Discover Strongholds and Followers, a comprehensive D&D 5th Edition supplement by Matt Colville, empowering players to build, manage, and command their own strongholds and loyal followers, reshaping their campaign experience.
Overview of the Supplement
Strongholds and Followers is a detailed supplement for D&D 5th Edition, created by Matt Colville and MCDM Productions. It focuses on empowering players to build, customize, and manage their own strongholds, offering a new layer of depth to their campaign experience. The supplement also introduces rules for recruiting and commanding followers, allowing players to expand their influence and engage in strategic gameplay. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the 5th Edition ruleset, Strongholds and Followers provides a rich framework for players to express their creativity and ambition; Whether constructing a fortress, leading an army, or shaping the world around them, this supplement offers unparalleled opportunities for storytelling and adventure. It includes detailed mechanics, customization options, and inspiring ideas to enhance any campaign.
Author and Creator: Matt Colville
Matt Colville, renowned for his expertise in D&D and engaging content creation, is the mastermind behind Strongholds and Followers. As a respected DM, YouTuber, and game designer, Colville has crafted this supplement to reflect his passion for enriching the D&D experience. His innovative approach to game mechanics and storytelling shines throughout the supplement, offering players and DMs alike new tools to explore. Colville’s vision for Strongholds and Followers stems from his extensive experience in both playing and mastering D&D, ensuring the content is both balanced and immersive. His dedication to enhancing gameplay has made him a trusted name in the D&D community, and this supplement is a testament to his creative brilliance and understanding of the game.
Relevance to D&D 5th Edition
Strongholds and Followers is specifically designed for D&D 5th Edition, offering players and DMs a fresh way to engage with the game. This supplement addresses the lack of detailed mechanics for managing strongholds and recruiting followers in the official 5E rules, providing a robust framework for these aspects. By integrating seamlessly with existing 5E content, it enhances gameplay without disrupting balance. Players can now spend their wealth on meaningful investments, such as fortresses and armies, while DMs gain tools to weave these elements into compelling narratives. Its relevance lies in its ability to expand the scope of D&D 5th Edition campaigns, making it a valuable resource for both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike. The supplement’s popularity underscores its importance in the D&D community.
Key Features of Strongholds and Followers
Strongholds and Followers offers detailed rules for constructing and managing strongholds, recruiting loyal followers, and integrating these elements into your D&D 5th Edition campaigns seamlessly and effectively.
Rules for Building and Managing Strongholds
The supplement provides detailed rules for constructing and customizing strongholds, allowing players to shape their bases with unique architecture, defenses, and utilities. It includes systems for resource management, upgrading structures, and maintaining follower morale. Players can assign roles to their followers, ensuring efficient operation of the stronghold. The rules also cover resolving conflicts, managing resources, and adapting to dynamic campaign events. These mechanics seamlessly integrate into D&D 5th Edition gameplay, offering a fresh layer of strategy and creativity for players seeking to establish their own domain within the game world.
Recruiting and Commanding Followers
Strongholds and Followers introduces robust systems for recruiting and managing followers, enabling players to assemble diverse groups of allies. These followers can be customized with unique roles, skills, and personalities, adding depth to the campaign. The supplement outlines how followers can be acquired through various means, such as completing quests or earning loyalty. Commanding followers involves strategic decisions, as they can be deployed in battles, assigned to tasks, or integrated into the stronghold’s operations. The rules also cover morale, relationships, and how followers evolve alongside the player, creating a dynamic and immersive experience that enhances both storytelling and gameplay. This feature allows players to feel like true leaders, shaping their own armies and alliances within the game world.
Publication and Availability Details
Strongholds and Followers is available in PDF and hardcover formats, offering players and DMs extensive rules for managing strongholds and commanding followers, enhancing their D&D experience.
Strongholds and Followers PDF Release
The Strongholds and Followers PDF was officially released, offering players and DMs detailed rules for constructing and managing strongholds, as well as recruiting and commanding followers. This digital version provides immediate access to the supplement’s content, including customizable options for fortresses, armies, and leadership; The PDF became widely popular following its launch, with many praising its depth and creativity. It is available for purchase on platforms like the DMs Guild and MCDM Productions’ official website. Fans of Matt Colville’s work have embraced this resource, integrating it seamlessly into their D&D 5th Edition campaigns. The PDF format ensures portability and ease of use, making it a must-have for any player or Dungeon Master looking to expand their game.
Kickstarter Campaign Success
The Strongholds and Followers Kickstarter campaign achieved remarkable success, surpassing expectations and breaking records. Within a week, it raised over $1 million, demonstrating the D&D community’s enthusiasm for Matt Colville’s vision. The campaign’s momentum was fueled by its innovative approach to stronghold-building and follower recruitment, offering players new ways to shape their campaigns. Backers could pledge $20 for the PDF or opt for a hardcover copy, contributing to its rapid funding. The campaign’s success highlighted the demand for detailed, player-centric content in D&D 5th Edition, cementing its place as one of the most successful RPG Kickstarters. Matt Colville’s engagement with fans on platforms like Reddit further boosted its popularity, ensuring its lasting impact on the D&D community.
Purchase Options: Hardcover and Digital
Strongholds and Followers is available in both digital and hardcover formats, catering to a wide range of preferences. The PDF version can be purchased directly from platforms like DMs Guild and MCDM Productions, offering immediate access for digital enthusiasts. For collectors and those who prefer physical copies, the hardcover edition is also available for preorder. Priced at $20 for the PDF and with the hardcover option offering a premium experience, fans can choose the format that best suits their needs. Both versions ensure high-quality content, with the hardcover featuring sturdy binding and vibrant artwork. This dual availability makes Strongholds and Followers accessible to all, whether you prefer the convenience of digital or the tangibility of a physical book.
Design and Development Process
Led by Matt Colville, Strongholds and Followers was developed through extensive playtesting and collaboration with contributors like James J. Haeck and Lars Bakke, ensuring a polished and balanced final product.
Creative Vision and Inspirations
Matt Colville’s Strongholds and Followers was born from a passion to enhance D&D 5th Edition with deeper strategic and narrative possibilities. Inspired by classic D&D themes and medieval fantasy, the supplement aims to give players meaningful ways to spend resources, build lasting legacies, and lead followers. Colville drew from his extensive experience as a DM and player, addressing gaps in the core rules while adding fresh mechanics. The vision emphasizes player agency, world-building, and storytelling, offering tools to craft unique strongholds and command loyal companions. This creative approach blends strategic gameplay with rich role-playing opportunities, making it a standout addition to any campaign.
Contributors and Collaborators
Strongholds and Followers is the result of a collaborative effort led by Matt Colville, with contributions from renowned designers and artists. James J. Haeck and Lars Bakke provided additional design elements, while Joshua Yearsley handled editing. The supplement features artwork from Conceptopolis, Justin Cherry, and other talented illustrators. Colville’s vision was supported by a dedicated team of writers, editors, and artists, ensuring a polished and engaging final product. Community feedback also played a role in refining the content, making it a true collaborative project within the D&D community. This teamwork has resulted in a supplement that is both visually stunning and mechanically robust, offering a rich experience for players and DMs alike.
Updates and Revisions in the Supplement
Strongholds and Followers has undergone several updates and revisions since its initial release. Matt Colville and his team actively listened to community feedback, incorporating changes to enhance gameplay and balance. Early versions, such as 1.01, addressed initial player concerns, refining mechanics for stronghold construction and follower management. The supplement has been fine-tuned to ensure compatibility with the latest D&D 5th Edition rules, providing a seamless integration experience. Regular updates have also introduced new features and clarified ambiguous rules, reflecting Colville’s commitment to improving the player and DM experience. These revisions have solidified Strongholds and Followers as a dynamic and evolving resource for D&D enthusiasts.
Community Reception and Reviews
Players and DMs have praised Strongholds and Followers for its innovative mechanics and depth. The supplement has become a cultural phenomenon in the D&D community, enhancing gameplay experiences significantly.
Player Feedback and Reactions
Players have embraced Strongholds and Followers for its innovative mechanics, praising how it adds depth to their campaigns. Many highlight the ability to manage strongholds and recruit followers as a game-changer, allowing for meaningful spending of in-game wealth. The supplement has been lauded for its accessibility, enabling players to shape their own domains and integrate followers into their storylines seamlessly. Fans appreciate the detailed ruleset, which strikes a balance between complexity and playability. The community has also praised the creative freedom it offers, making campaigns feel more immersive and personalized. Overall, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with players calling it a must-have for any D&D 5th Edition enthusiast.
DM and Community Reviews
Dungeon Masters and community members have widely praised Strongholds and Followers for its versatility and depth. Many DMs appreciate how the supplement enhances their ability to create dynamic campaigns, offering tools to integrate strongholds and followers into their narratives. The rules for managing armies and fortresses have been particularly well-received for their balance and clarity. Online forums and communities highlight the supplement’s ability to foster collaboration between players and DMs, creating a more immersive experience. Reviewers also commend the polished presentation and the wealth of creative options provided, making it a standout addition to any D&D 5th Edition collection. The overall sentiment is that Strongholds and Followers is a valuable resource for both new and experienced DMs.
Cultural Impact on D&D Community
Strongholds and Followers has left a significant mark on the D&D community, inspiring a wave of creativity and strategic gameplay. Its release sparked widespread enthusiasm, with players and DMs eager to explore new ways to build and command their own domains. The supplement’s success has encouraged third-party content creators to develop complementary tools and adventures, further enriching the D&D ecosystem. Streamers and content creators have also embraced the material, showcasing its potential in live campaigns. This has fostered a sense of collaboration and innovation within the community, making Strongholds and Followers a cultural milestone in the evolution of D&D 5th Edition. Its influence continues to grow, shaping how players and DMs approach campaign design and storytelling.
Integration into D&D Campaigns
Strongholds and Followers seamlessly integrates into D&D campaigns, offering tools to incorporate strongholds and followers into storylines, enhancing gameplay depth, and enriching player experiences organically.
How to Incorporate Strongholds
Incorporating strongholds into your D&D campaign begins with assessing your resources and planning strategically. Strongholds and Followers provides detailed rules for constructing and managing these structures, allowing players to customize their strongholds based on resources, location, and purpose. Integrating strongholds into the campaign setting involves considering their placement within the world, how they interact with nearby settlements, and how they impact the storyline. Players can use strongholds as bases of operation, symbols of power, or safe havens, enhancing their role-playing experience. The supplement offers optional rules for managing upkeep, defense, and expansion, ensuring strongholds become a dynamic and meaningful part of the campaign. By following these guidelines, strongholds can seamlessly integrate into your D&D world, enriching gameplay and storytelling.
Integrating Followers into Storylines
Integrating followers into your campaign’s narrative enhances immersion and depth. Strongholds and Followers enables players to recruit and command unique individuals, each with distinct traits and motivations. These followers can be woven into the campaign’s main plot or side quests, serving as allies, mentors, or even adversaries. By assigning followers to specific missions or roles, players can influence key decisions and shape the world around them. This mechanic encourages creative storytelling, allowing DMs to craft personalized arcs for each follower, tying their fates to the party’s actions. Followers become more than just combat assets; they are living characters that enrich the campaign’s emotional and strategic layers, fostering deeper engagement and memorable experiences.
Balancing Power Levels and Gameplay
Balancing power levels is crucial when integrating strongholds and followers into your campaign. The supplement provides guidelines to ensure these elements enhance gameplay without overshadowing core mechanics. By assigning followers appropriate roles and limitations, DMs can maintain equilibrium, preventing players from becoming overpowered. The ruleset offers scalability, adapting to different party levels and playstyles. Strongholds and followers are designed to complement existing D&D 5th Edition systems, ensuring seamless integration. This balance allows players to enjoy strategic management and storytelling without disrupting the game’s pacing or challenge. The supplement’s design ensures that strongholds and followers remain tools for enrichment, not imbalances, keeping the focus on collaborative storytelling and fun.
Resources and Support
Strongholds and Followers offers official tools, third-party apps, and active online communities to enhance gameplay. Matt Colville’s Discord and subreddit provide ongoing support and updates for players and DMs alike.
Official Tools and Apps
Official tools and apps complement the Strongholds and Followers supplement, enhancing gameplay and management. Matt Colville’s team offers digital aids, such as unit creation apps, designed to simplify complex systems. These tools streamline stronghold management and follower recruitment, ensuring smooth integration into your D&D campaign. Apps developed by enthusiasts and third-party creators further enrich the experience, providing calculators and trackers for resources, units, and territories. Colville’s Discord and official website often update with new tools, ensuring players and DMs stay equipped with the latest innovations. These resources make managing strongholds and followers more accessible and enjoyable, allowing for deeper immersion in your fantasy world. They are essential for maximizing the supplement’s potential and enhancing your D&D experience.
Online Communities and Forums
Dedicated online communities and forums play a vital role in discussing and enhancing the Strongholds and Followers experience. Platforms like Reddit (r/mattcolville) and Discord host active discussions, where fans share strategies, ask questions, and collaborate on custom content. Matt Colville and contributors frequently engage with these communities, offering insights and updates. Enthusiasts also create and share homebrew rules, adventures, and tools inspired by the supplement. These forums foster creativity and provide valuable resources for players and DMs alike. They serve as hubs for feedback, ensuring the supplement evolves with community input, making them indispensable for anyone aiming to maximize their Strongholds and Followers experience and integrate it seamlessly into their D&D campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Strongholds and Followers compatible with D&D 5th Edition? Yes, it is specifically designed for D&D 5th Edition, offering rules and content tailored to enhance gameplay.
- Where can I purchase the PDF? The PDF is available on platforms like DMs Guild and Matt Colville’s official website, with options for preorder and direct download.
- Can I get a hardcover version? Yes, a hardcover edition is available, and backers of the Kickstarter received exclusive early access to both digital and physical copies.
- Do I need to be a DM to use this supplement? No, players can also benefit by using the rules to manage their own strongholds and followers within their campaigns.
- Are there regular updates? Yes, Matt Colville and contributors release updates and revisions based on community feedback and playtesting.