D&D (2024) Revised 6E prediction thread

[TwoSix]

I'd make it work like Halfling luck: when you roll a natural 1 on a Dexterity ability check, you may re-roll the result.

I'd specifically exclude attack rolls and saving throws.

Actually, reroll all rolls using stat X is a nicely flavorful but not incredibly potent ability that would be pretty useful in a post ASI world. (I mean, halfings get that for all 6 abilities now, and no one is saying halflings are too strong. Except compared to goliaths. ) Maybe combine that with that "add 1d4 to certain checks" they've been using for races in Ravnica and Eberron. Adds flavor, but without the optimization constraints of the bonus ASI.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

And here's my wish-list:

• Make all characters more MAD, to encourage/reward more varied attribute score assignment. That will require a combination of toning down the importance of primary stats (which they have taken steps toward in recent material), creating more subclasses that use alternate stats, and just generally making secondary/tertiary stats more useful.
• Rebalance the spell lists.
• Make Inspiration explicitly after-the-fact, rather than rolling with advantage
• Find new uses for hit dice, including subclasses that can spend them on features
• Add a few new melee combat moves to make Fighters' lives more interesting
• Flesh out some sub-systems for social interaction and exploration

I agree with all these, but the first is the big one for me; I definitely want to see that. If ability scores are to stay (and I want them to) then there actually must be a meaningful choice about how to assign them instead of your class choice mostly dictating the placement.

One big thing I would also want to happen in the next edition of is a reorganisation of classes and subclasses. I want each class to be relatively broad but thematically clear concept; I feel that there are currently too much muddiness and overlap. The subclasses could also be somewhat broader but more flexible; many of them are oddly specific now. Totem barbarian is a good example of a the sort of subclass I want to see; there is choices within the subclass, so it allows several builds and themes. I feel that many of the current subclasses could easily be combined into fewer, more flexible subclasses.

 

[jmartkdr2]

And that's fine. I'm not saying every task, but A task.

Something to reflect the trope of elves being 'other' and innately graceful.

Honestly, that's why I'd almost rather it be a saving throw bonus than something that applies to skills - it could even apply to non-dexterity saves in certain circumstances. Like, advantage on initial saves to impose a condition.

Making it a bigger deal that comes up less often makes it more meaningful, and when it does happen it'll reinforce the idea that elves aren't like everyone else.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

I can get on board with this. I don't think it's fun for players to have to choose between ASIs and flavorful character-realizing feats.

I like to have the way to improve the ability scores, but it should not be competing with feats. Though I think the current way of allowing +2 with one ASI is a big mistake; it makes uneven starting scores almost always a bad choice.

 

[tetrasodium]

• Alignment will be consigned to the rubbish bin of history as a mistake to forget about but we might see some thematic alignment alternatives that describe a free willed mortal's morals & values in a word or two.
• Artificer will be a core class
• whatever they call them... Race (elf/shifter/warforged/dwarf/etc) & culture will be split & ability mods will no longer be tied to race.
• The core races will cease to be exclusive to what fits greyhawk & FR just because it was always done that way before. Some combination of gnomes halflings dwarves & elves of eberron darksun & possibly others will see racial options that represent them to some degree
• One or more monstrous races will be elevated to being people. My bets are (tuckers)Kobolds or the Dar as they both have a culture of some form other than being something to kill. This may include a golem derived race like warforged, but I doubt it & figure changeling or shifter more likely there.
• With race no longer a vehicle for ability mods the benefits that come with any given race will be more significant in ways that make two members of the same class with a different race viscerally different on some level.
• The5e simplicity at all costs for the sake of simplicity will be scaled back allowing more room for things like differentiation through charop options (smaller more numerous feats & classes with more option selections as they progress).
• The tactical game will make a return either directly in the core rules with a simple "variant: you can alternately choose to remove all AoOs except moving out of reach without disengaging & making a ranged attack while in melee with a hostile opponent" for those who don't want it rather than the 5e style forced choice.
• The limitations & gross shortfalls of "Natural language" will be accepted & reversed to some degree
• The math of player characters vrs monsters will assume some level of magic items & feats again
• If not by default there will be one or more well supported optional rest rules that restore a set number of HP similar to prior editions rather than all spell slots abilities and HP
• Casters will be dramatically squishier & LFQW will no longer be inverted while caster roles like (de)buffing & battlefield control will be more fulfilling.
• Cantrips will no longer be scaled by character level & get tied to items like wands & similar.
• Something will change where either the default or a well supported variant option will exist to remove the obnoxious wackamole healing of 5e
• Advantage is a tool, It might even be a good one, but it's sure as heck not the only tool & will no longer be.
• Subclasses will carry more weight to avoid "I'm a level 7 cavalier & now finally get something related to being one" type problems

In an ideal world, they'll also hire an ACTUAL STATISTICIAN and an ACTUAL SURVEY EXPERT, both to help crunch their numbers so they design the game's mathematics well, and so they can make surveys that actually reveal information, not just bloody push polls that (intentionally or otherwise) just rubber-stamp the approach they already wanted to take.

Now you're maybe talking crazy I'd also be happy if they more often recognized that players & gms will often have different concerns needs & goals but one group largely depends on the other for play to happen despite dramatically outnumbering it.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I like to have the way to improve the ability scores, but it should not be competing with feats. Though I think the current way of allowing +2 with one ASI is a big mistake; it makes uneven starting scores almost always a bad choice.

+2 every 4 levels.

It worked for 3e. It worked for 4e, and by god, it works for me.

Also, no more +X ASI items. Just like +X-and-then-nothing-interesting items, these need to go and be replaced with actual interesting abilities. Inherent bonuses, yo.

And a sidebar explicitly stating the magic is not inherently 'special', so there's no reason the DM should be bogarting that stuff themselves unless it is a specific campaign/world-building choice.

If we're going for hopes more then predictions: the Encumbrance section is replaced by a free bag of holding and the unit number for ammunition purchased is defaulted to the infinity symbol.

 

[R_J_K75]

Are sales lagging? No. 5e prints money. So why would they want to shut off that printing press?

I just looked last night and today because I was thinking of picking up an extra 5E PHB, its currently $42 on Amazon. Probably the highest I've ever seen it priced there.

 

[TwoSix]

I agree with all these, but the first is the big one for me; I definitely want to see that. If ability scores are to stay (and I want them to) then there actually must be a meaningful choice about how to assign them instead of your class choice mostly dictating the placement.

The best way to allow for that is definitely broader classes, and less classes overall (as you mentioned.) Give each class room to contain a broader array of features that are dependent on different stats to function.

Additionally, separate the progression of attack bonuses and saving throw DCs from ability score progression. As an alternative, key the magnitude and frequency of the various class features mentioned above to the ability modifier.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Nomenclature aside, what NEED is there for 6e right now? Put yourself in the shoes of WOTC. Why would they want to release 6e? Are sales lagging? No. 5e prints money. So why would they want to shut off that printing press?

I'm just not seeing it. I'm thinking that WOTC might adopt the "Windows 10" model - no massive upgrade. Just regular incremental changes to address things that don't work.

I'm not saying 6e is coming out this year. Or next. For many of the reasons we all know and were mentioned: it still is profitable.

Only that comes a time when an edition has pretty much covered the vast majority of archetype options, has covered the big settings, and ends up putting out material just to put it out that doesn't appeal to the majority and thus doesn't sell as much. I'll give the 5e team a lot of credit here, because the decision to go with a slow release schedule really helps mitigate this.

Then there also comes a time when a lot of the things in that edition become outdated or even problematic. Strength caps for female PCs for instance. Excessive nudity. And agree or not, at the time, having demons, devils, and assassins. There is precedence for having a new edition in part as a reaction to public perception. While we've largely moved past the satanic panic state, we very much are right in the middle of the other problematic areas (stereotypes, racism, inclusiveness, etc).

And there comes a time when the supplemental material you're putting out pretty much overrides and/or replaces the core material, even if it's technically backwards compatible. Is anyone playing a PHB ranger? With Tasha's how many people will still use the defined racial modifiers? It is AL after all. I suspect more and more will use the changes from Tasha's than will not.

so the question is, where does 5e fall in those three areas?

 

[DemoMonkey]

6th Edition will come with carbine action and 200 shots, with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.