D&D (2024) Bonus Unearthed Arcana Reveals The Bastion System

A 'bonus' Unearthed Arcana playtest document has appeared, and it shows off D&D's upcoming Bastion System.

This October, we’re bringing you a special treat. While we’re continuing to develop and revise public playtesting material for the 2024 Player’s Handbook, we’d thought you’d enjoy an early look at what we’re cooking up for the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide.

The coming Dungeon Master’s Guide will be the biggest of its kind in decades and contain an assortment of new tools for DMs and their tables. In Bastions and Cantrips, we’re showcasing one of these tools, the Bastions subsystem. Dungeon Masters and their parties can use this subsystem to build a home, base of operations, or other significant structure for their characters.

And if you’re raring to test out more character options, we’re also including revisions for 10 cantrips in this playtest packet.

Claim Unearthed Arcana now! - D&D Beyond

www.dndbeyond.com

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[Ruin Explorer]

So your problem is with one specific use of bastion points not the whole level gated system... clarity is key.

No, it's that nothing should be level-gated unless it's magic and it's important to gate it. Pub is just the funniest and most obvious example, both because huge numbers of parties will immediately leap to open a pub (especially in the UK/Europe/Australia), and because it's ludicrously gated to level 13.

Like I literally know, that the first thing I would be asked by not just my main group, but literally any British or Aussie group I've DM'd for, would be, when they got to level 5 and looked at the Bastion rules "Why the hell can't we open a pub until level 13 mate?!".

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Blade Ward is now a reaction to give disadv on someone attacking you. That's... a poor man's Shield, so this is a must-pick now, thanks, hate it.

Friends is just a no-slot-cost Charm Person now? Wow.

True Strike is now the 'I need radiant damage' cantrip, but Clerics don't have access to it, but Bards do.

Oof.

 

[TwoSix]

One of the attainable abilities is literally resurrection but yes continue to tell me about what shouldn't be level gated.

So just to clarify, owning a magical pub gives you your own version of BG3's Withers and we're all just cool with that?

 

[Ruin Explorer]

So just to clarify, owning a magical pub gives you your own version of BG3's Withers and we're all just cool with that?

No, he was confusing the issue. He's talking about an entirely separate Bastion thing. That's why I pointed out the argument was a logical fallacy. One thing has nothing to do with the other.

 

[mamba]

Perkins already said they will have more clear guidance in the DMG. Probsvly won't see that in UA, though.

I assume it simply will be the ‘awarding magic items’ section from Xanathar’s, just like they are doing for encounter building

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

If you have a magic staff or club Shillelaghs will still apply to it.

Yes? I know how it works, I awkward my way around as a Beastmaster Ranger who could use another bonus action every turn. The new Shillelagh is fine, as it's just a straight Ranger buff.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

thanks, hate it.

Right? My reaction too - it's now an extremely good spell, one of the best possible uses of your Reaction, and one you'll use far more regularly.

Absolutely amazing for any melee caster.

And we can see how good it is because it's basically in BG3 - Light Clerics in that can do that, and it's wild.

EDIT - And yeah that's really funny re: True Strike - Clerics should absolutely have it. Re: Friends, I think it's still basically useless because it still lets the person know it happened, and which point most people are going to react very negatively.

 

[Reynard]

So just to clarify, owning a magical pub gives you your own version of BG3's Withers and we're all just cool with that?

What is the issue? it isn't like the game has been "grounded" in any way since 3E. They are aiming for playability and embracing elements that are going to appeal to players much younger than you or I.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

So just to clarify, owning a magical pub gives you your own version of BG3's Withers and we're all just cool with that?

No, the resurrection is just automatic if you have the BP for it, as long as you have some Bastion shack somewhere.

It's unlikely to come up, which is why it's weird to have it as one of the first things you read in the Bastion rules.

 

[Parmandur]

I assume it simply will be the ‘awarding magic items’ section from Xanathar’s, just like they are doing for encounter building

He specifically mentioned gold prices...