D&D (2024) One D&D Cleric & Revised Species Playtest Includes Goliath

"In this new Unearthed Arcana for the One D&D rules system, we explore material designed for the next version of the Player’s Handbook. This playtest document presents the rules on the Cleric class, it's Life Domain subclass, as well as revised Species rules for the Ardling, the Dragonborn, and the Goliath. You will also find a current glossary of new or revised meanings for game terms."

Claim Unearthed Arcana now! - D&D Beyond

www.dndbeyond.com

WotC's Jeremey Crawford discusses the playtest document in the video below.

 

[Parmandur]

Video about new Race options:

 

[Xamnam]

Spiritual Weapon now takes concentration to maintain.

 

[Parmandur]

- Ardling more clearly just a catchall Anthropomorphic Animal option, not Planar now.

- Dragonborn get a breath weapon update, they made it clear that the Fizban's options are meant to be variants of the new PHB core, "Universal Dragonvorn," bit made the core option look more like Fizban's.

- Goliath is exploring a wider array of Giant type variants (Fire Giant, Storm Giant, etc.).

 

[Sacrosanct]

So far I don't have an issue with subclass going to 3rd level. And I like the 2nd level holy order. But I don't like the 9th level version of it. Seems lazy, to add a 9th level feature that isn't really going to be used or is appropriate. E.g., you're going with scholar at level 2. So at level 9 you finally get to wear heavy armor and use marital weapons if you choose? Seems off theme. I'd much rather see an expansion to the choice you made at level 2 instead.

Goliaths seem to have a huge boost. I don't see how they are going to be backwards compatible since now they get to use abilities prof times per long rest. Compare both versions of Stone's endurance for example. Those are more powerful than feats (misty step 2-6 times per long rest? Better than the fey feat).

 

[Weiley31]

I'mma.....SERIOUSLY LIKING how Smite Undead works/is and how Channel Divinity: Divine Spark works/is.

 

[sevenbastard]

Picking your subclass for a cleric is picking who you worship. Seems odd you would wait till third to do that.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Spiritual Weapon, at last, requires concentration! No more an auto-pick for every cleric!

Not a fan of Smite Undead instead of Turn Undead. I'd like if the damage was lower but could give the frightened condition to undeads.

Prayer of Healing now gives a short rest to the targets, nice.

Agreed that 9th level Order feature is pretty bland. Make it an improvement for the cleric's order.

Races are cool, nothing jarring here.

Resistance is very good now.

Dazed condition, pretty cool, I see it being used for the Monk's stunning strike.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Picking your subclass for a cleric is picking who you worship. Seems odd you would wait till third to do that.

Or you pick it at level 1, but the diety(ies) don't give you the extra power until you prove yourself first. They just give you your spells and channel divinity powers at low level (which is still quite a bit). Maybe you change your mind and convert to a different deity based on gameplay, and this gives you that option before you're locked in?

 

[rooneg]

So far I don't have an issue with subclass going to 3rd level. And I like the 2nd level holy order. But I don't like the 9th level version of it. Seems lazy, to add a 9th level feature that isn't really going to be used or is appropriate. E.g., you're going with scholar at level 2. So at level 9 you finally get to wear heavy armor and use marital weapons if you choose? Seems off theme. I'd much rather see an expansion to the choice you made at level 2 instead.

Agreed, this is a repeat of the Battlemaster problem in 5e, where at higher levels you get to choose the maneuvers that weren't cool enough to pick the first time.

 

[WarDriveWorley]

Picking your subclass for a cleric is picking who you worship. Seems odd you would wait till third to do that.

Yes and no. You can still say you're a cleric of "x", but the benefits of that worship don't start until later. Also a lot of deities have multiple domain options so the choice of deity in 5E is less important than it was in previous editions.