D&D (2024) Shield, Blade Ward, and no material component

[Horwath]

1: Agreed if and only if we bring back flanking to give benefits for moving.

we play with advantage for flanking and this works well with that, big gain for big pain.

2: Disadvantage is enough. It's the control effect to get people to change acions that matters

ranged attacks needs to be dangerous to the target and the user.
Even add that all melee attacks have advantage vs archer until next turn.

3: Disadvantage would be enough if the disadvantage actually gave foes advantage on their saving throws.

things that nerf casters or at least put them in more dangerous place?
Cant have enough of that.

4: Mmmm... Standing up should be challenging but there are multiple ways of doing this

this is simplest, you can still take Disengage action to stand up without AoO.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I downvoted blade ward in the survey. That is not the right balance.

I'd rather have it cast as a standard action and last for a minute until you are hit the first time. Maybe even negate a whole attack. So you can precast it and have a get out of jail card. But it is not your regular use of reaction.

Edit: I remember the D&Dnext ranger with protection style that could be used against against the ranger himself. That was unfun as a DM.

Edit2: I could see setting your AC to 16 as a reaction not unlike the old bark skin. That would prevent it from being overpowered on heavily armored characters.