D&D 5E What rule(s) is 5e missing?

[DND_Reborn]

I do find myself wishing for morale checks. They don't really fit any of the ability saves neatly.

We have morale in 5E, so it isn't "missing" (DMG p. 273).

Not the greatest system, but it is there.

 

[cbwjm]

I don't think anyone needs Weapon Mastery back,and it's best left forgotten.

We kind of still have it in some of the feats, it's just that they are more broad and apply to weapons with a damage type or with things like ranged or heavy weapons. I see these as the natural progression of specialisation/weapon mastery rules over the years.

 

[cbwjm]

Rules for running PCs through very large battles

Do you mean like between armies? Because it sounds like that will be coming with dragonlance, though I'm not sure how it integrates PCs into the battle. I ended up creating my own with PCs able to influence the outcome via taking out targets of opportunity.

 

[jayoungr]

We have morale in 5E, so it isn't "missing" (DMG p. 273).

Not the greatest system, but it is there.

Fair--I just don't really like that version, so I tend to forget about it.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Real psionics.

 

[J.Quondam]

Smelling distances. We have rules for how far a character can see and hear, but not smell... or be smelled.

 

[Guest 7034872]

Real psionics.

And bards relegated to the appendix.

 

[Laurefindel]

Here's the thing: 5E isn't missing much really, IMO.

The issues are just that the rules that are there seem incomplete or are too simplified.

For example of an incomplete rule (or system), you can certainly grapple someone, but how do you restrain someone? It is possible in real life to restrain someone, so how do you do it in 5E?

Apparently the only way is with the Grappler feat. But feats are optional, so if you don't use feats it isn't possible.

And what do the designers say? "Just rule it however you want."

Why? You have rules for how to grapple, why not how to restrain? Would it be so hard to include another rule for restraining?

For an example of over simplified look at the rules for jumping. Up to your Strength score, with just a 10-foot approach. Pretty silly, really, and too simplified. Under Athletics, they even specify making a Strength (Athletics) check is done when "You try to jump an unusually long distance..." But again, now we have incomplete rules. What is the DC? How much further can you jump if you make the check? It is always just left up to the individual DM.

I know you can't make a game where you have rules for everything, but frankly my biggest issue with 5E is it seem half-assed.

Of course, some systems are missing, such as others have mentioned, like dominion development or mass combat, but personally those aren't big things for me. I'd rather see concrete, complete rules for the systems we have, first.

Nah, 5e isn’t a half-baked cookie, it’s a cookie intentionally baked with a soft centre, you know, crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside!

But I agree with the essence of your post; D&D doesn’t really need much more width but it could use some depth. It is at least relatively shallow throughout the whole thing, so it works as a chewy cookie. But reworking the rules to a uniformly deep system is too much of an undertaking than the effort I’m willing to give (by running a more complete, complex game I mean).

As it is, 5e has the advantage of being digestible without too many glasses of milk, but I would appreciate deeper, more complete subsystems that I can use à la carte, focusing on the themes of my campaign. Like white chocolate chips and macadenian nuts for example.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Nah, 5e isn’t a half-baked cookie, it’s a cookie intentionally baked with a soft centre, you know, crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside!

In your analogy, 5E was taken out of the oven too soon for me. They might as well have just served us all the cookie dough without even baking it. Still delicious, though...

But, give me the crunchy solid cookie which I have to dip in the milk to eat!

 

[Reynard]

In your analogy, 5E was taken out of the oven too soon for me. They might as well have just served us all the cookie dough without even baking it. Still delicious, though...

But, give me the crunchy solid cookie which I have to dip in the milk to eat!

I still think you're attributing to incompetence what should be attributed to choice.i don't know how much game design work you have done, but it is not arbitrary and for sure when you are talking about the D&D team it isn't "lazy." It might not be to your liking (there are quite a few choices I'm not fond of) but suggesting it comes from a lack of skill or intention is a bad look.