Hoard of the Dragon Queen ... nearly done

[Finarvyn]

I started running a weekly 5E game back in September and after eight months or so we're nearing the end of Hoard of the Dragon Queen so I thought I'd give some thoughts on the module.

(1) Too linear for my liking. Clearly, the module is designed to get from A to B each session, then links up to the next one that has another A to B. However, I can understand that if everyone in AEVENTURERER'S LEAGUE is supposed to be more-or-less at the same place at the same time, you need to do it this way.

(2) Too wordy for my liking. I like my modulues "monochrome TSR" in style, with 16 pages that makes up a module. These hardback WotC modules are a lot like reading a book. Too many things floating around and it's hard to figure out what is important and what isn't ... until it's too late and you've already DM'ed that part of the adventure.

(3) Not well organized. I understand that the concept was "module plus Basic PDF" but it's frustrating when some monsters are in one source and others are in another. I think these modules require a certain degree of prep that I prefer not to put into play.

(4) Plot too complex.[/b] Details everywhere, and sometimes I find that something I dismissed as being inimportant becomes very important later on. I think I'd be a lot better if I ran this thing a second time, because I'd have a better handle on all of the plotlines intertwined throughout the sessions.

(5) Really fun to play. So that this doesn't come off as a really negative "blast the module" thread, I should point out that this has been a fun edition as both a player and as a DM. Most of the WotC editions were fun as players but sucked for DM's because of prep time and game details, but I've found that I can run 5E without much sweat.

Basically, we're finishing Hoard of the Dragon Queen in a week or so and I'm going to transition the same characters into Rise of Tiamat.

I can't wait!

[TheObligatorySQL]

You might enjoy Princes of the Apocalypse more.

The first chapter of the book is background info on the adventure itself (with adventure hooks). The second chapter describes the area the adventure takes place in. Chapters 3, 4 , and 5 are the main adventure (it's suggested that the characters be at least 3rd level at the start of the main line). Chapter 6 consists of four small adventures taking characters from 1st-3rd level; it gives the ability to begin the campaign at 1st level and work up from there. The chapter also provides eight side treks that can be thrown in anytime. The Elemental Evil Encounters season is the entirety of chapter 6 (sans side treks).

We've been having a blast with Encounters so far this season. The fact that the chapter plays in a sandbox-style makes a huge difference.

[Fearghus]

Thanks for posting this. I have the D&D 5 PHB and both HotDQ and RoT. I wanted to run them, but am currently a player instead.

Now that you have players past level 4, how are you feeling about D&D Next?

I played a gnome wizard (diviner) at Winter Fantasy. Magic Missile and Mage Armor were staples of my success.

[Finarvyn]

Apr 13, 2015 19:53:47 GMT -6 Fearghus said:

Now that you have players past level 4, how are you feeling about D&D Next?

I still enjoy the game. At the moment, I'm getting to experience it from a DM perspecitve on Wednesdays and a player perspective on Sundays.

My character just finished HotDQ last Sunday and made it to level 7 in the process, so the highest I've played so far is level 6. I feel overall that the 4-6 range has been a lot of fun as a player because you've got a decent number of spells to work with, a decent number of hit points, and so on. We're not ready to take on the gods or anything like that, but it does seem like a "sweet spot" of the game so far, as seen through the lens of an OD&D player. I's say that 6th level in 5E feels a lot more like 10th in OD&D.

Putting back on the GM hat, I realized some of the same things I did as a player. The XP progression really slows down after 4th level and monster kills don't make players zoom through levels the way they did early on. THere are a few characters whose skills seem to unbalance the party (such as the monk and his "stun" ability) and magic-users still get screwed (at a short rest most of the characters refresh their base powers, except that wizards need a long rest to regain spells) but it's still possible to challenge characters and threaten them with potential death. I haven't outright killed any characters in a few months now, which is probably good, but I have had several drop to zero HP and be totally out of action for a while. Keeping it all in perspective, however, if you have seven 6th level characters in pretty much any edition it's tough to knock them all down. I like the fact that they fear death but don't die. That has to be the best of all worlds.

Anyway, stil likin' my 5E.

[Fearghus]

Apr 14, 2015 4:33:30 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

Anyway, stil likin' my 5E.

Me too.

Having only played levels 1-4, I am interested to see some of the powerful damage builds at higher levels. We had a ranged fighter, and melee fighter (or some other melee class), dealing unreal amounts of damage. A polearm fighter with multiple attacks and a nice threat range. The "healer" was a first level cleric that turned abjurer, and I played a diviner with a focus on crowd control (groups and single targets). We all knew each other so we purposely filled the roles, and since we were at a con we'd get a couple of other players each game; typically another damage dealing type.

Anyway, I am interested to see the higher tiers and how they play out.