Thomas “Tidal” Hoang
he/him
5.0
(5)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Thomas “Tidal” Hoang
I’m Thomas—“Tidal”—a story-first, rules-solid 5e Dungeon Master. I run cinematic sessions in Fantasy Grounds Unity with clean automation and curated music. I build character-driven side quests and tune tone/difficulty to the table. I’ve led Princes of the Apocalypse, Lost Mine of Phandelver, and Dragon of Icespire Peak. We start with Session Zero and a simple content-boundaries check (Lines & Veils). New players welcome; veterans challenged.
At a glance
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Sets the Mood, Teacher, Creativity
Featured Prompts
My favorite shows/movies are
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Attack on Titan, Apothecary Diaries, Cowboy Bebop, Kamisama’s Kiss, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Star Wars
People are always surprised when I tell them
Many are surprised to hear I spent ten years in the military. As an Armor Crewman turned Tank Commander, I first discovered D&D during my service—a game that’s shaped my storytelling ever since.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Outside of running and prepping games, I spend time with family, compose music drawn from my D&D adventures, bowl, cook, and read. Those moments recharge me and often spark new story ideas.
How Thomas “Tidal” Hoang runs games
I run balanced, cinematic games that blend grounded realism with tactical depth. My focus is immersion — worlds that react, remember, and evolve through your choices. Every session is a living chapter where triumphs, failures, and consequences all carry weight. Expect cohesive story arcs, dynamic encounters, and worlds shaped by your decisions. I welcome both new and veteran players, tailoring complexity and tone to your comfort and playstyle. 🌨️ What You Can Expect ⚔️ Expertly balanced encounters using official, custom, and 3rd-party content — designed for tactical depth and dramatic moments every session. 🏪 Carefully balanced loot tables and interactive shops that evolve with your party’s story and needs (for a price, of course). 🗺️ Dynamic, hand-drawn maps powered by Fantasy Grounds Unity — with live weather, adaptive lighting, and fog of war for total immersion. 🎶 Cinematic ambience and music to heighten storytelling and atmosphere, where clever plans and character moments shape the narrative. 💫 Post-session Stars & Wishes with 15–30 min feedback chats — refining each session through your highlights and goals. 📊 Bonus XP and stat tracking — fostering friendly competition, celebrating achievements, and keeping progress exciting!
Thomas “Tidal” Hoang's ideal table
⚔️ Expertly balanced encounters using official, custom, and 3rd-party content — designed for tactical depth and dramatic moments every session. 🏪 Carefully balanced loot tables featuring all official magic items and select homebrew treasures — plus interactive shops that evolve with your party’s story and needs (for a price, of course). 🗺️ Dynamic, hand-drawn maps powered by Fantasy Grounds Unity — featuring live weather effects, adaptive lighting, and fog of war to bring every scene to life. 🎶 A welcoming, story-driven table enhanced with cinematic music and ambience — where creativity, clever plans, and character-driven moments shape every session. 📜Post-session Stars & Wishes and brief follow-ups (15–30 min) to reflect on highlights, gather feedback, and shape the adventure around player expectations. 📊 Bonus XP and stat tracking after every session — encouraging friendly competition, celebrating achievements, and keeping progress exciting!