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Every Dungeon Master eventually reaches the stage where every party seems to be in a an unsure situation. For example, the party is in a desperate fight and the rogue needs to be healed. The entire table debates whether drinking a potion requires a full action. D&D rules lay the foundation but what happens during your game is a whole other conflict.
House rules are the ultimate hack for the world’s greatest role-playing game. It doesn’t signal a failure of the core system. Instead, the mod symbolizes mature and engaged members that is in tune with what the group needs. They are tools a DM can use to transform a generic experience into a bespoke one, tailored to the players and the story.
Effective house rules incorporate principles of game design, psychology and leadership. Here is a framework that will help you move beyond running the game to actively designing it for a more dynamic and engaging experience.
The Philosophy of House Rules
The official rules for D&D 5th Edition are clearly outlined. However, certain mechanics can cause narrative drag or slow the action down. The goal of house rules is to increase the fun-per-hour a game can provide, benefiting everyone.
An example would be the strict tracking of ammunition or rations, which makes for tedious bookkeeping. A house rule might be more lax, assuming players have enough arrows until a dramatic moment indicates otherwise. Another example is streamlining potion use and transforming it into a bonus action instead of a full turn. It keeps the combat dynamic and prevents players from feeling left out for a simple recovery.
4 Principles for Balanced House Rules
Here are four principles that has proven effective for many DND veterans to increase the enjoyment in their gameplay.
1. Solve a Specific, Existing Problem
- Combat feels static
- Sorcerers feel underpowered compared to Wizards
- My players never use the flanking rules because they are too confusing
The rule’s success should be measured by its ability to solve the problem you identified. They exist for targeted and precise adjustments needed for the game.
2. Start Small and Iterate
Make sure you don’t overhaul the entire game system at once. Introduce a small change and treat the first game as beta testing. Announce it to the players and give the new house rule at least a few sessions. Discuss it with the group afterwards how you can finetune it.
3. Respect the Action Economy
The 5th Edition combat system is based on a simple foundation. During a player’s turn, they get to have one Action, one Bonus Action and one Reaction. The hardest house rules to bend are those that directly contradict this action economy. Make sure to use extreme caution when testing it out.
4. Write It Down and Share It
When you create a house rule that both the players and you are satisfied with, make sure to write it down and share it. A shared living document can be used to refer back when issues arise and appropriate actions for situations get murky. It prevents mid-game arguments and speeds up the onboarding process for new players joining the campaign.
3 Favorite House Rules
Here are the most favorite house rules of Dungeons and Dragons veterans from their decades of playing
1. The Bonus Action Potion Rule
Drinking a potion or administering it to another character requires a full Action in the official house rules. Many players feel like this is a wasted turn in the heat of the combat so they don’t use the potions they have collected. As a solution, a player can drink the potion themself as a Bonus Action but administering it to another creature will still require a full Action.
2. Cleave Rules for Martial Classes
A high-level Fighter or Barbarian can feel weak when surrounded by low-health attacking goblins. Since you can only eliminate one per attack, the high-level feels useless. Instead, when your melee attack reduces a creature to 0 hit points, you can transfer excess damage to other creatures within reach. This makes martial classes feel satisfying and almost cinematic for players.
3. Max Damage Critical Hits
There is no greater damage than rolling a natural 20, only to roll two 1s after. A critical hit should always feel impactful and exciting. As a rule change, you automatically deal the maximum possible damage for one of the dice on a critical hit. You can then roll the second dice as normal. This ensures that every critical hit feels like a significant event.
Your Game, Your Rules
The Player’s Handbook provides ample foundation for a fun and engaging Dungeons & Dragons game. However, house rules allow you to write your own unique story. As a DM, you can transform the shared hobby into a truly personalized experience for the group.
Start the process now. Think of one friction point that has been causing issues during your games. Collaborate with players to create a house rule that can potentially solve this issue. Test and refine after, that’s how you create the most fitting game for everyone.
