2CGazette - Designer's Diary — Game Design

Crafting Story-Significant Magical Items: Ensuring Uniqueness and Irreplaceability

Dungeon Master ELCC Game Design Magic Items

Dive deep into magic item creation with the Epic Legacy Campaign Codex!   The Art of Crafting Magical Items In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, story-significant magical items have the potential to enrich a campaign's narrative and create lasting memories for players. While we previously discussed the importance of relevance and compatibility when introducing plot-significant magical items, it is equally vital to ensure their uniqueness and irreplaceability. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the art of crafting magical items that leave a lasting impression on your players and elevate your storytelling.   Step One: Unleashing Creativity with...

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Breaking Down Spellcasting: The Math Behind the Magic

Dungeon Master ELCR Game Design Spellcasting

Magic in the Epic Legacy Core Rulebook derives from concepts in this post! In Dungeons & Dragons, magic is a powerful and versatile tool that can be wielded by various classes. To fully harness the potential of spellcasting, understanding the underlying mechanics and math is crucial. This blog post will delve into the calculations behind spellcasting, covering concepts such as spell save DC, spell attack modifier, and damage scaling. By grasping these principles, you can optimize your characters and enhance your gameplay experience.   Spell Save DC When a player casts a spell that requires a saving throw, the target...

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The Evolution of Bards - From 3rd to 5th Edition

ELCR Game Design Players

Check out the Epic Bard in the Epic Legacy Core Rulebook Bards have long been an iconic class in Dungeons & Dragons, known for their versatility, performance skills, and magical prowess. From their humble beginnings in 3rd Edition to the more refined and complex 5th Edition, bards have experienced significant changes in their abilities, roles, and playstyles. In this blog post, we will explore the evolution of bards from 3rd to 5th Edition D&D, discussing the key differences and developments in each iteration.   3rd Edition Bards In 3rd Edition D&D, bards were primarily viewed as a support class, with a...

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Choosing What to Detail and What to Leave Open for Interpretation in RPG Content

Dungeon Master ELCC Game Design Meta-Concepts

A plethora of DM tips & tricks in the Epic Legacy Campaign Codex!   The Art of Detailing in RPGs As a Dungeon Master, you hold the power to create immersive and engaging worlds for your players to explore. One of the keys to achieving this is knowing when to provide detail to various areas of your game and when to leave aspects open for interpretation. This balance can help you create a captivating setting, while also allowing your players the freedom to imagine and contribute to the story. In this blog post, we will explore how to strike the right...

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The Role of Non-Combat Spells in D&D Monster Design

Dungeon Master ELCR Game Design Monsters Spellcasting

Epic combat & non-combat spells in the Epic Legacy Core Rulebook When it comes to designing monsters in Dungeons & Dragons, it's easy to focus on their combat abilities and damage output. However, non-combat spells can play a crucial role in creating more interesting and engaging monster designs. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of non-combat spells in monster design and offer tips on how to incorporate them effectively into your game.   The Value of Non-Combat Spells While combat is a significant aspect of D&D, non-combat spells can bring a different dimension to encounters and help create...

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