THE GOLDEN RULE

ESSENTIALS
Only ask for a roll when there’s a chance of success, a chance of failure, and a meaningful
consequence of failure. A player’s actions should be phrased as a goal and an approach.

ABILITY CHECKS
Ability Skill1
Charisma Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion
Dexterity Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Intelligence Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion
Strength Athletics
Wisdom Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival
1. For passive skills, if you have advantage, add 5; for disadvantage subtract 5
2. Intelligence is deductive reasoning and interpretation (Sherlock Holmes investigates)
3. Wisdom is awareness and senses (Tarzan perceives)

“WHAT DO YOU DO?” DIFFICULTY CLASSES

There are only two admissible responses to the question Task Difficulty DC
“what do you do?” And neither one involves the name of a
Easy 10
skill.
Moderate 15
• The player can ask a question about the world or the Hard 20
situation. Very Hard 25
• The player describes an action they are taking, doing so
as if the adventure were a book and they were the Nearly Impossible 30
protagonist
 MOVEMENT
ADVENTURING JUMPING
Long Jump • Move at least 10 feet and jump your
Strength score in feet. For a standing long jump, jump half
that distance. If you land in difficult terrain, you must
succeed on a DC10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check,
otherwise you land prone. You may be asked to succeed on
a Strength (Athletics) check to clear a low obstacle no
taller than a quarter of the distance.
High Jump • Move at least 10 feet and jump 3 + your
Strength modifier in feet. For a standing high jump, jump
half that distance. Additionally, you can extend your arms
half your height above yourself during the jump.
SPECIAL MOVEMENT
Crawling • Costs 1 extra foot of movement (2 extra feet
in difficult terrain).
Climbing and Swimming • Costs 1 extra foot of
movement (2 extra feet in difficult terrain), unless you
have a climbing or swimming speed. You may be asked to
succeed on a Strength (Athletics) check to climb a
slippery surface or gain forward momentum in rough water.
Flying • You fail if you’re knocked prone, your speed is
reduced to 0 feet (such as when being grappled), or if you
otherwise lose the ability to move, unless you’re hovering
or being held aloft by magic. You instantly descend 500
feet and if you’re still falling, you depend 500 feet at the
end of each turn.
Special Travel Pace • When you are traveling with a flying
speed or a speed granted by magic, vehicle, or a natural
force, translate that speed into travel rates using the
following rules:
• In 1 minute, you can move a number of feet equal to your
speed times 10
• In 1 hour, you can move a number of miles equal to your
speed divided by 10.
• In 1 day, multiply your hourly rate of travel by the number
of hours traveled.
• For a fast pace, increase the rate of travel by one-third.
• For a slow pace, multiply the rate by two-thirds.
TRAVEL PACE
Pace1 Minute Hour2 Day
Fast 400 ft. 4 mi. 30 mi.
Normal 300 ft. 3 mi. 24 mi.
Slow 200 ft. 2 mi. 18 mi.
1 You move at half speed in difficult terrain (moving 1 foot in difficult terrain costs 2 feet of speed), so you can cover
only half the normal distance in a minute, an hour or a day.
2 Make a Constitution saving throw at the end of each hour beyond 8. The DC is 10 + 1 for each additional hour. On a
failed saving thrwo, you suffer one level of exhaustion.
SURVIVAL
EATING AND DRINKING
Food • A PC needs one pound of food per day but can
make food last longer by subsisting on half rations. Eating
half a pound of food in a day counts as half a day without
food. A character can go without food for a number of days
equal to 3 + their Constitution modifier (min. 1). At the end
of each day beyond that limit, the PC gains one level of
exhaustion. A normal day of eating resets the count of
days without food to zero.
Water • A PC needs one gallon of water per day, or two
gallons per day if the weather is hot. A PC who drinks only
half that much water must succeed on a DC 15
Constitution saving throw or gain one level of exhaustion
at the end of the day. A PC with access to less water than
half of what they need automatically gains one level of
exhaustion at the end of the day, If the PC already has one
or more levels of exhaustion, they take two levels.
RESTING
Short Rest • A period of downtime, at least 1 hour long,
during which you do nothing more strenuous than eating,
drinking, reading, or tending to wounds. At the end of a
short rest, you can spend one or more hit dice. For each hit
die spent, roll the die and add your Constitution modifier.
You regain hit points equal to the total (minimum of 0). You
can decide to spend an additional hit die after each roll.
Long Rest • A period of extended downtime, at least 8
hours long, during which you sleep for at least 6 hours and
perform no more than 2 hours of light activity, such as
reading, talking, eating, or standing watch for no more than
2 hours. If the rest is interrupted by a period of strenuous
activity • at least 1 hour of walking, fighting, casting spells,
or similar adventuring activity • you must begin the rest
again. You can’t benefit from more than one long rest in a
24•hour period and you must have at least 1 hit point at
the start of the rest to gain its benefits. At the end of a
long rest, you regain all your hit points and half your hit dice
(min of 1).
Effect
5 to passive Wisdom (Perception) scores
Can use stealth
ENVIRONMENT MAGIC

ADVENTURING
SENSES ITEMS
Blind Sight • Within a specific radius, perceive Identifying • After a short rest, you learn the magic item’s
surroundings without relying on sight. properties. Tasting a potion identifies its properties
without a short rest.
Darkvision • Within a specific radius, see in darkness as if
it were dim light. You have disadvantage on Wisdom Attunement • After a short rest, you become attuned.
(Perception) checks that rely on sight. You can’t discern Magic items can only be attuned to one PC at a time, and
color in darkness, only shades of gray. you can attune to no more than three different items.
Attunement ends after death or after the item has been at
Tremorsense • Within a specific radius, detect and
least 100 feet away for more than 24 hours. You can
pinpoint the origin of vibrations, provided that you and the
voluntarily end attainment with a short rest.
source of the vibrations are in contact with the same
ground or substance.
Truesight • Within a specific radius, see in normal and
SPELLS
Copying a Spell • A wizard spell of 1st level or higher can
magical darkness, see invisible creatures and objects,
be copied if it is of a level you can cast. For each level of
automatically detect visual illusions and succeed on
the spell, it takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp. If the spell is
saving throws against them, and perceive the original form
from a scroll, you must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana)
of a shape changer or a creature that is transformed by
check with a DC of 10 + the spell’s level. Whether the
magic. Furthermore, you can see into the ethereal plane
check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
within the same radius.
Using a Spell Scroll • If the spell is on your spell list, you
can cast it without providing any material components. If it
LIGHT SOURCES is of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must
Source Bright Dim1 make an ability check using your spell casting ability to
Candle 5 ft radius + 5 ft determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals
Lamp 15 ft radius + 30 ft 10+ the spell’s level. Whether the check fails or the spell
is cast, the scroll crumbles to dust.
Torch 20 ft radius + 20 ft
Bullseye 60 ft cone + 60 ft CASTING
Hooded 30 ft radius + 30 ft Spell Attack Modifier • Spell casting ability modifier +
1 Added to your normal vision proficiency bonus.
Spell Save DC • 8 + spell casting ability modifier +
GETTING IN & OUT OF ARMOR proficiency bonus.

Category Don 1 Doff 2 Armor • Wearing armor without proficiency in it prevents

spell casting
Light 1 min 1 min
Target • You must have a clear path to your target.
Medium 5 min 1 min
Heavy 10 min 5 min Concentration • Taking damage while casting a spell
forces a Constitution saving throw equal to aDC 10 or half
Sheild 3 1 action 1 action
the damage received, whichever is higher. Failing the save
1 You benefit from the armor’s AC only if you take the full interrupts the spell. Casting another spell with
time to don it. concentration, being incapacitated, or being killed also
2 With help, reduce this time by half
interrupts the spell. You don’t need to be within line of
3 Shields are strapped to the arm
sight or within range to maintain concentration on a spell,
unless a spell’s description or other game feature says
LIFTING AND CARRYING otherwise.
Carrying Capacity • Your carrying capacity is your Stacking • The effects of two different spells combine
Strength score multiplied by 15. and their durations overlap. The effects of two of the
same spell do not combine. Instead, the most potent
Push, Drag, or Lift • You can push, drag, or lift up to twice
effect applies while their duration overlap.
your carrying capacity. While pushing or dragging weight in
excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 ft. Rituals • You can spend 10 additional minutes and cast
rituals without using a spell slot. Rituals can’t be cast at a
higher level.
 ORDER
COMBAT ON YOUR TURN, YOU CAN…
• Communicate with speech and gestures.
• Move a distance up to your speed. You can break up your
movement, using some of your speed before and some
after.
• Interact with one object as you move or take an action.
• Take one action; see Actions
• Take one bonus action, when a feature of the game
states that you can do so; you otherwise don’t have a
bonus action to take.
• Take one reaction, on yours or someone else’ turn. The
most common reaction is an attack of opportunity.
SPECIAL RULES
SURPRISE
The DM determines who might be surprised. If you’re
surprised, you can’t move or take an action on your first
turn, and you can’t take a reaction until your first turn
ends.
ATTACK OF OPPORTUNITY
As a reaction, you can attack an enemy that you can see
before it moves out of your reach. You don’t provoke an
attack of opportunity when you teleport or when
something moves you without using your movement,
action or reaction.
WEAPON PROPERTIES
Ammunition • Recover half your ammunition by taking a
minute to search the battlefield.
Finesse • You can use either your Strength or Dexterity
modifier for attack and damage. You must use the same
modifier for both rolls.
Heavy • Small creatures have disadvantage on attack
rolls
Light • See Two•Weapon Fighting.
Loading • You can only fire once when you use an action,
bonus action, or reaction.
Range • When attacking a target beyond normal range,
you have disadvantage.
Reach • Add 5 feet to your reach.
Thrown • You can throw this weapon to make a ranged
attack. Use the same ability modifier that you would for a
melee attack.
Two•handed • Weapon requires two hands.
Versatile • Weapon can be used with one or two hands.
The damage value in the parentheses is the two•handed
damage.
ACTIONS
ON AN ACTION, YOU CAN…
Attack • Make a melee or ranged attack. When an enemy
is within 5 feet of a ranged attack, you get disadvantage
on the attack roll.
Cast • Cast a cantrip or spell of 1st level or higher. If a
spell was cast with a bonus action, only a cantrip with a
casting time of 1 action can be cast. When an enemy is
within feet of ranged spell attack, you get disadvantage
on the attack roll.
Dash • Gain additional movement equal to your speed,
plus any modifiers you have, for the current turn.
Disengage • Movement doesn’t provoke attacks of
opportunity for the rest of the turn.
Dodge • Until the start of your next turn, any attack roll
made against you has disadvantage if you can see the
attacker, and you make Dexterity saving throws with
advantage. You lose this benefit if you are incapacitated
or if your speed drops to 0.
Help • Aide one creature with a task, giving it advantage
on the next ability check if makes for the task.
Hide • If a creature can’t see you clearly, compare your
Dexterity (Stealth) check with its Wisdom (Perception)
check or passive Perception. To that creature, you are
now hidden • unseen and unheard. Attack rolls against
you from it have disadvantage, and your attack rolls
against it have advantage. When you make noise or
conduct an attack, you give away your position regardless
of hit or miss.
Ready • You may act later in the round using your
reaction.
1. Decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger
your reaction.
2. Choose an action you will take in response to the
trigger, or you can move up to your speed in
response to it.
3. When the trigger occurs, you can either take your
reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the
trigger
You may ready a spell with a casting time of 1 action.
Holding onto the spell’s magic requires concentration.
Search • Depending on the nature of your search, make a
Wisdom (Perception) check or an Intelligence
(Investigation) check.
Use an Object • You normally interact with one object for
free as you move or take an action. However, when an
object requires your action for its use, you take the Use
an Object action. This action is also useful when you want
to interact with a second object on your turn.
SPECIAL ACTIONS
DAMAGE
Use the attack action to grapple a creature no more than
one size larger than you. Using at least one free hand, you
must succeed on a Strength (Athletics) check contested
by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check; the target chooses. The target is now
grappled. You can move the grappled creature with you, but
your speed is halved, unless the creature is two or more
sizes smaller than you.
SHOVING
Use the attack action to shove a creature no more than
one size larger than you. You must succeed on a Strength
(Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength
(Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check; the target
chooses. The target is now either prone or pushed 5 feet
away from you; your choice.
SQUEEZING
You can squeeze through a space that is large enough for a
creature one size smaller. You must spend 1 extra foot for
every foot you move (2 extra feet in difficult terrain), and
you have disadvantage on attack rolls and Dexterity
saving throws. Attack rolls against you have advantage.
TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING
When you attack with a light melee weapon, you can use a
bonus action to attack with a different light melee
weapon. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage
of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative. If
either weapon has a a thrown property, you can throw the
weapon.
MOUNTED COMBAT
Mounting or dismounting costs an amount of movement
equal to half your speed. If an effect moves the mount
against its will, you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity
saving throw or fall prone. If you are knocked prone, you
must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall off the
mount. If the mount is knocked prone, you can use your
reaction to dismount and land on your feet. If the mount
provokes an attack of opportunity, the attacker can target
you or the mount.
MAGIC
COMBAT
CASTING
Spell Attack Modifier • Spell casting ability modifier +
proficiency bonus.
Spell Save DC • 8 + spell casting ability modifier +
proficiency bonus.
Armor • Wearing armor without proficiency in it prevents
spell casting
Target • You must have a clear path to your target.
Concentration • Taking damage while casting a spell
forces a Constitution saving throw equal to aDC 10 or half
the damage received, whichever is higher. Failing the save
interrupts the spell. Casting another spell with
concentration, being incapacitated, or being killed also
interrupts the spell. You don’t need to be within line of
sight or within range to maintain concentration on a spell,
unless a spell’s description or other game feature says
otherwise.
Stacking • The effects of two different spells combine
and their durations overlap. The effects of two of the
same spell do not combine. Instead, the most potent
effect applies while their duration overlap.
Rituals • You can spend 10 additional minutes and cast
rituals without using a spell slot. Rituals can’t be cast at a
higher level.
COMPONENTS
Verbal • Spell must be spoken aloud. You can’t cast in
magical silence or while gagged.
Somatic • Spell requires hand gestures. You must have
one free hand to cast and it can be the same hand as for
material components.
Material • Spell rehires specific objects. You must have
one free hand and it can be the same hand as for somatic
components. Materials are not always consumed by the
casting.
Spell casting Focus • Can be used in place of material
components unless a specific cost is indicated. Must have
one free hand to use and it can be the same hand as for
somatic components.
Holy Symbol • Can be used in place of material
components unless a specific cost is indicated. Must have
one free hand to use and it can be the same hand as for
somatic components, or it can be worn visibly, such as on
a necklace or shield.
CONDITIONS BLINDED
You can’t see and automatically fail any ability check that
requires sight. Attack rolls against you have advantage,
and your attack rolls have disadvantage.
CHARMED
You can’t attack or target the charmer with harmful
abilities or magical effects. The charmer has advantage on
any ability check to interact socially with you.
COVER
Half Cover • If an obstacle blocks at least half of your
body, you have a +2 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving
throws. Examples include low walls, large pieces of
furniture, or creatures • weather they are an enemy or an
ally.
Three-Quarters Cover • If an obstacle blocks at least
three-quarters of your body, you have a +5 bonus to AC
and Dexterity saving throws. Examples include
portcullises, arrow slits, or thick tree trunks.
Total Cover • If you are completely covered by an obstacle,
you can’t be targeted directly by an attack or a spell,
although some spells can reach you by including you in an
area of effect.
DEAFENED
You can’t hear and automatically fail any ability checks
that require hearing.
DYING
If you start your turn with 0 hit points, you must make a
death saving throw to determine whether you live or die.
Unlike other saving throws, this one isn’t tied to any ability
score, though spells and features that improve your
chances of succeeding on a saving throw can be used.
Roll a d20. If the roll is 10 or higher, you succeed.
Otherwise, you fail. If you roll a 1, it counts as two failures.
If you roll a 20, you regain 1 hit point and become
conscious. On your third success, you are stabilized. On
your third failure, you die.
If you take any damage, you suffer a death saving throw
failur. If it is from a critical hit, you suffer two failures. If the
damage equals or exceeds your hit point maximum, you
suffer instant death.
Success and failures reset to zero when you regain any hit
points or become stable.
EXHAUSTION
Exhaustion is measured in six levels:
1. Disadvantage on ability checks
2. Speed halved
3. Disadvantage on attacks and saving throws
4. Hit point maximum halved
5. Speed reduced to 0
6. Death
An effect can give you one or more levels of exhaustion. If
you are exhausted and you suffer another effect that
causes exhaustion, your current exhaustion level
increases by the amount specified in the effect’s
description.
You suffer the effect of your current level of exhaustion as
well as all lower levels.
An effect that removes exhaustion reduces its level as
specified in the effect’s description, with all exhaustion
effects ending if a creature’s exhaustion level is reduced
below 1.
Finishing a long rest reduces your exhaustion level by 1,
provided that you have also ingested some food and drink.
FRIGHTENED
You have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls
while the source of your gg is within line of sight. You can’t
willingly move closer to the source of your fear.
GRAPPLED
Your speed becomes 0, and you can’t benefit from any
bonus to your speed. The condition ends if you are
incapacitated. The condition also ends if an effect
removes you from the reach of the grappler or grappling
effect.
To escape, use an action to perform a Strength (Athletics)
or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, contested by the
grappler’s Strength (Athletics) check.
HIDDEN
You are unseen and unheard. Attack rolls against you have
disadvantage, and your attack rolls have advantage. When
you make an attack, you give away your location whether
the attack hits or misses. If you make noise, you give away
your position.
INCAPACITATED
You can’t take actions or reactions.
INVISIBLE
You are impossible to see without the aid of magic or a
special sense. Attack rolls against you have disadvantage,
and your attack rolls have advantage. You can’t be
targeted by spells. You are not hidden however, and your
location can be detected by any noise you make or tracks
you leave.
OBSCURED
Lightly Obscured • You have disadvantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight. Examples include
dim light, patchy fog, or moderate foliage.
Heavily Obscured • You are effectively blinded (you can’t
see and automatically fail any ability check that requires
sight,; attack rolls against you have advantage, and your
attack rolls have disadvantage). Examples include
darkness, moonlit nights, opaque fog or dense foliage.
PARALYZED
You are incapacitated (you can’t take actions or reactions)
and can’t move or speak. You automatically fail Strength
and Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against you have
advantage. Any attack that hits you is a critical hit if the
attacker is within 5 feet of you.
PARALYZED
You are transformed, along with any non•magical objects
you are wearing or carrying, into a solid inanimate
substance (usually stone). Your weight increases by a
factor of ten, and you cease aging.
You are incapacitated (you can’t take actions or reactions),
and are unaware of your surroundings. Attack rolls against
you have advantage, and you automatically fail Strength
and Dexterity saving throws. You have resistance to all
damage, and you are immune to poison and disease,
although a poison or disease already in your system is
suspended, not neutralized.
POISONED
You have disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
PRONE
You have disadvantage on attack rolls, and an attack roll
against you has advantage if the attacker is within 5 feet
of you. Otherwise, the attack roll has disadvantage. Your
only movement option is to crawl, unless you stand up,
ending the condition. Standing costs an amount of
movement equal to half your speed.
RESTRAINED
CONDITIONS
Your speed becomes 0 and you can’t benefit from any
bonus to your speed. Attack rolls against you have
advantage, and your attack rolls have disadvantage. You
have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
STABILIZED
You don’t make death saving throws, even though you
have 0 hit points, but you do remain unconscious. Without
receiving healing, you regain 1 hit point after 1d4 hours.
You stop being stabilized and must start making death
saving throws again if you take any damage.
A conscious creature can use their action to administer
first aid to an unconscious creature and attempt to
stabilize it, which requires a successful DC 10 Wisdom
(Medicine) check.
STUNNED
You are incapacitated (you can’t take actions or reactions),
can’t move, and can only speak falteringly. You
automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
Attack rolls against you have advantage.
SUFFOCATING
When you run out of breath or are choking from an effect,
you can survive for a number of rounds equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round). At the start of
your next turn, you drop to 0 hit points, are dying, and can’t
regain hit points or be stabilized until you can breathe
again.
You can hold your breath for a number of minutes equal to
1 + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 30 seconds).
UNCONSCIOUS
You are incapacitated (you can’t take actions or reactions),
can’t move or speak, and are unaware of your
surroundings. You drop whatever you’re holding and fall
prone (an attack roll against you has advantage if the
attack iw within 5 feet of you; otherwise, the attack roll
has disadvantage). You automatically fail Strength and
Dexterity saving throws.
Any attack that hits you is a critical hit if the attacker is
within 5 feet of you.
 POISONS
AFFLICTIONS CONTACT
Carrion Crawler Mucus • DC 13 Constitution saving
throw or become poisoned and paralyzed for 1 minute.
Repeat the saving throw at the end of each turn, ending
the effects on a success.
Oil of Taggit • DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become
poisoned and unconscious for 24 hours. Wake up if you
take damage.
INGESTED
Assassin’s Blood • DC 10 Constitution saving throw or
take 1d12 poison damage and become poisoned for 24
hours. On a successful save, take half damage.
Midnight Tears • If not neutralized by midnight, DC 17
Constitution saving throw or take 9d6 poison damage. On
a successful save, take half damage.
Torpor • DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become
poisoned and incapacitated for 4d6 hours.
Truth Serum • DC 11 Constitution saving throw or
become poisoned for 1 hour. You can’t knowingly speak a
lie, as if under the effect of zone of truth.
INHALED
Burnt Other Fumes • DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
take 3d6 poison damage. Repeat the saving throw at the
start of each turn. On each failed save, take 1d6 poison
damage. After three successful saves, the poison ends.
Essence of Ether • DC 15 Constitution saving throw or
become poisoned and unconscious for 8 hours. Wake up if
you take damage or if another creature takes and action to
shake you awake.
Malice • DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become
poisoned and blind for 1 hour.
INJURY
Drow Poison • DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become
poisoned for 1 hour. Fail by 5 or more and you are also
unconscious. Wake up if you take damage or if another
creature takes an action to shake you awake.
Purple Worm Poison • DC 19 Constitution saving throw or
take 12d6 poison damage. On a successful save, take half
damage.
Serpent Venom • DC 11 Constitution saving throw or take
3d6 poison damage. On a successful save, take half
damage.
DISEASES
CACKLE FEVER
Transmission • Humanoids (except gnomes who are
immune) within 10 feet of a creature in thre throes of mad
laughter (see below) must succeed on a DC 10
Constitution saving throw or become infected On a
success, the humanoid is immune from that particular
infected creature for 24 hours.
Incubation • 1d4 hours.
Symptoms • Fever, disorientation, one level of exhaustion
that can’t be removed until the disease is cured, and when
encountering a stressful situation — including entering
combat, taking damage, experiencing fear, or having a
nightmare — the creature must succeed on a DC 13
Constitution saving throw or take 1d10 psychic damage
and become incapacitated with mad laughter for 1 minute.
At the end of each of its turns, the creature can make
another Constitution saving throw. On a success, the mad
laughter and the incapacitated condition ends.
Recovery • At the end of each long rest, the creature
makes a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a successful
save, the DC for this save and for the save to avoid mad
laughter drops by 1d6. When the saving throw DC drops to
0, the creature recovers. A creature that fails three of
these saving throws gains a randomly determined form of
indefinite madness.
SEWER PLAGUE
Transmission • Humanoids bitten by creature that carry
the disease, or coming into contact with filth or offal
contaminated by the disease, must succeed on a DC 11
Constitution saving throw or become infected.
Incubation • 1d4 days.
Symptoms • Fatigue, cramps, one level of exhaustion, and
the creature regains only half the normal number of hit
points from spending hit dice and regain no hit points from
finishing a long rest.
Recovery • At the end of each long rest, the creature
makes a DC 11 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save,
the character gains one level of exhaustion. On a
successful save, the character’s exhaustion level
decreases by one level. If a successful saving throw
reduces the infected creature’s level of exhaustion below
1, the creature recovers.
MADNESS

GOING MAD
Magic, poison, disease, and planar effects — such as the
howling winds of Pandemonium — can all inflict madness.
Some artifacts can also break the psyche of a PC who
uses them.
AFFLICTIONS
CURING MADNESS
Calm emotions can suppress the effects of any madness,
while lesser restoration can rid a creature of a short-term
or long-term madness. Greater restoration or more
powerful magic is required to cure indefinite madness.

SHORT-TERM MADNESS
d10 Effect (Lasts 1d10 Minutes)
1 Retreat into mind, paralyzed, effect ends if you take damage
2 Babble uncontrollably, incapable of normal speech or spell casting
3 Scream, laugh, or weep, incapacitated
4 Frightened, must use each turn to flee from the source of your fear
5 Overpowering urge to eat something strange such as dirt, slime, or offal
6 Must use each turn to move towards and attack the nearest creature
7 Vivid hallucinations, disadvantage on ability checks
8 Do whatever someone tells you to do that isn’t obviously harmful
9 Stunned
10 Unconscious

LONG-TERM MADNESS
d10 Effect (Lasts 1d10 Minutes)
1 Retreat into mind, paralyzed, effect ends if you take damage
2 Babble uncontrollably, incapable of normal speech or spell casting
3 Scream, laugh, or weep, incapacitated
4 Frightened, must use each turn to flee from the source of your fear
5 Overpowering urge to eat something strange such as dirt, slime, or offal
6 Must use each turn to move towards and attack the nearest creature
7 Vivid hallucinations, disadvantage on ability checks
8 Do whatever someone tells you to do that isn’t obviously harmful
9 Stunned
10 Unconscious

INDEFINITE MADNESS
d10 Effect (Lasts 1d10 Minutes)
1 Retreat into mind, paralyzed, effect ends if you take damage
2 Babble uncontrollably, incapable of normal speech or spell casting
3 Scream, laugh, or weep, incapacitated
4 Frightened, must use each turn to flee from the source of your fear
5 Overpowering urge to eat something strange such as dirt, slime, or offal
6 Must use each turn to move towards and attack the nearest creature
7 Vivid hallucinations, disadvantage on ability checks
8 Do whatever someone tells you to do that isn’t obviously harmful
9 Stunned
10 Unconscious
 TRAPS
OBSTACLES DETECTING
Provide clues for traps when describing the environment.
DISABLING
Don’t allow dice rolls to override clever play and good
Make placement deliberate to reward attention to detail. planning. Failed disable attempts often cause the trap to
Searching for traps should be inconvenient and time trigger and successful saves often give half damage.
consuming.

DAMAGE AND EFFECTS
The Damage Severity by Level table shows the damage
that is appropriate for a given PC’s tier and the severity of
danger posed by the trap. Use d6s for damage in place of
d10s for traps that can affect more than one creature at a
time. If the trap casts a spell, the Spell Equivalent by Level
table shows the spell level that is appropriate for a given
PC’s tier and the severity of the danger posed by the trap.
In addition to dealing damage, traps should apply
conditions, change the situation, and have multiple
decision points.
DIFFICULTY CLASSES
DAMAGE TYPES
Acid • Corrosive sprays and enzymes.
Bludgeoning • Blunt force attacks.
Cold • Infernal chill and frigid blasts.
Fire • Pools of lava and jets of flame.
Force • Focus magical energy.
Lightening • Bolts of electricity.
Necrotic • Energy that withers matter.
Piercing • Puncturing and impaling attacks.
Poison • Venomous stings and toxic gasses.
Psychic • Psionic blasts.
Radiant • Divine influence and holy power.

Task Difficulty DC Slashing • Sweeping and cutting attacks.

Thunder • Concussive bursts of sound.
Easy 10
Moderate 15
Hard 20 TRAP EXAMPLES
Very Hard 25 • Collapsing ceiling • Path of blades
• Collapsing stair • Pendulum scythe
Nearly Impossible 30
• Crushing walls • Pit
• Darts • Rotating room
DAMAGE SEVERITY BY LEVEL • Electrified floor • Spinning wall
• Falling portcullis • Teleporter
Tier Moderate Dangerous Deadly
• Flame jet • Trick door
1 1d10 2d10 4d10 Giant rolling boulder Water-filling chamber
• •
2 2d10 4d10 10d10 • Greased slide
3 4d10 10d10 18d10 • Illusion

4 10d10 18d10 24d10

HAZARD EXAMPLES
SPELL EQUIVALENT BY LEVEL • Avalanche • Quagmire
Tier Moderate Dangerous Deadly • Brush fire • Quicksand
• Daggerthorn briar • Razorvine
1 Cantrip 1st 2nd
• Deathspore fungus • Rock slide
2 1st 3rd 6th • Desecrated ground • Slippery ice
3 3rd 6th 9th • Explosive gas • Steam vents
• Flash flood • Tar pit
4 6th 9th 9th + 5th
• Frigid water • Toxic gas
• Geysers • Witch grass
SAVES AND ATTACK BONUSES • Lava field
Danger Save DC Attack Bonus
Moderate 10 +5
Dangerous 15 +8
Deadly 20 + 12
HAZARDS OBJECTS

OBSTACLES
DETECTING ARMOR CLASS
Hazards are environmental danger. They typically lack the Material DC
malicious intent of a trap and are usually out in the open.
Cloth, Paper, Rope 11
Crystal, Glass, Ice 13
BROWN MOLD
Wood, Bone 15
Feeds on warmth, drawing heat from anything around it.
Temperature within 30 feet is frigid. Creatures who enter Stone 17
or start their turn within 5 feet must make a DC 12 Iron, Steel 19
Constitution saving throw, taking 4d10 cold damage on a
Mithral 21
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Adamantine 23
Brown mold is immune to fire, and any source of fire
brought within 5 feet causes it to instantly expand
outward in the direction of the fire. If exposed to cold HIT POINTS
damage, it’s instantly destroyed.
Size Fragile Resilient
Tiny (Lock) 1d4 2d4
GREEN SLIME
Small (Chest) 1d6 3d6
Devours flesh, organic material, and metal. Clings to walls
and ceilings in patches. Has blindsight out to a range of 30 Medium (Barrel) 1d8 4d8
feet, and drops when it detects movement below it. Large (Cart) 1d10 5d10
Beyond that, it has no ability to move.
Creatures take 1d10 acid damage on contact and then HUGE AND GARGANTUAN OBJECTS
again at the start of each turn until it’s scraped off or Normal weapons are of little use against huge and
destroyed. Any nonmagical wood or metal item used to gargantuan objects, such as colossal statues, towering
scrape off the slime is destroyed. columns of stone, or massive boulders. That said, one
Sunlight, any effect that cures disease, and any affect torch can burn a huge tapestry, and an earthquake can
that deals cold, fire, or radiant damage destroys green reduce a colossus to rubble.
slime.
Divide a huge or gargantuan object into large or smaller
sections, and track each section’s hit points separately.
WEBS Destroying one of those sections could ruin the entire
Thick, sticky webs are difficult terrain. Creatures who object. For example, a gargantuan statue of a humanoid
enter or start their turn in a web must succeed on a DC 12 might topple over when one of its large legs is reduced to
Dexterity saving throw or become restrained. A restrained 0 hit points.
creature can use its action to try to escape, doing so with
a successful DC 12 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check. DAMAGE TYPES
Objects are immune to poison and psychic damage. Some
YELLOW MOLD damage types are more effective against particular
Grows in dark places and, if touched, ejects a cloud of objects. For example, bludgeoning damage doesn’t cut
spores that fills a 10-foot cube originating from the mold. through rope or leather well, while paper or cloth could be
Creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 15 vulnerable to acid, fire, and lighting damage.
Constitution saving throw or take 2d10 poison damage
and become poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned in this
way, the creature takes 1d10 poison damage at the start DAMAGE THRESHOLD
of each of its turns. The creature repeats the saving throw Big objects such as castle walls often have extra
at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself resilience, represented by a damage threshold. An objet
on a successful save. with a damage threshold has immunity to all damage
unless it takes an amount of damage from a single attack
Sunlight or any amount of fire damage destroys yellow
or effect equal to or greater than its damage threshold, in
mold.
which case it takes damage as normal. Any damage that
fails to meet or exceed the object’s damage threshold is
considered superficial and doesn’t reduce the object’s hit
points.
 CHASES
CHASES RUNNING A CHASE
Chases should be fast paced, have moments of quick
RESOLVING EVENTS
The leader may use on action to assist their roll (see
decision making, use the environment, contain surprises, Actions in Combat section). Allow clever play and good
and provide only limited interaction between the pursuer planning to give advantage. Creatures in the same group
and the quarry. can’t help the leader with their check.

COMPONENTS OF A CHASE CHASE EVENT LIST

Starting Gap • Unless the starting gap is already known,
determine the distance in feet by rolling 6d10 + 60.
Number of Legs • Chases consist of 2d6 legs. If the
pursuer closes the gap to 0 feet before the end of the last
leg, the quarry is caught and the chase ends. Otherwise,
the quarry escapes.
Chose a Leader • At the start of each leg, each group
chooses a leader. That creature can’t be a leader again
until all creatures in their group have been a leaders.
Opposed Check • Each leader makes an opposed check
using the skill of their choice. For example, a wizard
pursuer might use Intelligence (Arcana) against a rogue
quarry who uses Dexterity (Acrobatics).
Widen or Close the Gap • The winning group widens or
closes the gap by 1d10 feet per 10 feet of their base
walking speed, rounded down. For example, a dwarf with a
base walking speed of 25 feet would roll 2d10.
Chase Event Table • The losing group rolls on the Chase
Event table.
Burst of Speed • The winning group inspires their group to
take a sudden burst of speed. Roll to widen the gap if they
are the quarry or close the gap if they are the pursuer.
Dangerous Hazard • Your group finds a dangerous hazard
as appropriate to the terrain. You must succeed on a DC
15 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) group
check. On a failure, each creature takes dangerous
damage for their tier.
Dangerous Obstruction • Your group finds a dangerous
obstruction as appropriate to the terrain. You must
succeed on a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) group check. On failure, roll twice to widen the
gap if you are the pursuer or close the gap if you are the
quarry.
Fall • You trip and fall. You must succeed omg a DC 15
Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, you take moderate
damage for your tier.
Fatigue • You are overcome by fatigue. You must succeed
on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, gain one
level of exhaustion.

CHASE EVENT TABLE Hostile Creatures • You are beset upon by hostile
creatures as appropriate to the terrain and must succeed
d20 Event
on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, you take
1 Burst of speed moderate damage for your tier. At the DM’s discretion, the
2 Dangerous hazard creatures may continue pursuit, providing further
hindrance.
3 Dangerous obstruction
4 Drop something Indifferent Creatures • You are beset upon by indifferent
creatures as appropriate to the terrain. You must succeed
5 Fall
on a DC 15 Charisma (Intimidation) or (Persuasion) check
6 Fatigue to clear a path. On a failure, roll to widen the gap if you are
7 Hostile creatures the pursuer or close the gap if you are the quarry.
8 Indifferent creatures Lost • You are separated from your group and must
9 Lost succeed on a DC 13 Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom
(Survival) check. On a failure, you become lost and drop out
10 Moderate hazard
of the chase.
11 Moderate obstruction
Moderate Hazard • Your group finds a moderate hazard as
12-15 Snap opportunity 1 appropriate to the terrain. You must succeed on a DC 10
16 Struck Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) group check.
17-20 No complication On a failure, each creature takes moderate damage for
their tier.
1 Reroll if rolled by the DM
Moderate Obstruction • Your group finds a moderate AIR EXAMPLES
obstruction as appropriate to the terrain. You must

CHASES
Hazards • Airship, hail, hurricane, lightning, monsoon,
succeed on a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
storm, tornado.
(Acrobatics) group check. Ona. failure, roll to widen the gap
if you are the pursuer or close the gap if you are the quarry. Obstructions • Atmospheric disturbance, blinding light,
clouds, flying castle, mountain, tall tower.
Snap Opportunity • Chose at random one PC. They have
ten seconds to declare an action to either assist their Hostile Creatures • Aarakora, dragon, gargoyle, genie,
group or hinder the opposing group. The DM adjudicates harpy, vulture, wyvern
what kind of actions are possible given the circumstances. Indifferent Creatures • Air elemental, flock of birds,
If necessary, use the Difficulty Classes table to determine giant eagle, giant owl, hippogriff, insect swarm, pegasus.
a DC for the action and the Damage Severity by Level table
for damage. If the action is successful, roll to widen the
gap if they are the quarry or close the gap if they are the DUNGEON EXAMPLES
pursuer. Snap opportunities are meant for PCs only; preroll Hazards • Collapsed stairs, explosive gas, falling debris,
if rolled by the DM. poison fog, slime, slippery or sticky ground, toxic spores,
trap
Struck • You are suddenly struck by an object and must
succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a Obstructions • Crumbling bridge, crumbled passage,
failure, you are stunned and drop out of the race. boulder, broken ladder, jammed door, portcullis, smoke,
web
Hostile Creatures • Darkmantle, beholder, dire rat,
DIFFICULTY CLASSES gelatinous cube, ghost, roper, skeleton, stirge, zombie
Task Difficulty DC Indifferent Creatures • Adventurer, bat swarm, dwarves
Easy 10 mining crew, lost delver, prisoner, swarm of rats.
Moderate 15
Hard 20 UNDERWATER EXAMPLES
Very Hard 25 Hazards • Caustic or tainted water, extreme cold or hot,
riptide, steam vent, pressure difference, whirlpool
Nearly Impossible 30
Obstructions • Coral reef, driftwood, passing ship, ruin,
seaweed, shipwreck
DAMAGE SEVERITY BY LEVEL Hostile Creatures • Giant eel, giant octopus, giant squid,
Tier Moderate Dangerous Deadly sahuagin, shark
1 1d10 2d10 4d10 Indifferent Creatures • Giant oyster, merfolk, jellyfish,
2 2d10 4d10 10d10 school of fish, seahorse
3 4d10 10d10 18d10
4 10d10 18d10 24d10 URBAN EXAMPLES
Hazards • Alchemical explosion, brawl, building gap, fire,
riot, runaway cart
SAVES AND ATTACK BONUSES
Obstructions • Barrel, cart, fence, jammed door, market,
Danger Save DC Attack Bonus smoke, wedding
Moderate 10 +5
Hostile Creatures • Criminal, drunk, pack of animals,
Dangerous 15 +8 religious fanatic
Deadly 20 + 12 Indifferent Creatures • Beggar, children, funeral,
merchant, parade, prostitute

WILDERNESS EXAMPLES
Hazards • Quicksand, swamp, thick mud, river, thorns,
vines, waterfall
Obstructions • Broken rope bridge, fog, stream, thick
scrub, twisted roots, web
Hostile Creatures • Assassin vine, carnivorous plant,
dire wolf, giant insect, natives, panther, treant, tiger
Indifferent Creatures • Deer, lost hunter, satyr, wild
boar, wood sprite.
 ENCOUNTER ADVICE
TOOLBOX RUNNING AN ENCOUNTER
Encounters should never fall into formulaic slogs. From
encounter to encounter, regularly alter the enemies and
the environment, include terrain and ticking clocks, and
use surprises so no two battles are the same.
ENEMIES
Mix complimentary monster types, use unique weapons
and armor, replace single strong creatures with many weak
minions, and include mounts or pets with uncommon
methods of mobility, such as climbing or flying.
ENVIRONMENT
Set the encounter in an interesting or exotic location, and
utilize the environment’s features. Include cover,
concealment, hazards, weather, and elevation changes.
TERRAIN
Include terrain pieces and encourage players to use them.
For example, a magic missile ignites kegs of gunpowder
and the resulting explosion knocks nearby combatants
prone, or an enemy is slid down the tavern’s bar through
mugs and dishes, stunning them for one round.
TICKING CLOCK
Raise the stakes by including a ticking clock. For example,
a pipe bursts and the room begins to fill with sewage, or a
wildfire caused by a lighting strike begins to overtake the
forest.
SURPRISES
Use surprises part way through an encounter to change
the situation.
Reinforcements Arrive • The enemy summons a slew of
minions, zombies claw free from their graves, a dragon
swoops in from above, or allied forces arrive to assist the
party.
Environment Transformation • A windstorm picks up,
knocking combatants off their feet, the ground cracks and
breaks apart, separating the PCs, or bubbling holes near
the battlefield turn out to be geysers.
Secondary Mechanics • A warlock manifests a portal to
the Abyss, the ship’s captain attempts to stall the mutiny
by sailing into the maelstrom, or an artifact shatters,
releasing raw magic, altering everyone’s personal gravity.
Information Reveal • The enemy shouts out a missing
piece of the puzzle, a doppelgänger is revealed, a patron is
actually an enemy, or a despot reveals important world
details.
MONSTER UPGRADES
ATTACKS AND DAMAGE
Use the monster’s melee or ranged attack bonus for new
attacks. A repeatable attack deals moderate damage.
More powerful attacks deal dangerous damage, but must
recharge on a 5 or a 6
UPGRADES
Aura • Continuous effect that emanates 5 feet + 5 feet
for every size above medium. Damaging auras deal
moderate damage of mundane or elemental damage type
to targets who enter or start their turn there. If the
damage type is poison or psychic, targets must succeed
on a Constitution or Charisma saving throw.
Bloodied Action • First time at half hit points, the monster
interrupts all turns, immediately dashes, and uses its most
powerful ability as a free actions.
Gaze • Otherworldly monsters charm, frighten, paralyze, or
deal psychic damage.
Powerful Build • Counts as one size larger when
determining carrying capacity and the weight they can
push, drag or lift.
Pull • Monsters with tentacles or multiple legs grapple and
restrain on a hit and draw in targets 5 feet + 5 feet for
every size above medium.
Push • Large monsters or creatures with powerful attacks,
tails, or wings push targets 5 feet + 5 feet for every size
above medium on a hit.
Shifty • Quick or aggressive monsters dash as a bonus
action or as a reaction when an attack or attacks against
them miss.
Sweeps • When large monsters or creatures with powerful
attacks or tails miss with an attack, they hit creatures
adjacent to the intended target and deal their strength
modifier in damage.
Tremor • Large monsters or creatures with powerful
attacks, tails, or wings stun or knock targets prone.
LEGENDARY OPTIONS
Boss monsters gain three legendary actions per combat
round, to be spent on legendary options (though some
options cost more than one action). Only one legendary
option can be used at a time and only at the end of another
creature’s turn. Legendary actions reset at the start of the
boss’ turn.
1 Action • Cast cantrip, moderate attack, bolster allies,
move, skill check
2 Actions • Affect environment, dangerous attack,
shield ally, teleport
3 Actions • Deadly attack, heal, cast spell
IMPROVISED ATTACKS SKILL CHALLENGES

EVALUATE THE ENVIRONMENT
Structures that can be collapsed and objects that can be
thrown, pushed, or rolled make for excellent improvised
attacks.
For example, a stone giant has decided to push a massive
pillar onto the PCs
TOOLBOX
RUNNING A SKILL CHALLENGE
A skill challenge is a complicated scenario requiring
multiple steps and multiple contributors. Tasks like
persuading a noble, fortifying a ruin, or escaping from
prison make good skill challenges. The challenge is
completed when a specified number of successes have
been made, or when three failures are reached.

DETERMINE ATTACK BONUS OR SAVE

If the improvised attack can be diminished or absorbed by
the target’s AC, use an attack bonus. If it can be avoided or
must be resisted, use a saving throw. Successful saves
often give half damage and ignore additional effects.
The pillar will deal half damage on a successful DC 15
Dexterity saving throw.
DAMAGE SEVERITY AND TYPE
Chose a damage severity on the Damage Severity by Level
table and pick a damage type.
The PCs are 5th level and the improvised attack will be
dangerous, dealing 4d10 bludgeoning damage.
PARTS OF A SKILL CHALLENGE
Goal • Pick a goal and clearly present the stakes and
consequences to the players.
Complexity • The complexity of a skill challenge
determines the number of successful checks needed to
succeed, as well as the DCs that must be met.
Action • Each player describes how they will overcome the
challenge. If appropriate, call for a skill check. A PC must be
proficient in the skill to use it. Once a PC uses a skill to
make a check, they can’t use that skill again. If no check is
needed, decide success or failure based on the situation.
Each success should move the PCs towards their goal, and
each failure should ratchet up the tension.

PICK TARGETS CONSIDERATINS

If the improvised attack can affect multiple targets,
reduce the damage dice type by two.
The pillar can affect three targets. On a failed save it will
deal 4d6 damage to each target.
IMPOSE A CONDITION OR
MOVEMENT
If the improvised attack adds a condition or forced
movement, reduce the damage dice type by one for each.
On a failed save the pillar will deal 4d4 damage and restrain
targets, requiring a successful DC 12 Strength check to
escape.
Flexibility • Reward creativity by removing a failure or by
granting multiple successes.
Failure • Failing a skill challenge should never stop the
adventure’s forward momentum. Instead, impose
consequences, such as powerful monsters, loss of
resources, conditions, diseases, or expenditures of money
or time.
Spotlight • Draw inactive players into the skill challenge by
presenting opportunities (each DC) or threats (moderate
DC) that focus on specific PCs. For example, a mage might
be tempted by knowledge, while a knight might be
threatened by honor.

DIFFICULTY CLASSES SKILL CHALLENGE COMPLEXITY

Task Difficulty DC Tier Simple Average Tough
Easy 10 1 3 easy 3 mod. 6 mod.
Moderate 15 2 6 easy 6 mod. 3 hard
Hard 20 3 3 mod. 3 hard 6 hard
Very Hard 25 4 6 mod. 6 hard 9 hard
Nearly Impossible 30
SAVES AND ATTACK BONUSES
DAMAGE SEVERITY BY LEVEL Danger Save DC Attack Bonus
Tier Moderate Dangerous Deadly Moderate 10 +5
1 1d10 2d10 4d10 Dangerous 15 +8
2 2d10 4d10 10d10 Deadly 20 + 12
3 4d10 10d10 18d10
4 10d10 18d10 24d10