The Law of Surprise has been declared! But how does it work in D&D 5e, exactly? And more importantly, what kinds of things do players and DMs need to keep in mind when playing as and with a character who wants to stealth and surprise as often as possible?

Also, a Quick Ruling on Verbal Components of spells (can they be whispered?)

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
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Intro:(0:00)
Quick Ruling - Verbal Components:(3:13)
The Law(s) of Surprise:(15:26)
Tips for playing with Surprise:(31:21)

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

This week's D&D 5e character build is another Duo or Team up, meant to be played with you and a friend - one of you is the Wolf: a pack leader, a protector, a front-line damage dealer, and the other is the Coyote: a trickster and a prankster who hits like a ton of bricks. I hope you enjoy!

Link to the Druids: Secrets of the Primal Circle Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/druid-secrets/druids-secrets-of-the-primal-circle

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
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Character Concept:(0:00)
Video Sponsor - Homebrew Games:(6:01)
Level 1:(11:42)
Levels 2-6:(19:04)
Levels 7-9:(42:21)
Levels 10-13:(56:44)
Levels 14-17:(1:05:15)
Final Thoughts:(1:10:57)

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https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive
https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson

Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dxc3eoBKjvrVOJ9ujmC2jg3jBLhOEgqMWByiZGsH19M/edit?usp=sharing

Master Team Up Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q1R2S1BLRyf6FjnomB2nY262eIF3-fHGQMvwt3imKX4/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?582779-Comprehensive-DPR-Calculator-(v2-0)

Music Credits:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400019
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

After a rousing festival, the party gathers to plan their next move. As they do, the looming question hanging over their heads is who has contracted Eve to bring in Ezra and his book and can they be trusted?

Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
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Follow us here:
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Recap (0:00)
Intro (15:18)
Breakfast (15:43)
Dealing with a Chef (31:00)
Naturebrew Ritual (44:27)
Heading out on the Long Road (1:09:45)
Moar Troll Combat (1:24:03)
A Construct In Need (1:52:11)
Delicious Dinners and Luna Berries (2:05:26)
Outro (2:18:28)

Characters
Cory - DM
Dallin - Ezra (Half Orc/Half Elf - Wizard 3)
Scott - Bolt (Warforged - Artificer 3)
Torrey - Eve (Half Elf - Paladin 3)
Colby - Seredan (Half Elf/Half Dwarf - Warlock 3)
Preston - Victor (Genasi - Rogue 3)

Character Sheets - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wvtT4k0kh8SUFvMdCBehasSKhrgJC349?usp=sharing

Music Attributions:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

This is the talkshow portion of the channel where we chat about D&D 5e news, rules, and how to ensure that everyone at your table is having as much fun as possible. So come slide into my DMs as, this week, we discuss:

Quick Ruling: Do the various bite attacks in game stack with each other?

Metagaming: What are the various ways players (and DMs) Metagame, is it really that bad, and tips for curbing it at your table.

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join

Follow us here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive
https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson

Intro:(0:00)
Quick Ruling - Biting:(2:21)
Metagaming - Setup:(14:59)
Ways players Metagame:(17:52)
Ways DMs Metagame:(19:44)
Why is it bad?(30:31)
Tips for tempering it:(39:36)

Today's D&D 5e build is a burst / nova damage character that is a bit of a pyromaniac who just wants to watch the world burn. In their defense, they *are* descended from dragons... 

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive
https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson

Character Concept:(0:00)
Level 1:(8:30)
Levels 2-6:(16:05)
Levels 7-9:(29:29)
Interelude:(42:22)
Levels 10-13:(46:37)
Levels 14-17:(54:39)
Final Thoughts:(1:05:55)

Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gmiUDdO7y1aj6xZ4caU142i1-VN-4nM9z0Ej4zEoKsk/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?582779-Comprehensive-DPR-Calculator-(v2-0))

Music Credits:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...​
Artist: http://incompetech.com/​
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...​
Artist: http://incompetech.com/​
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...​
Artist: http://incompetech.com/​
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...​
Artist: http://incompetech.com/​
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...​
Artist: http://incompetech.com/​
Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...​
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...​
Artist: http://incompetech.com/​

A new D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana was announced this week, and the sorting hat is going to put you in house Lorehold, Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, or Witherbloom. Which will it be!

Also, a pseudo quick-ruling on Darkness!

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
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Follow us here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/​
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Accidental Quick Ruling & Aneria chat:(0:00)
Mages of Strixhaven Overview:(7:11)
Silverquill College:(15:38)
Witherbloom College:(28:00)
Prismari College:(37:47)
Lorehold College:(48:16)
Quandrix College:(1:03:16)

A mysterious shard of light in hand, the party can finally make their way out of Hollowbend Sanctum and back to Six Hills. But one more challenge stands in their way...

Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-n...

Follow us here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/​
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized...
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized​
http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized​

Recap (0:00)
Intro (17:33)
A Curious Object (17:59)
Friendship and Other Rewards (46:09)
Scavengers (1:03:49)
Rounding out the Night (1:56:12)
Outro (2:35:01)

Knife Dancer Subclass information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jc_R...

Character Sheets - https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

Fireballs, Lightning Bolts, and Nova damage, oh my! If you want to blast large groups of enemies to smithereens with big AOE burst damage, no one does it better than the Evoker. Let's see just how far we can stretch that Area of Effect damage in a single turn...

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive
https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson

Character Concept:(0:00)
Level 1:(11:26)
Levels 2-6:(16:11)
Levels 7-9:(34:38)
Levels 10-13:(54:30)
Levels 14-17:(1:01:42)
Final Thoughts:(1:08:48)

Something dark and sinister lies within hollowbend sanctum, can our party best the challenges ahead and defeat the evil within The Ember Forrest?

Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu
Treven's Journal Entry here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu/a/treven-s-journal-02---hextari-document

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join

Recap (0:00)
Intro (19:42)
Respite In the Main Chamber (20:06)
Crystal Doors and Moving Floors (32:50)
Break a Leg! (57:24)
An Auspicious Chest (1:41:45)
The Darkness Within (1:57:36)
Levelus Interruptus (2:04:36)
The Darkness Part 2 (2:16:20)
The Aftermath (3:25:04)

Characters
Cory - DM
Dallin - Ezra (Half Orc/Half Elf - Wizard 3)
Scott - Bolt (Warforged - Artificer 3)
Torrey - Eve (Half Elf - Paladin 3)
Colby - Seredan (Half Elf/Half Dwarf - Warlock 3)
Preston - Victor (Genasi - Rogue 3)

Knife Dancer Subclass information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jc_Rumqvm7dji9KLjpEtrW3Kye6lWpD3/view?usp=sharing

Character Sheets:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wvtT4k0kh8SUFvMdCBehasSKhrgJC349?usp=sharing

Music Attributions:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Exotics by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100233
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Double Drift by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100254
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Darkest Child A by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100783
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
"Gothamlicious" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Magistar" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Stay the Course" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Come slide into my DMs as we discuss:

Quick Ruling: Conjure Animals/Woodland Creatures - who picks the creatures and how?

Longer Convo: A chat about Homebrewing classes/subclasses and an overview of the new subclass Cory has created: the Knife Dancer!

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join

Intro:(0:00)
Quick Ruling - Conjuration Spells:(2:20)
Knife Dancer Overview:(19:18)
Level 3 Features:(25:49)
Level 9 Features:(38:46)
Level 13 Features:(40:16)
Level 17 Features:(43:58)
Final Thoughts:(46:51)