D&D challenge ratings don’t make sense in 5e, and this br...

What’s Happening

Listen up: After running Faster, Purple Worm!

Everybody Dies, one DM learned D&D 5e’s challenge ratings fall apart — even against a Duke of Hell. Follow Followed Like Thread Link copied to clipboard Add us on By Francesco Cacciatore Published Mar 22, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT Dungeons & Dragons Even hitting players with double what they should be capable of handling is sometimes not enough in D&D 5e Related impressive the Spire 2 the fandom are turning on the game for the silliest possible reason Reunion quest walkthrough in Crimson Desert JoJo: Steel Ball Run is the immaculate starting point for one of animes wildest stories This brutal D&D adventure taught me 5e’s challenge ratings don’t make sense Image: Beadle & Grimm’s/Art of Li Sign in to your Polygon. (it feels like chaos)

Com account In a dusk-lit meadow, five figures stand shoulder to shoulder, shooting nervous glances at the darkness beyond the trees.

The Details

They know that the monster is coming. They can smell the sulphur, hear the ominous wind raised -like wings.

The wizard grips his jeweled staff as a hulking construct steps up to protect him. The druid summons the power of lightning, her purple hair standing up.

Why This Matters

The warlock begins to melt into the shadows, ready to strike. When the towering devil steps into the meadow, fire trailing on its heels, they know this can be their last battle, but they are ready. A few months ago, while taking a short break from my regular Dungeons & Dragons campaign, I decided to try something different.

The gaming community has been watching developments like this closely.

Key Takeaways

• One of my players had just gotten their hands on Faster, Purple Worm!
• Is a “D&D meets improv comedy” show created by Beadle & Grimm’s Matthew Lillard .
• In every episode, a party of 1st-level adventurers, played by a rotating cast, is thrown into the fray against some of the deadliest monsters in D&D.

The Bottom Line

Is a “D&D meets improv comedy” show created by Beadle & Grimm’s Matthew Lillard . In every episode, a party of 1st-level adventurers, played by a rotating cast, is thrown into the fray against some of the deadliest monsters in D&D.

What do you think about all this?