DM David Hartlage
@dmdavid.com
D&D design, advice, rules, and inspiration from your friend DM David. He/Him dmdavid.com
When a character attempts an action and then rolls the dice, does the roll tell how well the character performs and nothing more, or can the roll reveal something about the world?
Monte Cook breaks down an essential concept for RPG designers and GMs. montecook.substack.com/p/roll-the-d...
Monte Cook breaks down an essential concept for RPG designers and GMs. montecook.substack.com/p/roll-the-d...
Roll the Dice and See
Today we’re going to talk about dice.
montecook.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
When a character attempts an action and then rolls the dice, does the roll tell how well the character performs and nothing more, or can the roll reveal something about the world?
Monte Cook breaks down an essential concept for RPG designers and GMs. montecook.substack.com/p/roll-the-d...
Monte Cook breaks down an essential concept for RPG designers and GMs. montecook.substack.com/p/roll-the-d...
(Still contemplating turn orders in TTRPGs.)
I've played some Savage Worlds and fail to get the appeal of random way it sets turn order: Deal standard playing cards and take turns by card rank. Repeat each round.
Seems like a lot of ceremony just for maximum randomness. What's the appeal?
I've played some Savage Worlds and fail to get the appeal of random way it sets turn order: Deal standard playing cards and take turns by card rank. Repeat each round.
Seems like a lot of ceremony just for maximum randomness. What's the appeal?
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
(Still contemplating turn orders in TTRPGs.)
I've played some Savage Worlds and fail to get the appeal of random way it sets turn order: Deal standard playing cards and take turns by card rank. Repeat each round.
Seems like a lot of ceremony just for maximum randomness. What's the appeal?
I've played some Savage Worlds and fail to get the appeal of random way it sets turn order: Deal standard playing cards and take turns by card rank. Repeat each round.
Seems like a lot of ceremony just for maximum randomness. What's the appeal?
Even if I didn't like Draw Steel, I would want to run it at the table just to build and use this incredible initiative tracking system @alphastream.bsky.social invented. alphastream.org/index.php/20...
My New Initiative Tracking System for the Draw Steel RPG
I get crafty and find an excellent way to track initiative in Draw Steel. I share how I made it, so you can too!
alphastream.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Even if I didn't like Draw Steel, I would want to run it at the table just to build and use this incredible initiative tracking system @alphastream.bsky.social invented. alphastream.org/index.php/20...
Games with player-driven turn orders like Draw Steel and Daggerheart have had me thinking.
I paged to Combat Sequence in 13th Age 2E. “Jonathan introduced cyclic initiative to F20 gaming 25 years ago and we are never going back.”
Opinionated. I like it.
I paged to Combat Sequence in 13th Age 2E. “Jonathan introduced cyclic initiative to F20 gaming 25 years ago and we are never going back.”
Opinionated. I like it.
How D&D Got an Initiative System Rooted in California House Rules
Some groups playing first-edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons might have run initiative by the book, but with the incomprehensible rules text, no one knew for sure. Besides, the full rules prov…
dmdavid.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Games with player-driven turn orders like Draw Steel and Daggerheart have had me thinking.
I paged to Combat Sequence in 13th Age 2E. “Jonathan introduced cyclic initiative to F20 gaming 25 years ago and we are never going back.”
Opinionated. I like it.
I paged to Combat Sequence in 13th Age 2E. “Jonathan introduced cyclic initiative to F20 gaming 25 years ago and we are never going back.”
Opinionated. I like it.
Look what arrived on my doorstep.
November 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Look what arrived on my doorstep.
People new to TTRPGs, especially kids, get excited by a game where they can try anything and watch the consequences.
Forget archery contests and carnival games for intro adventures; everyone's played games with rolls and outcomes. I want scenes with choices and consequences.
Forget archery contests and carnival games for intro adventures; everyone's played games with rolls and outcomes. I want scenes with choices and consequences.
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
People new to TTRPGs, especially kids, get excited by a game where they can try anything and watch the consequences.
Forget archery contests and carnival games for intro adventures; everyone's played games with rolls and outcomes. I want scenes with choices and consequences.
Forget archery contests and carnival games for intro adventures; everyone's played games with rolls and outcomes. I want scenes with choices and consequences.
In games with player-driven turn orders like Daggerheart and Draw Steel, what's your best suggestion for keeping play brisk? youtu.be/vy5LlRbKFFM
After you!
YouTube video by Kameon Quillen
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
In games with player-driven turn orders like Daggerheart and Draw Steel, what's your best suggestion for keeping play brisk? youtu.be/vy5LlRbKFFM
I’m a huge fan of this technique for introducing characters during an adventure’s imagined opening credits. Very fun and memorable!
Players who’ve never seen the A-Team often know the Borderlands games that use the same style. youtu.be/oYZmpMIwZss
Players who’ve never seen the A-Team often know the Borderlands games that use the same style. youtu.be/oYZmpMIwZss
My Go-To Technique for RPG Character Intros!
YouTube video by Alphastream
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I’m a huge fan of this technique for introducing characters during an adventure’s imagined opening credits. Very fun and memorable!
Players who’ve never seen the A-Team often know the Borderlands games that use the same style. youtu.be/oYZmpMIwZss
Players who’ve never seen the A-Team often know the Borderlands games that use the same style. youtu.be/oYZmpMIwZss
In an real fight, everyone acts at the same time. Burning Wheel reflects simultaneous activity by resolving every action before applying all results at once. Results include wounded, killed, unbalanced, or knocked prone.
This strikes me as brilliant and perhaps too different from what I'm used to.
This strikes me as brilliant and perhaps too different from what I'm used to.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
In an real fight, everyone acts at the same time. Burning Wheel reflects simultaneous activity by resolving every action before applying all results at once. Results include wounded, killed, unbalanced, or knocked prone.
This strikes me as brilliant and perhaps too different from what I'm used to.
This strikes me as brilliant and perhaps too different from what I'm used to.
What the D&D 2024 Alert feat feels like to me.
Black Bart goes for his gun, his gang raises weapons, and then the heroes take a time out to discuss who should have the quickest draw today.
Black Bart goes for his gun, his gang raises weapons, and then the heroes take a time out to discuss who should have the quickest draw today.
November 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
What the D&D 2024 Alert feat feels like to me.
Black Bart goes for his gun, his gang raises weapons, and then the heroes take a time out to discuss who should have the quickest draw today.
Black Bart goes for his gun, his gang raises weapons, and then the heroes take a time out to discuss who should have the quickest draw today.
On last night's d20Play Live stream, @d20play.bsky.social and I perused some randomly selected Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn. "What Wakes Below" stood out with the strong ideas and situations a DM needs to build 500 words into a full session. The wonderful map could be a campaign!
November 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
On last night's d20Play Live stream, @d20play.bsky.social and I perused some randomly selected Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn. "What Wakes Below" stood out with the strong ideas and situations a DM needs to build 500 words into a full session. The wonderful map could be a campaign!
Adventures in Faerûn takes a different slant on the Dalelands than the old sources I researched for my last campaign. But the new-to-me angle gives me exciting ideas.
November 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Adventures in Faerûn takes a different slant on the Dalelands than the old sources I researched for my last campaign. But the new-to-me angle gives me exciting ideas.
When I set my last D&D campaign in Daggerdale, I read lots of old Dalelands books. Still, Adventures in Faerûn lures me back to the Dales.
Myth Drannor as a megadungeon analog? Yes, please. The place’s disparate locales avoid the risk of monotony and the nearby Dales offer other, bigger stories.
Myth Drannor as a megadungeon analog? Yes, please. The place’s disparate locales avoid the risk of monotony and the nearby Dales offer other, bigger stories.
November 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
When I set my last D&D campaign in Daggerdale, I read lots of old Dalelands books. Still, Adventures in Faerûn lures me back to the Dales.
Myth Drannor as a megadungeon analog? Yes, please. The place’s disparate locales avoid the risk of monotony and the nearby Dales offer other, bigger stories.
Myth Drannor as a megadungeon analog? Yes, please. The place’s disparate locales avoid the risk of monotony and the nearby Dales offer other, bigger stories.
Just about D&D 2024 game includes a PC with the Alert feat, which delays the start of each fight with a minute of talk about who wants to swap. I'm thinking about the play value of discussing who goes next. So much of that in Draw Steel and Daggerheart.
Do the benefits merit the game time?
Do the benefits merit the game time?
November 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Just about D&D 2024 game includes a PC with the Alert feat, which delays the start of each fight with a minute of talk about who wants to swap. I'm thinking about the play value of discussing who goes next. So much of that in Draw Steel and Daggerheart.
Do the benefits merit the game time?
Do the benefits merit the game time?
My Halloween night spectacle. #TheMusicalBox
November 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
My Halloween night spectacle. #TheMusicalBox
I've touted Affinity Publisher as outstanding alternative to InDesign, available at a modest, 1-time price. Today Affinity combined Publisher with their illustrator and photo editing apps and made it all free. The catch? Affinity owner Canva hopes you'll subscribe to an AI add-on.
October 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I've touted Affinity Publisher as outstanding alternative to InDesign, available at a modest, 1-time price. Today Affinity combined Publisher with their illustrator and photo editing apps and made it all free. The catch? Affinity owner Canva hopes you'll subscribe to an AI add-on.
I like how well Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn realizes the potential of D&D 2024’s weightier backgrounds and origin feats. The book’s setting-specific additions bring the flavor of the Realms.
October 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I like how well Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn realizes the potential of D&D 2024’s weightier backgrounds and origin feats. The book’s setting-specific additions bring the flavor of the Realms.
When a character does something noteworthy, give a short, vivid description of the event—or invite the player to describe it. Focus on describing the big spells, stunts, transformations, setbacks, and feats of valor.
October 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
When a character does something noteworthy, give a short, vivid description of the event—or invite the player to describe it. Focus on describing the big spells, stunts, transformations, setbacks, and feats of valor.
Draw steel only allows respites in places where heroes are "unlikely to get stabbed in their sleep." The new Heroes of the Borderlands requires PCs to return to the keep for long rests. This sort of limit adds interesting choices, avoids 5-minute days, and I want it for D&D's core.
October 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Draw steel only allows respites in places where heroes are "unlikely to get stabbed in their sleep." The new Heroes of the Borderlands requires PCs to return to the keep for long rests. This sort of limit adds interesting choices, avoids 5-minute days, and I want it for D&D's core.
When 4E let D&D characters split their movement around an attack, combatants gained the ability to move into view, shoot, and then move back out of view. To counteract, the game needed readied actions. "When an enemy moves into view, I shoot."
October 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
When 4E let D&D characters split their movement around an attack, combatants gained the ability to move into view, shoot, and then move back out of view. To counteract, the game needed readied actions. "When an enemy moves into view, I shoot."
Erol Otus drew art for Dave Hargrave's Arduin Grimoire (1977). Later on TSR staff, Erol drew the regional map for White Plume Mountain with the caption, "Beyond to the lair of Dragotha, the undead dragon, where fabulous riches and hideous death await." An electrifying bit of flavor!"
October 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Erol Otus drew art for Dave Hargrave's Arduin Grimoire (1977). Later on TSR staff, Erol drew the regional map for White Plume Mountain with the caption, "Beyond to the lair of Dragotha, the undead dragon, where fabulous riches and hideous death await." An electrifying bit of flavor!"
I’m playing at a table and feeling the sympathetic restlessness of watching our DM and knowing she must be running way long.
Good news is she knows it and plans adjustments
Good news is she knows it and plans adjustments
October 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I’m playing at a table and feeling the sympathetic restlessness of watching our DM and knowing she must be running way long.
Good news is she knows it and plans adjustments
Good news is she knows it and plans adjustments
I had a blast playing @jamesintrocaso.bsky.social demo of any early version MCDM’s grittier dungeon crawl RPG, CROWS. It matches the strong mechanical foundation of Draw Steel with a lightweight, tense dungeon survival style.
But I’m sorry my spell misfire killed @shawnmerwin.bsky.social’s PC.
But I’m sorry my spell misfire killed @shawnmerwin.bsky.social’s PC.
October 18, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I had a blast playing @jamesintrocaso.bsky.social demo of any early version MCDM’s grittier dungeon crawl RPG, CROWS. It matches the strong mechanical foundation of Draw Steel with a lightweight, tense dungeon survival style.
But I’m sorry my spell misfire killed @shawnmerwin.bsky.social’s PC.
But I’m sorry my spell misfire killed @shawnmerwin.bsky.social’s PC.
Fun and informative! Played @alphastream.bsky.social‘s trap gauntlet interspersed with discussion of trap design. Key quote: “You just learned something important,” but not key for the reasons you might think.
October 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Fun and informative! Played @alphastream.bsky.social‘s trap gauntlet interspersed with discussion of trap design. Key quote: “You just learned something important,” but not key for the reasons you might think.
At GameHole con, playing Grim Hollow. The party learns of an NPC named Darrin. Hours of play later, we find him possibly under some enchantment. I get to organically ask, “Does Darrin seem bewitched?”
Do I credit (blame?) DM @joeraso.bsky.social or author @shawnmerwin.bsky.social for this delight?
Do I credit (blame?) DM @joeraso.bsky.social or author @shawnmerwin.bsky.social for this delight?
October 17, 2025 at 12:47 AM
At GameHole con, playing Grim Hollow. The party learns of an NPC named Darrin. Hours of play later, we find him possibly under some enchantment. I get to organically ask, “Does Darrin seem bewitched?”
Do I credit (blame?) DM @joeraso.bsky.social or author @shawnmerwin.bsky.social for this delight?
Do I credit (blame?) DM @joeraso.bsky.social or author @shawnmerwin.bsky.social for this delight?