D&D (2024) Playtest 6: Rogue and Cunning Strike

[Horwath]

Assassinate is now bad, really bad.
at 3rd level you get +3 damage on one attack, in 1st round of combat, only on targets with worse initiative.

I know that instacrit was ok with only rogue class, but got broken with abomination multiclassing Assassin3/battlemaster11/gloomstalker3/paladin2 + 1 level to gain a feat.

But, instacrit was a nice touch.

So, how about: in 1st round of combat attack that carries sneak attack is a critical hit if you hit with attack. If that attack is also a critical hit, add rogue level to total damage.

it keeps the critical hit(sniper shot) quality, but power is gated behind rogue levels. As it should be.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

They shouldn’t slow it down any more than weapon masteries, which have been received very well.

This is why I included weapon masteries in my statement.
I mean: most* people read and don't actually play test (thoroughly).

It might also get repititive. So I am torn over that.

*at least I guess so.

 

[Pauln6]

Assassinate is now bad, really bad.
at 3rd level you get +3 damage on one attack, in 1st round of combat, only on targets with worse initiative.

I know that instacrit was ok with only rogue class, but got broken with abomination multiclassing Assassin3/battlemaster11/gloomstalker3/paladin2 + 1 level to gain a feat.

But, instacrit was a nice touch.

So, how about: in 1st round of combat attack that carries sneak attack is a critical hit if you hit with attack. If that attack is also a critical hit, add rogue level to total damage.

it keeps the critical hit(sniper shot) quality, but power is gated behind rogue levels. As it should be.

Just rule that you double your sneak attack damage. Job done.

 

[DEFCON 1]

This is super broken at a glance and should never have passed the sniff test before making it into the UA.

Thankfully, WotC relies on people actually playing the options in their testing, rather than just on glances and sniffing.

Your initial impression is your initial impression... but no one is going to be able to take your claim that it is "super broken" just on faith. That kind of hyperbole probably will need a little bit of actual gameplay testing at your table first before anyone will take your word for it.

 

[Horwath]

Just rule that you double your sneak attack damage. Job done.

that works also

 

[Clint_L]

Just rule that you double your sneak attack damage. Job done.

That’s a substantial nerf to it at low levels.

 

[MNblockhead]

They shouldn’t slow it down any more than weapon masteries, which have been received very well.

I thought weapon masteries were one of the things they got a lot of positive feedback on.

 

[Charlaquin]

I thought weapon masteries were one of the things they got a lot of positive feedback on.

Correct

 

[tetrasodium]

It's totally fine. The Monsters also get saves remember, it's no different from a spell being cast on the monster.

Think about it for a minute. Both of them are a dex save. Shoot dragons and other flying creatures out of the sky. Disarm ogre's trolls giants and literally every other weapon using monster... Monsters that happen to generally be strength rather than dex. It's a 150 foot save or lose cantrip targeting what will generally be one of the weaker saves. We still don't even have limiting mechanics like say....

• An encumbrance system that isn't built to be self nullifying.
• A system like body slots that limits what can be worn where and how many of them can be worn where when a player wants to wear multiple backpacks multiple quivers a magic cape magic cloak etc
• Completed container rules for when a player wants to stuff spillover
• A realistic chance of losing the many many arrows carries.

 

[TwoSix]

Think about it for a minute. Both of them are a dex save. Shoot dragons and other flying creatures out of the sky. Disarm ogre's trolls giants and literally every other weapon using monster... Monsters that happen to generally be strength rather than dex. It's a 150 foot save or lose cantrip targeting what will generally be one of the weaker saves.

If a melee monster is eating ranged attacks at 150', it already lost the battle.

Not to mention the melee monster has a simple counter to the tactic in dropping prone itself. Counters the advantage and thus no more sneak attack.