But wouldn't that be the case with any mechanic introduced? Does it really take that much extra time to roll two dice? The same could be said for flanking, higher elevation, cover etc. Players will always look for something to give them an edge. And frankly I don't recall seeing hundreds of abilities, spells, powers, monsters, etc to grant flanking, higher elevation or cover in either 3e or 4e. By your logic nothing 5e does would make you play because there's always the possibility that hundreds of abilities, spells, powers, monsters, etc may be created to take advantage of a particular in-game mechanic.
Colored me confused.
As others have mentioned, the issue is with "clumping" - whereas in both 3E and 4e, the "surprise round" is a bonus action in the regular initiative sequence - so the people with the benefit of surprise get to go first, but then their actions are spread out in the regular initiative sequence.Is that not the point of surprise?
I don't think anyone is saying it's particular unfair to the PCs. The point is that it can make for boring play if surprise produces a "clumping" situation that can lead to a single PC being hosed before the player even gets to do anything in combat.I concede that being surprised may well mean that the enemies could, in theory, take someone out before they get a chance to act, but my response to that is a) that goes both ways (ie the players can do this just as readily as the monsters can)
In that case you may not need actual surprise mechanics at all - if the GM declares that the PCs are surprised your players can just not use their actions for the first round - RPing out the story of their surprise - without regard to what the mechanics say. And the GM can do the same for the monsters when relevant.For me and my group, we would absolutely prefer to do the former (a series of skill checks to hide and get the drop on the guard) even if it makes no difference mechanics-wise. The story is the thing.
what if instead of a -20 to penalty, if you're surprised you have disadvantage (to represent not being quite ready). ?
If 60% of people were happy with any of the other editions, we wouldn't have a 5th. The fanbase is so fractured that this really isn't a bad number. If they'd said anything higher, I'd find it pretty suspicious.Wow, only 60% is happy with the direction DDN is headed. And they are spinning this as a GOOD thing. Less than two thirds.
Not sure where this rather divisive conclusion comes from, and I'm pretty skeptical of it.I would be willing to bet a good portion of that 40% is 4E fans. So much for unification. They seem to be trying to unify with an axe.
If 60% of people were happy with any of the other editions, we wouldn't have a 5th. The fanbase is so fractured that this really isn't a bad number. If they'd said anything higher, I'd find it pretty suspicious.
True. Nonetheless, what is a realistic goal in this context?That is 60% of the people who downloaded the playtest materials and provided feedback.
It is pretty much guaranteed that, in general, the people who participated in the playtest AND were sufficiently satisfied to provide feedback are going to be more enthusiastic than those who didn't.
No idea how much more enthusiastic, of course. But the actual numbers of potential customers who like the current direction is pretty much bound to be LESS than that 60%
Exactly. If those polled were an accurate sample of D&D fans worldwide and 60% were pleased, THAT would be a pretty good sample. This, on the other hand, is people who are actually interested in 5E and potential buyers. They only have made 60% happy with the direction 5E is going. That 60% isn't necessarily composed entirely of people that preach the gospel of 5E either. Whereas the 40% is composed of people that, if 5E continues in the direction it is headed, they are likely NOT to buy it.That is 60% of the people who downloaded the playtest materials and provided feedback.
It is pretty much guaranteed that, in general, the people who participated in the playtest AND were sufficiently satisfied to provide feedback are going to be more enthusiastic than those who didn't.
No idea how much more enthusiastic, of course. But the actual numbers of potential customers who like the current direction is pretty much bound to be LESS than that 60%