Active Shields

    While trying to tweak game mechanics in the past I've played with active shields for PCs. It was a simple houserule, when attacked shields offer a 2 in 6 chance for the character to be treated with AC equal to Plate +1. This inherently has diminishing returns, as the higher AC your armor provides passively the less often your shield with have a chance to defend the attack.

How realistic is Weapon and Armor encumbrance in B/X?

    I've been thinking about encumbrance recently and the best way to handle it at the table. Like all things D&D related, some amount of abstraction is used as to not have to provide a perfect representation of the world. Lets take a look at a few historical weapons from around the end of the 15th century and how they pair up to the rules provided in B/X. 

Three Magic Items

     In the games I run, all magic items offer some form of activated magical ability as well as passive bonuses, typically in the form of a number of gemstones set into the handle of a weapon or the face of a shield. When used the gemstones cloud and will need to spend a day under sunlight to recharge. Here are a few magic items laying in my mega dungeon just waiting for someone to find them.