The Blog

How to play, read and build: the rules from the SRD, the tables from the Book, and the tools on this site.

• 2 Oct 2026 RulesAbility Checks and DCs, How Hard Is HardWhat an ability check is, which ability a task uses, when your skill adds its bonus, what the six DCs mean, and the real odds of beating each one at level 1. From SRD 5.2.1.
• 2 Oct 2026 PlayFilling In a Character Sheet, Box by BoxEvery number on a level 1 character sheet and where it comes from, with the SRD 5.2.1 formulas and one Fighter worked through from six scores to a finished sheet.
• 2 Oct 2026 PlayRunning a One-Shot, One Evening, Three FightsPlan a one-evening adventure for four level 1 characters with the SRD 5.2.1 encounter budget: three fights that rise from Low to High, goblins worked out to the XP, and the traps the rules warn about.
• 2 Oct 2026 RulesDamage and Critical Hits, Roll It RightHow a damage roll works, what a Critical Hit doubles and what it doesn't, half damage on a save, and the order Resistance and Vulnerability apply. From SRD 5.2.1, with the averages worked out.
• 2 Oct 2026 RulesConditions, the Fifteen Ways a Fight Turns on YouWhat a condition is, the eight that come up at nearly every table, how they nest inside each other, and what Restrained does to your odds of hitting. From SRD 5.2.1.
• 2 Oct 2026 RulesSaving Throws, the Roll You Never Choose to MakeWhat a saving throw is, which of the six to expect, how the DC is set, what your class trains you to resist, and the real odds on a Death Saving Throw. From SRD 5.2.1.
• 2 Oct 2026 RulesThree Ways to Make Ability Scores, and What Each One Costs YouStandard Array, Point Cost or four d6 dropping the lowest. What SRD 5.2.1 says about each method, the odds behind the roll, and how to pick one for your table.
• 2 Oct 2026 RulesAdvantage and Disadvantage, the Whole RuleRoll two d20s, keep one. What SRD 5.2.1 says about Advantage and Disadvantage, why they never stack, and what the second die is worth in plain odds.
• 2 Oct 2026 RulesHow to Read a Stat Block, One Goblin at a TimeEvery number on a monster's stat block, worked out from the Goblin Warrior in SRD 5.2.1, so you can run any creature from the page.
• 1 Oct 2026 DiceWhat Each Die Is ForThe d20 decides, the small dice measure. A plain guide to the seven dice in the set and the job each one does under SRD 5.2.1.
• 30 Sept 2026 BuildA Hero in Ten MinutesFive steps from a blank page to a character you can play tonight, with the free creator on this site and the SRD 5.2.1 rules beside it.