D&D General 5.5 and making the game easier for players and harder for DMs

[mamba]

since when are the 5e revisions removing meaningful consequences for running out of HP?

the complaint is more that they make it harder to even get to that point

 

[Oofta]

Heh heh... actually I meant to refer to all the people who know about those books you mention and yet still complain about WotC's books. Not someone like you who is just reiterating that the solution is out there for those that want it.

It's the people for whom they have their own solution and use it, but still get annoyed that WotC hasn't also followed followed suit. As thought WotC should be following the lead of other 3PP monster book designers out there.

In other words, I forgot to add the (general) tag to my sentence that should have said "If (general) you have solved your own problem..." That's my bad!

I use DDB because I'm lazy, and I'm super happy we're getting 3PP access now. Although I do look at monsters now and then while going, this is only CR x? I'm hoping that the new MM will have creatures just as challenging at all levels. Because I grabbed a succubus recently without really thinking about it because it was thematically appropriate and ... what the what? How is this a CR 4 monster? It's a one-note wonder that is maybe a threat if I can split off a lone individual. Otherwise? Temporary distraction. That and if I use one of the bazillion copies of a lich I always replace their spells, etc..

So yeah, now I try to remember to at least grab the monster design sheet from the blog of holding and upgrade things a bit.

 

[KYRON45]

Assuming being knocked out or stabilizing with death saves are not viable outcomes. But I've never been a DM who double taps players because "that's the smart thing to do."

Saving a dying comrade is also a form of resource management. Does the party come together to save you or do they just hope you roll the right number and survive?

 

[dave2008]

I wonder why it's anything more detailed than "Describe To Me How Awesome You Are As You Win" the RPG.

Because the DM can always show how awesome the monsters are and crush the puny PCs!

 

[Minigiant]

Yes, my primary issue here is WotC's attitude. That video shows them making jokey comments at the DMs expense. That gives no confidence that WotC cares much about DMs beyond pushing them towards digital tools to alleviate the paperwork.

At some point people have to start accepting that the happy go lucky, jolly walking stereotypes, unoptimized characters, play that is found in the WOTC headquarters is not the same as what found on the outside of it.

There is a reason why they act like there is no problem.

Because of The ecosystem that they run the game in doesn't have a DM problem.

 

[Remathilis]

Players get bored with long turns.

I still find it funny when people say older editons were more complicated. 5E is just as complicated in a different way.

I would think simplicity would be more desired over convoluted but I don’t make those choices when designing D&D.

The answer is simple, but y'all are not gonna like it.

1. Eliminate bonus actions. Things are either an action or it's part of another action, but it's not an action on its own.

2. Eliminate short rests and anything that recharges with them. Including HP/HD.

3. Make all species traits passive.

4. Remove about 50% of all class features, including but not limited to weapon mastery, cantrips, action surge, sneak attack, smite evil, reckless attack, Hunter's Mark, metamagic, etc. Every class feature should be a limited use action or a passive always on buff.

5. Kill summoning, animated dead, familiars, beast pets, and other peripheral characters that use their own actions. Wild shape has fixed options.

6. Rework monsters to fall under the same rules. No bonus actions, limited special attacks (with no random recharge) and very few spellcasting monsters.

7. Cut as many reactions as possible from the game, including legendary actions.

It would be fast since PCs would only have a small amount of possible actions: move + attack, use a limited resource, use a skill, help, or defend. It's going to be tactically boring, but the lightning fast speed should make up for that.

 

[payn]

Let’s not forget making the game complex enough to run that they can charge DMs for those digital tools needed to eliminate the paperwork.

I dont think so. 3E was far more complex and nobody had a VTT then. This sounds a bit conspiratorial as opposed to just leveraging an opportunity.

 

[Micah Sweet]

At some point people have to start accepting that the happy go lucky, jolly walking stereotypes, unoptimized characters, play that is found in the WOTC headquarters is not the same as what found on the outside of it.

There is a reason why they act like there is no problem.

Because of The ecosystem that they run the game in doesn't have a DM problem.

So you're saying that they don't pay attention to any point of view other than their own?

 

[Remathilis]

without the chance, not without the guarantee…

1% chance is still a chance. Is that good enough?

 

[Charlaquin]

the complaint is more that they make it harder to even get to that point

It’s always as easy or hard to get to that point as the DM wants it to be. CR and XP budgets are suggestions, if you want to hit the PCs harder you can always use more and/or stronger enemies.