D&D 5E Red Flags For Classes In Sources Beyond The Player's Handbook

[Inchoroi]

The only thing I really ban are the majority of the Unearthed Arcana feats, and Alert, Observant, Great Weapon Master, and Sharpshooter.

I'm considering changing how passives work to allow Observant back in, but no way will I allow people to never be surprised ever. That's just silly.

 

[Syntallah]

Thanks for the insight, gang! Much appreciated!

 

[neogod22]

The only thing I really ban are the majority of the Unearthed Arcana feats, and Alert, Observant, Great Weapon Master, and Sharpshooter.

I'm considering changing how passives work to allow Observant back in, but no way will I allow people to never be surprised ever. That's just silly.

I would stick to official books, but why ban those feats you listed?

 

[Sunseeker]

I would stick to official books, but why ban those feats you listed?

Do I have to say it again?

It's not like the OP has given a single reason for their decisions the entire thread, and I would argue that probably bodes poorly for their game as well.

 

[Inchoroi]

I would stick to official books, but why ban those feats you listed?

Alert: +5 Initiative and not being able to be surprised actually harmed the fun of our group, so I banned it.

Observant: I dislike the straight +5 to passives; makes using traps and stealth almost impossible, and that's boring.

Great Weapon Master + Sharpshooter: The -5/+10 damage thing is crazy; having had it through an entire campaign of mine, I banned that thing quick.

I banned the majority of the UA feats because they grant Expertise all the time, and expertise should be a bit rare.

 

[Syntallah]

Do I have to say it again?

It's not like the OP has given a single reason for their decisions the entire thread, and I would argue that probably bodes poorly for their game as well.

Uh, I, the OP, haven't banned anything. I merely heard some rumblings and grumblings about power creep in the new books, and since I have a penchant for white-room theory knee jerkery, I came to this august body for some insight, and opinion...

 

[neogod22]

Do I have to say it again?

It's not like the OP has given a single reason for their decisions the entire thread, and I would argue that probably bodes poorly for their game as well.

I was asking a specific person, hence why I quoted his post just like I did yours right now.

 

[neogod22]

Alert: +5 Initiative and not being able to be surprised actually harmed the fun of our group, so I banned it.

Observant: I dislike the straight +5 to passives; makes using traps and stealth almost impossible, and that's boring.

Great Weapon Master + Sharpshooter: The -5/+10 damage thing is crazy; having had it through an entire campaign of mine, I banned that thing quick.

I banned the majority of the UA feats because they grant Expertise all the time, and expertise should be a bit rare.

Alert: since there is no "surprise round" even if surprised, if a creature wins in initiative, it can still get its reaction. That doesn't mean an alert person can't be subject to an ambush.

Observant: I usually only use passive for things that aren't actually hidden. Things that are hidden, you have to actively look for them.

SS/GWM: I can see these 2 being a problem especially in the hands of a fighter. At lower levels, if they use the -5/+10. They are probably going to miss a lot. IDK, maybe give it a level restriction.

 

[Sunseeker]

I was asking a specific person, hence why I quoted his post just like I did yours right now.

It's a public forum, if you don't like the possibility that people other than "the person you quoted" may respond to you, perhaps you should take that into consideration.

 

[Sunseeker]

Uh, I, the OP, haven't banned anything. I merely heard some rumblings and grumblings about power creep in the new books, and since I have a penchant for white-room theory knee jerkery, I came to this august body for some insight, and opinion...

Your original post...

In putting together a Session Zero Payer's Guide, I have been hesitant on what to put in the Allowed Sources list. I know of a couple Red Flags (e.g. the Hexblade, and the Zealot). What classes / subclasses would you put on your 'Not Gonna Happen List'?

Seemed less like you were soliciting advice on what to include, and more that you already knew what not to include.

My personal opinion on the subject is simple: PHB only, everything else is accepted only on DM review. Alternatively, use the AL "PHB+1" rule.

Nothing in 5E is more broken or more difficult to handle than any other edition I have ever played. The amount of work that goes into adapting to a particularly powerful character is so minimal IMO that it isn't even worth worrying about. I typically play with experienced players who know how to build but also want to have a fun shared experience at the table, they fight bigger monsters, get a little less XP than is on the stat block, and nothing is lost.

I'm more apt to tell my players "everything goes" and warn them that it goes for me too. A number of players will tone it down just on the threat that their DM won't pull punches if the players don't.