D&D (2024) One D&D Expert Classes Playtest Document Is Live

The One D&D Expert Class playest document is now available to download. You can access it by signing into your D&D Beyond account at the link below. It contains three classes -- bard, rogue, and ranger, along with three associated subclasses (College of Lore, Thief, and Hunter), plus a number of feats.

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[Weiley31]

Also, judging by how this packet is laid out, we're getting each of the classes in sets of three.
But goodness, wonder if we'll get ALL the subclasses so far.

 

[billd91]

Interesting that they've clarified Search vs Study.

 

[TwoSix]

They kept ASI as +2 or +1/+1...too bad, I was hoping they would restrict it to +1/+1. I'd rather get away from the "Pump to 20 or get a good feat" conundrum.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

So BIG nerf to Rogues which seem to be hitting an awful lot of Martials (it also hits Hunter, but matters far less there):

You have to "Take the Attack Action" to get the Sneak Attack bonus. That means that you can't, for example, get SA on a Reaction or Bonus Attack-based attack (unless they've also changed those).

That's absolutely a kick in the nuts for Rogues. Drastically decreasing their damage potential and increasing the number of rounds where they'll just fail to land SA. Not sure why WotC felt it was necessary, especially as it is MORE complicated than before, and runs counter to the general trend of simplification.

If you reduce the exploiation possibilities, you can buff the ability properly.

If the full potential of the rogue is gated behind readying an action to attack as a reaction, something is very wrong.

Also, rogues were buffed a bit: they ca now dual wield freely, as can rangers.

Dual wield does not cost you your bonus action.

 

[TravDoc42]

I see the mention of new and revised monsters in future playtests, and I am intrigued! I wonder how that will work?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

They kept ASI as +2 or +1/+1...too bad, I was hoping they would restrict it to +1/+1. I'd rather get away from the "Pump to 20 or get a good feat" conundrum.

I think, actually +2/+1 would be in line compared to the other feats.

 

[Composer99]

They kept ASI as +2 or +1/+1...too bad, I was hoping they would restrict it to +1/+1. I'd rather get away from the "Pump to 20 or get a good feat" conundrum.

Well, it does look as if all the other standard feats - excluding epic boons and fighting styles so far - are turning into half-feats. I expect that will slow things a bit.

 

[Weiley31]

Dual wield does not cost you your bonus action.

 

[TwoSix]

Yea, they really fixed Dual-Wielding. It's now entirely based on the Light weapon property, no longer takes a bonus action, and increasing the functionality of dual-wielding is now based on granting non-Light weapons the Light property. Very clever.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Yes, it is under "light" in the glossary.
You can also use dual wielding with crossbows (if you have a way to automatically load them).