Naturally, with all the ideas currently floating around, it's interesting to see old issues cropping up again. It seems like some things will always be hot buttons. However, I also see people advocating stuff that was rightfully killed in 4th edition, or even 3rd edition (or neither, but should have been). Here is my personal list of "Monte, don't even think about it!"
* Different XP for different classes. Just No. I thought the mere idea is ridiculous, but there is a thread at rpg.net
* Favored class. Iconic class / race combinations will be rewarded by good support, they shoul NOT receive XP bonuses on top
* Detect Alignment spell - looks harmless, but can kill any kind of detective adventure in seconds. Also, tool of worst fantasy racism issues (it's fine to kill all orcs, they're evil and I can prove it)
* Challenge rating. Just NO, you cruddy, wonky bane of the DM
* Level adjustment for races - Playable monster races would be cool, but not this crud mechanic. Ever.
* Feat-only Fighter. Gyah, if you can't come up with good Fighter class abilities, don't design my D&D. Oh, and 3rd ed Marshall and Swashbuckler, you guys deserve mention for being even worse. What a waste of potentially amazing concepts.
* Entire categories of monsters with the same damage resistance - led to the infamous fighter golf bag
* Save-or-die spells - should be the absolute exception. 4th ed sleep is a reasonable compromise. The rest of the party wants to be more than the Pips for Gladys the Wizard
* Half-races: Bye half-elf, bye half-orc, hello full-blood orc. Much more cooler and no icky "how did it happen?"
* Sneak attack resistance on way too many monsters
* Self-buffing wizards, clerics and druids - good old CODzilla, how I miss you NOT
* The Toughness feat. Mentioned by Monte himself to be a deliberate trap crap choice. Don't ever pull something like that again.
* Different XP for different classes. Just No. I thought the mere idea is ridiculous, but there is a thread at rpg.net
* Favored class. Iconic class / race combinations will be rewarded by good support, they shoul NOT receive XP bonuses on top
* Detect Alignment spell - looks harmless, but can kill any kind of detective adventure in seconds. Also, tool of worst fantasy racism issues (it's fine to kill all orcs, they're evil and I can prove it)
* Challenge rating. Just NO, you cruddy, wonky bane of the DM
* Level adjustment for races - Playable monster races would be cool, but not this crud mechanic. Ever.
* Feat-only Fighter. Gyah, if you can't come up with good Fighter class abilities, don't design my D&D. Oh, and 3rd ed Marshall and Swashbuckler, you guys deserve mention for being even worse. What a waste of potentially amazing concepts.
* Entire categories of monsters with the same damage resistance - led to the infamous fighter golf bag
* Save-or-die spells - should be the absolute exception. 4th ed sleep is a reasonable compromise. The rest of the party wants to be more than the Pips for Gladys the Wizard
* Half-races: Bye half-elf, bye half-orc, hello full-blood orc. Much more cooler and no icky "how did it happen?"
* Sneak attack resistance on way too many monsters
* Self-buffing wizards, clerics and druids - good old CODzilla, how I miss you NOT
* The Toughness feat. Mentioned by Monte himself to be a deliberate trap crap choice. Don't ever pull something like that again.
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