D&D 5E Guidelines for D&D Next playtest/adventure discussion here at ENW

GX.Sigma · May 23, 2012

Piratecat said:
Please don't:

Repost any mechanics
Post any of the rules or character sheets

Are they really going to enforce that for the open playtest that anyone can sign up and download? Is there some kind of ultra-secret tech that prevents Paizo employees from downloading it, and we all need to stay really really quiet so they can't find out about it?

Majoru Oakheart · May 23, 2012

GX.Sigma said:
Are they really going to enforce that for the open playtest that anyone can sign up and download? Is there some kind of ultra-secret tech that prevents Paizo employees from downloading it, and we all need to stay really really quiet so they can't find out about it?

My guess is it's a legal thing. I'm guessing they can't sue someone for distributing the play test version of the rules with an essay on how the rules have changed since then when the game comes out since the play test is being distributed free and publicly.

However if they make each and every person agree that the work is still copy written despite being free and also agree not to put it up on their own websites then WOTC can go around sending cease and desists to any site that has the play test up on it when the game gets released.

Minigiant · May 23, 2012

Hmmm...

I predict a lot of "Rogue HP is too low because it is based on that value on his sheet. This is because something bad happened when the group reached pages 12. In THAT one room."

Morrus · May 23, 2012

nnms said:
If I am looking to make sure I'm running the game as written or have a question about how to use the rules to resolve things, how do I ask about that? And how does anyone give me a meaningful answer without doing the above?

In general, if your post involves the use of copy/paste, it's a definite no-no.

You can certainly say "I think d14 hit dice for the astrologer class is too high". You can't post:

Astrologer*
Hit Dice: d14
Starting Skills: Navel Gazing, Bad Science, Self-Delusion
BAB: +1
Starting Money: 11d7 gp
etc.

So you can comment on and refer to a stat block, but you can't post the stat block.

Or you can post "Does tying your shoelaces provoke an opportunity attack?" and someone can respond "Yep, shoelace tying is in the list on page 14." But you can't post:

Opportunity Attacks*
Opportunity attacks occur when a character performs a certain action while adjacent to another creature. The adjacent creature gets an immediate free attack, and can do so as many times as its DEX bonus. The following actions provoke opportunity attacks: x, y, z.

*Yes, all the above is real stuff directly from D&D Next.**
**Not guaranteed to be true.

Piratecat · May 23, 2012

I'll try to get clarification on some of these. Good questions. I think - and don't quote me on this yet - it won't be too tough for most things. For instance, if we 're discussing baristas, I can say "the barista's summon latte power is totally broken. See page 13? What's with the 1d6 milk foaming?" But I can't copy and paste the rule.

As others have said, this isn't to stop Paizo from reading the rules. Of course they will if they choose! It's a legal restriction to stop me from grabbing this and self-publishing "Kevin's Awesome 5e clone."

Interesting question about new monsters. I think that's going to be okay, at least in stripped down stat block mode, but I'll ask.

Piratecat · May 23, 2012

...and Morrus beats me to the answer AND is funnier. Bastard.

Mercutio01 · May 23, 2012

I almost missed this as it's fallen about a third of the way down the page. Should it get a sticky?

erf_beto · May 23, 2012

Mercutio01 said:
I almost missed this as it's fallen about a third of the way down the page. Should it get a sticky?

Definetly, but perhaps only after we see WotC's official statement.

Umbran · May 23, 2012

In practice, stickies enhance one's ability to find a thread, but typically decrease the thread's traffic and visibility. If it is constantly in one place, folks tend to elide over it in their reading of the forum.

So, for now, as it is discussed, bumps are better than stickies. When it settles down and people need it for reference later, a sticky would be preferable.