D&D (2024) New One D&D Playtest Shows Us The New Druid & Paladin

WotC has released the fourth One D&D playtest document. This 29-page PDF includes the druid and the paladin with Circle of the Moon and Oath of Devotion subclasses.

Druid. The Druid class and Circle of the Moon subclass are ready for playtesting here.

Paladin. The Paladin class and Oath of Devotion subclass are ready for playtesting here.

Feats. Several revised feats appear here for your feedback, with more revised feats coming in future articles.

Spells. More spells are ready for playtesting, with a focus on smite spells, Find Familiar, and Find Steed.

Rules Glossary. The rules glossary has been updated again and supersedes the glossary in previous Unearthed Arcana articles. In this document, any underlined term in the body text appears in that glossary, which defines game terms that have been clarified or redefined for this playtest or that don’t appear in the 2014 Player’s Handbook.

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[GMforPowergamers]

Fair enough. Define what "core" means to you. Is it just the math? The concept of a level-based class system? What makes both versions of the game 5e to you?

for 23 years D&D has had roll d20 add modifier try to hit target number as it's main system
in that time stats are if greater then 10 subtract ten then divide by 2 for stat mod.

for my whole D&D life (since 94/95) the system for combat is roll d20 to attack wit a weapon if you hit roll XDY add mod deal hp damage.

for 3 out of 4 editions spells have used spell slots...

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Ya know, if someone was developing a new VTT, it sure would be easier to code for a single generic stat block than to code for all possible beasts...

Not remotely, actually.

They have to code in those creatures anyway. This just adds to the list of things they have to code.

 

[Weiley31]

Did I miss it or did they overlook a druid reverting back with his prior hit points when he dies in wild shape?

"Wild Shape. As a Magic action, you transform into a form that you have learned for this feature. You start knowing one form, Animal of the Land, which is detailed in the “Wild Shapes” section later in this class’s description. You stay in that form for a number of hours equal to half your Druid level or until you use Wild Shape again, have the Incapacitated condition, or die. You can also end Wild Shape early as a Bonus Action."

They way that reads you would revert back but still be dead.

Basically if you're Druid had a sword impaled in them with the pointy end straight through the heart and they shift back, that gaping blood wound is still there apparently.

 

[Weiley31]

Yeah. It seems really odd that a druid can become a mouse, but have a 20 strength and dex because he has a 20 wisdom. I mean talk about Mighty Mouse!

Watch out STR 20 Halflings and STR 20 Goliaths!

There's a stronger mouse in town!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

this is what I thought at first, but if you read it carefully, it’s not roll the spell level or higher, it’s just roll the spell level. So you need to roll a 1 on the d4 to recover your 1st level spell. It’s a very poorly worded mechanic, it should just simply be a 4 on the d4 refreshes your spell.

I would make it that you have to beat or match the spell level on the die, myself, but the wording is unclear.

 

[TheSword]

Watch out STR 20 Halflings and STR 20 Goliaths!

There's a stronger mouse in town!

The adult human transforms into a mouse and its the strength of the mouse that you think is unrealistic?

 

[Stalker0]

again just for clairity, 3e and 3.5 had about as much difference as 1 good sized playtest packet

One super deluxe chunky packet.

Races were changed.
All classes received changes.
Large changes to combat
Skills are adjusted.
Many feats were changed.
Most spells were changed and adjusted.
Most magic items were changed and adjusted.
Monsters received numerous changes.

 

[Stalker0]

I would make it that you have to beat or match the spell level on the die, myself, but the wording is unclear.

The wording is crystal clear, it’s just not good

 

[OB1]

Oh wow, just realized that Spare the Dying now grants 1 HP. Makes me believe that failed death saves are going to go away in favor of the new exhaustion mechanic at some point.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Okay, so I finally got a chance to really dig into the document, rather than just reading the druid.

The Druid still angers me, because as someone said upthread it just...fails to be any better than a wizard with all the right spells prepared. Polymorph gives more versatility and an HP boost, fly comes in at 5th level, etc. It's just totally bunk.
Not being able to be tiny until level 11 means that the familiar is a better scout than the druid in many situations. Um...what.

Why is large size available at level 1 but tiny isn't until level 11?!
[/spoiler]

Spells are a daily resource, wild shape isn't. Druids get spells too. I think a good solution is to have specific spells to enhance wild shape.

Tiny is incredibly useful. A mouse can may as well be gaseous form given the tiny areas they can squeeze through. I do agree level 11 is kind of absurdly late (same with aquatic form).