Unearthed Arcana New UA: 43 D&D Class Feature Variants

The latest Unearthed Arcana is a big 13-page document! “Every character class in D&D has features, and every class gets one or more class feature variants in today’s Unearthed Arcana! These variants replace or enhance a class’s normal features, giving you new ways to enjoy your character’s class.”

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[Ashrym]

It's not referring to the enhanced feature. It's referring to the class' spellcasting feature.

It is "enhancing spellcasting". It is an addition to their spellcasting feature, not its own feature.

There is no keeping track of what your original spell was. Once it is swapped out that is your new spell list. They would not intentionally make something so finicky.

It doesn't say "spell you know" or "spells known feature". It specifically says "this feature". It would say "bard spell you know" if it was meant to swap any spell known.

So if a character has 8 spells known, 7 of them would never change. The only one that ever changes is the one selected using spell versatility under that RAW. If you swap healing word for cure wound then you can only swap out cure wounds. Swapping out cure wounds for heroism and you can only swap out heroism because those are the spells "learned from this spellcasting feature".

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Bull. I kept replying because I generally like Parmandur, but this particular habit of his is obnoxious. You, I’ll happily put back on my on ignore list, however.

Re: Using ignore lists

Do or do not. Just don‘t be a jerk about it by threatening, because that makes ENWorld that much less friendly.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Re: Using ignore lists

Do or do not. Just don‘t be a jerk about it by threatening, because that makes ENWorld that much less friendly.

Not my intention. I have generally let people know when I've put them on ignore, so that they're aware of why I don't respond to their posts. Apologies for crossing the courtesy line on that one.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

It doesn't say "spell you know" or "spells known feature". It specifically says "this feature". It would say "bard spell you know" if it was meant to swap any spell known.

So if a character has 8 spells known, 7 of them would never change. The only one that ever changes is the one selected using spell versatility under that RAW. If you swap healing word for cure wound then you can only swap out cure wounds. Swapping out cure wounds for heroism and you can only swap out heroism because those are the spells "learned from this spellcasting feature".

No. It is an enhancement to the Spellcasting feature, not a feature itself. The language clearly refers to the spellcasting feature.

further, how would you ever swap out your first spell otherwise? The first time you swap a spell, you've never done so before, so there are no spells that you learnt via spell versatility.

 

[Ashrym]

No. It is an enhancement to the Spellcasting feature, not a feature itself. The language clearly refers to the spellcasting feature.

Disagree. It's a feature under it's own heading titled "Spell Versatility". The spell versatility features would be referring to itself in that context.

Edit: it even refers to itself as a feature in a subheading. IE "1st-level bard feature"

 

[Maxperson]

@Ashrym is correct on this. It very clearly states you swap out the spell chosen with that feature. The first time you use it, you choose a spell with that feature. Every other time you use it, you would swap out that one spell. It's designed to give you a bit of versatility, not to enable you to completely re-write your spell list.

 

[Salthorae]

Disagree. It's a feature under it's own heading titled "Spell Versatility". The spell versatility features would be referring to itself in that context.

Edit: it even refers to itself as a feature in a subheading. IE "1st-level bard feature"

Spell Versatility
1st-level bard feature (enhances Spellcasting)

Spellcasting is referring the Bard Class Feature Spellcasting

Just like every other Class Feature option in this UA article that says "enhances" does so to existing Class Features.

Also just read the Intro paragraphs to this UA article:

Here you’ll find features that replace or enhance the normal features of your character’s class. The class feature variants each specify which feature they replace or enhance, as summarized in the Class Feature Variants table (see page 2). If a feature is replaced, you gain no benefit from it and don’t qualify for anything in the game that requires it. If a feature is enhanced, you continue to enjoy its benefits but now with new capabilities

Spell Versatility enhances the normal Bard/Sorcerer/Warlock class feature of Spellcasting

 

[Don Durito]

I'm actually cool with the Battlemaster switching things out. The various maneuvers can all be ones that all Battlemasters learn when the choose to become Battlemasters. However, they require practice so the reason only a limited number can be in the fore at any one time is that they need to review their battle manuals (which did exist in real life!) and practice the moves. (Honestly given that the limiting reagent is Superiority Dice it probably wouldn't be a huge deal to allow all Battlemasters to have all maneuvers, not just a limited list of them... would need to think about that more.)

Another way to allow some between-levels respec would be as a Downtime activity, which has the benefit of involving an in character rationale and opportunity cost to the character.

I'm pretty sure the limit on maneuvers is not due to balance.

I suspect it's more to do with cognitive load and decision time. It's to avoid a situation where the Fighter player gets to level 3 and starts pouring over the book trying to decide whether any of the maneuvers apply to the current situation.

If you know your players won't do that then I wouldn't see an issue in letting them choose the ones they want (it would probably improve things by allowing the more situational ones to see more use).

 

[Ashrym]

Spellcasting is referring the Bard Class Feature Spellcasting

Just like every other Class Feature option in this UA article that says "enhances" does so to existing Class Features.

Also just read the Intro paragraphs to this UA article:



Spell Versatility enhances the normal Bard/Sorcerer/Warlock class feature of Spellcasting

It enhances spellcasting by allowing spell swaps through "this feature". It's a feature called "spell versatility" and clearly listed as a 1st-level feature. It's clearly referring to itself in the RAW text. A person might argue intent but the text is clear.

The other thing I would point out is that the spell selected has to match the level replaced. As a 1st level feature that's going to lock it into cantrips or 1st-level spells as well.

 

[Maxperson]

View attachment 115503

It enhances spellcasting by allowing spell swaps through "this feature". It's a feature called "spell versatility" and clearly listed as a 1st-level feature. It's clearly referring to itself in the RAW text. A person might argue intent but the text is clear.

The other thing I would point out is that the spell selected has to match the level replaced. As a 1st level feature that's going to lock it into cantrips or 1st-level spells as well.

Correct. It's a completely separate feature that enhances the spellcasting feature. It does not itself become the spellcasting feature. Since it is a separate feature and allows you to replace only the spells you previously selected, the only time you have a choice about which spell to replace is when you first use it.