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.

 

[Greg Benage]

We mean "it will work," yes. That's what Backwards compatible means. One may or may not like how it feels, but the math is in tact. As far as compatibility is concerned, the math is the only thing that matters.

What do we mean by "the math is intact"? HD/HP, ability scores, Proficiency Bonus, etc.? DPR math seems very unlikely to be intact. Prepared spell math doesn't look to be intact. Like, the math for how characters are described numerically seems the same, but the math for how they play seems very different.

ETA: And again, this is fine with me. I'd just as soon they fix the stuff that needed fixing, including some of the math for how characters play. But I also see why some people have a hard time accepting that this is really "compatibility."

 

[Clint_L]

It's meant to be compatible in the sense that you could play through an adventure published in 2014 and it would still work fine. Or you can incorporate it into your ongoing campaign without difficulty. Just like Tasha's, etc.

 

[Greg Benage]

It's meant to be compatible in the sense that you could play through an adventure published in 2014 and it would still work fine.

Yep, makes sense. It does look like it should be easy to use 5e adventures in a 1D&D campaign. On the one hand, 1e adventures are "compatible" in this respect, but I agree that 1D&D will be much more compatible. Don't even really need to convert. Same game. Thumbs up.

Or you can incorporate it into your ongoing campaign without difficulty. Just like Tasha's, etc.

Hmm. So you could take 1D&D stuff and use in a 5e campaign. Yeah, from what we've seen, that's probably true, but I think whatever you use would have to replace (not supplement) the 5e counterpart. It's not at all like Tasha's in that respect. You're not going to be able to let players mix and match this stuff.

 

[Parmandur]

So, basically anything that doesn't change the proficiency scale or 0-20 attribute scale and ASI timing is going to be called backwards compatible?

Anything that can be used continously in the new rules environment is backwards compatible, yes. If it is compatible, it is compatible.

 

[Parmandur]

What do we mean by "the math is intact"? HD/HP, ability scores, Proficiency Bonus, etc.? DPR math seems very unlikely to be intact. Prepared spell math doesn't look to be intact. Like, the math for how characters are described numerically seems the same, but the math for how they play seems very different.

ETA: And again, this is fine with me. I'd just as soon they fix the stuff that needed fixing, including some of the math for how characters play. But I also see why some people have a hard time accepting that this is really "compatibility."

Actually, the DPR seems to be precisely the same. The Adventure Day seems like it may be adjusted, but the point is if every Species, Class, amd Monster option can still be used in the new rules, and all the Adventure material is still usable with new material...then it is 100% backwards compatible. And we have ample evidence at this point that this is an earnest design goal, not a talking point.

 

[Parmandur]

Yep, makes sense. It does look like it should be easy to use 5e adventures in a 1D&D campaign. On the one hand, 1e adventures are "compatible" in this respect, but I agree that 1D&D will be much more compatible. Don't even really need to convert. Same game. Thumbs up.


Hmm. So you could take 1D&D stuff and use in a 5e campaign. Yeah, from what we've seen, that's probably true, but I think whatever you use would have to replace (not supplement) the 5e counterpart. It's not at all like Tasha's in that respect. You're not going to be able to let players mix and match this stuff.

Probably more than you may think. We already have people mixing Monsters of the Multiverse stat blocks with 2014 monster stat blocks in the same combatz after all.

 

[Greg Benage]

Actually, the DPR seems to be precisely the same.

How so? The only tea leaves I've seen are:

• GWM/SS/XBE/PAM nerfs
• Ranger attack nerfs
• Off-turn sneak attack nerfs
• Spiritual weapon nerf

I'm hoping these indicate that they're approaching all this in a considered, holistic way and that it entails a lower DPR environment in 1D&D. I hope this, because I think it needed some normalizing. I'm not fond of the new spiritual weapon as it stands, but if DPR (at least optimized DPR) is lower in 1D&D, a 1d8 extra attack may have much more value and be well balanced in the new game. This could be excellent, but I don't want to get in front of my skis until I see more.

The Adventure Day seems like it may be adjusted, but the point is if every Species, Class, amd Monster option can still be used in the new rules, and all the Adventure material is still usable with new material...then it is 100% backwards compatible. And we have ample evidence at this point that this is an earnest design goal, not a talking point.

Ohh, what indication is there the Adventure Day may be adjusted? I've been disappointed because I haven't seen any indication that it would be. I'm hopeful the willy-nilly mix of classes built on short- and long-rest resources may be smoothed out, but again, the rogue made me more pessimistic in this regard.

 

[Greg Benage]

Probably more than you may think. We already have people mixing Monsters of the Multiverse stat blocks with 2014 monster stat blocks in the same combatz after all.

I'm not worried about compatibility at all, but I'm really not worried about DM-side compatibility. I can do whatever I want with it on that side, regardless of what they do.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Maybe, but the intent of 6e core is clearly not to be compatible with 5e core.

I am still unsure, where you get information about 6e.
If you mean OneDnD, I am baffled, that you draw that conclusion.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

So an entire edition based around rejecting everything 4e, the complete inability to even HAVE discussions about 4e elements, and dev's specifically taking public dumps on 4e is good company?

This is 10 years ago and was uncool.
I think it is time to get over it and lets just hope, we will see more 4e influence now.
Reading the first few UAs makes me hopeful.
(Clearer, more universally structured rules and classes).