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.

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[Zaukrie]

It's too bad dazed and stunned and such are so powerful, because weapons could do that. But, just too powerful.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

On the other hand Topple really scales with that second attack; if you topple someone you get advantage on your next attack.

Right, but once you've knocked them prone (assuming there is a 1-handed Topple weapon), why not hit them with a Flex weapon in your other hand for more damage?

 

[Neonchameleon]

Right, but once you've knocked them prone (assuming there is a 1-handed Topple weapon), why not hit them with a Flex weapon in your other hand for more damage?

Because you'd be better off using a two handed weapon both times?

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

Because you'd be better off using a two handed weapon both times?

If we're talking two-handed weapons, then sure. Use a two-handed weapon and use only the Mastery traits that the weapon offers. I made a mistake assuming we were comparing 1-handed weapons, which is what Flex is all about. Carry on.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The freehand is for Grapple.

Yeah, okay. That's pretty cool, I admit.

 

[Neonchameleon]

Yeah, okay. That's pretty cool, I admit.

It would be if there were mechanics to make it a good choice. Something that could e.g. give an unarmed attack as a bonus action.

 

[Charlaquin]

I mean, it's a playtest. If it's weak, we can tell them.

I can totally imagine a cantrip that you'd use when you cast a spell (or maybe as a bonus action, but ick) to give you a damage boost on your next weapon attack. It'd probably be pretty small (like +2 or +1d4), since off-action effects need to be pretty small. And that might still be useless (maybe it just can't be big enough as an off-action option and instead we say "do this instead of an attack and use these dice instead!). But it's totally in the same design space.

+2 or +1d4 is twice as much damage as upgrading from 1d8 to 1d10, and it still might be useless.

 

[ZetaShift]

so what, why should it not be strictly worse if you do not have the proper training / skill

Why retain the property if it's intended to be outclassed? Normal properties should still be relevant even with these masteries to encourage more comboing and the creation of interesting combat tactics. Besides it's a very boring mastery one more point of damage and now you can use shield. Hooray.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

No Arcane Classes video yet? I am surprised.

 

[Veltharis ap Rylix]

No Arcane Classes video yet? I am surprised.

They'll probably drop a more in depth video (perhaps two) on the specifics of the class updates when the full UA is released tomorrow.