4E D&D ooc

DM Section

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Basic Rules
Being a DM is simple- all you need to do is run the world, run the monsters and keep the game moving. It does take a bit of extra prep or effort, but it's really not so bad.

The main core rules you need to know are;
1) Everything is a check or an attack roll - Players will roll a d20 + a modifier vs a DC or defense.
2) Monsters and NPCs follow the same math as players - Attack vs AC, Fortitude, Reflex or Will)
3) Powers define actions - Players all have an At-Will, Encounter and Daily powers. Monsters have similar abilities but simpler.
4) Combat is tactical - The amount of squares a player or monster moves, the positioning, how far things are. It matters. (example. A player may only be able to move 6 squares, so they move 6 squares, but if they're behind a pillar, it is unlikely they'll see a monster they want to attack so the attack won't work.)
5. You decide the DCs - 4e provides easy, moderate and hard DCs by levels and all you need to do is to pick one ad keep going
6. You describe the world - Players describe what they do, dice decides what happens.

Flow of Play
4e has a very.. with a lack of a better word.. predictable rhythm and it tends to follow this loop. (Use it!)
1) Set the Scene
-- Where are they?
-- What's happening?
-- What's the immediate problem?
Just give them something to react to.
2) Players Act
They will tell you what they want to do;
-- Explore
-- Talk
-- Fight
-- Investigate
-- Try something weird
-- Anything else
You decide if it needs a roll.
3) Roll dice when outcomes matter
If the success or failure changes the story..
-- Call for a skill check
-- Set a DC
-- Let the dice determine
If it doesn't matter, don't roll
4) Move the story foward
Every action should..
-- Reveal something
-- Change something
-- Lead to the next choice
If things slow down, introduce a new problem or clue

Running Encounters
1) Build the Encounter
Consider encounters like legos because you..
-- Pick monsters that fit the level
-- Mix roles (such as brute, soldier, artillery, controller, lurker or skirmisher)
-- Add terrain features (cover, hazards or elevation)
-- Add a twist (reinforcements, puzzles, timer or objective)
2) Start the fight
Just as a note, not all encounters are fighting encounters, some are traps or puzzles. In this case, it is a fight.
-- Roll initiative
-- Place minis and tokens on the map
-- Explain the battlefeild
-- Begin the round
3) Combat round structure
Each round follows these four main sections (actually three but..)
-- Player's turn
---- Move
---- Standard Action (usually an attack)
---- Minor Action
---- Free Actions
-- Next player
-- Monsters' Turn
-- Repeat
4) Keep combat moving
Your job is quite literally to just keep the game moving.
-- Describe monster actions quickly
-- Track HP and conditions
-- Keep the players focused
-- Make the battlefield feel alive
If combat does happen to drag, you could add
-- A collapsing floor
-- A new enemy
-- A shifting hazard
-- A countdown
etc.
5) End the Encounter
When the fight ends, you just have to do the following.
-- Award the XP (if per creature, you can divvy up the xp to each person in the party. If per milestone, just award it at the end of the milestone- ie: completing the quest)
-- Describe the aftermath
-- Let players loot and heal and roleplay
-- Move to the next scene

Player Section

Reducio

Dice
Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) uses a set of polyhedral dice and are often written as d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20.
-- d20 - the main die that is used for attacks, skill checks and saving throws
-- d6/d8/d10/d12 - used for damage rolls depending onyour weapon or power
-- d4 - small damage die often used for daggers or minor effects
If a power says, for example, "2d8 + Strength modifier", you roll two 8 sided die and add your strength modifier.

How to Read and Fill Out a Character Sheet
A 4e character sheet was built around or with the concept of a focus with combat, or rather, the combat clarity it can provide. They have different parts to it, the following can be defined below;

1. Ability Scores
You have six stat blocks; strength, constitution, dexterity, intelligence, wisdom and charisma. Each of them have a modifier (usually between -1 and +5 at level 1) and the modifiers affect the attacks, skills, defenses and the damage inflicted.

2. Defenses
4e has four different defenses and are what enemies will roll against. These defenses are AC (Armor Class), Fortitude, Reflex and Will.

3. Hit Points and Healing Surges
-- HP (Hit Points) - how much damage you can take
-- Bloodied - when you're at half hp
-- Healing Surges - your limited pool of self healing

4. Powers
These are typically determined by your class but are also offered as a racial feature- such as Drow's Lolth Touched feature which allows you to choose between Cloud of Darkness or Darkfire. These can also be given with feats. The powers all include four different categories;
-- At-will - you can use it every turn, it doesn't cost anything
-- Encounter - you can use it once per fight, but multiple times per day
-- Daily - you can use it once per day
-- Utility - these are non-attack abilities

5. Skills
Skills are usually tied to abilities scores. You are usually either trained (+5 bonus) or not. These skills are more specifically things that are for a specific purpose- like Perception would use your wisdom. If you are searching for a hidden item in a room, the dm could ask for you to roll Perception. (for this example I'll assume the wisdom modifier is a +2.) You just have to roll a d20 then add a 2. If you are trained, your roll would be a 1d20+7 instead.

6. Equipment
Equipments pretty much include weapons, armor, gear and magic items. You may obtain them during an adventure or may have obtained them through the shop in the towns.

How to Create a Character
1) Choose a Race
Your race will have information that you need, but it will also have racial traits or information you might need to hold onto or write down for use.
2) Choose a Class
Your class WILL have all the information you need on it in its description, but also contains powers that need to be written down or stored somewhere for your use.
3) Assign Stats
--- I use rolled stats. Roll 4d6 and take the highest 3. Do this six times.
--- Other methods include Point Buy and Standard Array, this is up to the DM.
Your class will tell you which stat is the most important to prioritize!
4) Pick Alignment
4e uses a simplified alignment system. You aren't required to use it, but it helps if you want to roleplay as said character. These alignments include
-- Lawful Good
-- Good
-- Unaligned
-- Evil
-- Chaotic Evil
5) Fill in the other details
You'll need these. They won't really affect combat but they will be helpful for roleplay.
-- Name
-- Age
-- Appearance
-- Background
-- Personality
-- Languages
-- Deity

How to Level Up
When you gain enough XP (or Experience Points), you gain a plethora of benefits and they are as listed;
-- HP increase
-- New powers
-- Existing powers improved
-- Skill bonuses increased
-- Feats may be gained
-- Ability scores may be increased

There are also milestones in Dungeons and Dragons 4E, and this just is split into three categories. Your highest level you can reach is 30.

From Levels 1 to 10, you are in the Heroic Tier. 11 to 20, you are in the Paragon Tier and must chose a Paragon Path. From Level 21 to 30, you entered the Epic Tier and will need to choose an Epic Destiny. Each tier adds new abilities and power upgrades for more specific and more powerful builds.

Gameplay
This is what you actually do while playing the game after the Character Creation process.

1. On your turn in combat, you get;
-- 1 standard action (usually an attack)
-- 1 move action
-- 1 minor action
-- Free Actions as needed

You are able to..
-- Attack
-- Move
-- Use a power
-- Shift (move 1 square without provoking anything)
-- Use items
-- Aid allies
-- Ready an action

2. Outside Combat
You won't always be in combat. Sometimes you'll have things to do other than stabbing and slapping people. You can..
-- Explore
-- Talk to NPCs
-- Solve problems
-- Make skill checks
-- Roleplay your character

3. Teamwork Matters
4e is important because it was built around the synergy, positioning, buffs and debuffs and the tactical choices. Ensure that you work together because you're stronger this way.

Nick Jameson wrote: 24 Apr 2026, 16:04 Are you a DM or a Player?:Player but might try being a DM in the future
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