Sean Merwin

And that led to another listener question, Sean.

I will read this listener question from the Mathemagician via our Patreon Discord. I just watched the D&D video on Bastions. In the video, they made a big point about how interacting with them is off-limits for the Dungeon Master and how these upgrades just happen at various levels. Why are we putting things in the DMG that are off-limits for the DMs?

I will read this listener question from the Mathemagician via our Patreon Discord. I just watched the D&D video on Bastions. In the video, they made a big point about how interacting with them is off-limits for the Dungeon Master and how these upgrades just happen at various levels. Why are we putting things in the DMG that are off-limits for the DMs?

I typically think of the DMG as off-limits for players. I'd be quite surprised to see my player sit down at the table, crack open the DMG, and say, I'm ready to play. Right. So what do you have to say about that?

I typically think of the DMG as off-limits for players. I'd be quite surprised to see my player sit down at the table, crack open the DMG, and say, I'm ready to play. Right. So what do you have to say about that?

Well, I think they got a little carried away on the video about this. I think that, you know, they're sometimes, I mean, they're told to be marketing people when they're design people, right? Is the problem with some of these videos. And so I think they were maybe being a little over emphatic on it. I think what they mean is that the players get to drive choosing these bastion options.

Well, I think they got a little carried away on the video about this. I think that, you know, they're sometimes, I mean, they're told to be marketing people when they're design people, right? Is the problem with some of these videos. And so I think they were maybe being a little over emphatic on it. I think what they mean is that the players get to drive choosing these bastion options.

The DM still administering the rules for bastions, deciding when to introduce them, adjudicating all the DM side events around bastions and so on. Yeah, the players do have to use the DMG rules, but why are they in the DMG? I have two answers for you. See what you think, Sean. Number one, practical. There isn't space in the player's handbook. Yep, I would agree there.

The DM still administering the rules for bastions, deciding when to introduce them, adjudicating all the DM side events around bastions and so on. Yeah, the players do have to use the DMG rules, but why are they in the DMG? I have two answers for you. See what you think, Sean. Number one, practical. There isn't space in the player's handbook. Yep, I would agree there.

Number two, having bastions in the DMG gives it something new so that you will want to buy it too. Maybe even players will want to buy it.

Number two, having bastions in the DMG gives it something new so that you will want to buy it too. Maybe even players will want to buy it.

Yeah. Weapon masteries in the player's handbook. And you've got bastions of the DMG. Those are two new things that are supposed to drag you into buying a new book that you maybe otherwise didn't want to get. And that's why they're in the DMG.

Yeah. Weapon masteries in the player's handbook. And you've got bastions of the DMG. Those are two new things that are supposed to drag you into buying a new book that you maybe otherwise didn't want to get. And that's why they're in the DMG.

I cannot argue there. And if you're interested in the Unearthed Arcana bastions, Teos did a beautiful YouTube video that discussed that. And there is a link in our show notes, or you could just go to alphastream.org, I'm sure, and do a little search for bastions.

I cannot argue there. And if you're interested in the Unearthed Arcana bastions, Teos did a beautiful YouTube video that discussed that. And there is a link in our show notes, or you could just go to alphastream.org, I'm sure, and do a little search for bastions.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

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More news. The D&D licensed products just keep on coming. Ian World had a nice little article gathering recent products like the Dungeons & Dragons Pocket Expert, a random house book that gathered lore and knowledge, such as the number of tentacles a Mind Flayer has and what the Forgotten Realms are. For only $8 this week, you can become a Pocket Expert on Dungeons & Dragons.

WizKids, you like putting tabs in your books. WizKids had you covered there. I don't either. With the 2024 Player's Handbook and 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide book tabs to keep track of the different locations for things in your books. They are $10 each. And do you want some acrylic dice? Clear acrylic dice would be holders inside. Maybe you do, maybe you don't.