D&D 5E New Spellcasting Blocks for Monsters --- Why?!

[Charlaquin]

Not really an argument, but more of an interesting anecdote. When I type 5E into Google, the first result is D&D. To narrow (but not eliminate bias), I get the same result at my work computer, and the library! Granted, fans of D&D might also be fans of libraries, but intentionally avoiding preference tracking still gets me to D&D as the first result.

Yeah, D&D is truly enormous right now.

 

[Stoutstien]

Aye. Recharge work very well to add some spontaneously and depth to NPCs without a ton of paperwork.

 

[Helldritch]

Well, fortunately for you, due to your superior time management skills, you should be able to modify the stat blocks to your liking. All it takes is a bit of organization! Just take the hobby more seriously, spend some time preparing, and apply yourself. You can do it!

Of course. But this has been imposed on me for no good reason where level up did things way better than what WotC did. And it is optional. With the new way, if I want to go on with 5ed, it is not an option but an obligation.

And as for your sarcasm, this time management can be yours too if you care enough to apply yourself to it. Nothing is out of your reach!

 

[Reynard]

Aye. Recharge work very well to add some spontaneously and depth to NPCs without a ton of paperwork.

I use a "recovering recharge" where the recharge number gets lower each round that it didn't recharge.

 

[Helldritch]

It does take some time. It took me about 15-20 minutes to convert Vecna to a full spellcasting version. I'm a little rusty so I might have been able to do it faster if I had more practice recently.

OF course I have done the hard work for you, so you can probably tweak it in even less. As a bonus, I am pretty sure my version is more complete than anything WotC would have produced even if they didn't change the spellcasting format!

It should take me about the same. Apply that to a whole MM2 when it comes out... I do that with all casters in adventure books. That is a lot of work imposed on me and anyone else doing it.

 

[DND_Reborn]

To the aside discussion, time management certainly can help, but it is also a matter of priorities in your life.

We have to deal with family, friends, work, school, current events, war, and all sorts of things; for many people D&D is not top on that list at all. It is also competing with every other form of entertainment out there.

For myself, I've noticed there are two types of players in general: hardcore and casual. It used to be hard cores only played D&D, now you have a lot of casuals playing it. Sessions tend to be more haphazard, when people have time to get together, and if not enough make it you do something else (video games, movie, whatever). To casual players, having to skip a session is no big deal.

I'm hardcore. I only get to play every other week, but for 8-10 hours or more. I would play every weekend, doing shorter sessions, like in the college days, but most people can't commit to that because they have other priorities. Nothing wrong with that, of course, just their priorities.

I love D&D. I spend my free time (like many) reading about it, making house-rules, thinking up the next adventure, etc. But I also spend free time with my family and friends doing other things, I work full-time, exercise, and (fortunately) get about 7 hours of sleep a night. Heck, like many of you (I imagine) I think about D&D when I am working!

I see nothing wrong at all with catering 5E towards the casual player (the new group I just joined are definitely casual players!), but don't forget us hardcore players are still out there--loving the game, too.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I use a "recovering recharge" where the recharge number gets lower each round that it didn't recharge.

Yep, we use recharge for our jinxes (attack cantrips) and other creature features as well.

Frankly, it is one of the better mechanics in 5E IMO.

 

[Stoutstien]

I use a "recovering recharge" where the recharge number gets lower each round that it didn't recharge.

I use a hybrid now where the recharge is set at 2-6 but can auto recharge from triggers like failure of save, landing or missing a certain attack, dropping below a % HP, or taking a certain type of damage.
Easy way to add a lot of tactical depth with little work.

 

[Reynard]

I use a hybrid now where the recharge is set at 2-6 but can auto recharge from triggers like failure of save, landing or missing a certain attack, dropping below a % HP, or taking a certain type of damage.
Easy way to add a lot of tactical depth with little work.

I like the idea of recharge going away completely upon "bloodied" or mythic or whatever the state-shift condition might be.

 

[Reynard]

Frankly, it is one of the better mechanics in 5E IMO.

Is recharge a 5E mechanic or did it appear in 4E? I honestly don't recall.