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The Game Master's Deck of Boons and Banes: 40 game-changing, character-shifting cards and a companion book for 5th edition RPG adventures
Ginny Di's The Game Master's Deck of Boons and Banes is one of those unique additions to the table that will leave a lasting impression on players and their in-game characters. 10 out of 10.
―Jenny Melzer, Comic Book Resources
Whether you're looking to reward your party for a job well done or show them the consequences of angering the wrong deity, The Game Master's Deck of Boons and Banes can bring a shifting power dynamic to every sessions.
Conceived by tabletop RPG expert Ginny Di and featuring 20 boon and 20 bane cards, all stunningly illustrated by Tim Foley, this deck will help you advance player goals or hurl them (and your story) in an entirely different direction. Upon drawing a bane card, for example, a character might suffer a curse that threatens to strangle them the more active they are. However, pulling a boon could very well bestow a blessing from a higher power, such as a pair of guardian wolves that travel with the character wherever they go. The exact composition of the deck is up to the GM. The boons are a great temptation―but drawing a bane could bring about a crippling result. Players will need to weigh the odds every time.
The deck also comes with a companion book, including a description of each card’s effect and how it impacts the PC who drew it, as well as 80 side quest ideas (two for each card) and helpful recommendations for scaling card effects up or down depending on the level of the characters drawing from the deck.
The Game Master's Deck of Boons and Banes is a true game changer for your game!
―Jenny Melzer, Comic Book Resources
Whether you're looking to reward your party for a job well done or show them the consequences of angering the wrong deity, The Game Master's Deck of Boons and Banes can bring a shifting power dynamic to every sessions.
Conceived by tabletop RPG expert Ginny Di and featuring 20 boon and 20 bane cards, all stunningly illustrated by Tim Foley, this deck will help you advance player goals or hurl them (and your story) in an entirely different direction. Upon drawing a bane card, for example, a character might suffer a curse that threatens to strangle them the more active they are. However, pulling a boon could very well bestow a blessing from a higher power, such as a pair of guardian wolves that travel with the character wherever they go. The exact composition of the deck is up to the GM. The boons are a great temptation―but drawing a bane could bring about a crippling result. Players will need to weigh the odds every time.
The deck also comes with a companion book, including a description of each card’s effect and how it impacts the PC who drew it, as well as 80 side quest ideas (two for each card) and helpful recommendations for scaling card effects up or down depending on the level of the characters drawing from the deck.
The Game Master's Deck of Boons and Banes is a true game changer for your game!
88 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 17, 2025
I bought this supplement for some laughs, but I've now had a chance to use it in a couple campaigns and my players just love it.
The more hardcore rules / build / balance players don't like the random overpower element, but the role-players LOVE having a hook to really dig their teeth into for their character.
So I'd call this a win. The font is TINY so it's best for younger eyes than mine.
The more hardcore rules / build / balance players don't like the random overpower element, but the role-players LOVE having a hook to really dig their teeth into for their character.
So I'd call this a win. The font is TINY so it's best for younger eyes than mine.
October 2, 2024
Personally the art isn’t my style, but overall a good addition to a GM’s toolbox.
November 14, 2024
Neat deck of magical boons and banes to spice up a session. I like that each card has suggestions to reduce the effects for lower levels and side quest ideas.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews