Dead Letter Bureau

D&D 5.5E (officially the 2024 core rules revision) is the modernized, updated evolution of the immensely popular Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (2014). The new and updated version of the system was released to coincide with the game’s 50th anniversary. Rather than replacing 5th Edition with a completely new "6th Edition," 5.5E refines and expands upon the existing 5E framework and most of the already existing mechanics. It is maintaining backwards compatibility with the  adventure and source books from 5th Edition. Description D&D 5.5E is the continuation of the iconic d20-based heroic fantasy roleplaying game. Players take on the roles of daring adventurers and the Dungeon Master (DM) describes the world, the events, controls the monsters and non-player characters, and referees the rules. The 5.5E revision was driven heavily by years of player feedback and data on how tables actually run the game. As a result, the new core rulebooks, the Player’s Handbook (September 2024), Dungeon Master’s Guide (November 2024), and Monster Manual (February 2025) are better organized, have clarified language and wording, and try to bring a stronger balance between spellcasting and martial classes. It plays exactly like the 5th Edition, but with tighter mechanics, fewer confusing edge-cases, and more tactical options for the players to have a more unique approach and feel to their characters. System Overview & Key Features Weapon Masteries This is a massive change to how martial classes are played in combat. Weapons now have specific "Mastery" properties, such as Cleave, Graze, or Push. This allows the characters to apply tactical, battlefield-controlling effects on their strikes rather than only rolling for standard damage on their turns. Subclass Standardization All character classes now choose their defining subclass at Level 3. This standardizes character progression and prevents the narrative weirdness of a Level 1 character instantly unlocking ultimate magical bloodlines before they've even adventured. Streamlined Conditions & Mechanics Historically clunky rules have been completely overhauled. For example: Surprise Instead of enemies randomly losing their first turn, surprised combatants simply roll their Initiative with Disadvantage. Exhaustion Replaced with a much simpler, cumulative 1-to-10 scale where each level of exhaustion simply subtracts from your d20 rolls and reduces your movement speed. Hiding Normalized so that successfully hiding essentially grants the "Invisible" condition, removing ambiguity for the DM. The Bastion System Introduced in the new Dungeon Master's Guide, this is an official customizable base-building system. It allows players to construct and manage their own strongholds. From arcane observatories to gambling dens. Apex Monsters & Upgraded Threats The 2025 Monster Manual expanded the roster to over 500 creatures, redesigning legacy stat blocks to be more dynamic in combat. It also introduced "Apex Monsters". These are a higher Challenge Rating versions of classic monsters (like an Apex Hag) designed to serve as more challenging bosses or enemies adding more danger and flavor to the basic version of the creature. Backwards Compatibility The core promise of 5.5E has been that you can still run older 5E adventure modules or campaign settings, even while adapting and using the newer ruleset and systems. If a table wants to bring a 2014 character class into a 5.5E game, the rules are there to accommodate, though it is highly encouraged to transition older characters to the updated 2024 mechanics, as the new systems bring  horizontal expansions to various classes and abilities. Additional links D&D Beyond Basic Rules - Free basic ruleset for the 5.5E D&D

Hand on the Door is an actual play Delta Green podcast of four best friends laughing into the void and kicking against the pricks. Sam leads Jimmy (FP), Mazie (Fruman) and Aubrey (Thaddeus) through a surrealist nightmare in New Mexico, an original campaign inspired by coffee black as midnight on a moonless night, children of Old Leech, and the writings of Sutter Cane. New episodes of HotD will be released every other week! Links youtube.com - Youtube channel spotify.com - Spotify feed podcasts.apple.com - Apple Podcasts feed

Mutants & Masterminds is a superhero role-playing game written by Steve Kenson and published by Green Ronin Publishing. The current 3rd Edition, which also serves as the engine for the DC Adventures game, was released in 2010. It is highly flexible, point buy system that allows players to build any superpower they can come up with, from classic caped crusaders and vigilantes to cosmic entities and mystical sorcerers. The system it directly evolved from is d20 System (2000) Description Mutants & Masterminds' game mechanics use a highly modified version of the d20 System. All characters in this game, from heroes and villains to the average person on the street, are defined by eight abilities, basic traits each character has to a greater or lesser extent. Abilities tell you how strong, smart, and aware a character is, among other things. The abilities are: Strength, Stamina, Agility, Dexterity, Fighting, Intellect, Awareness, and Presence System Overview & Key Features The Single d20 Engine The system is a true d20 engine. The twenty-sided die will be the only one you will need for the rest of the game. Every roll happens with the d20 as the baseline and then various bonuses and modifiers are added or subtracted. Point Buy Character Creation There are no random rolls for character creation. Players are given a budget of Power Points based on the campaign's Power Level. Every ability, from super strength to immortality, has a specific cost per rank, enabling high amounts of character customization and forging your unique superhero (or -villain). Effects Based Power Design Instead of a list of hundreds of pre defined spells or powers, the game uses Effects. If you want a fire blast, a freezing ray, or a telekinetic shove, you simply buy the "Damage" effect and apply descriptors like "Fire" or "Cold". This allows for endless creativity in how powers are themed. The Toughness Save vs Hit Points The game completely eliminates Hit Points. When a character is hit, they must make a Toughness resistance check. Failing the check results in cumulative penalties. A minor failure causes a "Bruise" penalty to future saves, while a massive failure can result in being dazed, staggered, or instantly knocked unconscious. Power Level Caps To keep the game balanced, the Game Master sets a Power Level (PL) for the campaign. This acts as a ceiling that limits the maximum total of a character's attack bonus, damage, defenses, and skills. This prevents one player from being mathematically untouchable while others struggle to contribute. Victory Points and Heroics Players can earn Victory Points (formerly Hero Points) for roleplaying their character's complications, such as a secret identity or a specific weakness like kryptonite. These points can be spent to reroll dice, recover from injuries, or use "Power Extractions" to perform stunts they haven't officially bought yet. Additional links greenronin.com - Official Green Ronin Publishing website d20herosrd.com - Official Mutants and Masterminds System Reference Document