Invasion of Ixalan

Creating your character

Character creation will take place before the session, so we can jump straight into the action when the game begins. If you have any questions or need help building your character, I’m happy to assist ahead of time. We’ll be using D&D Beyond for character creation, making it easy to manage your abilities, spells, and items during play. Characters will start at level 13, as this one-shot is designed to be a high-power, epic battle against an overwhelming invasion. For stats, I prefer rolling for ability scores, but I’m open to discussing alternatives if the group would rather use point buy or standard array. The goal is to create characters that feel strong and heroic while keeping things fair for everyone. As for sourcebooks, any official D&D 5e classes and subclasses are allowed, as long as they make sense for the setting. Races should be thematically appropriate to Ixalan, meaning anything from Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica, Mythic Odysseys of Theros, or Eberron: Rising from the Last War would likely feel out of place. That said, I’m happy to work with you if you have a cool character concept that can be adapted to fit the world. Finally, no overtly evil characters - this is a game about defending a world from annihilation, so your character should have a reason to fight for Ixalan’s survival.

Preparing for the session

To join this game, players will need a Roll20 account, as that’s where we’ll be running the session. A D&D Beyond account is also recommended for character creation and management, though not strictly required. If you have the Beyond20 browser extension, you’ll be able to roll directly from your D&D Beyond sheet into Roll20, making things even smoother. A working microphone is essential, as we’ll be using Discord for voice chat. While a webcam isn’t required, clear audio will help keep the game immersive and engaging. You don’t need to read up on all the rules beforehand, but a basic understanding of D&D 5e mechanics will help. If you’re new to high-level play, don’t worry - I’ll guide you through anything you need to know. Characters should be created before the session so we can jump right into the action. If you need help building your character, I’m happy to assist ahead of time. Lastly, bring a spirit of adventure! This is a high-stakes, action-packed game where you’ll be facing off against overwhelming odds. Expect epic combat, cinematic moments, and the chance to turn the tide of battle against an unstoppable invasion.

What Joe brings to the table

This one-shot is all about high-stakes action, cinematic moments, and epic battles against overwhelming odds. Expect intense, tactical combat where teamwork and creative thinking will be the key to survival. While I generally stick to the Rules as Written, I embrace the Rule of Cool when it makes for a more exciting, story-driven experience. If you come up with a bold, heroic move that fits the moment, I’ll do my best to make it work! I’ll be running the game through Roll20, with custom battle maps and tokens to bring the battlefield to life. D&D Beyond will be used for character creation and reference, making it easy to track abilities, spells, and resources during play. Discord will be our main hub for voice chat and out-of-game discussion. To enhance immersion, I bring in character voices and dramatic narration, setting the tone for the desperate fight against the Phyrexians. While this session is primarily focused on combat, the storytelling will still be rich and engaging, giving players the opportunity to make impactful choices. Epic music and sound effects will help build tension and excitement as the battle rages on. This is a game for players who love fast-paced, tactical encounters, legendary-scale battles, and moments of pure heroism. If you've ever wanted to stand alongside a planeswalker, fend off an apocalyptic invasion, and call upon the might of elder dinosaurs, then this adventure is for you!

How Joe creates a safe table

This game is designed to be fast-paced and action-heavy, but player well-being always comes first. We'll take scheduled breaks during the session to give everyone a moment to step away, decompress, and check in. If the action gets particularly intense, players are also free to call for a pause at any time - just say the word, and we’ll take a short breather before diving back in. The Open Door Policy means that if a player ever feels uncomfortable or overwhelmed, they are welcome to step away from the session as needed. Whether it’s for a few minutes or longer, they can rejoin when they feel ready - no questions asked, no pressure. The game is meant to be thrilling and immersive, but your comfort is what matters most. Before the game begins, we'll discuss lines and veils in Session Zero, allowing players to highlight anything they'd prefer to avoid or handle with extra care. X/N/O cards will also be available throughout the game for real-time adjustments, ensuring that everyone has a good time while staying within their comfort zones.