D&D 5E Level 20, no class higher than 12 (edited!)

[TwoSix]

... you're practically asking for some joker to play a coffeelock aren't you? And have you nerfed cantrips (or rather prevented them from scaling past level 10)? 4d10 firebolts against a standard two attacks is pretty strong - and that's before we get into Eldritch + Agonizing Blast or other stacking cantrip modifiers.

As a general house rule, I run short rests as 1 minute "breathers" that each PC can take individually, they're also limited to 2/LR. I think that prevents most coffeelock abuse, but I also don't generally allow for spell slots to "stack" beyond the standard allotment.

EB and cantrip scaling in general is something I'm debating, as it's the damage feature that scales entirely with character level and not class level.

 

[Chaltab]

10 Fighter (Psi Blade) plus 10 Warlock (Primordial)

 

[Zardnaar]

Probably sonething like Barbarian 10 (world tree), Ranger 4 (hunter) Fighter 6. Maybe 37Fighter/Ranger split.

Spellcaster. Dragon Sorcerer 10, Lore Bard 10.

 

[Horwath]

As a general house rule, I run short rests as 1 minute "breathers" that each PC can take individually, they're also limited to 2/LR. I think that prevents most coffeelock abuse, but I also don't generally allow for spell slots to "stack" beyond the standard allotment.

this is one of the best house rules I have seen.
maybe increase to 3×/long rest at 11th level.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

So, to be clear, fighters, paladins and barbarians would be limited to one attack per round?

Misread your OP.
Now I have to think on it more.

I’d probably steer clear of those classes and play a rogue/spellcasting class. The exact class would depend on the premise of the game. Maybe a sneaky cleric.

 

[Horwath]

So, to be clear, fighters, paladins and barbarians would be limited to one attack per round?

2 attacks, but yeah, not great.

I’d probably steer clear of those classes and play a rogue/spellcasting class. The exact class would depend on the premise of the game. Maybe a sneaky cleric.

Lore bard/sorcerer.

as lore bard you can pick spells of the level that you have spell slots.

 

[TwoSix]

EB and cantrip scaling in general is something I'm debating, as it's the damage feature that scales entirely with character level and not class level.

I think I'm going to let this ride for now, and solve it with some special feats and itemization. Something where a 3rd attack is possible for a character with mostly martial classes, and maybe a 4th attack for a full martial build.

as lore bard you can pick spells of the level that you have spell slots.

Ooh, I'll have to look at that one. I don't want 6th+ level spells to be available. Good catch.

 

[ezo]

What sort of character would you find interesting in this scenario?

The Skill Master: Half-elf Charlatan Rogue (Scout) 10/ Ranger (Gloom Stalker) 5/ Bard (Lore) 4/ Cleric (Knowledge) 1

Proficient in all weapons and armor (except heavy)
Using either Prodigy or Skill Expert feat has proficiency in all skills
Expertise in: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Religion, Stealth, Survival, Thieves' tools
Sneak attack 10d6
Extra Attack
7th-level spellcaster
And so on.

The only thing that sucks is the 10th-level limit prevents Reliable Talent, which with all those skills is frankly pretty insane.

Are there any obvious red flags I'm not seeing?

Nothing crazy really. I played in a campaign with a similar rules and it was fun. I'm sure they will enjoy it.

 

[Andras]

I had a funny idea awhile ago that would be perfect for this. Dragonborn (Bronze/lightning breath) Barbarian (Storm) 10, Cleric (Tempest) 6, and Fighter (Battlemaster) 4

If you are near me you take damage; if you hit me you take damage; if you miss me you take damage. I can breathe lightning and max it out with Tempest Cleric.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

What sort of character would you find interesting in this scenario?

I'd love to try out a ghostly shadow ninja type character. A Tabaxi Phantom Rogue 10/Shadow Monk 10. Teleporting through shadows and summoning darkness that enshrouds enemies, only to strike down with the spiritual essence of their fallen comrades that echos out into a horrid scream so frightening that it physically harms another ally of your close enough to hear it. Sounds like fun.