Mike Mearls Games

Hot off the Playtest Press

In my last monster post, Mike Shea asked about 4e-style elites. I cooked one up today for my Friday game.

Here are its stats. Keep in mind this is rough writing for a playtest, rather than a fully fleshed out stat block for publication.

I modeled an elite worth two creatures by giving...

Sorcerer Subclass Design

Debuting with D&D 3rd edition back in 2000, the sorcerer was originally designed as an alternative to the wizard. Where wizards could choose their spells each day, the sorcerer had a narrower, fixed set of spells. The sorcerer also gained more spells slots than a wizard but gained higher leve...

Rogue Shadow Bound

A rogue is at home in the shadows, slipping into the darkness to evade their enemies, strike down an unsuspecting foe, or carry off a great treasure. Some rogues feel a strange presence when they slip into the darkness. They hear whispers at the edge of their hearing and catch sight of flickering...

Monsters Aren't Characters

If we want to build a more robust system for balancing encounters and creating monsters, we need to stop treating monsters like characters.

'We have that system already. It exists in the core rulebooks. To advance the art, we need to try a new method. I'd like to stop treating monsters like...

Rogue Subclass Design

The rogue is perhaps my favorite character class. I played a thief, the AD&D forerunner to the rogue, in my first long-running campaign. Cunning Action and Sneak Attack are evocative, fun mechanics that do a good job of conveying the idea of a slippery, tricky character. However, the class ha...

5e Monsters Don't Work

The paid backer poll I ran a few weeks back showed monster math as the top subject for content. Before I can talk about the math, though, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. D&D's action economy doesn't work for monsters.

The action economy - action, bonus action, move, reac...

Ranger Trail Warden

Trail wardens are rangers who have taken an oath. When they lead others into the wilderness, they swear to bring them back safe and sound. They are not mere bodyguards or tour guides. Trail wardens only lead those that they deem capable of providing the skills and qualities needed to endure the h...

Chronicles of the God Scorned

Two things for paying subscribers:

First, I have a name for my setting. it's called Chronicles of the God Scorned. More details on the setting to come.

Second, attached to this post is a crude PDF of 23 subclasses. I'm aiming for 48 in the final book when I bring it to crowdfunding. I...

Ranger Sneak Peek

My design article talked about finding a core mechanic for a ranger subclass, to better define what the class actually does.

I think the ranger is stuck in a weird spot. It's traditionally seen as a loner class, the solo explorer who heads into the wild. I think that the solo operative is m...

Ranger Subclass Design

Back in 1989 when second edition AD&D hit store shelves, the ranger was the coolest class around. In first edition AD&D, the class was a weird hodgepodge of abilities, cribbed from Aragorn’s suite of talents in Lord of the Rings. The 1e ranger wore heavy armor, fought with what...

Paladin Oath of the Guardian

The Oath of the Guardian charges a paladin with tending to the safety of their companions. These paladins serve as bodyguards, protectors of the common folk, and sentinels against rampaging monsters. Orders that embrace this oath range from wandering, solitary paladins who defend towns on the bor...

Sorcerer Spell Preview

The sorcerer's core issue in my opinion - a lack of spells designed to work within its mechanics. I'm working on the sorcerer tonight and stealing the concept of modal spells from Magic.

Radiant Orb

Evocation cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action

...

Paladin Subclass Design

The paladin is a good example of how class and subclass design can mesh to create an effective whole. The paladin has a clear mechanical and narrative core, and its subclasses add a complementary element on both layers. While the paladin wasn’t in the very first version of D&D, there’s a ...

Arcane Magic

I'm about two weeks ahead of the Patreon in terms of writing, so I am about to enter the end of the alphabet where the arcane casters live. I'd like to give a little sneak preview of where things are going on that end.

OK, the bard is technically an arcane caster but that class has a clear ...

Way of Living Metal

Monks traditionally rely on speed and agility to defeat their foes. They can dart into melee in the blink of an eye, unleash a storm of attacks, then slip away to avoid a counterattack. The monks who adopt the Way of Living Metal prefer a more direct, brutal approach. They weave their life energy...

Monk Subclass Design

I think of all the classes, the biggest gap between “fun to design” and “effective in play” might belong to the monk. Yes, I know that stunning strike is probably broken, especially at 5th level, but beyond that the class needs help to fill its niche. In fact, I think its lack of a niche ...

Paid Backer Poll

If I created a backer-only discord server, would you use it?

Fighter Archetype: Executioner

Fighters study tactics, weaponry, and maneuvers, but at the end of the day their training allows them to terminate their enemies as quickly as possible. After all, the best defense is an offense that ends all incoming attacks. Some fighters apply their talents to the grim task of becoming an exec...

Fighter Subclass Design

The fighter is perhaps the most polarizing class in the game. Online, it is regarded as unable to keep up with spellcasters. Yet in play, it remains one of the most popular classes. The heroic warrior is a classic archetype, and despite the class’s inability to match the firepower of a 9th leve...

Poll for Backers

Hey backers! Mid-week poll for you. I am planning on doing some paid subscriber-only posts. What topics sound interesting? Pick from below, or sound off in the comments if you favorite isn't listed.

You can choose more than one option, so slap those buttons as often as you like.

Druid Circle of the Symbiote

Druids typically view themselves as caretakers and protectors of the natural world. They provide a service to nature, using their magic to maintain the natural realm. Druids of the Circle of the Symbiote take this a step further. They become part of nature, allowing plants to take root in their f...

Another Fighter Preview

Killing Blow (15th Level, Strength)

Sometimes, someone just needs to die. As an action, you can spend 15 points from your heroic reserve and make a single weapon attack. If the attack hits, the target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + yo...

Fighter Preview

I have a druid subclass on tap for next Tuesday, but for paying subscribers here's my spicy take on fighter subclass design. In short: Bring back the warblade!

Fighter Subclass Design

The fighter is perhaps the most polarizing class in the game. Online, it is regarded as unable to k...

Druid Subclass Design

The druid’s reliance on Wild Shape as its signature ability makes designing subclasses for it tricky. In my experience, players opt for this class because they want to transform into a variety of wild animals. The druid character from the D&D movie (not the first one, or the second one, or ...

Edition Update Poll

With the upcoming revision to D&D 5e, I'm curious to take the temperature of this community. Are you planning on using the revised rules?

Hunter Domain

Gods of the hunt are found in a wide variety of pantheons. They represent a variety of approaches to the hunt, from the brave provider who ventures into the wild to feed her people to the cruel slayer who revels in casting fear in his quarry.

Alignment

Consider your alignment and ho...

Druids and Wildshape

I'm working on a druid article for next week, and I have a yes/no question to ask you.

My sense is that Wild Shape is the core feature that makes druids distinct and fun.

Do you feel that druid players see Wild Shape as the most important feature of the class?

Cleric Subclass Design

Cleric Subclass Design

Players expect a strong thematic tie between their cleric and their deity. A cleric of the god of war should have a very different kit compared to a cleric of the god of magic. This desire clashes with the cleric’s access to full spellcasting, leaving us a relativ...

Sneak Peek: Hunter Domain

For paid subscribers, a special sneak peak at the Hunter domain.

This design is inspired by an early playtest character for 5th edition. I created an elf cleric and happened to roll a high Dexterity. Between my background and the elf species abilities, I created a stealthy, longbow-wielding...

College of Drama

Bard Subclass: College of Drama

Bards tell tales in a variety of ways. Some sing. Others use dance, musicianship, or art to share the sagas of the ancient days. Bards of the College of Drama take a deeper approach to bringing the tales of old to life. With a combination of skill and magic...