Blood Hunter Class by Matt Mercer comes to D&D Beyond
A bit over 2 years ago the Nerdarchy crew got together and playtested the blood hunter class for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. We had a blast playing high-level D&D characters while checking out this third party character class by Matt Mercer of Critical Role.
For those of you who are not familiar with him, Matt Mercer has done a few nerdy thing recently.
He is the Dungeon Master in the Geek & Sundry web series Critical Role, along with several other voice actors. The show’s first campaign went on for over 100 episodes until its epic conclusion, with numerous one-shots and special events on the way there. Critical Role’s new campaign just started last night, Jan. 11, 2018. New episodes are live streamed Thursday night at 7 p.m. pacific on Twitch and Project Alpha. He has a campaign book called Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting. He also does voice acting, among other things.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #30 – “Alt-itis”
Out of the Box introduction
D&D Sorcerer Multiclass Options and Builds to Make a Magical Day
The fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons sorcerer – is it a class worth multiclassing in or out of? Let’s find out.
First off let’s split this guide into three parts. The first of which being, taking the sorcerer all the way through to 20th level. The second takes the class from 14th to 18th level. And finally, the third option takes the class to 10th level (this is the minimum level to where you get eleven spells, as well as your third Metamagic option).
Critical Role #silhouettewatch Predictions for New Campaign
Hello! Nerditor Doug here to introduce a guest post from Gin, who plays Kath the tiefling paladin on Nerdarchy’s Scarlet Sisterhood of Steel and Sorcery. The campaign is up to Session 40 as of this writing, with Session 41 streaming at 7 p.m. eastern on YouTube. Gin knows a little something about playing D&D in a live stream game so she’s bringing her savvy here to share her predictions for #silhouettewatch – the fan speculation about the new campaign for Critical Role beginning Jan. 11, 2018.
D&D Prismatic Light Sorcerer – A Bright Idea for a Sorcerous Origin
Hello! Nerditor Doug here to introduce guest poster Kyle Ellis, coming to Nerdarchy.com directly from a recent live chat with YouTuber Kenneth Woody whose work you’ll also find here on our site.
In the chat Kyle mentioned something about a rainbow sorcerous origin for the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons sorcerer class. Sorcerer is one of my favorite classes to tinker around with subclass ideas (psychic mind mage WIP I swear) and light- or color-based characters in particular fascinate me. So let’s get to it, the Prismatic Light Bloodline sorcerous origin for D&D.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #29 – “Drinking Problem”
Out of the Box introduction
The D&D Beholder – Randomized!
I have a love for all that is weird and other in the D&D fantasy worlds we share. One of my favorite creatures from the Dungeons & Dragons mythos is the beholder. As an avid reader of H.P. Lovecraft and the many other authors who followed in his footsteps, Arthur Machen, Robert Bloch and Stephen King, to name a few, it should come as no surprise that ball of tentacles, eyes and madness should attract my attention.
Worldbuilding: Tyrannical D&D Goblinoids and Dragon God
Building the darkness in D&D
I’ve been doing some D&D worldbuilding recently and one of my favorite elements to work on is the raid/conquest-driven peoples. For my own part the mental blueprint I draw from is the more romantic version of Mongols, Vikings, or Visigoths. I say the romantic version because, despite what pop culture may want you to believe, these were well-organized peoples. Complex internal structures were used to support raids which were more often a means to extend influence and power rather than fill the bellies and purses of the raiding warriors.
Perusing D&D Player’s Companion for 5E D&D
Welcome to the trials and tribulations of a new series. In this one, I will be scouring the Dungeon Master’s Guild, StoryTeller’s Vault, and the net itself to review homebrew content of all levels of skill and professional build. I decided to open up this series with the current, as of the time my fingers hit the keyboard, No. 1 searched item on DM’s Guild.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #28 – “Crackpot”
Out of the Box introduction
Worldbuilding: Customizing the D&D Dwarf and Dwarven Culture
While speaking with a friend about game world ideas for Dungeons & Dragons I mentioned I had done some preliminary work on defining the human cultures of my game world to which he immediately asked “what kind of dwarves will you use?” I honestly hadn’t even considered anyone’s perception of a dwarf would vary greatly from my own so I went with what felt like a natural and reflexive answer. “Oh you know, standard quasi-norse-scottish dwarves”.
Fantastical Mounts: Ride into Legend with New Creatures for 5E
No terrain too difficult A dragonborn warrior, you are proud of your heritage. When your family came to Ulthe-Gana from the Dragon Realm, you were eager to explore the new lands and represent your kind among the people native to the world. As an...
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #27 – “Water Slide”
Out of the Box introduction
Keep Your Campaign on Track: Dead End Plots in D&D
A campaign in fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons, or any roleplaying game, turns on the words and deeds of the characters whose actions move the narrative forward – usually in ways the Game Master never expects. I’d say quite a few D&D adventures go in different directions almost immediately upon starting play. A GM can consider and plan for a million possibilities, and I’m never surprised when players do the million and first thing. Giving players agency in your game is vital, but what do you do when the adventurers venture far afield of the quests you prepared, or get stymied by obstacles, puzzles and other challenges impeding progress? Did the adventure hit a dead end?
Keep Your Campaign On Track: Missing Players
Hello nerds! Nerditor Doug here, welcoming back guest poster Elyunn who shared a great story along with tips and advice for getting started with Fantasy Grounds. She is back with us again, and this time around she adds to the Keep Your Campaign on Track series.
Elyunn spoke with some folks over at Fantasy Grounds College to glean their insights on a situation all roleplaying game groups experience at some point or another…


