D&D 5E First Basic Game: Fun With Backgrounds (And Not Much Else)

[FireLance]

I'm thinking that you're using an older set of monsters. The current goblins have 7 hp (2d6) and orcs average 15 (2d8+6).

Yeah, can't say I'd have a dramatically different experience in 4e with this kind of adventure (especially as a Leader, in conservative mode).

"Oh, no one's bloodied? Mokay, at-will, at-will, at-will, are we done yet?"

Sounds like the DM probably misjudged the challenge. Which is understandabe, what with the not-quite-final monster rules and whatnot.

Yes, it could be because we weren't using properly balanced monsters and encounters. However, with 4e, I'd be more comfortable breaking up the monotony of at-will attacks with an encounter power or rwo.

 

[mach1.9pants]

I think your DM was going easy on you!

Where did you fight the skeletons?

 

[Kobold Stew]

The key reason for that was that based on my reading of the rules, I got to add my Dexterity modifier to damage with a light crossbow, but I didn't get to add my Wisdom modifier to damage with sacred flame. That made attacking with the light crossbow almost always the superior choice.

The interesting thing about sacred flame is that it requires a dex save by the creature you are attacking, and ignores cover. That may make it stronger (more likely to hit most creatures) than you had allowed. Though of course YMM (and did) V.

*(I'll add that I argued against this design in play test feedback; I think it makes it more powerful than other attack cantrips.)

 

[FireLance]

So, maybe you wan to play the game at a higher level? The level 1 characters are beginners at what they. I think level 4 is similar to level 1 in 4e.

I'm not going to tell you what to play, but there is nothing wrong with not liking something, and there is nothing wrong playing what you like. A modified 5E should be able to achieve that, but if 4E is better for you than any version of 5E, then so be it.

Higher-level play might indeed be more to my taste. We'll be having a game with level 2 characters soon, most likely involving hobgoblins, nothics and ochre jellies, so we'll also be able to see if using "official" monsters and encounter-building guidelines will improve the experience.

 

[mach1.9pants]

It seems you've finished the Wizard's Amulet, if so the farm house encounter should have been...

[sblock] 5 skeletons (AC11, HP13), 5 zombies (AC8, HP22 or 14), 2 half-orcs (AC14, HP10), an Imp and a level 3 Wizard!

It is a typical Frog God Games killer[/sblock]

 

[FireLance]

The interesting thing about sacred flame is that it requires a dex save by the creature you are attacking, and ignores cover. That may make it stronger (more likely to hit most creatures) than you had allowed. Though of course YMM (and did) V.

*(I'll add that I argued against this design in play test feedback; I think it makes it more powerful than other attack cantrips.)

If I was facing high-AC opponents (such as hobgoblins) or opponents with cover, I think it would tip the balance in favor of sacred flame. However, at 15 Dex and 15 Wis (+4 bonus to attack rolls and DC 13 saves respectively), I figured the chance of success was pretty even for most opponents, and the damage bonus tipped the decision in favor of attacking with the light crossbow.

For the record, the one fight (against

Spoiler

skeletons

) that I used sacred flame regularly, the DM made the saving throws three rounds in a row. However, while annoying, that was a matter of dice, not rules.

 

[FireLance]

It seems you've finished the Wizard's Amulet, if so the farm house encounter should have been...

[sblock] 5 skeletons (AC11, HP13), 5 zombies (AC8, HP22 or 14), 2 half-orcs (AC14, HP10), an Imp and a level 3 Wizard!

It is a typical Frog God Games killer[/sblock]

That is probably what he modified, because they didn't attack all at once. [SBLOCK=Spoiler!]We faced the two half-orcs first, and killed them fairly quickly. The imp tried to grab the amulet, but The Criminal got it back by casting mage hand and winning an opposed check. The zombies animated, and we ran, but came back (as mentioned) to lay the zombies to rest. We didn't see the skeletons (or maybe encountered them the day before) and (based on the DM's cryptic comments) we probably lost the L3 wizard when we ran.[/SBLOCK]

 

[mach1.9pants]

Well looks like you did well with some clever play too

 

[Grazzt]

[SBLOCK=Disclaimer For 5e Fans]We'll get to the actual races and classes after a while, but I mostly remember the adventuring party as The Soldier, The Folk Hero, The Criminal and The Sage. (They provide ... leverage.)

Your group should call themselves "The Breakfast Club".

 

[Thaumaturge]

Your group should call themselves "The Breakfast Club".

I'd watch this movie.

Thaumaturge.