Frequently Asked Questions


Table of Contents

  1. 5e and 5.5e Compatibility
  2. Getting started
  3. Using MageGate Books
  4. Products and Series
  5. Formats and Downloads
  6. Reviews
  7. Affiliate Program
  8. International sales
  9. Community and Updates
  10. Feedback and Roadmap


5e and 5.5e COMPATIBILITY

Are MageGate Games books compatible with the 2014 (5e) and 2024 (5.5e) rules to the world's most popular fantasy tabletop roleplaying game?

Yes. Current MageGate Games titles are designed primarily for GM-facing content that works smoothly with both the 2014 (5e) and 2024 (5.5e) rules.

The core mechanics our books rely on — including damage types, conditions, spells, equipment, creature statistics, and encounter structure — remain broadly compatible between the 2014 and 2024 versions of the game.

Some MageGate titles may occasionally reference specific 2014-era creatures, traits, actions, or rules terminology that were altered, renamed, relocated, or removed in the 2024 update. In these rare cases, you can simply:

  • refer to the original 2014 rulebook (PHB, DMG, MM), or
  • download the FREE SRD v5.1 PDF, which contains the referenced 5e rules material for the 2014 PHB, DMG, and MM.

Starting with Legendary Lairs and the Revised Edition of Heirloom Magic Items in 2026, all new MageGate Games 5e-compatible releases are designed with compatibility for both the 2014 and 2024 rules in mind.

For example, we might give you a choice between using the knight (our preferred default, 2014 MM) or warrior veteran (2024 MM). That way, you can use the right NPC or creature for your edition, or choose between them if you own both editions.


GETTING STARTED

See also our Start Here page.



Are MageGate Games books beginner friendly?

Yes. Most products are designed for fast integration into existing campaigns with minimal prep. New Game Masters can start with whichever books appeal to them, but we recommend:


Are the books balanced for long-term campaigns?

Yes. MageGate Games products are designed for long-term campaign play, reusable systems, and modular integration rather than disposable one-session content.


Where should I start?

Recommended starting points:


Do the books work with published adventures?

Yes. MageGate Games books are specifically designed to drop into existing campaigns and published adventures with minimal modification.

Our modular, plug-and-play tools are designed to drop into existing encounters—or replace individual encounter elements—as needed.

Some resources, such as our weather and terrain templates, can also be scaled beyond a single encounter to cover an entire region—including mountains, forests, swamps, jungles, badlands, blizzards, heatwaves, and other environments.


USING MAGEGATE BOOKS

Do I need to own multiple MageGate Games books in order to use them?

No. Every MageGate Games book is designed to stand on its own. Additional books are optional, while bundles simply offer better value.


Can I buy a series in any order? For example, can I buy Legendary Lairs: Unearthly Lairs (Book 2) instead of Legendary Lairs: Elemental Lairs (Book 1)?

Yes. Every volume in a series includes the core rules, GM advice, and guidelines needed to use that book, so you won't miss any essential information by starting with a later volume. Simply choose the book that best fits your campaign and expand your collection whenever you're ready.


Are these books for players or Game Masters?

Most MageGate Games books are designed primarily for Game Masters, though many include player-facing content such as magic items, character options, and expanded mechanics.


PRODUCTS AND SERIES

What is Legendary Lairs?

Legendary Lairs is MageGate Games' flagship series of modular boss lairs and encounter systems for 5e campaigns.

Each book includes plug-and-play templates, tactical boss mechanics, environmental hazards, minions, traps, and reusable systems designed to create faster, stronger, and more memorable encounters both in and around the boss' lair.

Elemental Lairs (Book 1) covers Air, Cold, Earth, Fire, Lightning, Radiant, Thunder, and Water lairs. For even more elemental encounters, see Extreme Encounters: Weather & Terrain Elemental Omnibus.

Unearthly Lairs (Book 2) covers Acid, Disease, Necrotic, Poison, Psychic, and Shadow lairs. For even more unearthly encounters, see Extreme Encounters: Weather & Terrain Unearthly Omnibus.

Future Legendary Lairs volumes will cover monster lairs by creature type, common lair locations (such as city, fortress, nautical, and rural), and more.

Every volume is fully self-contained, so you can start with the book that best fits your campaign and expand your collection whenever you're ready.


What are the 250 Best Magic Items books?

The 250 Best Magic Items series contains large collections of balanced, flavorful magic items built for long-term campaigns.

Different books focus on different classes, themes, mechanics, and campaign styles.

All offer plenty of items for characters of every alignment, so they are just as useful for antiheroes and villains as they are for heroes.


What makes your 250 Best Magic Items books special?

Our goal is to make every magic item memorable—not just another boring +1 magic item players eventually replace.

Most items have multiple complementary powers, and many scale with the owner's proficiency bonus so they remain useful throughout a campaign. For even greater flexibility, our free Heirloom Magic Items rules let you scale almost any 5e magic item up or down based on character level.

Every item also includes practical GM tools, including comprehensive price lists, recommended buyers and sellers, and the school(s) of magic each item radiates for detect magic.

Each book includes a comprehensive range of items for heroes, antiheroes, villains, and NPCs, giving Game Masters plenty of options for both player characters and memorable antagonists.

Finally, you'll find several original categories of magic items not seen elsewhere, including Curios, Harvested, Oddities, Ritual, and Team-Based magic items, along with Trinkets that have meaningful in-game effects rather than serving only as flavor.

Curios, Oddities and Trinkets suitable for low- to mid-level games can be found in Book 5. Harvested, Ritual, and Team-Based items for mid- to high level games can be found in Book 6.


What are the Game Master’s Guide books?

The Game Master’s Guide series expands underused areas of fantasy campaigns with practical, modular tools that help you customize adventures, speed up prep, and create more memorable sessions.

Rites & Rituals introduces alternate magic subsystems (including sympathetic magic and ritual circle magic), character background kits for exorcists and fortune tellers/psychics, and random tables for omens and prophecies. It also includes advice for running religious or secular festivals complete with adventure hooks, plus a comprehensive list of fantasy religions and rites presented as random tables.

Traits & Actions for Monsters & NPCs provides the most complete list of modular traits and actions for every creature type (with Saving Throws and damage adjusted for size where needed). Over 1,800 options arranged in alphabetical order by category, including hundreds suitable for players and specialized henchmen or hirelings. This is the ultimate do it yourself tool kit for GMs who loves to challenge their players with new or customized enemies. Just pick the traits or actions you want and add them to your creature. Cuts monster customization from hours to minutes.

Traps & Terrors includes 80 complete magical or mechanical traps and defenses for a wide range of use cases: battlefields, castles, caves, cities, dungeons, ruins, temples, wilderness, and more. Most traps include one or more easy variants. Every trap includes reset times, build costs, time to finish, and personnel required, which makes them easy for players to add to their strongholds. The book includes many historically-inspired traps and defenses, including moats, drawbridges, and murder holes--even broken glass mortared into the top of walled estates. As a bonus, the book includes over 100 modular customization options that can be applied to virtually any trap—not just the ones in the book.


FORMATS AND DOWNLOADS

What file formats are included?

Unless stated otherwise in the product description or "What You’ll Get" sidebar, all free and paid products include:

  • PDF

Unless stated otherwise, all PDFs are full color, two-column layout, and the same as or equivalent to any print edition that exists (paperback and hardcover).

Kindle and EPUB formats contain the complete text of the PDF and print editions, but may contain less art. However, they sometimes include bonus text cut from the PDF and print editions due to page count (space) reasons.

Sample Interior Pages

    

Some products may include bonus content such as hi-res map PNG files, Kindle or EPUB formats, or other media. For example, Build Better Boss Fights offers a Hi-Res PNG of the map.

If you purchase multiple single file products in the same order, or products featuring multiple formats or bonus content, you may receive them combined into a single zip file or in multiple download links.

Note that the Affiliate Success Kit is only available in Kindle and EPUB.


REVIEWS

How do I leave a review for a MageGate Games book?

Easy. Click the button below to submit an honest review through Endorsal, our secure review platform. Whether you purchased from us direct, from Amazon, DriveThruRPG, Itchio, or elsewhere, we’d love to hear your feedback.

Leave Your Review Here

When leaving your review, please be sure to mention which book, bundle, or other product you are reviewing.


AFFILIATE PROGRAM

Does MageGate Games have an affiliate program?

Yes. Earn 35% commission on qualifying direct sales. You can read the program details here or click here to join.


Does MageGate Games provide assistance to affiliates?

Yes. Once approved, you'll receive our comprehensive Affiliate Success Kit + Image Pack containing sample emails, social media posts, product images, and other ready-to-use marketing resources to help you start earning commissions quickly.


Can I still promote MageGate Games if I don't join the affiliate program?

Yes. If you'd rather not join our affiliate program, you can still earn commissions by linking to our books through Amazon Associates (typically around 4.5% on qualifying print book sales) or the DriveThruRPG affiliate program (typically 8% on qualifying print or digital book sales, or 5% for non-publishers).

However, MageGate Games' affiliate program pays 35% on qualifying direct sales—making it our highest-paying option for creators who regularly recommend our products.


Does MageGate Games participate in affiliate marketing programs?

Yes. MageGate Games is a member of Amazon Associates, DriveThruRPG, Zylvie, and other affiliate programs. Virtually all links we use to these sites are affiliate links. MageGate Games may earn a commission from your purchases through these links at no additional cost to you.


INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS

Do you sell in all countries?

We sell to most countries worldwide, including but not limited to the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and any related territories (such as Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.).

MageGate Games is a United States-based publisher.

Due to tax, regulatory, payment processing, and compliance requirements, direct sales may not be available in certain countries.

If you cannot complete checkout, your country may be on the restricted list. Our products may still be available to you through Amazon, DriveThruRPG, Itch.io, or other marketplaces.


EU Customers: Why Do I Need to Accept the Digital Delivery Checkbox at Checkout?

To provide immediate access to digital products, customers in the European Union are asked to acknowledge that digital delivery begins immediately after purchase.

By completing the purchase, you consent to immediate access to the digital product and waive any statutory withdrawal rights that would otherwise apply once delivery has begun.

Checking this box is mandatory to complete your order. See our Refund Policy for details.


COMMUNITY AND UPDATES

How do I find out when new MageGate Games books are coming out?

You can keep up to date with MageGate Games by visiting our Upcoming Releases page, or when you join our newsletter by:

  • Purchasing any product from our store (including free or paid products)
  • Downloading our FREE Heirloom Magic Items rules

You can also join the official MageGate Games Facebook group to interact with other GMs and Jackson Dean Chase, MageGate's founder and lead designer.


How can I follow MageGate Games on social media?

Follow MageGate Games wherever you spend your time online. We share GM advice, product updates, articles, and new releases across our official channels.


Where can I learn more about MageGate Games and its founder?

MageGate Games was founded in 2021 by USA TODAY bestselling author Jackson Dean Chase, who serves as the company's founder, lead designer, and publisher.

Learn more here:


FEEDBACK AND ROADMAP

Have feedback, product suggestions, or feature requests?

Help shape the future of MageGate Games.

Share your ideas, vote on community suggestions, and tell us what you'd like to see next.

Leave Feedback & View Roadmap