D&D (2024) One D&D playtest, abilities that recharge when you roll initiative.

[darjr]

So, one thing I noticed:

EPIC BOON OF LUCK 20th-Level Feat Prerequisite: Expert Group Repeatable: No​

Immediately after you roll a d20 for a d20 Test, you can roll a d10 and add the number rolled to the test. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you roll Initiative or finish a Short Rest or a Long Rest.​

​

No comment on the feat itself, but the bolded part is something I haven't seen before in 5e nomenclature, and is a more elegant way to implement per-encounter features than I've previously seen in the official rules. I hope it'll see some use outside of the Epic Boons.

This sounds like it would be useful for a great many things. What would you like to use it? I don’t think I’ve seen it before this test.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

This sounds like it would be useful for a great many things. What would you like to use it? I don’t think I’ve seen it before this test.

It is the basis for the return of stealth encounter powers.

 

[darjr]

It is the basis for the return of stealth encounter powers.

This is a much better idea though. Imho.

It feels more organic and tied to in fiction action. Plus it doesn’t limit things to an “encounter”, potentially, just the pacing of them.

 

[pemerton]

It feels more organic and tied to in fiction action. Plus it doesn’t limit things to an “encounter”, potentially, just the pacing of them.

I don't get this. Rolling initiative isn't organic at all - it's a contrivance for managing turn-by-turn combat, and it's extremely unclear what, if anything, it corresponds to in the fiction.

There's also the issue that abilities that can't be refreshed until initiative is rolled become de facto combat-oriented abilities, further marginalising the non-combat aspects of the game.

 

[Blue]

It's effectively "per encounter" powers but with non-combat utility stripped away. It's basically a repackaging of the 4e idea, without the 4e terminology that might still be sensitive.

 

[cbwjm]

It's effectively "per encounter" powers but with non-combat utility stripped away. It's basically a repackaging of the 4e idea, without the 4e terminology that might still be sensitive.

I think it is more the 4e idea without needing to have a short rest to reactivate them. Much better in my opinion.

 

[niklinna]

I think it's great! I always wanted a new excuse to murder-hobo. "But officer, I needed to recharge my encounter powers—I mean, on-initiative abilities!—and so you see that man had to die."

 

[darjr]

I don't get this. Rolling initiative isn't organic at all - it's a contrivance for managing turn-by-turn combat, and it's extremely unclear what, if anything, it corresponds to in the fiction.

There's also the issue that abilities that can't be refreshed until initiative is rolled become de facto combat-oriented abilities, further marginalising the non-combat aspects of the game.

What? It corresponds to someone starting a fight. In fiction.

 

[Blue]

I think it is more the 4e idea without needing to have a short rest to reactivate them. Much better in my opinion.

I don't see much differences, btu that may have just be the play styles of the tables I played 4e at. Either an encounter was a continuation, or we could almost always take 5 minutes. But I can see where the experience could be different.

 

[cbwjm]

I don't see much differences, btu that may have just be the play styles of the tables I played 4e at. Either an encounter was a continuation, or we could almost always take 5 minutes. But I can see where the experience could be different.

If a short rest was 5 mins or otherwise something inconsequential in 5e, then yes I'd agree, but at an hour they are very different to 4e's short rest.