Not Another D&D Podcast D&D Court: Squishy Bears, Fishy Crits, and Uncommon Common
Dec 4, 2025
The court is back in session, tackling whimsical dilemmas like a one-HP teddy bear NPC and the emotional ties players form with it. The panel debates navigating plot armor versus player investments while suggesting mechanics like armor and potions. Mistakes at the table come under scrutiny, weighing fairness against maintaining momentum. In another case, a player suspects their DM is fudging rolls, sparking a discussion on trust and communication. Lastly, they explore fun solutions for language barriers in homebrew worlds to keep the game engaging.
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Let Players Level Up Their Beloved NPC
- Let players buff a beloved NPC to turn attachment into meaningful play rather than arbitrary risk.
- Provide middle-ground protections like tucked-in armor, plot-armor knockouts, or patchable HP to keep stakes without killing it.
Awakened Toys Are Natural Story Hooks
- Treat an awakened teddy as a story hook with intrinsic mystery about who awakened it.
- Lean into backstory and tailor loot or mechanics to reflect its narrative role.
Fix Roll Mistakes Fast And Fairly
- If you mis-roll and it would kill a character, correct quickly and salvage momentum with an in-game resolution.
- Offer a compromise like rerolling death mechanics (advantage or reduced risk) instead of reversing outcomes later.