D&D 5E On capstone class features

[Asisreo]

Agreed. The last few levels SHOULD be OP and bonkers. It's EPIC! It should FEEL epic!




I can also see the argument about them not being TOO good either... So how about an Epic Ribbon then? Some sort of legacy in your World? There could just be a list of them your DM can hand out or you can pick and it's obtained at CHARACTER level 20, not Class level 20. A bit like an Epic Level Background feature that inform a little about your place as a level 20 character?

I feel like these are the Epic Boons, which, don't get me wrong, are amazing. But they still don't quite touch upon the amount of epicness that I'd want to impart.

Eh, I guess I could do things like Legendary Item-based Blessings/Charms and use the Piety system for more epicness but...I'm not entirely sure...

 

[Sithlord]

I really like to run games to about 25th level. And I use epic boons. I want players to be able to enjoy those high level abilities for a while. And then maybe revisit them here and there.

 

[Bacon Bits]

I think capstones are a poor design. The primary purpose they appear to serve for most classes is to disguise how terrible the class is above level 8-12 or so. Very, very few classes have meaningful progression above level 10 except for spell progression (exceptions being Monk and Rogue) so the capstone ends up almost being a trap by discouraging you from multiclassing. There are more ribbons than a state fair once you get to double digit class levels.

 

[jmartkdr2]

Loose thought: if we included Epic Destinies, those should determine capstones, not class.

Epic Destinies were a great idea.

 

[Stalker0]

Loose thought: if we included Epic Destinies, those should determine capstones, not class.

Epic Destinies were a great idea.

Agreed, one of 4es best designs. The simple concept of when you get to high level, you can just do something ridiculously cool.

 

[Fallen star]

Druids gain temporary HP when they wildshape. So their capstone is basically infinite HP.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

I think that the coolest, most powerful abilities should come into play around 17th to 19th so you can use them. 20th level abilities should be unique, fun and flavourful but not necessarily powerful.

I really like to run games to about 25th level. And I use epic boons. I want players to be able to enjoy those high level abilities for a while. And then maybe revisit them here and there.

25th? Do you have room for another player? The highest I've played is 16th.

 

[CleverNickName]

I agree: the 20th level capstone should be something to strive for. Ideally, it would be so iconic and powerful that it would make the players think twice about multiclassing. "Hmm, do I want a one-level dip of Warlock, or do I want the Sorcerer's capstone ability?"

I can't decide if I would want it to be linked to the Class or the Subclass, though. Do I want all Fighters to have the same capstone ability, or would it be better to have the Eldritch Knight's capstone be different from the Champion's capstone? I can see pros and cons for both options.

 

[Horwath]

personally, I hate 20th level capstone abilities,

1st; they are completely imbalanced when comparing class to class,

2nd; characters should not wait 19 levels to get their abilities and then use them once before being retired to oblivion as story line is over.

11th level is perfect for capstone/new abilities, anything after should just be improvement of existing abilities or more usages per short/long rest.

 

[Morrus]

personally, I hate 20th level capstone abilities,

I consider that an endorsement!