New SCAG Info: Someone Got The Book

Demetrios1453 · Oct 24, 2015

So, it's looking a lot like a "since our adventures take place in this region, here is the basic background for DMs and players to use" book. Which, while basic, is nice - there are a lot of options I've seen so far that I and my players may want to use. But I hold out hope that a full-fledged campaign setting book will still be in the works for those of us who would like to see the Realms fleshed out in fuller detail...

EroGaki · Oct 24, 2015

pukunui said:
Yes, it's been stated elsewhere that the storm sorcerer no longer gets bonus spells. I guess WotC decided not to go that route after all.

Well shoot. I guess I'll be retiring my storm sorcerer character once the book comes out. :/

Li Shenron · Oct 24, 2015

fba827 said:
I know I'm in the minority, but I'm actually GLAD they don't have a new subclass for each class. It potentially shows that wotc isn't looking to force an idea for the sake of symmetry but rather stuck with what was flavorful and inspired for the concept of the book.

In my opinion , designing subclasses purely for the purpose of 'filling out symmetry of all classes getting included" is just begging for half assed things that aren't really inspired by concept but are shoe horned in. I mean one doesn't mean th other will happen but it's definitely knocking on the door in that direction if it did.

It's not a matter of symmetry at all in this case, it's a matter of range of options.

I have been advocating the need for at least 3 subclasses per class, and at the same time I've said I'd like at least a dozen clerical domains, and half a dozen rogue subclasses. IMHO there is a huge psychological difference between having 2 options and having 3. Two options feel a bit like a ultimatum: be this or be that

Three is a range. But beside these (probably unfounded) psychology remarks, Bards and Rangers could seriously benefit from more options, given the fact that they are the 2 classes most discussed about even their concept. At the same time, I don't think Druids need a third subclass because Druids of the Land actually have 8 sub-suboptions, and Barbarians could similarly just get a few more totem animals and they'd be fine.

Li Shenron · Oct 24, 2015

The Myopic Sniper said:
As I said in the deleted thread, Bards in particular are hard to design for with only three subclass levels.

Well... on one hand it might be hard to think of a Bard subclass concept with only 3 levels worth of features to represent it, but on the other hand it should obviously be easier to design and playtest 3 features rather than more

Ahrimon · Oct 24, 2015

Have there been any screen shots or detailed information on the new warlock patron? I have a one shot this weekend and it would be fun to do something new.

MindxKiller · Oct 24, 2015

Li Shenron said:
Barbarians could similarly just get a few more totem animals and they'd be fine.

The issue with this is that not all barbarians want to be totem warriors because of the fluff surrounding spirit animals, and the berserker has such a huge penalty that it's weak unless you have very few combats per day. Barbarians definitely need more than just new totem spirits, and the new barbarian archetype is a step in the right direction as far as including more options (Haven't seen the actual numbers or anything so I cant comment on its effectiveness.) Though I'm an advocate for EVERY class receiving more options.

Serpine · Oct 24, 2015

Li Shenron said:
Well... on one hand it might be hard to think of a Bard subclass concept with only 3 levels worth of features to represent it, but on the other hand it should obviously be easier to design and playtest 3 features rather than more

A lot of the old Bard kits from the 2e Complete Handbook only had a very small list of signature abilities to work with. They could probably be used to inspire the progression of a host of bards. For instance:

* Gallant: 3rd {Lance, Medium Armor, Shield // Poetic Charm: Advantage to romantic Persuasion, Charm person Considered Non-Magical Ritual}, 6th {Heavy Armor // Essense of Purity: Reroll saves that would result in death 0 HP, Fight for d4 after reaching 0 HP}, 14th {Code of the Gallant: Bardic inspiration to boost own damage or AC}).

* Jester: 3rd {Jesting: Communicate with body language on performance check. Enemy within 30' must save or attempt to head for and throttle jester // Joking: Advantage checks to change moods.}, 6th {Fool's Luck: Bardic inspiration to boost own save, ability check, or AC // Joking allows those nearby another save vs fear condition}, 14th {Jester's Mind: Immune to insanity, Double save prof bonus vs enchantment / charm}

Prism · Oct 24, 2015

steeldragons said:
I don't have a copy but from reading the thread...thanks to @Prism's remarkable patience...I can confidently say the following with a fair degree of certitude of being correct:

1. The gods' stuff is in the gods' section.
2. There is no "timeline" stuff in the gods' section [see below, responding to your own question].
3. There is very little to no lore for any deities except the ones in the human pantheon.
4. Non-human gods (yes, that includes the drow...they have been listed for us) get a) a list of the gods, b) what they are the gods of, c) limited lore for a major deity or two but most have none, and d) at least some kind of short general intro to the pantheon.

I'll just add to that and say the main gods section is pretty good. You get about three gods per page and get all sorts of details about the deity, followers, ethos and legends. Really good stuff to help someone choose a god for their character. I'm not sure how much if anything is new beyond what was already printed in previous editions.

Prism · Oct 24, 2015

Hemlock said:
How does the "regain HP on death saving throw" compare to the Necromancer's Grim Harvest or the Fiendlock's Blessing of the Dark One? How much healing, and at what level does it come online?

Is there anything to stop you from casting Spare the Dying, then knifing the now-stabilized creature to start it bleeding again, and then casting Spare the Dying all over again?

its just once per long rest. Its 1d8+con

Maybe it's just me, but no air/food/water/sleep sounds frankly awesome. What level is that at?

That's at 10th level

Mirtek · Oct 24, 2015

Hemlock said:
Is there anything to stop you from casting Spare the Dying, then knifing the now-stabilized creature to start it bleeding again, and then casting Spare the Dying all over again?

It's called DM