creature makes this save only once per turn.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 3.

I would have liked it if I used more conditions and more magical effects for the players to deal with during combat. For example, we rarely see the frightened or charmed conditions in our fights—or poisoned, etc. There are lots of spells that we never use because of that. The same goes for magical effects. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dispel Magic or Counterspell used in combat when we play.

It ends up meaning that all spells get chosen as offensive, damage dealing ones. It could be fun to add another layer of complexity to combat, so it becomes more than just “first to 0 HP loses.”

What Monsters would you recommend I run with to use these ideas in my games?

Which once would you caution against?