D&D 5E Idea that will most players will hate, but I think addresses a mechanical issue in game

[Scribe]

Oh, god, no. Please, can we not expect characters advancement to be placed on stuff? Unless, of course, you just intend the +5 sword to be a sweet bonus not expected by the system math?

Its an interesting question to me.

Disclosure: I love items, and I love party synergy.

I find the idea that we cannot have these things as part of the expected math, sets us back dramatically. If the only expectation is personal power x X (where X is your party total) then the point of balance is off, if items (which I love) and party dynamics (in terms of synergy between classes and abilities) are leaned into.

I understand the issue from the other perspective as well, that would then mandate certain party composition, or a specific threshold of items being utilized, but I feel there must be some kind of middle ground.

 

[payn]

Its an interesting question to me.

Disclosure: I love items, and I love party synergy.

I find the idea that we cannot have these things as part of the expected math, sets us back dramatically. If the only expectation is personal power x X (where X is your party total) then the point of balance is off, if items (which I love) and party dynamics (in terms of synergy between classes and abilities) are leaned into.

I understand the issue from the other perspective as well, that would then mandate certain party composition, or a specific threshold of items being utilized, but I feel there must be some kind of middle ground.

Whats so interesting about a sword that does more math? Wouldn't magic items be better if they did cool things instead of hit better? Im not advocating taking away magic items, I just want +x items to die.

 

[Scribe]

Whats so interesting about a sword that does more math? Wouldn't magic items be better if they did cool things instead of hit better?

Obligatory "Why not both?"

+X
Damage Type Bonus
Alignment Restrictions
Summons

The works, lay it on me.

EDIT: Like this, I'll probably never forget this item

Carsomyr

Carsomyr, also known as The Holy Avenger, is a powerful two-handed sword which can only be wielded by non-evil aligned paladins. This limits the use of the weapon to a paladin Gorion's Ward, Keldorn, or those with access to Use Any Item. In Shadows of Amn, it can be obtained by slaying the red...

baldursgate.fandom.com

 

[Blue]

Its an interesting question to me.

Disclosure: I love items, and I love party synergy.

I find the idea that we cannot have these things as part of the expected math, sets us back dramatically.

I think you have the absolute on the wrong side. Not that we cannot have it as part of the expected math, but that we don't need it as part of the expected math. The absolute moved from "you must have it or you suck" to "you don't need it, but may have it and be special" in 5e.

If every PC is required to have +X weapon/implement and +X to AC and saves, that's a problem. Any character without it, who lags behind, is penalized. We saw this in 4e where there was a constant gear treadmill and it was called - rightfully so - videogam-esque.

But if the math doesn't require it then people without it don't lag behind, but the characters that do have it have something special and it feels special. And it doesn't even need to be the same type - the character with +2 Plate will feel super defended while everyone else is okay, while the heroine with the +2 greatsword will love it.

 

[Scribe]

But if the math doesn't require it then people without it don't lag behind, but the characters that do have it have something special and it feels special.

I get what you are saying, 100%. I just think that...if you balance around no expectation of synergy, and having no items, then introducing those things breaks the balance.

If that balance even exists is of course up for debate.

I get what you are saying though, its just not the way I prefer it.

 

[Vince_Snetterton]

I get what you are saying, 100%. I just think that...if you balance around no expectation of synergy, and having no items, then introducing those things breaks the balance.

If that balance even exists is of course up for debate.

I get what you are saying though, its just not the way I prefer it.

Players simply cannot organize their chars around the expectation of magic items. That has been done to death in other threads, I am sure. Now, building chars around 2 prime stats for damage dealing or magic dealing, as I have said, that leads to a whole cascade of changes. But the need for magic items, no, I don't see that at all.

 

[Scribe]

Players simply cannot organize their chars around the expectation of magic items. That has been done to death in other threads, I am sure. Now, building chars around 2 prime stats for damage dealing or magic dealing, as I have said, that leads to a whole cascade of changes. But the need for magic items, no, I don't see that at all.

I know.

I just miss all my items.

 

[Vince_Snetterton]

I know.

I just miss all my items.

I am playing a Halfling Rogue in one of my games (the stereotypical Stout Scout Rogue). None of the chars in the group have Darkvision, and we are underground, quite a bit. We do have a Driftglobe in the group, but that is actually a fairly problematic item, if it is used as it is actually described. My char is a simple Halfling. He does not know what it is, as he has never heard nor seen one. But the player so wishes for a Moon-Touched Dagger or Short Sword for my char.

 

[Lyxen]

Whats so interesting about a sword that does more math? Wouldn't magic items be better if they did cool things instead of hit better? Im not advocating taking away magic items, I just want +x items to die.

I think it's great that 5e created in particular the flame tongue and frost brand without plusses, it really makes players have to choose, and I've continued in this vein, the most interesting magic weapons or armors have either plusses or abilities, rarely both.

 

[Azuresun]

Whats so interesting about a sword that does more math? Wouldn't magic items be better if they did cool things instead of hit better? Im not advocating taking away magic items, I just want +x items to die.

One of the best-received items in my current game has been a Scimitar of Life Stealing. No pluses, but that extra damage and boost comes up rarely enough to feel cool when it does.