#dnd tip for writers: your overarching world plot is great for you, but it's only great for DMs and players if it hits them where they live. Unless it affects the game at the encounter and character level, dramatically or mechanically, it won't resonate as well as it could.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) October 18, 2018

What is a really good example of this in the 5th edition realm? Tomb of Annihilation nails it. The story is launched by the Death Curse, as the PCs meet an NPC suffering from it. Mechanically, it is present from the beginning (meatgrinder mode and the lack of resurrection magic).

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) October 18, 2018

Dear my friend @ChrisPerkinsDnD, we don’t know how to pronounce ‘Genasi’. Is there a definitive method? Cc @mikemearls @JeremyECrawford (Sorry is this has been asked before!)

— Georgina Hewitson (@SpaceJunkz) November 7, 2018

jeh-NAH-see https://t.co/MuE5zADaAT

— Christopher Perkins (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) November 7, 2018

#dnd tip for DMs: everything you make for your campaign – deities, towns, NPCs, monsters, etc. – is a potential bond, enemy, ally, or backstory for one or more of your players' characters. Put those creations to work in multiple ways.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) October 1, 2018

This is a key to the spiral development of campaigns. Start at the center with the characters and spiral out building the world from their drives, backgrounds, and attention. #dnd https://t.co/Cf2q3xtbje

— SlyFlourish (@SlyFlourish) October 1, 2018

#Dnd tip for DMs: on occasion you might need to burn things down. Drama relies on hope, and without tough situations and uncertainty there is less need for hope.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) October 2, 2018

Today in D&D:
Bugbear crits hurt more, imo. I just killed a player with the sickle-bladed-glaive-wielding bugbear in the Sunless Citadel’s Grove level.

4d10, ok. 1. When faced with orcs, much better to be the ambusher than the ambushee.
1a. Great axe crits hurt. A lot.
2. The two monks in the party really liked the two-weapon fighting house rule. Gave them a nice power boost, didn't feel like too much.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) October 26, 2018

My players learned the hard way about bugbear crits in that adventure, too

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) October 26, 2018

When you are doing hourglass challenges – what length of time do you aim for? I’m thinking of getting a 6 minute hourglass for those high tension skill challenge moments, but I’m also wondering if having a 15 minute one wouldn’t be helpful for combat. Thoughts? I generally go for 5 min, or 10 min. It’s nice to have a variation to pick from. 🙂

— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) November 20, 2018