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."

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

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

loosely translated; begin all campaigns at level 3.

No. They said that a major reason why they made this change was to make the newer players not feel overwhelmed with options when making a Cleric character for the first time. The "loose translation" is "levels 1 and 2 are tutorial levels for what the class can do, so moving the most important decision your character will make after character creation to a later level makes it easier for newer players". Also, they were trying to shut down some of the more egregious multiclass exploits that came along with Clerics.

 

[Horwath]

No. They said that a major reason why they made this change was to make the newer players not feel overwhelmed with options when making a Cleric character for the first time. The "loose translation" is "levels 1 and 2 are tutorial levels for what the class can do, so moving the most important decision your character will make after character creation to a later level makes it easier for newer players". Also, they were trying to shut down some of the more egregious multiclass exploits that came along with Clerics.

there is easy fix for multiclassing:

1. there is no multiclass
2. you cannot multiclass before 5th level and you must take 4 levels in new class at least before raising levels in your other class.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

there is easy fix for multiclassing:

1. there is no multiclass
2. you cannot multiclass before 5th level and you must take 4 levels in new class at least before raising levels in your other class.

So you're completely ignoring the rest of the post? Okay.

And WotC are not going to do that, for obvious reasons. That sounds like a terrible and unfun housreule at the majority of tables.

 

[Horwath]

So you're completely ignoring the rest of the post? Okay.

And WotC are not going to do that, for obvious reasons. That sounds like a terrible and unfun housreule at the majority of tables.

1st part of the post, I have already answered a few post back when I said that devs would break their necks if they would fell from their high horse.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

1st part of the post, I have already answered a few post back when I said that devs would break their necks if they would fell from their high horse.

That's not an answer. That's an ad hominem.

 

[Horwath]

That's not an answer. That's an ad hominem.

OFC it is. It's also an answer.

We had some new players lately and one comes to mind.

3rd level tiefling aberrant mind sorcerer with houseruled bonus 1st level feat for all.
She took shadow touched feat.

that is 6 cantrips and 11 spells known. 3 of those spells are extra 1/day usable.

it was fine.

Now when I think again:

1st level aberrant mind sorcerer with Telekinetic/Fey/shadow touched as a bonus feat is perfect complexity for 1st level character.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

OFC it is. It's also an answer.

No, it isn't. It's taking a shot at people that aren't here to defend themselves. It's bad form.

We had some new players lately and one comes to mind.

3rd level tiefling aberrant mind sorcerer with houseruled bonus 1st level feat for all.
She took shadow touched feat.

that is 6 cantrips and 11 spells known. 3 of those spells are extra 1/day usable.

it was fine.

Now when I think again:

1st level aberrant mind sorcerer with Telekinetic/Fey/shadow touched as a bonus feat is perfect complexity for 1st level character.

And I've had newer players that got overwhelmed by the complexity of a level 1 fighter. Clearly, there are a variety of experiences among newer players, and WotC thinks that it's a problem often enough to warrant a change based on feedback they've gotten through the years. That isn't saying that newer players are stupid or engaging in elitism, it's recognizing a common problem and making changes to fix it.

 

[Horwath]

No, it isn't. It's taking a shot at people that aren't here to defend themselves. It's bad form.

And I've had newer players that got overwhelmed by the complexity of a level 1 fighter. Clearly, there are a variety of experiences among newer players, and WotC thinks that it's a problem often enough to warrant a change based on feedback they've gotten through the years. That isn't saying that newer players or engaging in elitism, it's recognizing a common problem and making changes to fix it.

There can be "simpler" options.

I.E. champion fighter can be 1st level subclass.
having crit on 19-20 is not really complicated.
maybe add +1 HP per level to champions HP and second wind.

Draconic sorcerer(if buffed) can be made without bonus spells and still be simpler but strong option vs aberrant mind or clockwork.

same with feats:
you can get as I mentioned; Fey/shadow touched or telekinetic for "complicated" characters and +2 HP per level for "simpler" characters.

Every class should get one sub-class that is "simpler". that is, it get more "passive" abilities than active.
extra HP, extra damage, extra AC, extra usage of already base class present abilities.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

There can be "simpler" options.

I.E. champion fighter can be 1st level subclass.
having crit on 19-20 is not really complicated.
maybe add +1 HP per level to champions HP and second wind.

Draconic sorcerer(if buffed) can be made without bonus spells and still be simpler but strong option vs aberrant mind or clockwork.

same with feats:
you can get as I mentioned; Fey/shadow touched or telekinetic for "complicated" characters and +2 HP per level for "simpler" characters.

Every class should get one sub-class that is "simpler". that is, it get more "passive" abilities than active.
extra HP, extra damage, extra AC, extra usage of already base class present abilities.

Did you not read what I said, or did you just not understand it?

I have had newer players (two separate ones, in fact) get overwhelmed by the "complexity" of playing a Level 1 Fighter for the first time. Level 1. The simplest characters that you can play. Fighters don't get their subclasses until level 3. The three things a level 1 fighter has to worry about are Hit Points, Second Wind, and the Attack Action. Less than every other class in the game.

Some newer players are either so unfamiliar with how D&D and similar games work that playing even the simplest option in 5e is too complex for them at the start.

 

[Horwath]

Did you not read what I said, or did you just not understand it?

I have had newer players (two separate ones, in fact) get overwhelmed by the "complexity" of playing a Level 1 Fighter for the first time. Level 1. The simplest characters that you can play. Fighters don't get their subclasses until level 3. The three things a level 1 fighter has to worry about are Hit Points, Second Wind, and the Attack Action. Less than every other class in the game.

Some newer players are either so unfamiliar with how D&D and similar games work that playing even the simplest option in 5e is too complex for them at the start.

if you get overwhelmed with complexity of 1st level fighter, then you need to read the class description again, and again if needed. And then some more.

personally, tuning the game towards people that cannot be bothered to read 1st level fighter abilities is bad design.
or just accept that those players will be bad in combat for first several sessions. or forever. Perhaps they are great roleplayers so combat will not be a big issue for them if they are not performing at 100%.