Author: Brandon Gregory

Brandon Gregory is a web developer and writer in the Kansas City area. He's been playing TTRPGs since 2020 and is involved in the disability-related TTRPG podcast Tales from the Crips. He's into classic movies, mental health, and, of course, DnD. Also, he's in a band. One time, they rocked so hard it killed a man.

Posts by Brandon Gregory

• One Piece Characters in DnD (Mon Aug 14 2023) – Whether it's Usopp doing that marksman thing, or Zoro, who's like a Samurai, or Nami, who isn't shy, One Piece characters can actually translate well to DnD.
• Roleplaying (Mon Aug 14 2023) – Roleplaying tips, thoughts, and guidelines that apply to Dungeons & Dragons as well as a host of other TTRPGs
• Barbarian - Path of the Street Brawler (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew Barbarian subclass that learned its fighting style in the streets and focuses on unarmed combat
• Monk - Way of the Valkyrie (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew Monk subclass that specializes in taking out flying opponents, as well as targets much bigger than them
• Rogue - Sniper (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew Rogue subclass with superior archery skills, always seeking out the most advantageous spots on the battlefield
• DnD 5e Homebrew (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A collection of some of the homebrew I've created over the years for DnD. Mostly subclasses, but I'm adding things frequently.
• Amulet of Huffing and Snuffing (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew magic item that enables you to quickly extinguish all flames around you
• Gloves of True Feeling (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew magic item that will make a special gift to any player character
• Hag's Blessing (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew magic item that gives you some of a hag's strength, but also allows the hag to benefit from your attunement to it
• Ring of Gaming Strategy (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew magic item that gives you an edge when playing Rock, Paper, Scissors
• Artificer - Chaos Agent (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew Artificer subclass that sows chaos in the enemy ranks using a variety of explosive devices
• Paladin - Oath of Freedom (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew Paladin subclass that fights for freedom, focusing on defending others and fighting off multiple attackers
• Ranger - Urban Hunter (Mon Aug 14 2023) – A 5e homebrew Ranger subclass that evolved to hunt in cities rather than forests
• DnD 5e Monk Calculators (Thu Jan 25 2024) – Ever wonder exactly how much damage a monk can prevent with deflect missiles, or how many feet a monk can fall with slow fall? Here are some calculators.
• Dragon Age Characters in DnD (Wed Apr 17 2024) – Dragon Age characters are well-loved, but also well-designed, and there are some fantastic analogies to DnD.
• Final Fantasy Characters in DnD (Fri Apr 26 2024) – Final Fantasy has a robust class system that doesn't always transfer to the DnD world, but some of these iconic characters are worth looking at in DnD.
• Top 10 Alternative Skill Checks in DnD 5e (Fri Apr 26 2024) – Whether checking endurance for a long-distance run or strength for intimidation, alternative skill checks can allow players to shine. Here are some common ones.
• DnD 5e Build Guides (Fri Apr 26 2024) – Want to know how to build the perfect archer or support caster? These DnD build guides for archers, AOE mages, tanks, and more give you the best options.
• DnD 5e Tools (Fri Apr 26 2024) – Here's a collection of calculators and other tools for Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• Monk - Way of the Sly Serpent (Fri Apr 26 2024) – A DnD 5e homebrew Monk subclass that fights dirty and excels at grappling
• Giving Epithets to Player Characters (Tue Apr 30 2024) – Epithets are nicknames or titles that are descriptive and earned, giving players a sense of celebrity and achievement. Here are some guidelines on using them.
• DnD 5e Character Creation (Sun May 19 2024) – Need some info on what general roles you can play or what each class does? Check out these tips and clarifications for character creation in DnD.
• DnD in Pop Culture (Wed May 22 2024) – Curious about how your favorite anime characters or video game heroes translate to DnD? Here are some pop culture characters and how to build them in DnD.
• Fighter - Dragon Knight (Thu Jul 18 2024) – A 5e homebrew Fighter subclass that fights using jump attacks and a spectral spear
• D&D and Mental Health (Thu Jul 18 2024) – D&D can help us deal with depression, trauma, or stress, and there's some science to back that up. Here's some information on that.
• Party Roles and Composition in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Thinking about what type of DnD character to play can seem intimidating. Here are some basic combat and exploration roles your character can be built for.
• Class Guide and Playstyles in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – A basic overview of each DnD class, what makes it shine, and how it contributes to the party, with pop culture examples.
• Dexterity vs Strength Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Choosing between strength and dexterity in DnD can be tricky. Here's a quick guide on the pros and cons of each, along with how each class handles it.
• Mental Stats Compared in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – What's the difference between Intelligence and Wisdom? Can low-Charisma characters be likeable? Here's a quick comparison of the three mental stats.
• Armor Types in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Light armor, medium armor, or heavy armor? This can be confusing, but the mechanics provide some clear advantages for each. Here's a primer.
• How to Build Solas from Dragon Age Inquisition in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Solas is a bit of a lone wolf, but he's a dreadfully strong party member, with a mix of support, control, and damage spells. Here's how to build him in DnD.
• How to Build Isabela from Dragon Age 2 in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Isabela is everyone's favorite pirate queen, but her flashy dueling style makes for a great DnD character. Check out this guide to learn how to make her in DnD.
• How to Build Rikku from Final Fantasy X in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Rikku is an enthusiastic and oddly adorable thief in Final Fantasy X, but she's also a fantastic support and utility character. Here's how to build her in DnD.
• How to Build Rosa from Final Fantasy IV in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Much more than a simple healer, Rosa was an amazing character in Final Fantasy IV, and can be a great basis for a build in DnD.
• How to Build Barret from Final Fantasy VII Remake in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Barret is a character you don't see often in DnD: a ranged tank. Can that work in DnD? Surprisingly, yes! Here's how.
• How to Build Tidus from Final Fantasy X in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Tidus grew into a strong leader with his support and attack abilities, his drive to succeed and overcome, and his leadership abilities. Here's how to build him.
• Deadly Poisoner Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Poisoning an enemy is undeniably cooler than killing them with a sword. Here's the state of poison damage in 5e, and some builds for a poisoner character.
• Sling Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Whether you want to be David from antiquity or Usopp from One Piece, here are some of the most effective sling builds.
• How to Build Anders from Dragon Age 2 in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Anders is a healer and ranged spell splinger with an unusual relationship with a spirit of justice. That's a perfect fit for a certain type of DnD character.
• How to Build Auron from Final Fantasy X in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Auron, Final Fantasy X’s stoic warrior, was an invaluable party member due to his survivability and raw damage output. Here's how to build him in DnD.
• How to Build Yuna from Final Fantasy X in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Yuna is a support caster who guides spirits into the afterlife and consoles their loved ones who are left behind. Is there an equivalent in DnD? Yes!
• How to Build Cecil from Final Fantasy IV in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Cecil is a quintessential paladin, but his dark past can give him a unique angle for a DnD character.
• How to Build Edward from Final Fantasy IV in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – No party needs another horny bard. Edward is a tragic bard with strong controller abilities that can be a benefit to any party.
• How to Build Yang from Final Fantasy IV in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Can FF4's unusually buff monk be built in Dungeons and Dragons? Well, you can get pretty close! Here's an odd monk build with high survivability.
• How to Build Celes from Final Fantasy VI in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – A magic knight who can absorb harmful magic, Celes was a powerful character in Final Fantasy VI. Here's how to build her in DnD.
• How to Build Terra from Final Fantasy VI in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Half-esper and powerful magic-user Terra from Final Fantasy VI is an interesting character and a challenge to build in DnD, but these tips will get you there!
• Adding Utility to Any Character (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Artificers are the ultimate utility class, but any character can add more utility to their toolkit with these items and feats.
• Death from Above! Archer Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Anyone can hold a bow, but few really shine. Picking the right class, subclass, feats, and magic items can make your archer powerful and fun to play.
• Best Barbarian Feats for Damage (Sat Jul 20 2024) – When building a Barbarian, some feats can be the cornerstone of your build. Here are some hard numbers comparing them.
• AOE Blaster Caster Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Blaster casters excel at attacking groups of foes and can be fun to play. Here's a breakdown of classes, spells, and feats to make the best blaster builds.
• Strategic Control Caster Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Control casters can absolutely wreck an enemy party. Here's a look at classes, spells, and feats for control casters to make your build the most effective.
• Ultimate Dart Thrower Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – From Roman war darts to throwing daggers, darts in DnD are surprisingly effective. Here's some background info and build suggestions for dart throwers in DnD.
• En Garde! Fencer Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – From Zorro to Puss in Boots, fencers are a big part of pop culture. Throw down the gauntlet with these fencer builds for DnD 5e.
• Mage Hunter Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Tracking down evil mages and stopping abuses of magic is a great character concept. Here are 5 builds for mage hunters that specialize in fighting magic users.
• Spear and Quarterstaff Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Quarterstaves and spears can be powerful weapons with the right classes and feats. Whether you use Strength, Dexterity, or Wisdom, here are some builds.
• Summoner Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Summoners appear a lot of pop culture and they can work surprisingly well as a DnD concept. Here's how to build one.
• Healer/Buffer Support Caster Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Support casters, including healers and buffers, can be vital in a DnD party. Here are some of the best classes and feats for support casters.
• Ultimate Defender Tank Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Unlike video games, tanking is deceptively difficult in DnD. Here are some builds for the most effective tanks.
• Strength-Based Unarmed Brawler Builds in DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – A rough-and-tumble street brawler can hit like a truck and go all day without running out of ki points. Here's how to build one in DnD 5e.
• Best Utility Cantrips in DnD 5e, Ranked (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Cantrips can be versatile tools and can solve a lot of common problems that players face. Here are the most useful cantrips, ranked.
• How to Build Wakka from Final Fantasy X in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – A lot of DnD builds, ya? Wakka's powerful ranged attacks and debilitating status effects translate well to DnD. Praise be to Yevon. Here's how to build him.
• How to Build Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII Remake in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Yuffie is a surprisingly diverse character with good stealth and athletic skills who's equally dangerous up close and at range. Here's how to build her in DnD.
• How to Resolve Most TTRPG Disagreements (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Where there are people, there are eventually disagreements. Here's how to settle disagreements at your table.
• Using Stage Plays In Your Campaign (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Plays provide great opportunities for GMs in storytelling, participation, and worldbuilding. Here are some ways to effectively use plays in your campaign.
• Putting Together a Heist Crew for DnD 5e (Sat Jul 20 2024) – If you're putting together a crew for a heist adventure, party roles and needs can be quite different than in a regular adventure. Here are 6 roles to succeed.
• How to Build Lulu from Final Fantasy X in DnD (Sat Jul 20 2024) – Do you like magic? Do you like blowing things up? Do you want to be a goth princess? Lulu might be the DnD character you've been looking for!
• DnD 2024 Build Guides (Sat Sep 07 2024) – Want to know how to build a powerful tank or blaster caster in DnD 2024? These build guides for give you the best options.
• Updated Defender Tank Builds in DnD 2024 (Sat Sep 07 2024) – Tanking can be hard in DnD, but good tanks can do a lot to protect their allies. Here are some of the best tank builds in DnD 2024.