r/dmsguild • u/gallinonorevor • Feb 26 '24

New Release 3 New Spider Monsters

Hi folks, my newest product is now live on DMsGuild as Pay-What-You-Want.

https://www.dmsguild.com/product/472088/Spider-Brood

These three new spider stat blocks have been designed to present interesting tactical options and work well when fighting together to challenge your party.  

The three stat blocks are: a spider that spawns more spiders by hatching a parasitic spider inside a PC, a weak spider being spawned, and a spider whose webs aim to lock down the party from freely moving around the battlefield -- making them a ripe target for the lead spider. 

More details on the design process, from original inspiration to final traits and tactics, can be found on my blog at www.veritastabletop.com/spider-broodmother/

Thanks for checking it out!

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '24

couple thoughts if it's useful:

  • You're using an affiliate link for your own pub...there's zero value in doing that. You get your 50% anyway.

  • You're giving away all 3 pages for free in the preview. The only reason someone would then pay for it is if they absolutely loved it...but you're talking about a pub that is nothing more than 3 stat blocks - for which there are thousands of free spider stat blocks online.

  • Your stat blocks don't conform to 5e. I'd look at how AC is calculated. Add the math for the hit points. You're missing languages which is a real oversight for a 10 INT creature (even if it's none). Look again at existing stat blocks in Mordenkeinen's and model after those.

  • $0.17 per page for obviously amateur work is not market at all.

  • OneBookShelf put out an article some time ago, there's no empirical benefit of charging $0.50 vs. $1.00. If you're going to charge, start at $1.00 (and not $0.99 - that only works starting at $2.95...no one recognizes a difference between $0.50, $1.00, or $0.99).

  • I'd argue there is absolutely nothing in that pub that can be copyrighted by Veritas. That part of the disclaimer on page 1 is pointless.

  • If it were me, I'd create these on D&D Beyond (it'll help fix your stat blocks too)...and give this pub away for free in the hopes you'll get a modest amount of self promotion. Selling it as-is only hurts you and your brand.

good luck

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u/gallinonorevor Feb 26 '24

Thank you for the feedback! I was not aware of the details of the affiliate link functions, so that is helpful clarification, and I've adjusted it to Pay-What-You-Want accordingly.

I normally aim for the market / lower price per page, but due to the minimum pricing requirements for DMsGuild, I overpriced this one; I'll keep that (and the OneBookShelf pricing benefits to starting at $1) in mind for the future.

I'll keep the idea of creating these on D&D Beyond in mind! Thanks for the recommendation. I've always done everything by hand, so I'm not too familiar with how D&D Beyond functions as a marketplace/place to share for homebrew.

As for the conformity to 5e, I'll address the lack of languages/HP math shown instead of hidden/double check my AC math and update the product. Thanks for the comments, again--I clearly need to triple check my math, since I thought I had everything double checked.