D&D 5E Is 5e "Easy Mode?"

[Blue]

This seems a little unfair given the published adventures do not themselves follow said design guidelines. The issue it seems to me, does not lie with the way "most groups" play but with the design guidelines.

Wow. Please reread what I wrote, because I explicitly called out multiple times that it was not the groups fault.

I called out "Unfortunately, design guidelines not matching how people play is a real problem" as well as "This isn't the table's fault, it's that the inter-class balance was designed with much higher encounters per day then how people actually play, and how many other editions assumed". Highlighting added to help comprehension.

It's very clear that what I wrote is 180 degrees away from what you are claiming I wrote.

 

[dave2008]

So this is what we're going to do today...repeat the identical thread which already exists, with the same responses that already exist...and the same responses to those responses which already exist...

OK then.

To be clear, the OP states that 5e is not easy mode and that on the basis of attack bonus it is less so than 1e. The OP is actually pushing back on the idea it is easy mode.

But yes, we are likely to see the same type of responses.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[jayoungr]

So this is what we're going to do today...repeat the identical thread which already exists, with the same responses that already exist...and the same responses to those responses which already exist...

OK then.

Maybe this thread could be merged with the other, since they're basically the same topic?

 

[Minigiant]

Easy mode?

The real question is easy mode for what?

A heroic adventure? No. 4E is. 4E was designed for every step of the game to be a heroic romp onto a paragon rmp onto an epic one? It takes work to do that in 5e.

A dungeon dive? Sure. 5e is great for sticking to dungeons and fighting dragons and occasionally not doing that.

A gritty challenge? Nah. That's AD&D. It's too difficult to make decently made 5e characters deal with grit and fear it.

A hardcore dungeon delve? Nah. 5e needs you to leave the dungeon after 8 encounters.

 

[Ilbranteloth]

I must admit, I hate story telling mechanics. Every game that has them just rubs me the wrong way. Heck, in 5e I don't use inspiration or any of the alternate/variant story rules in the DMG. I much prefer a game where they can be added on, rather than a core part of the mechanics. Maybe that is a big reason I prefer D&D. Never really thought about it until reading your post - thanks!

I definitely agree with this. While I understand the concept behind them, I prefer fewer mechanics, not more. I also prefer mechanics not to interfere/dictate/direct the narrative itself. Overall I prefer simulationist mechanics that aid the DM in adjudicating the action, rather than defining the actions themselves.

 

[Umbran]

Maybe this thread could be merged with the other, since they're basically the same topic?

Mod Note:

Possibly. I'd like to see if this thread winds up having something unique about it first. But, if it really does become the same discussion, that might be sensible.

 

[Ilbranteloth]

Easy mode?

The reason question is easy mode for what?

A heroic adventure? No. 4E is. 4E was designed for every step of the game to be a heroic romp onto a paragon rmp onto an epic one? It takes work to do that in 5e.

A dungeon dive? Sure. 5e is great for sticking to dungeons and fighting dragons and occasionally not doing that.

A gritty challenge? Nah. That's AD&D. It's too difficult to make decently made 5e characters deal with grit and fear it.

A hardcore dungeon delve? Nah. 5e needs you to leave the dungeon after 8 encounters.

The only thing I kind of disagree with here is the usual use of the term "heroic." 3e and later is firmly in the "superheroic" world in my eyes, where the PCs are "a cut above" everybody else and expected to be able to do things the average person can't. I still prefer to use the classic definition of heroic, "an ordinary person doing extraordinary things."

And while AD&D does have a grittier feel, it's not difficult to alter 5e to meet those goals. For a published version of that approach, Adventures in Middle Earth did a great job.

 

[Minigiant]

The only thing I kind of disagree with here is the usual use of the term "heroic." 3e and later is firmly in the "superheroic" world in my eyes, where the PCs are "a cut above" everybody else and expected to be able to do things the average person can't. I still prefer to use the classic definition of heroic, "an ordinary person doing extraordinary things."

And while AD&D does have a grittier feel, it's not difficult to alter 5e to meet those goals. For a published version of that approach, Adventures in Middle Earth did a great job.

"Cut above" can mean a lot of things.
I like the 4e terms of heroic, paragon, and epic.

3e is a paragon game. Your PCs are 2 steps above normal folk of your same classification. As you said, you are a superhero.
5e is more "heroic". You are better than normal but what you do is not rare at all.

But easy mode? Every edition of D&D is built on different assumptions.

 

[Krachek]

I prefer much more 5ed with its increasing chance of success than the 4ed where you always need at least 7 to succeed something. Having +4 or +24 bonus mean nothing if you need a good roll. In 5ed you effectively getting better!