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Madness is a pretty difficult concept to roleplay inDungeons & Dragons.
Learn if it is either real or not.
Using these well can be a challenge.
Reality Break by Brian Valeza
Applying the right finesse and knowing when to go off-book can help you keep madness interesting.
When To Use Madness Effects
Madness is divided into three categories in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Each of these fits well into certain scenarios that make use of their effects the best.
Descent into Avernus Cover Art by Tyler Jacobson
Indefinite madness is unlikely to be curedin most low level campaigns.
You should be cautious about giving these effects to players without covering it in a session zero.
The player doesn’t get to do much to interact with this madness.
Descent into Avernus Cover Art by Tyler Jacobson
If these effects happen in combat, the character might as well be reduced to zero HP.
In most other situations the party can just wait for the madness to pass.
How penalising this is going to be will depend wildly on the character being affected.
Bone Devil art via Wizards of the Coast
These don’t really do anything besides set up a rather stiffly scripted comedy scene.
Unless you have some stellar roleplayers, these options are more of a nuisance than anything.
Especially if rolled repeatedly.
Intellect Devourer by Brian Valeza
Some groups will enjoy the drama of having to incapacitate a friend without hurting them.
Others will see this as a waste of time and resources.
Other effectson a table can betaxing on the DM.
Mind Flayer by Daarken
Giving a character long-term blindness means changing how you approach every scene that relies on visual storytelling.
Another madness effect forces a saving throw against confusion every time the character takes damage, slowing combat significantly.
With the steep cost that long-term madness can inflict, you will want to be sparing about using it.
Setting Up Camp by Matthew Stawicki
Using Indefinite Madness
Indefinite Madness works in a completely different wayto the other two madness mechanics.
Especially if you don’t replace some of the sillier options.
As always,use safety features like an X card to protect your group.
