Rod Staffwand
aka Ermlaspur Flormbator
Initial thoughts:
1. GWF DoaM removed. Or was this already mentioned somewhere? You get a damage reroll if it comes up a 1 or 2 now. I don't much care for it--I always found rerolling damage dice to interrupt the flow of a combat round. "My damage is...wait, I get to reroll...lemme check by bonus...that'll be 9 damage...wait!, 11 with the buff spell."
2. Ability score charts go up to 30. I guess to show how much cooler than you dragons can be.
3. I don't like the Ability Check DC chart descriptions (VE, E, M, H, etc.). It doesn't give enough context. Easy for who? Hard for who? A hypothetical "person"? A dragon? A 3rd-level hero? A 20th-level hero? Anyone and everyone?
4. Alignments. 1e-3e 9 point grid. Not a fan. Ignorable.
5. Personality & Background. Gets a whole chapter. With the simply-built classes of Basic you're invited to differentiate your character by creating and playing a specific character, not a "build". Inspiration is an interesting mechanic. I look forward to seeing how it works in play. Background trait, ideal, bond and flaw offer a lot of good examples for players even if they don't roll or choose other backgrounds.
6. Multiclassing says to check the PH. I'd say "why bother", but I guess they want to show that the option is/will be available in some capacity.
7. Forgotten Realms overtones. Kill it! Kill it with fire!
8. Can't speak to game balance or theorycrafting issues as of yet.
All in all, looks pretty solid but not particularly revolutionary. Should serve its function.
1. GWF DoaM removed. Or was this already mentioned somewhere? You get a damage reroll if it comes up a 1 or 2 now. I don't much care for it--I always found rerolling damage dice to interrupt the flow of a combat round. "My damage is...wait, I get to reroll...lemme check by bonus...that'll be 9 damage...wait!, 11 with the buff spell."
2. Ability score charts go up to 30. I guess to show how much cooler than you dragons can be.
3. I don't like the Ability Check DC chart descriptions (VE, E, M, H, etc.). It doesn't give enough context. Easy for who? Hard for who? A hypothetical "person"? A dragon? A 3rd-level hero? A 20th-level hero? Anyone and everyone?
4. Alignments. 1e-3e 9 point grid. Not a fan. Ignorable.
5. Personality & Background. Gets a whole chapter. With the simply-built classes of Basic you're invited to differentiate your character by creating and playing a specific character, not a "build". Inspiration is an interesting mechanic. I look forward to seeing how it works in play. Background trait, ideal, bond and flaw offer a lot of good examples for players even if they don't roll or choose other backgrounds.
6. Multiclassing says to check the PH. I'd say "why bother", but I guess they want to show that the option is/will be available in some capacity.
7. Forgotten Realms overtones. Kill it! Kill it with fire!
8. Can't speak to game balance or theorycrafting issues as of yet.
All in all, looks pretty solid but not particularly revolutionary. Should serve its function.