iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 01/07/2026

Inspired by the World Cup - I thought I'd try making a football ttrpg. Check out Fußborg for free here: buff.ly/KGBXtQF

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 20/05/2026

This week I’ve been thinking about how to use survival instincts to bring more realism to combat. You’ve probably tried fight or flight, but what about freeze or fawn? Read more here: buff.ly/M2NPQhg

001

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 25/02/2026

Four simple steps to making one of D&D's most controversial systems feel better at your table: buff.ly/EDikbPU

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 15/02/2026

I like the efficiency of Daggerheart's magic items tables (120 items across 5 pages)… but it does feel a little less special than the layout of D&D's Dungeon Master's Guide, with colour art for most pieces and big text blocks. Which do you prefer?

020

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 20/12/2025

Okay, so we are fighting our figgy pudding with this sword. What is it's name and what power does it gift you?

100

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/11/2025

My players loved The Red Rooster and it's landlord, Posy... so they were devastated when it got crushed by a black dragon. This is how I created it: buff.ly/foDH7Bp

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/11/2025

A random generator is fine, but there is a simple solution for coming up with a tavern your players will never forget. buff.ly/foDH7Bp

130

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/11/2025

A little surprised to see @criticalrole.bsky.social pop up in the middle of the evening news...

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 30/10/2025

I was pleased with how quickly the group solved this one. Although fans of a certain video game get a big head start!

000

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 22/10/2025

This is my first ever attempt at crafting terrain. Here's how it came together: buff.ly/Lrz4i9J

030

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 04/10/2025

"Perhaps down the road, counting gold will go the way of ammunition and encumbrance - embraced by those who love realism, but forgotten about at most tables." More here: buff.ly/OHjyYQl

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 30/08/2025

In last night's game, my party earned the services of an animated armour they quickly named Arthur. I did a funny voice for Arthur and chose a mini for him. I will now let every party member die before Arthur comes to any harm.

020

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 25/08/2025

These “Scarab Knights” kicked ass. Its over 2 years since I forced my brother to paint these minis for our home game and ran out of time to use them on the day. Totally worth it when I saw the players faces as I dropped them down on the map.

000

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 31/07/2025

Went for a walk today, spotted my new DM chair…

120

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 22/07/2025

Adventure starter for ten... You find a portable hole, what surprising thing is inside? Leave your best ideas in the comments!

110

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/07/2025

Summer holidays killing your regular game? In August I'm running a free playtest of my new play by post game: Deal, Draw and Crawl. It's inspired by Dungeon Crawls and Fantasy Football. Find out more and sign up to play here: buff.ly/3mLuIKl #selfpromosaturday #ttrpg

020

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 13/07/2025

I absolutely adored #Krypto in the new #Superman film. Here's my thoughts on how to bring that magic to your game: buff.ly/OrgqPzy #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #comicbooks #DC

050

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 15/06/2025

Creating anything from scratch is easy once you have this one thing: buff.ly/cPoRtaI

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/06/2025

You would have thought the Ancient Egyptians favoured a D4.

120

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 22/05/2025

How do you make Hags feel like a coven in combat? I'm designing a 5e encounter with three hags, and the coven spells are fine - but are really just more spells and damage. I want the players to feel like they are fighting one entity in three bodies. All ideas welcome!

141

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 18/05/2025

So the party chose to hide in crates instead of fight. Here's what I did next: buff.ly/f7VUmkp

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/05/2025

Last night my players hid in crates to avoid my planned combat. How would you react?

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/04/2025

Using a rotavator in the garden. Guess where my mind is…

030

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 09/04/2025

Are you asking the right questions? This week I share how the lessons I learnt as a journalist made me a better ttrpg player. buff.ly/pKbhYYN

040

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 26/03/2025

Have you ever wondered how other DM's seem to be a well of creativity? More often than not they are relying on a technique no one is talking about: the DM's stockpot: buff.ly/gVOGAov

000

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/03/2025

🗝 Locks don’t keep unwanted people out - it delays them from getting in. This small shift in mindset could stop a locked door from derailing your adventure. ⏬️ buff.ly/j8sWUBC

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/03/2025

Ten word adventure starter: How did these strange circles appear on the village green? Leave your ideas in the comments!

020

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 13/03/2025

Today’s ten word adventure starter: They found the King’s bones, why were his feet missing? Share your ideas in the comments!

220

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/03/2025

So excited to see this land in my inbox this morning. The monsters released by @dungeondudes.bsky.social so far have been incredible, but I can't wait to get to grips with the crafting system. I've already started running it in my campaign, so I hope I got it right!

Beta PDF release.
Posted by Dungeok Dudes

Looks like I'm calling in sick today...

030

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 11/03/2025

I've made several attempt to write a homebrew subclass, this is the first one that I was able to complete. Art by @matthewart.bsky.social You can see the full fighter subclass for free here: buff.ly/DrMBCry But here's a little breakdown of what's on offer👇

110

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 10/03/2025

Happy #MAR10 Day ! ⭐️ This incredible piece by @matthewart.bsky.social inspired my new Fighter subclass, celebrating the world's greatest plumber. Check it out here: buff.ly/DrMBCry #Mar10day #Marioday #supermario #nintendo #Mario #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #dnd5e #homebrew

061

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 08/03/2025

There's still 24 hours for new subscribers can still pick up my first ever zine! Five twists on the classic Skeleton that will keep players guessing.

120

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 05/03/2025

How to fold your Skele-zine. I'm giving away my first ever zine to all new free subscribers before midnight on Sunday. It includes 5e twists on the classic foe that will surprise your party: buff.ly/If5T29D

021

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 26/02/2025

Who says you need a healer? Try a totally different tactic for your party: buff.ly/4iafTA1

020

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 25/02/2025

Ten word adventure starter: Why does a cat live in the old book store? Share your ideas in the comments! #ttrpg #dnd5e #dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #dmideas

071

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 23/02/2025

Monster Manual rants and raves: Rave 1: The art. Every monster looks cool and dangerous now. Rave 2: Alphabetised monsters. It's so much easier to find everything now. Got your hands on the new MM yet? Any rants or raves to add?

220

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 22/02/2025

Asking for a friend... To clarify, what I mean is that most DMs start off wanting to run a fully homebrew campaign. Once you've done that, a solid pre-written module, with lots of work done for you, holds a lot of appeal!

Is running a module
the DM equivalent
of playing a human fighter?

120

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 21/02/2025

Guess who has two thumbs and is playing D&D tonight...

170

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 19/02/2025

Most tables use music during their games. This simple technique will help you improve your roleplay, before you even start playing. Here's how to build a playlist for your character: buff.ly/4k7WjWu #dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg #playeradvice #dungeonsanddragons

050

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 18/02/2025

New DMs: Don't write long pages of notes and dialogue you'll never need. Keep it short and sweet, a handful of words can do all the heavy lifting you need. #ttrpg #dnd5e #dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #dungeonmastertips

1152

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 17/02/2025

Ten word adventure starter: Where did the sculpture of one hundred villagers come from? Share your ideas in the comments! #ttrpg #dnd5e #dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #dmideas

030

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 16/02/2025

Here's three things I like about Rise of the GM (and I think you will too): buff.ly/3QnROJD Got a podcast you'd like me to listen to? Leave a comment! #dnd5e #dnd #dndactualplay #dndpodcast #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg

141

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 14/02/2025

Ten word adventure starter: Why is the village priest marrying young couples in secret? Share your ideas in the comments! #ttrpg #dnd5e #dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #dmideas - - - Today's starter is inspired by the story of one of the real St Valentines. Enjoy the day if you are celebrating!

052

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 13/02/2025

Character creation tip: Nail down your character's wants and needs. A cool theme is important, but your character comes to life once you know what they want from the story. #ttrpg #dnd5e #dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #charactercreation

050

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/02/2025

There were some amazing new cantrips in 2024 rules, but this one promises to deliver the most fun: buff.ly/4jVXs3e #dnd #dnd5e #dndadvice #dungeonsanddragons #characterbuilds

010

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 12/02/2025

For ten years players have literally been selling their souls to learn this cantrip. But here’s what everyone misses: Eldritch Blast is boring. Discover a new cantrip that will bring more fun to your table here: buff.ly/4jVXs3e #dnd #dnd5e #dndadvice #dungeonsanddragons #characterbuilds

121

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 10/02/2025

Ten word adventure starter: Why do servants hide their faces from the castle lord? Share your ideas in the comments! #ttrpg #dnd5e #dnd #Dungeonsanddragons #dmideas

230

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 09/02/2025

The best decision I made as a player was to stop worrying about how much damage I could deal and start thinking about the most cinematic option I could take. What would be the coolest thing I could describe in that moment. What's your most memorable moment in combat?

Focusing on damage is the biggest mistake I see ttrpg players make.

062

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 09/02/2025

This week I got to play Pirouette by @innocentgoblin.bsky.social Here's three things I liked about the game (and I think you will too): buff.ly/4aQpBV7 #ttrpg #ttrpgs #ttrpgcommunity #tabletop #tabletopgames #indiecreator

152

Mage Advice @mageadvice.substack.com · 08/02/2025

For this #SelfPromoSaturday, I'm hoping to find some artists to work on a collab. I've rolled up three completely random characters, but I'd love to get some three original and original pieces of art to go with them. Message me if interested. #TTRPG #DnD #DnD5e #Illustration #Art

042