D&D 5E Thoughts on Divorcing D&D From [EDIT: Medievalishness], Mechanically Speaking.

[Reynard]

I am having a hard time visualizing what could possibly resist a bullet but not a sword thrust.

Isn't that half the plot of Dune?

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Isn't that half the plot of Dune?

But Dune has these details where force shields can deflect bullets and fast moving attacks, which is why slow thrusts are important, and lasguns hitting shields cause a nuclear explosion for both the one with a shield and the one with a lasgun. A "You both die" which sounds like something a really spiteful DM might rule as happening.

 

[Vaalingrade]

IIRC, it's also the idea behind using non-Newtonian fluids as armor: high velocity projectiles harden the armor while slow ones go through

 

[Baron Opal II]

There was also a movement towards just helmets and breastplates with flintlocks. Most might just have some gambeson-style armor for the occasional knife-fight, but for serious business you strapped on the chestplate. Or other chest protection.

A magic body armor vest, such as made of Dragon Scale, might be near indestructable and enduring.

Nothing wrong with making some monsters Immune to Weapon damage.

Perfect reason for magic weapons, or exotic shot.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

There was also a movement towards just helmets and breastplates with flintlocks. Most might just have some gambeson-style armor for the occasional knife-fight, but for serious business you strapped on the chestplate. Or other chest protection.


Perfect reason for magic weapons, or exotic shot.

If the setting is full on Steampunk, then there would be firearms that do things like Lightning or Fire damage. Definitely Lightning, Fire, Cold, Acid, Thunder and Poison being the more commons ones, with maybe some less common and more esoteric firearms that do Psychic, Necrotic, Radiant and Force damage.

 

[Reynard]

If the setting is full on Steampunk, then there would be firearms that do things like Lightning or Fire damage. Definitely Lightning, Fire, Cold, Acid, Thunder and Poison being the more commons ones, with maybe some less common and more esoteric firearms that do Psychic, Necrotic, Radiant and Force damage.

Steampunk is a sci-fi genre, not a modern one. I mean, people should do what they want, but I think pushing too far into steampunk obviates the idea of an early modern setting.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Helmets never get old.

 

[Corinnguard]

Magic, by definition, breaches the laws of physics.

More like it bends the laws of physics so that you could control reality within a given area for a few minutes. When the spell ends, reality snaps back into place.

 

[Reynard]

More like it bends the laws of physics so that you could control reality within a given area for a few minutes. When the spell ends, reality snaps back into place.

What if the spell is or creates something permanent?

 

[Corinnguard]

What if the spell is or creates something permanent?

I doubt that there are that many spells that are permanent or capable of creating something permanent in 5e. Very long-lasting, but not permanent.