1d10 Disquieting Descriptions of Psychic Damage

Welcome friend, to the dark and twisted world of psychic damage. As a GM, you know that combat isn't always about physical blows and brute strength. Sometimes, the most powerful attacks are the ones that go for the psyche.

In this post, we'll be creating some shall we say... disquieting descriptions of psychic damage that will leave your players shaken to their core. From mental scarring to psychological trauma, these descriptions will help you convey the true horror of psychic attacks and make your players think twice before facing (or using) them.

So buckle up, gather your party, and prepare to delve into the depths of the mind. Are you ready to face the darkness within? Let's find out.

Before you begin. A quick trigger warning. If you have dealt with or are currently battling anxiety, depression, grief, or another mental health concern or have a player who is dealing with their mental health, the below descriptions could be triggering. We all take psychic damage of one sort everyday and becoming resistant to it is a campaign in and of itself. You have got this.

If you are worried about them making you uncomfortable, you can find more descriptions that are less focused on mental anguish here.

Even if you only use Wizards of the Coast materials, there are A LOT of different spells in the game. I have tried to make things as generic as possible but if these just aren't working, consider asking your player to describe the effects of their spell on the target.

Roll	Description
1	The enemy collapses to their knees, writhing in agony as your psychic attack rips through their mind like a jagged blade, exposing every insecurity and doubt.
2	Your psychic assault overwhelms the enemy with a sense of suffocating dread, as if the very fabric of their life is unraveling around them.
3	The foe's eyes widen in terror as your psychic blow forces them to confront their deepest fears and regrets, their screams echo through the air with a haunting and dreadful melody.
4	Your enemy's mind is laid bare by your psychic attack, revealing a tangled web of secrets and lies that leave them gasping for air, their sanity hanging by a thread.
5	Your psychic assault twists the enemy's perception of reality, leaving them lost in a labyrinth of their own darkest thoughts and memories, unable to discern you from the twisted visions of enemies from their past.
6	Your foe's body convulses with each surge of psychic energy, their mind consumed by an endless void of darkness and despair, their very identity slipping away like water through their fingers.
7	The enemy's screams become shrill and desperate as your psychic attack reveals their most hidden and shameful desires, stripping away any veneer of civility or honor they once had.
8	Your psychic assault unleashes a flood of memories so traumatic and agonizing that the enemy's mind shuts down completely, leaving them little more than a quivering mass of flesh and bone.
9	The foe's face contorts in a grotesque mask of agony as your psychic damage forces them to relive every moment of their life in excruciating detail, their past sins and regrets laid bare for all to see.
10	Your psychic attack leaves the enemy a hollow shell of their former self, their mind shattered beyond repair, their body and soul forever trapped in a purgatory of their own making.

This post, like all of my work, is brought to you by the patrons of the Lorelock! Become a patron at patreon.com/lorelock or subscribe to the Lorelock Newsletter for a free 5e adventure, weekly DM tools, and much more!

1d10 Magical Descriptions of Force Damage

As a GM, you know that combat encounters can be one of the most thrilling parts of any tabletop RPG. And when it comes to dishing out damage, there are few types more satisfying than force damage. In 5e, it is the "strongest" type of damage. Only a few enemies have resistance to it (although if you have a force damage heavy party the Lorelock monster archive has a few more you might find interesting). With its ethereal, otherworldly feel, force damage is the perfect way to add a touch of magic to your battles.

Unfortunately, there is a but. Describing the effects of any magic can be a challenge when you are also trying to keep track of the story, roleplay NPCs, and adjudicate the rules. It is a lot to do all of that and convey the sensation of being pummeled by invisible fists or struck by a blast of pure magical energy. That's where this list of descriptions of force damage comes in. Not only will it help you add some additional flavor to your combat encounters, but it will also help to take some of the mental strain off so that you can focus on keeping the game moving and everyone having fun!

Even if you only use Wizards of the Coast materials, there are A LOT of different spells in the game. I have tried to make things as generic as possible but if these just aren't working, consider asking your player to describe the effects of their spell on the target.

Roll	Description
1	With a resounding crack, your force blast smashes into the enemy, sending them hurtling backwards as if struck by a battering ram.
2	As magical energy courses through you and into your foe's body, they convulse and thrash about wildly, their body unable to contain the energy of your attack.
3	Your enemy is lifted off their feet as if struck by a giant invisible hand, slamming back into the ground with a sickening thud.
4	Your spell streaks across the battlefield and strikes the enemy square in the chest, leaving behind a glowing blue afterimage that dances in the air for a moment before fading away.
5	As your attack strikes home, the enemy's skin ripples and distorts, as if the force of the blow is warping the fabric of reality itself.
6	Your foe screams in agony as your attack smashes into them, their body glowing with a faint aura as they stagger backwards.
7	The enemy grunts in pain as your spell hits them, their body visibly compressing under the impact before rebounding like a spring.
8	Magical energy envelops your enemy in a swirling vortex of force, slamming them repeatedly against the ground and tearing chunks of earth and stone loose with each impact.
9	As your attack slams into the enemy, they are lifted off their feet like a ragdoll, their body tumbling end over end in the air before landing with a sickening crunch.
10	The enemy's body contorts and twists as your attack slams into them, their limbs bending and warping in unnatural ways as if made of rubber.

This post, like all of my work, is brought to you by the patrons of the Lorelock! Become a patron at patreon.com/lorelock or subscribe to the Lorelock Newsletter for a free 5e adventure, weekly DM tools, and much more!

1d10 Ear-Popping Descriptions of Thunder Damage

When it comes to combat in 5E, few things are as thrilling as the crack of thunder and the roar of explosive energy. Spells that deal thunder damage can create powerful shockwaves, leaving enemies stunned and reeling from the force of the impact. As a GM, it's your job to bring these electrifying combat encounters to life and make them memorable for your players. This blog post lays out 10 descriptions of thunder damage that you can read verbatim, or use as a starting point for your own descriptions. My hope is that they will help you create a sense of excitement and danger in your players. So, grab your d10 and get ready to roll as we delve into the ear-popping world of thunder damage!

Even if you only use Wizards of the Coast materials, there are A LOT of different spells in the game. I have tried to make things as generic as possible but if these just aren't working, consider asking your player to describe the effects of their spell on the target.

Roll	Description
1	Thunder crashes into your enemy like a tidal wave, shattering bones and rending flesh as it rips through their body.
2	The explosive energy rips through the air with a sonic boom, leaving behind a trail of dust and debris.
3	Your enemy is engulfed in a blast of thunderous energy, their body convulsing as the shockwaves tear through them.
4	Thunder strikes your enemy with the force of a battering ram, sending them flying sprawling wit ha hideous thud.
5	Thunderous energy envelops your enemy in a deafening roar, their screams drowned out by the sheer volume of the attack.
6	Your spell creates a blast of energy that shimmers in the air, crackling with power and leaving behind a scent of ozone.
7	Your enemy is surrounded by a shockwave of roiling energy, their body rattles like a leaf in a storm.
8	Your attack strikes your enemy with a thunderclap so loud it makes your ears ring, leaving them disoriented and vulnerable.
9	You strike with a blast of energy that tears through your enemy's body like a tornado, leaving them battered and broken.
10	Your enemy is engulfed in a storm of thunderous energy, their hair standing on end as the spell courses through their body, leaving them reeling.

This post, like all of my work, is brought to you by the patrons of the Lorelock! Become a patron at patreon.com/lorelock or subscribe to the Lorelock Newsletter for a free 5e adventure, weekly DM tools, and much more!