D&D (2024) Jeremy Crawford Gives an Overview of the New Unearthed Arcana

The upcoming Unearthed Arcana playtest packet for One D&D gets a preview from WotC's Jeremy Crawford. This is apparently the largest of these playtest packets so far, and the biggest Unearthed Arcana they have ever done, at 50 pages long.

It contains 5 classes, new spells, new feats, a revised rules glossary, and the new weapon mastery system.

​

 

[Bolares]

I bet we will get some kind of books announced that will feature updated subclasses plus new subclasses along with updated feats and new feats from the 2014 books... blade singer seems likely because something with magic seems likely.

the way Complete Arcane was to Tome and Blood.

That's a cool option. I hope they do that.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

no offense, but isn't this thread about the video and on the video they brought it up, so why can't we talk in the thread about the video about something they brought up in the video?

Because if every thread on this board is about compatibility, there's no point in not just getting rid of the threads entirely and turning this entire site into a Discord server.

Also, almost everyone here has gone through these same arguments a lot. Relitigating them for the 15th or 16th time in a new thread isn't productive. People who are fired up about the issue can go find people who are similarly fired up about it by going to the big thread on the issue (with a poll!): Is the 2024 rules update a new edition? Argue about it here (not everywhere else)!

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I'd

be willing to bet it will be a long time before we see a new bladesinger.

Why, pray tell?
I fully expect the future wizard to have a blasty, controllery, fighty subtype and one generalist.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I wonder if the new 2024 annavesary books will give it to subclasses like bladesinger and hexblade?

My thought is that the swashbuckler and maybe assassin will get some, too.

 

[MarkB]

if (not having read it yet) fighter can trade out round by round... I want push or prone this turn and a slight damage boost next turn that would be cool

Based upon the video, that's a higher-level option for Fighters (though obviously we don't know how high yet). At some point Fighters get to permanently swap out a weapon's existing mastery for a different one, and then at a later point they can apply two masteries to the same weapon, and choose which one to use when making an attack.

 

[Amrûnril]

The fact the overview is FIGHTERS AND BARBARIANS (and also the three arcane classes) tells me there are probably no major changes coming to arcane casters.

Given that spell lists and prepared vs. known casting are arguably the biggest differences between Wizards and Sorcerers, the playtest Sorcerer will have to represent either a major departure from the 2014 rules or a major change in direction from the Bard playtest.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I have seen people never use the greataxe in favour of the greatsword bevause of 0.5 points of average damage or maybe 1.2 or so with great weapon fighting style.

It is very interesting that 1 point of damage on average is sometimes nothing and sometimes the most important thing in the world...

One of my players is extremely mathy and piles up every tiny little advantage, even when everyone else scoffs or shrugs their shoulders. The cumulative effect, though, is quite impressive.

It doesn't have to be a bonus that appeals to everyone.

 

[Neonchameleon]

So let me recap. The fighter gets a choice of masteries they can use when they make an attack.

Good to see 4e At Will attacks coming back for the fighter. Although not at low level. And giving fighters At Wills is the most fun Crawford has ever had as a fighter?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'd

be willing to bet it will be a long time before we see a new bladesinger.

They're tied for the most popular wizard subclass, per D&D Beyond, so I would be happy to take that bet.

 

[Gladius Legis]

Anecdotally, I see Strength-based martial weapon users choosing rapiers and longswords over shortswords. Why? An average of 1 point of damage. Some people care about the damage.

The difference in that case is because there is no drawback whatsoever to taking the rapier or longsword over the shortsword. You literally lose nothing while gaining that +1 damage.

Whereas taking a Flex weapon means you're not taking a Push, Slow, Cleave, Puncture, etc. weapon.