D&D 5E Odd things in the rules that bug you?

[Oofta]

There's a huge gap between 2 identical polearms and 27 mechanically different polearms.

That kinda stuff bugs me.

I'd say the difference between too little and too much is personal preference. Then again, most everything posted on this forum is a matter of personal preference.

 

[hutchback]

The Banishment spell. The CHA save is weird enough, although we could probably start an entire thread on which saving throws make more sense for what, but what bugs me is the character being incapacitated. Why? They're already removed from the encounter, why can't they take any actions where they are? Buff, heal, explore, ready an action? Nope, you just lose your turn because that's fun. Sure I could come up with a narrative reason, but it just makes for boring gameplay.

 

[ph0rk]

How late archetypes kick in for some classes. Levels 1-2 can be pretty boring.

They kick in at level 1 for some classes, so it isn't like it would break the system.

 

[Laurefindel]

+1 for the yard as the base measurement unit. Whimsical medieval feel is preserved, Nice'n'easy number to play with, (most likely) 1-to-1 unit to battle mat squares ratio, US citizens and Canadians over 40 (and young carpenters) are happy, the rest of the world can easily translate to metres... I'd call that a win!

Other bug for me: B/P/S damage. Just make it physical or just "damage" and save yourself from writing these 5 characters all over the place. Write a weakness ability for skeletons and oozes if need be, but the overall benefit of differentiating physical damage type is either hugely underdeveloped or virtually negligible.

 

[Laurefindel]

Like @ph0rk said, I wish all character concepts could be established at level 1. The Warlock is a nice class in this regard, with an archetype at level 1, another choice at level 3, and a (optional) reinforcement of its archetype at level 5.

 

[DnD Warlord]

Like @ph0rk said, I wish all character concepts could be established at level 1. The Warlock is a nice class in this regard, with an archetype at level 1, another choice at level 3, and a (optional) reinforcement of its archetype at level 5.

Why all the classes where not built in the warlock chaise. The level 1 AND level 3 sub class break down the invocations being like minor class specific feats...

 

[Oofta]

Not getting archetype at level 1 has never bothered me because the first couple of levels are just designed to be training wheels for PCs still learning the ropes. That and for most people it's only a few hours of play to get to level 3.

I have more of an issue with the other end of the spectrum. I mean, it's great to get new stuff at level 20 but do we really have to wait that long? Even in games that get to 20, most of the time we've only ever played a few sessions. I want my capstone toys earlier so I can actually enjoy them!

 

[ph0rk]

Not getting archetype at level 1 has never bothered me because the first couple of levels are just designed to be training wheels for PCs still learning the ropes. That and for most people it's only a few hours of play to get to level 3.

The thing is, other classes get these things early.

In a group at level 2...

A warlock has their patron feature already
A wizard has their archetype feature already
A Cleric has their domain and domain feature already

Most other classes are making do with base features.

Fighters can... action surge I guess (not terribly thrilling at level 2) and second wind.

Fighters are probably the worst of the lot here. It would be nice to have a dash of the archetype stuff early - which you can sort of do with Superior Technique if planning on battlemaster, but it is clunky compared to Warlocks, Sorcerers, Wizards, Clerics, and Druids.

 

[Arvok]

Outside of Eberron, magic has little or no impact on people's daily lives. I get that it doesn't really directly impact the adventuring life, but the idea that a moderately well trained wizard can create a ball of fire from nothing while most people don't even have a ritual to keep their food fresh a little longer is odd. Even when it's a "high magic" world like FR, almost every caster still focuses on combat related magic. It's like if the only people in the modern world that had technology were the armed forces. While soldiers drive tanks, everyone else is still riding around on horses.

I've almost considered requiring those who can take the prestidigitation cantrip to take it. Sure, being able to throw acid in your opponents' faces at will is nice, but in the real world prestidigitation would be much more valued. After a long day of adventuring being able to clean yourself (or others), warm your (or others') food, cool drinks, make the food tastier. The impact on morale would be huge.

 

[DnD Warlord]

The thing is, other classes get these things early.

In a group at level 2...

A warlock has their patron feature already
A wizard has their archetype feature already
A Cleric has their domain and domain feature already

Most other classes are making do with base features.

Fighters can... action surge I guess (not terribly thrilling at level 2) and second wind.

Fighters are probably the worst of the lot here. It would be nice to have a dash of the archetype stuff early - which you can sort of do with Superior Technique if planning on battlemaster, but it is clunky compared to Warlocks, Sorcerers, Wizards, Clerics, and Druids.

For fighter I would prefer a general choice like champion battle master or eldritch knight at 1st then a thematic choice at 3rd (knight, battle captain, juggernaut)