I think one of the flaws of 4e's design is that it made it very difficult to homebrew. If you wanted to create a custom class, you had to write out 30 levels of powers and a handful of paragon paths. With the trend of 5e towards a simplified design (and more unified mechanics), I think homebrewing is going to be a lot easier (and thus more prevalent).
One of the best parts of 5e thus far is that people are already homebrewing.
- Thread starter B.T.
- Start date
Yora
Legend
Part of it is the playtest material still being quite narrow.
But lots of people came up with basically the same idea for a spell-point wizard class using class features from sorcerer and warlock. And it's really damn easy to do.
However, that doesn't seem to be any different from 3rd Edition.
But lots of people came up with basically the same idea for a spell-point wizard class using class features from sorcerer and warlock. And it's really damn easy to do.
However, that doesn't seem to be any different from 3rd Edition.
Mishihari Lord
First Post
While I agree this is a great thing, I wish people would do their home-brewing after they did their actual playtest. I've seen far too many people write " ... I just changed all the rules I didn't like and ran a game. Now I'm going to provide some feedback ... "
Ahnehnois
First Post
That is the playtest. D&D rules of any stripe are a starting point.
If I were WotC, I certainly wouldn't be paying much attention to anyone that didn't customize the game to their liking, simply because that doesn't model how the full game will be used when it's released.
Hearing about people's changes is why you do the playtest: to see what people are trying to do with the game and to decide if any of their individual changes are worth considering for a larger audience.
FireLance
Legend
I don't want to sound too much of a sour note in what is otherwise a positive thread, but:
1. Classes are probably the most complex game elements in 4e. It really is quite easy to homebrew monsters, feats, powers, races, paragon paths and epic destinies.
2. If people are willing to re-use material (as seems to be currently happening with the 5e playtest - it doesn't look to me like people are creating new spells for the spell point wizard) even homebrewing a class becomes much simpler. For example, you could create a fighter-mage homebrew class by simply granting it access to fighter at-wills and wizard encounters and dailies (and perhaps a few more tweaks for balance).
3. Essentials has shown how class design can be further simplified. Instead of several encounter powers, you could just come up with three (or even one, used multiple times in an encounter) and scale up the effects with level. In theory, the same could be done for daily powers.
As an example, here's a simple class that I came up with in May 2009 (original post here).
Now that I look back on it, I think it's interesting how similar it is to the Essentials slayer. With the advantage of having seen Essentials, if I were to write it up today, I'd be able to make it even simpler (by collapsing some of the related powers, for example).
[SBLOCK]This is the 4E class for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the power choices in 4E or constrained by 4E's power descriptions and just wants simple attacks that may be flavored however the player wants.
The Armsman
"I attack."
Class Traits
Role: Striker. You are able to make damaging attacks with your weapons. You also have high hit points and good armor, so you lean towards defender as a secondary role.
Power Source: Martial. You depend on your fighting skill and the occasional stroke of luck.
Key Abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution.
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, leather, hide, chainmail, scale, plate; light shield, heavy shield
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple melee, military melee, simple ranged, military ranged
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fortitude, +1 Reflex
Hit Points at 1st Level: 15 + Constitution score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 6
Healing Surges per Day: 7 + Constitution modifier
Trained Skills: Athletics and Endurance. From the class skills list below, choose one more trained skill at 1st level.
Class Skills: Athletics (Str), Endurance (Con), Intimidate (Cha), Streetwise (Cha)
Class Features: Armsman Weapon Talent, Background Skill, Combat Flexibility
An armsman is a competent warrior that functions well in melee and at range. He focuses on making simple but effective attacks. Power Source: Martial. You depend on your fighting skill and the occasional stroke of luck.
Key Abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution.
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, leather, hide, chainmail, scale, plate; light shield, heavy shield
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple melee, military melee, simple ranged, military ranged
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fortitude, +1 Reflex
Hit Points at 1st Level: 15 + Constitution score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 6
Healing Surges per Day: 7 + Constitution modifier
Trained Skills: Athletics and Endurance. From the class skills list below, choose one more trained skill at 1st level.
Class Skills: Athletics (Str), Endurance (Con), Intimidate (Cha), Streetwise (Cha)
Class Features: Armsman Weapon Talent, Background Skill, Combat Flexibility
Armsman Class Features
Armsman Weapon Talent
You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and a +2 bonus to damage rolls when you use a power that has the weapon keyword. The bonus to damage rolls increases to +3 if you use a two-handed weapon or a versatile weapon wielded in two hands.
At 11th level, the bonus to damage rolls increases to +4, or +6 if you use a two-handed weapon or a versatile weapon wielded in two hands.
At 21st level, the bonus to damage rolls increases to +6, or +9 if you use a two-handed weapon or a versatile weapon wielded in two hands.
Background Skill
You gain training in one additional skill.
Combat Flexibility
You may expend an armsman encounter attack power to use any other armsman encounter attack power of lower level, even if it is one that you do not know.
You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and a +2 bonus to damage rolls when you use a power that has the weapon keyword. The bonus to damage rolls increases to +3 if you use a two-handed weapon or a versatile weapon wielded in two hands.
At 11th level, the bonus to damage rolls increases to +4, or +6 if you use a two-handed weapon or a versatile weapon wielded in two hands.
At 21st level, the bonus to damage rolls increases to +6, or +9 if you use a two-handed weapon or a versatile weapon wielded in two hands.
Background Skill
You gain training in one additional skill.
Combat Flexibility
You may expend an armsman encounter attack power to use any other armsman encounter attack power of lower level, even if it is one that you do not know.
Armsman Powers
Unlike most other classes, an armsman does not need to choose encounter, daily or utility powers because there is only a single power at each level. An armsman only needs to select two of the three at-will powers available to him at 1st level (a human armsman does not even need to make this choice). When an encounter or daily attack power allows an armsman to use an at-will armsman attack power, he may select an at-will armsman attack power that he does not know.
Most armsman powers allow you to use Strength instead of Dexterity for ranged attack rolls and damage rolls when you use a weapon with the heavy thrown property, and Dexterity instead of Strength for melee attack rolls and damage rolls when you use a light blade. This is indicated in the text of the powers.
Level 1 At-Will Exploits
Weapon Attack
Armsman Attack 1
You attack your opponent.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier damage at 21st level.
Weapon Interference
Armsman Attack 1
Your attack interferes with your opponent's attack.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade), and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) at 21st level.
Weapon Trick
Armsman Attack 1
Your attack leaves your opponent less able to defend against your next attack.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade), and you gain a +2 bonus to the next attack roll you make against the target before the end of your next turn.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) at 21st level.
Level 1 Encounter ExploitArmsman Attack 1
You attack your opponent.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier + Dexterity modifier damage at 21st level.
Weapon Interference
Armsman Attack 1
Your attack interferes with your opponent's attack.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade), and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) at 21st level.
Weapon Trick
Armsman Attack 1
Your attack leaves your opponent less able to defend against your next attack.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade), and you gain a +2 bonus to the next attack roll you make against the target before the end of your next turn.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 2[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) at 21st level.
Power Surge
Armsman Attack 1
A surge of adrenaline allows you to hit hard.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 1[W] damage.
Level 1 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 1
A surge of adrenaline allows you to hit hard.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 1[W] damage.
Dazing Luck
Armsman Attack 1
A lucky hit hinders your opponent for a short while.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 1[W] damage and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
Level 2 Utility ExploitArmsman Attack 1
A lucky hit hinders your opponent for a short while.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 1[W] damage and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
Dart and Sprint
Armsman Utility 2
A surge of adrenaline allows you to move quickly.
Encounter * Martial
Minor Action
Personal
Effect: You may shift one square. You also gain a +2 bonus to your speed until the start of your next turn.
Level 3 Encounter ExploitArmsman Utility 2
A surge of adrenaline allows you to move quickly.
Encounter * Martial
Minor Action
Personal
Effect: You may shift one square. You also gain a +2 bonus to your speed until the start of your next turn.
Swift Surge
Armsman Attack 3
A surge of adrenaline allows you to make two quick, simple attacks.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Targets: One or two creatures
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade), two attacks. You may make any combination of melee and ranged attacks, and you may target a different creature with each attack.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) per attack.
Level 5 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 3
A surge of adrenaline allows you to make two quick, simple attacks.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Targets: One or two creatures
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade), two attacks. You may make any combination of melee and ranged attacks, and you may target a different creature with each attack.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) per attack.
Lucky Graze
Armsman Attack 5
A lucky hit gets through your opponent's defences.
Daily * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 4[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 4[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade).
Miss: Half damage.
Special: If the target does not take damage from this power, it is not expended.
Level 6 Utility ExploitArmsman Attack 5
A lucky hit gets through your opponent's defences.
Daily * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 4[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 4[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade).
Miss: Half damage.
Special: If the target does not take damage from this power, it is not expended.
Combat Vigor
Armsman Utility 6
A surge of adrenaline grants you greater endurance.
Encounter * Martial
Minor Action
Personal
Effect: You gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier. If you are bloodied, the number of temporary hit points you gain equals 5 + half your level + your Constitution modifier instead.
Level 7 Encounter ExploitArmsman Utility 6
A surge of adrenaline grants you greater endurance.
Encounter * Martial
Minor Action
Personal
Effect: You gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier. If you are bloodied, the number of temporary hit points you gain equals 5 + half your level + your Constitution modifier instead.
Follow-Up Surge
Armsman Attack 7
A surge of adrenaline spurs you to follow up on a successful attack.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you may make a melee or ranged basic attack against the target.
Level 9 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 7
A surge of adrenaline spurs you to follow up on a successful attack.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you may make a melee or ranged basic attack against the target.
Devastating Luck
Armsman Attack 9
A lucky hit threatens a vulnerable spot on your opponent.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 3[W] damage.
Level 10 Utility ExploitArmsman Attack 9
A lucky hit threatens a vulnerable spot on your opponent.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 3[W] damage.
Combat Resilience
Armsman Utility 10
A surge of adrenaline allows you to recover more quickly.
Encounter * Martial
Minor Action
Personal
Effect: You gain a power bonus to all saving throws equal to your Constitution modifier until the start of your next turn.
Level 13 Encounter ExploitArmsman Utility 10
A surge of adrenaline allows you to recover more quickly.
Encounter * Martial
Minor Action
Personal
Effect: You gain a power bonus to all saving throws equal to your Constitution modifier until the start of your next turn.
Furious Surge
Armsman Attack 13
A surge of adrenaline allows you to hit harder.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 2[W] damage.
Level 15 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 13
A surge of adrenaline allows you to hit harder.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 2[W] damage.
Stunning Luck
Armsman Attack 15
A lucky hit leaves your opponent unable to act for a short while.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 2[W] damage and the target is stunned until the end of your next turn. Aftereffect: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
Level 16 Utility ExploitArmsman Attack 15
A lucky hit leaves your opponent unable to act for a short while.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 2[W] damage and the target is stunned until the end of your next turn. Aftereffect: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
Combat Evasion
Armsman Utility 16
A surge of adrenaline allows you to reduce the effect of an attack.
Encounter * Martial
Immediate Interrupt
Personal
Trigger: You are hit by an attack
Effect: You take half damage from the attack. If the attack imposes an effect that a save can end, you may make an immediate saving throw against the effect.
Level 17 Encounter ExploitArmsman Utility 16
A surge of adrenaline allows you to reduce the effect of an attack.
Encounter * Martial
Immediate Interrupt
Personal
Trigger: You are hit by an attack
Effect: You take half damage from the attack. If the attack imposes an effect that a save can end, you may make an immediate saving throw against the effect.
Rapid Surge
Armsman Attack 17
A surge of adrenaline allows you to make three quick, simple attacks.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Targets: One, two or three creatures
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade), three attacks. You may make any combination of melee and ranged attacks, and you may target a different creature with each attack.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) per attack.
Level 19 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 17
A surge of adrenaline allows you to make three quick, simple attacks.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Targets: One, two or three creatures
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade), three attacks. You may make any combination of melee and ranged attacks, and you may target a different creature with each attack.
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade) per attack.
Lucky Break
Armsman Attack 19
A lucky hit breaks through your opponent's defences.
Daily * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 6[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 6[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade).
Miss: Half damage.
Special: If the target does not take damage from this power, it is not expended.
Level 22 Utility ExploitArmsman Attack 19
A lucky hit breaks through your opponent's defences.
Daily * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or Dexterity vs. AC (ranged or melee with light blade)
Hit: 6[W] + Strength modifier damage (melee or ranged with heavy thrown weapon) or 6[W] + Dexterity modifier damage (ranged or melee with light blade).
Miss: Half damage.
Special: If the target does not take damage from this power, it is not expended.
Lucky Dodge
Armsman Utility 22
A stroke of luck enables you to avoid an attack.
Daily * Martial
Immediate Interrupt
Personal
Trigger: You are hit by an attack
Effect: The attack misses.
Level 23 Encounter ExploitArmsman Utility 22
A stroke of luck enables you to avoid an attack.
Daily * Martial
Immediate Interrupt
Personal
Trigger: You are hit by an attack
Effect: The attack misses.
Follow-Through Surge
Armsman Attack 23
A surge of adrenaline spurs you to follow through with a successful attack.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you may use the same armsman at-will attack power or another armsman at-will attack power against the target.
Level 25 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 23
A surge of adrenaline spurs you to follow through with a successful attack.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you may use the same armsman at-will attack power or another armsman at-will attack power against the target.
Deadly Luck
Armsman Attack 25
A lucky hit threatens a vital spot on your opponent.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 5[W] damage.
Level 27 Encounter ExploitArmsman Attack 25
A lucky hit threatens a vital spot on your opponent.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 5[W] damage.
Destructive Surge
Armsman Attack 27
A surge of adrenaline allows you to hit even harder.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 3[W] damage.
Level 29 Daily ExploitArmsman Attack 27
A surge of adrenaline allows you to hit even harder.
Encounter * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 3[W] damage.
Incapacitating Luck
Armsman Attack 29
A lucky hit leaves your opponent helpless for a short while.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 3[W] damage and the target is unconscious until the end of your next turn or until it takes damage. Aftereffect: The target is stunned until the end of your next turn. Aftereffect: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
[/SBLOCK]Armsman Attack 29
A lucky hit leaves your opponent helpless for a short while.
Daily * Martial, Reliable, Weapon
Standard Action
Effect: Use an armsman at-will attack power. If the attack hits, you deal an additional 3[W] damage and the target is unconscious until the end of your next turn or until it takes damage. Aftereffect: The target is stunned until the end of your next turn. Aftereffect: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
El Mahdi
Muad'Dib of the Anauroch
I think part of it is, as Yora said, that the rules are quite narrow right now...so there's currently a lot of room for riffing with it.
But I do think it's a good thing too, as the OP does.
One of the things that WotC wanted to do with this iteration was to not tell people how to play, but make a game that people could play the way they want to. One way they said they're trying to implement this is that they want to show DM's how to adapt the game themselves, rather than give them every possible adaptation for them.
That so much homebrewing is going on already (as I've already done a bit of myself), tells me that people are seeing "their" game in D&D Next. They're seeing possibilities, rather than limitations. And in my book, that's definitely a good thing.
But I do think it's a good thing too, as the OP does.
One of the things that WotC wanted to do with this iteration was to not tell people how to play, but make a game that people could play the way they want to. One way they said they're trying to implement this is that they want to show DM's how to adapt the game themselves, rather than give them every possible adaptation for them.
That so much homebrewing is going on already (as I've already done a bit of myself), tells me that people are seeing "their" game in D&D Next. They're seeing possibilities, rather than limitations. And in my book, that's definitely a good thing.
I can't help but feel this is an undeserved slight against 4E. As Firelance has already said, though it's quite the involved process to homebrew entire new classes for 4E, pretty much every other aspect of it takes very well to homebrewing.
Adventure Tools made homebrewing monsters extremely easy. I just wish it hadn't been discontinued so early. My biggest problem with 4E was how shoddily WotC handled the online support--they promised way more than they ended up delivering there. I hope they do better with Next.
slobster
Hero
I agree with your thread title. D&D to me means homebrewing, and lots of it. It's very heartening to see so many people already having fun with what is really a partial alpha build of the rules. Makes me optimistic about what is to come.
We don't need to bring contentious comparisons to previous editions into that pleasant sentiment, do we?
Aenghus
Explorer
While being open to houserules, I would prefer if the next edition could work out of the box without houserules being absolutely necessary. The designers may be tempted to release a broken game and rely on DM houserules and hard work to fix it in each individual game - this would be a major negative for me.
It's getting unclear whether there is going to be a baseline game without houserules, for purposes of writing adventure modules, organised play etc. The problem is that a default game risks creating winners and losers in the next battles in the edition war.
It's getting unclear whether there is going to be a baseline game without houserules, for purposes of writing adventure modules, organised play etc. The problem is that a default game risks creating winners and losers in the next battles in the edition war.
My groups (all of the three ones that I drift through) basically have this perspective -
We -can- houserule any system in to playability.
Most of us don't have the time to do so.
The game should accept houseruling (like D&D always has, in every edition, forever and ever amen), yes; but it should be playable on its own, and shouldn't require it.
I see a difference in Homebrewing and Houseruling, too.
Homebrewing is content generation - a new monster, a new background, and so on. These are the details; the interior design, if you will.
Houseruling is having to adjust the core to be playable in the scope of your game.
I love homebrewing, and hate houseruling, I think.
We -can- houserule any system in to playability.
Most of us don't have the time to do so.
The game should accept houseruling (like D&D always has, in every edition, forever and ever amen), yes; but it should be playable on its own, and shouldn't require it.
I see a difference in Homebrewing and Houseruling, too.
Homebrewing is content generation - a new monster, a new background, and so on. These are the details; the interior design, if you will.
Houseruling is having to adjust the core to be playable in the scope of your game.
I love homebrewing, and hate houseruling, I think.
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