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For iconic spells it is ok, but don't invent anything new that's not universally applicable. Someone called "Blackstaff" can probably be found anywhere with mages, but Emerikol not so much.

Basically "no", but I answered "maybe" because I don't mind if some powerful and rare abilities use them. As long as 90% of stuff doesn't need more than 1-2 rolls (attack/save and damage), it's fine.

Area effects are the situation where it is significantly easier for the DM to roll. Otherwise the player needs to indicate which opponent he is rolling for - easy on a grid, but no so easy without one. For extra problems, suppose there's an invisible opponent somewhere that the player may or may...

Consistent use of terms and mechanics makes system mastery easier. Confusing jargon makes it harder. If you compare 4e to AD&D it is more consistent but uses more jargon, so I think which is easier to pick up depends on the person. I think the exact opposite is true. For CAS to be enjoyable...

If you mandate that one class (build*) = one role, you limit the design space of classes. Should the bard - traditionally a jack of all trades - really be shoehorned into one combat role? Classes have traditionally represented any kind of character concepts, not just those that excel at a single...

People seem to be conflating SoD and SoSomething. Petrification is not death if it is reasonably easy to reverse the effect with no side effects. I find spell effects that remove such conditions are much less annoying than those that remove death. I agree. Death effects should alter...

This is very much what I've been trying to say earlier in the thread: 4e was designed so that regardless of the resources you have going into an encounter, the chance of coming out alive isn't significantly different. That limit on attrition makes easy encounters (whether because you are...

The main problem with 3e multi-classing is that character growth is exponential. The flatter power curve of 5e should go a long way toward fixing the issue.

That's one version of my solution number 3: daily powers aren't more powerful, if they fulfill a completely different niche. However, it's only a partial solution unless Wizards have At-Wills as well. That is, it still doesn't balance a Vancian wizard with the fighter in combat, which is what at...

IMO, martial encounter powers should be rare. I don't think it's the best mechanic for something like feint, which your example resembles (instead maybe penalties for repeated use). Encounter powers do make sense for things like barbarian rage that cause the character to become fatigued. In...

Like 4e, where retraining is an inherent part of leveling up, and not doing it leaves you with a weaker character? No, I don't like it. I think some guidelines for non-retcon retraining are a good idea. For example, every time you get a new X you can also swap one one X for something of...

I don't really care if it's feet, yards or meters, but please keep "squares" out of the general rules and make sure the units translate easily from X/round to Y/minute or Z/hour.

Charm Person, Invisibility, Fly are all such classics that they need to be there. Level, duration, etc. can be thought through so that they aren't too disruptive. Instead of Protection from Arrows/Normal Missiles, I'd like to see some variation of Wind Wall to fill the same niche - i.e. protect...

I'll try a more positive approach to it, ignoring everything I don't like. Lower spells per day for the other wizard is something I hope to see in some form. Evasion that works on a 20 or when you save with a large margin is something I want to try as well. The thief/rogue has a lot more...

I thought the NDA said they couldn't discuss any mechanics (that weren't mentioned elsewhere)? Edit: Oh, I didn't notice the thread about it.

The problem isn't just the metagame feel - I think this solution suffers from the same problem as a level-scaling world: you can feel your growth and choices mean nothing, since the world will just shift to counter your move. Of course, I haven't tried it and it would depend on the specifics...

Some of the options are good, but I'd like to add a special snowflake: in combat healing is rare. I don't really like temporary hit points as a mechanic either. The barbarian type extra hp that's lost (so that damage total stays the same) is better in my opinion. Losing only temporary hit...

Let me add my proposal: half damage from piercing, double damage from bludgeoning.

So what does highly CAS, highly CAW play look like? I think pretty much all players prefer something between the two extremes, but I don't really see how you can have a lot of both.

There are also some who'd like to see shorter rulebooks, but think morale is a lot more important than than many other things the rules do cover. Morale rules should take half a page to explain in the DMG. If that means they must take out a few example traps or magic items, fine. In the 4e MM...