D&D (2024) More People Test One D&D Origins Playtest Than D&D Next

WotC has announced that more people have playtested the first One D&D playtest than the number of people who playtested the entirety of the D&D Next playtest 10 years ago, which led to the release of D&D 5E. The number of people who playtested D&D Next, according to the credits in the 5E Player's Handbook, was over 175,000 people.

In the first week alone, more of you have playtested One D&D than in the entirety of 5e playtesting!

Thank you to everyone who has helped shape the future of Dungeons & Dragons!

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Acolyte was missing from the "have you played?" section was present on the "evaluate this background" part. Cultist was missing from both. A couple of others were missing from both as well, all had the Magic Initiate feat from above.

At first I thought it was because they may have bumped out the magic initiative feat from their consideration, but I did see at least one background with the Magic Initiate feat included in both the played and evaluate sections. (Though I think it was the Sage which could easily be refluffed with the skilled feat.)

It was slightly annoying because the Cultist was the one that I briefly playtested and there wasn't an option for.... "other."

Not sure why they're soliciting feedback on specific backgrounds at all, since the system is completely build-a-bear.

 

[OB1]

Not sure why they're soliciting feedback on specific backgrounds at all, since the system is completely build-a-bear.

I actually responded that the sample backgrounds should be in an appendix at the back of the book to reinforce the idea of creating your own. If you don't want to or need help getting inspiration on what to do, you can look up the samples, but by not presenting it right after the rule, it makes it more likely that people will understand that the default is to create your own.

 

[Nikosandros]

Not sure why they're soliciting feedback on specific backgrounds at all, since the system is completely build-a-bear.

That's exactly what I wrote in the box in that part of the survey...

 

[Marandahir]

Not sure why they're soliciting feedback on specific backgrounds at all, since the system is completely build-a-bear.

Pretty sure it's because they want to double check that people want build-a-bear backgrounds, hence why they didn't ask for reviews of ALL the backgrounds, just some of them.

 

[Parmandur]

Anyone else finding that stats in background leads to people picking optimal background for class, therefore being a bit uniform in decisions about characters? I fed this back as I can see it making new characters less diverse.

O know it's already been said, but the ASI is free floating, it can't be "gamed" as such.

 

[dave2008]

Not sure why they're soliciting feedback on specific backgrounds at all, since the system is completely build-a-bear.

Well I imagine many people, like my group, will still prefer premade backgrounds.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It's the best of both worlds. You can chose a background for a quick-build, like you would if you took equipment from your class and BG, or you can make your own, like if you spent your money on equipment. Or you can do what I expect most do (or, at least, it's what I would do, which is pick one, and then swap out one or two things for something else equivalent. It speeds up making a character, but DOES NOT limit you in any way.

 

[Reynard]

It's the best of both worlds. You can chose a background for a quick-build, like you would if you took equipment from your class and BG, or you can make your own, like if you spent your money on equipment. Or you can do what I expect most do (or, at least, it's what I would do, which is pick one, and then swap out one or two things for something else equivalent. It speeds up making a character, but DOES NOT limit you in any way.

It's not even an either or. You can replace any feature you like. That, I assume, will be by far the most common usage: choosing a background but switching out a language, tool proficiency, or feat.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

It's not even an either or. You can replace any feature you like. That, I assume, will be by far the most common usage: choosing a background but switching out a language, tool proficiency, or feat.

Just as they intend. Because it's literally impossible for them to give examples of every possible imagined background a player character could have before becoming an adventurer.

A player can choose one of the prebuilt ones and run it as written if they want. They can also choose to customize it in any way they want (maybe they were a Farmer-turned-Soldier that still has the Ability Score bonuses of the Farmer, but got the gaming set proficiency and Goblin language of the Soldier), or make a completely new background (apprentice mage to a Hag that learned forgotten arcane secrets before turning on their master and joining up with a carnival). They intend for the "make your own"/"customize an existing background" to be the base, because that promotes more player creativity and doesn't restrict the feats and ASIs that the player wants and thinks would fit the character.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It's not even an either or. You can replace any feature you like. That, I assume, will be by far the most common usage: choosing a background but switching out a language, tool proficiency, or feat.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Just like you might do with equipment.