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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[Pauln6]

I don't think comparison to earlier edition rogues is worthwhile because, good or bad, you needed someone to pick locks and remove traps. The re-jigged skills system mitigates that reason somewhat. I do think the damage dished by rogues is slightly lower than other classes and they are more vulnerable than many other classes but the challenge is part of the fun.

Maybe a short rest ability based off intelligence to increase critical range might be an interesting compromise.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

My experience with groups who are not into min-maxing is that the rogue is the highest damager. Druids are by far the lowest.

 

[Umbran]

God, I so hate all this pedantic crap ....

So, what's better - hanging around in a discussion you aren't happy with until someone starts to report you for hostility, or self-regulating and walking away from discussions that are frustrating?

You can judge for yourself.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Ah, sorry, I'm not into pedantic word games. If something isn't a big deal, then it's not a problem, thus, it's trivial. But, if "trivial" is the problematic word, then fine, I'll use "not a big deal".

So, which is it? Is disadvantage a "big deal" or "not a big deal"?

God, I so hate all this pedantic crap that people try to obfuscate their points with. It makes trying to actually have a conversation bloody near impossible and so annoying.

If having disadvantage is "not a big deal" then fair enough, granting disadvantage to a target isn't a big deal either. And, if granting disadvantage isn't a big deal, then the Smite spells become less useful.

Given the choice between using a bonus action to drop a shield of faith or command a spiritual weapon, and potentially giving something disadvantage for maybe a round or two depending one whether or not it makes its saves, I know which one I think is more effective.

It’s not pedantry, there is a meaningful difference.

It is not a big deal. It is, however, not trivial.

They simply do not mean the same thing.

And Wrathful and Blinding Smite are both more than just Disadvantage.

Wrathful is disadvantage and positioning control. I’ll trade 1 die of damage for that, no problem. 1 die of damage isn’t huge.

Blinding Smite is Disadvantage for them, and a total inability to target creatures with most spells, difficulty targeting anyone who moves, and advantage on attacks against the blinded target. Again, at the cost of 1 die of damage compared to same level Divine Smite.

They’re good spells.

 

[5ekyu]

It’s not pedantry, there is a meaningful difference.

It is not a big deal. It is, however, not trivial.

They simply do not mean the same thing.

And Wrathful and Blinding Smite are both more than just Disadvantage.

Wrathful is disadvantage and positioning control. I’ll trade 1 die of damage for that, no problem. 1 die of damage isn’t huge.

Blinding Smite is Disadvantage for them, and a total inability to target creatures with most spells, difficulty targeting anyone who moves, and advantage on attacks against the blinded target. Again, at the cost of 1 die of damage compared to same level Divine Smite.

They’re good spells.

I tend to agree but will not thos, its not really either/ or.

If you prep a smite and hit combats ehere it eont matter much, where dsmsge now is key- use the slot to smite. When the conditions will be big due to circumstances, cast the bonus before you swing- likely at target with poor save.

The power of the smite and smite spells is the choice in the moment.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I tend to agree but will not thos, its not really either/ or.

If you prep a smite and hit combats ehere it eont matter much, where dsmsge now is key- use the slot to smite. When the conditions will be big due to circumstances, cast the bonus before you swing- likely at target with poor save.

The power of the smite and smite spells is the choice in the moment.

Absolutely. Paladins have a lot of great choices, which is a big part of why they’re so fun.

 

[rgoodbb]

Only one feature for the Rogue? Slightly miffed. Aim is OK as a feature for a non-melee Rogue but nothing else? Cunning this or Uncanny that at 5th or Reliable other at 11th. It doesn't all have to be about the Sneak

Like a lot of the other features for the other classes though. This is the most exciting UA.

 

[Parmandur]

I don't think comparison to earlier edition rogues is worthwhile because, good or bad, you needed someone to pick locks and remove traps. The re-jigged skills system mitigates that reason somewhat. I do think the damage dished by rogues is slightly lower than other classes and they are more vulnerable than many other classes but the challenge is part of the fun.

Maybe a short rest ability based off intelligence to increase critical range might be an interesting compromise.

The Rogue is a top-level damage dealer, and the Skill system heavily favors the Rogue if played as written and intended (no crits, gating roll attempts by Proficiency, etc.).

 

[doctorbadwolf]

The Rogue is a top-level damage dealer, and the Skill system heavily favors the Rogue if played as written and intended (no crits, gating roll attempts by Proficiency, etc.).

Yep.

Only one subclass of Bard comes close to the rogue in skills, and even they don’t get Reliable Talent.

 

[Stalker0]

Yep.

Only one subclass of Bard comes close to the rogue in skills, and even they don’t get Reliable Talent.

And don't forget cunning action, which is a huge boost to rogue flexibility and mobility.