Mark Williams-Cook, Author at Deathsave

The cover of the "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual" is illustrated with a variety of fantastical creatures. A large red dragon with extended wings dominates the upper right, brandishing a club, next to the bold red title text. Below, a majestic unicorn with a golden mane stands on the left, while a green, lizard-like creature with a staff and a bird-like monster with a wide beak are on the right. The book's author, Gary Gygax, is credited at the bottom. The background depicts a serene outdoor scene with trees, sky, and a cliff edge.

1st Edition (1977) Monster Manual art vs 5th Edition (2014)

Ever wonder what those beautifully painted monsters in your source book looked like when they were originally drawn in 1977? Let’s explore some retro D&D art!

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 24 November 2023

Classes, Dungeons & Dragons Resources

Least popular DnD 5e classes in 2023

After gathering 2 separate surveys of over 3,000 DnD 5e players, we have compiled the 5 least popular classes, and why people dislike playing them.

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 9 March 2023

How To Play

Drowning & suffocating in DnD 5e explained

Turn the liquidy tables on your opponents with our guide to the ins and outs of drowning, suffocating and being underwater in 5e.

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 8 February 2023

Two fighters in plate armour in the tavern looking very suspiciously at the character sheet with all 18 attribute scores

DM Guides, Player Guides

What are the odds of rolling the ‘perfect’ DnD character?

So your character has 18 in all attributes? And you rolled this at home. On your own, you say? Do you know the odds of that happening?

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 22 January 2023

Two burly men are captured in a moment of intense action inside a bustling tavern. The man on the left is shouting aggressively, his face contorted in a roar, as he grapples with the other man. He is adorned with a variety of leather straps and belts, indicative of a rugged lifestyle, possibly that of a warrior or adventurer. The man on the right is being pushed backwards, a mug of ale in his hand sloshing its contents due to the altercation. The background is filled with the silhouettes of onlookers, blurred and out of focus, which suggests a chaotic atmosphere common in a bar fight scene. The painting style is realistic with a strong attention to detail, particularly in the expressions and clothing of the characters, immersing the viewer in the raw emotion of the scene.

How To Play

DnD 5e guide to grappling: Rules, tips and tricks

Grapple for glory! Grappling can be an incredibly useful skill to have within your party. This guide will let you get to grips with the rules and best ways to optimise your grappler build.

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 11 January 2023

Player Guides

Multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 will give players the option to bring more variety to their characters with 5e’s multiclassing system.

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 10 January 2023

A set of ornate, blue and gold polyhedral dice are laid out on a wooden surface next to a pen and a document. The document appears to be a resume or a form with various headings and bullet points, indicating a professional or formal context. The dice are detailed with intricate designs and are associated with tabletop role-playing games, suggesting a juxtaposition of work and play. The photo is taken from an angle, focusing on the dice and the top portion of the document, with the text mostly out of focus and unreadable.

DM Guides

How to put Dungeon Master on your resume or CV

Playing D&D and being a dungeon master can give you a lot of relevant soft skills for your resume or CV, the key is learning how to deliver it in a measured and impactful way.

Written by: Mark Williams-Cook

Published on: 11 December 2022