D&D (2024) Inspiration From Nat 20 Will Bog Down The Game

[Retreater]

You're right that was merely implied by Crawford saying that's what the monsters get. We shall see, but I think it's a fair assumption.

He didn't mention if it was all monsters, most monsters, some monsters or what. Or how effective they'd be. Or what you'd need to roll to recharge them (like on a 5-6 on a 1d6, if a Critical recharges them, or if they recharge when bloodied).
But they did make pretty certain what they were taking away from the monsters without giving us anything to test in its absence.
They shouldn't have even addressed it was a thing until they had something ready to try out with it.

 

[Sir Brennen]

Because before they didn't likely have players checking for secret doors in every room, and for traps at every door, for example?

IMO, checking for traps or secret doors is something the DM should roll for the players anyway. How can you know you failed to find something which may or may not be there in the first place? And if the DM is rolling, no one gets Inspiration for Nat 20's.

 

[Campbell]

I wouldn't be too concerned about it. There seem to be plenty of ways to gain inspiration even in that small playtest. Advantage for a single roll also isn't like super crucial, especially given the changes to critical hits.

 

[Mistwell]

IMO, checking for traps or secret doors is something the DM should roll for the players anyway. How can you know you failed to find something which may or may not be there in the first place? And if the DM is rolling, no one gets Inspiration for Nat 20's.

There is no rule I am aware of which says rolls made based on player's skill checks don't trigger inspiration depending on which person happens to be rolling it. The need to keep the result private isn't the same as it not being a Test roll made by the PC.

 

[Mistwell]

I wouldn't be too concerned about it. There seem to be plenty of ways to gain inspiration even in that small playtest. Advantage for a single roll also isn't like super crucial, especially given the changes to critical hits.

It's the advantage to Saving Throws, including death saves, initiative, and concentration checks, which most concerns me.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Players don't declare rolls in 5e, they declare actions. The DM decides if a roll is warranted.

Granted, I play with some people who can't get out of the pre-5e mindset, and just can't stop themselves from saying, "I roll Perception..." or "I roll Persuasion..." before they've even described what they are doing.

Maybe an extra benefit of the new rule is an incentive to break players of this habit.

 

[payn]

It's the advantage to Saving Throws, including death saves, initiative, and concentration checks, which most concerns me.

They can only bank one at a time. How many natty 20's get rolled a session?

 

[Bill Zebub]

IMO, checking for traps or secret doors is something the DM should roll for the players anyway. How can you know you failed to find something which may or may not be there in the first place? And if the DM is rolling, no one gets Inspiration for Nat 20's.

But think of the huge incentive to somehow get yourself to a passive Perception of 20! Free inspiration with every 5' square!

 

[Mistwell]

They can only bank one at a time. How many natty 20's get rolled a session?

I mean, that's the heart of the issue right? If they're only 1 in 20, but valuable, then players will naturally try to work to get more d20s rolled to increase their odds. Which can slow the game down if they're seeking Tests where they wouldn't have before.

 

[payn]

I mean, that's the heart of the issue right? If they're only 1 in 20, but valuable, then players will naturally try to work to get more d20s rolled to increase their odds. Which can slow the game down if they're seeking Tests where they wouldn't have before.

Well, if they start asking to roll knowledge for weather, I'll just tell them its raining.