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Last Stand: A Worthy DeathClick to magnify

Last Stand: A Worthy Death

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"Incredibly innovative and easy to plug into any campaign." -Benjamin Huffman

"I think I actually cried manly tears while reading this." -Anthony T.

"It was the most satisfying thing. What a great mechanic!" -GeekOutFreakOut

If your campaign combines epic fantasy combat with high-stakes lethality, Last Stand: A Worthy Death is a set of rules and options to ensure a dying player character goes out on their shield!

YOU CAN GET THIS TITLE FOR FREE!

Simply copy this link into your browser, and sign up for our mailing list! (DMs Guild does not allow direct external linking)
https://forms.gle/9n4N47bDawKvJuL48

2021 Edition Update: The options for the poor unsupported Mystic class have been replaced with options for the scrappy DMs Guild favorite, the Pugilist!

Included in this PDF, you'll find over 40 options spread across 15 classes from Dungeons & Dragons 5E that give player characters the mechanical means to make their final hour their finest. Last Stands run the gamut from spectacular attacks, to villain-confounding gambits, to rule-bending remixes of spells and class features. These options provide a sort of "epicness insurance," invoked only when a player character is facing their ultimate demise. Oh, and then there's the stellar artwork of Matthew Dobrich!

Every game table is different, and this supplement is written with that in mind. Last Stand includes variant rules and design guidelines to help ensure that these unique, impactful options fit into your particular D&D adventure. Each Last Stand can be elegantly implemented in a high-power or medium-power version, depending on the tone of the campaign. Methods for creating your own Last Stand options are also included, as well as advice on how best to deal with the social aspects of implementation.

If you've ever had the experience of wanting to go out with a bang, only for the rules to provide you with a whimper — or if you want to run a game in which high-risk behavior is rewarded despite a gritty approach towards death — this is the supplement you've been waiting for. Last Stand is setting-agnostic and easily introduced to a campaign already in progress.

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But wait, there's more!

When Last Stand: A Worthy Death first became a Silver best-seller, I added the Artificer, Mystic, and Blood Hunter classes — in addition to an option for Gunslinger Fighters — as a free expansion. That’s ten new Last Stands! I’m so proud and flattered to have made it to Silver Electrum GOLD PLATINUM on the DM’s Guild with my very first outing, and I couldn’t have done it without your support.

If you're looking for something a bit more whimsical, check out my second supplemnent: Platinum best-seller Wild Magic for Every Class! It's bound to make life more lively, whether for players looking to spice their character up with 700 new random Wild Magic Surges, or Dungeon Masters looking to add a Wild Magic effect to an enchanted environment.

My third release, Might vs. Magic, is my biggest and most ambitious supplement yet! It features over a dozen new class archetypes, over 20 new spells, and over 30 new magic items. It even features a counterspell expansion pack, not to mention spectacular new art, behind-the-scenes design, and variant rules to boot!

THE MONSTER MENU JUST DROPPED!!

With over 100 unique monster meals, your party will be eating gelatinous cube preserves and deep-fried kraken rings in no time. Take a taste of the preview over on its DMs Guild store pageCheers.

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Reviews (10)
Discussions (14)
Customer avatar
Matthew C May 25, 2022 7:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hello, I have a question:
I'm selling homebrew classes here on Dungeon Master's Guild. Would it be alright if I included custom Last Stands for them? I like Last Stands and tend to make Last Stand options for homebrew classes in private games, and I believe it would be a nice touch, though I understand if you do not want this in a commercial product.

What I'd do is include something that says "If you're using Dave Panfilo's Last Stand Rules, here are the Last Stand options for this class. Last Stand Rules can be found here: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/242601/Last-Stand-A-Worthy-Death".
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Customer avatar
David P May 25, 2022 8:30 pm UTC
CREATOR
That's fine by me! As long as you link back, I'm happy for the support :D
Customer avatar
Mikko L January 11, 2022 11:38 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi Dave!

Are you still here? I have same problem as Roger P (clicked the link, signed up), but I have waited 10 days without any contact.

Reply
Customer avatar
David P January 11, 2022 1:14 pm UTC
CREATOR
Yup, had a breakout case of Covid last week but happy to go do a round of giveaways now! Cheers.
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Customer avatar
Mikko L January 11, 2022 3:18 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks, just got it.

Hope you get better soon :)
Customer avatar
Roger P September 01, 2021 10:47 pm UTC
YOU CAN GET THIS TITLE FOR FREE! (I -Did'nt-!!!)

Clicked the link, signed up No DL provided... What gives?!?
Reply
Customer avatar
David P September 02, 2021 2:50 am UTC
CREATOR
It’s not automated, I have to do it manually every weekend. Hope you enjoy it when the link arrives!
Customer avatar
Luke V October 18, 2020 11:23 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Looks like Blood Hunter needs some updates for the new version. Insult to Injury references using your Blood Hunter Strength or Wisdom, however the class was changed to use Intelligence and has playstyles for both Strength and Dexterity.
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Customer avatar
David P October 19, 2020 3:41 am UTC
CREATOR
Good catch! I have a spiritual successor supplement coming out next week, so I'll likely updoot Last Stand then.
Customer avatar
Luke V October 10, 2020 8:10 pm UTC
PURCHASER
What was changed between version 2.2 and 2.3?
Reply
Customer avatar
David P October 10, 2020 10:10 pm UTC
CREATOR
I made the formatting slightly more spacious, added information on my latest product (Might vs. Magic), linked to the artist's website, and advertised my mailing list. Overall, just a quality of life update!
Customer avatar
Wendy B May 11, 2020 9:52 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This is my favorite supplement for 5e. Any campaign I DM or play in, I use it. Feels like it should be part of the core rules.
Customer avatar
Luke V May 06, 2020 6:21 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Fyi, the version 2.1 update doesn't have bookmarks set up for the new classes you added. Also, the Artificer section refers users to the Unearthed Arcana version rather than the official version in Eberron: Rising from the Last War.
Reply
Customer avatar
David P May 06, 2020 8:31 pm UTC
CREATOR
Thank you for pointing this out! I focused on language for this update, but will make a priority to change the old 2018 Artificer content as well.
Reply
Customer avatar
David P May 07, 2020 12:39 am UTC
CREATOR
This actually clued me into a much larger issue with the bookmarks in my other product, so thanks again!
Customer avatar
JEREMY G August 27, 2019 1:00 am UTC
PURCHASER
Now this is a good idea.
Customer avatar
Lucas G August 27, 2019 12:09 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hey Dave, commenting here because I can't find another way to contact you. I really love this supplement. I'm producing a D&D 5e podcast launching in the coming months and I would love to use it, but I would like your permission first. We'll credit you of course!
Reply
Customer avatar
David P November 08, 2019 8:23 pm UTC
CREATOR
Sounds great! Thank you for your kind words and review. Leave a link here when you launch (or if you already have).
Customer avatar
Joshua F February 11, 2019 10:02 am UTC
PURCHASER
This supplement provides DM's with a GREAT framework for creating last stands and character deaths that just feel more meaningful to the players at your table.
Customer avatar
Vi F October 23, 2018 9:45 am UTC
PURCHASER
I got emotional reading some of these...the flavor text is very good
Customer avatar
Anthony T July 29, 2018 10:48 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This is incredible! I think I actually cried manly tears while reading this.

My one point of feedback: True Smite seems underwhelming. Now, paladin is my favorite class since 3rd Edition, so I might be biased, but when I compare True Smite to the Monk's Empty Sun Technique, I just end up feeling envious. Now, criting twice doesn't feel right for True Smite, since I love the flavor of one final overwhelming attack, so here's my suggestion:

Make True Smite a critical Divine Smite, as if you expended a spell slot of your highest spell level and as if the target was a fiend or undead.

There's also the fact that I feel like the monk's imprisonment effect is better than the paladin's banish. It's potentially permanent, where the paladin's heroic final desperation attack, at best, buys time.

Perhaps make the banishment permanent, so long as the weapon used to banish the target remains unbroken?
Customer avatar
Michael O July 25, 2018 1:02 am UTC
PURCHASER
If possible, do you think you could ever make last stands for the Pugilist? http://www.dmsguild.com/product/184921/the-Pugilist-Class
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Customer avatar
David P July 25, 2018 5:43 am UTC
CREATOR
Interestingly, I messaged with the Pugilist's creator about the possibility and arrived at the conclusion that he could add his own options at his leisure and we would cross-link if he ever did. My free expansion had already ballooned fairly big, unfortunately :p

Really appreciate the interest in such a project though! If ever I revisit this product again, those popular DM's Guild classes will be at the top of the docket for additions.
Reply
Customer avatar
Michael O July 27, 2018 5:13 am UTC
PURCHASER
Understandable! I've decided to mix and match fitting last stands from other classes. Namely the Fighters Die by the Sword, the Barbarians Last Laugh, and the Fighters Finest Hour except Second Wind is replaced with the Pugilists Dig Deep for 1 minute. Also, great product! You have a way of writing that inspires. The prose is a joy to read. Very epic!
Customer avatar
Benjamin H May 29, 2018 2:44 am UTC
PURCHASER
As a DM's Guild author I'm no longer allowed to submit reviews for products so let me say this here: buy this now. Not for $0.00. Give this man his money. This is an awesome rules expansion and, while relatively brief, is incredibly innovative and easy to plug into any campaign.
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Customer avatar
David P May 29, 2018 3:18 am UTC
CREATOR
Woah! That's the most generous review I've received thus far! (can we not give ratings either, or just no reviews? I understand the ethics but I'm new to this!)
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Customer avatar
Benjamin H May 29, 2018 3:42 am UTC
PURCHASER
This is a relatively new change so I'm not sure if it's actually enforced by not allowing us to provide reviews & ratings or with sanctions if we do provide reviews & ratings. If you aren't part of the Dungeon Master's Guild Creator's Circle on facebook I recommend joining it as much of the news that affects authors here is, for some reason, announced there instead of via direct messaging to us through this website.

And the praise is so well deserved. This is a fantastic product and, as a first product, it bodes very well for your future on the DM's Guild!
Reply
Customer avatar
David P May 29, 2018 4:17 am UTC
CREATOR
Huh, that is odd. I'm applying to join now. The group doesn't say if it's official, so maybe it's a temporary channel? I hope to publish more on DMG later this year, so thanks again!
Reply
Customer avatar
Benjamin H May 29, 2018 4:25 am UTC
PURCHASER
I don't think it is official. My understanding is that with DM's Guild, OneBookShelf kind of blew up and is now trying to hire up the necessary staff to keep up with its audience / authorship and there are some serious growing pains. Congrats on a really great first product - I've messaged you on twitter & reddit and look forward to discussing this and other projects with you.
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File Last Updated:
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This title was added to our catalog on May 21, 2018.