DMG Chapter 8: Running the Game: Combat, Chases, Diseases, Poisons, Madness & Experience Points | GMJ 262

Lex & Brett wrap up their discussion of chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide—Running the Game. Today they cover combat in D&D, chases, siege equipment, diseases, poisons and madness. They also talk about dealing with (or not dealing with) experience points at the table. What do you do about missing players if you use xp? Finally, they explore the pros and cons of leveling using xp, milestone leveling or hand-waved leveling.

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Lex's Series on the Player's Handbook

Episode 137: PHB Prelude through Chapter 4

Episode 138: PHB Chapter 5 - Equipment

Episode 139: PHB Chapter 6 - Multiclassing & Feats

Episode 140: PHB Chapter 7 - Ability Scores

Episode 142: PHB Chapter 8 - Adventuring part 1

Episode 143: PHB Chapter 8 - Adventuring part 2

Episode 145: PHB Chapter 9 - Combat

Episode 146: PHB Chapter 10 & Appendices - Spellcasting, Conditions & Exhaustion

Lex's Series on the Dungeon Master's Guide

Episode 221: Overview of Rules to Focus on as a DM and Where to Find them

Episode 151: DMG Introduction - Know Your Players

Episode 152: DMG Chapter 1 - A World of Your Own

Episode 154: DMG Chapter 1 - Gods of Your World

Episode 155: DMG Chapter 1 - Developing Gods & Pantheons for Your World

Episode 156: DMG Chapter 1 - Mapping Your World

Episode 158: DMG Chapter 1 - Creating Settlements for Your Campaign

Episode 161: DMG Chapter 1 - Factions & Organizations

Episode 163: DMG Chapter 1 - Magic in Your World

Episode 164: DMG Chapter 1 - Creating Campaigns

Episode 165: DMG Chapter 1 - Creating Campaign Events

Episode 173: DMG Chapter 1 - Play Style & Tiers of Play

Episode 175: DMG Chapter 1 - Flavors of Fantasy

Episode 179: DMG Chapter 2 - Creating a Multiverse

Episode 183: DMG Chapter 2 - The Astral Plane

Episode 200: DMG Chapter 3 - Creating Adventures

Episode 202: DMG Chapter 3 - Creating Encounters

Episode 207: DMG Chapter 3 - Random Encounters

Episode 223: DMG Chapter 4 - Creating Nonplayer Characters

Episode 228: DMG Chapter 5 - Adventure Environments - Dungeons

Episode 232: DMG Chapter 5 - Adventure Environments - Wilderness Part 1

Episode 233: DMG Chapter 5 - Adventure Environments - Wilderness Part 2

Episode 235: DMG Chapter 5 - Adventure Environments - Settlements & Unusual Environments

Episode 239: DMG Chapter 5 - Adventure Environments - Traps

Episode 242: DMG Chapter 6 - Between Adventures - Linking Adventures Together

Episode 256: DMG Chapter 6 - Between Adventures - Downtime Activities

Episode 257: DMG Chapter 7 - Treasure

Episode 259: DMG Chapter 8 - Running the Game - Table Rules

Episode 260: DMG Chapter 8 - The Role of the Dice

Episode 261: DMG Chapter 8 - Exploration, Social Interaction & Objects

Combat

Tracking Initiative

Hidden List
Visible List
Index Cards

Tracking Monster Hit Points

Using & Tracking Conditions

Monsters & Critical Hits

Improvising Damage

Adjudicating Areas of Effect

Graphical guide to areas of effect on a grid.

Handling Mobs

Using Miniatures

Tactical Maps
Creature Size on Squares & Hexes
Areas of Effect
Line of Sight
Cover
Optional Rule: Flanking
Optional Rule: Diagonals
Optional Rule: Facing

Adjudicating Reaction Timing

Combining Game Effects

Chases

Chase Complications

Siege Equipment

Diseases

Poisons

Purchasing Poison

Crafting & Harvesting Poison

Madness

Going Mad

Madness Effects

Curing Madness

Experience Points

Absent Characters

Milestones

Level Advancement Without XP (Hand-Waving)

Session-Based Advancement
Story-Based Advancement

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