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To me you're 95% of the way there, but I'd like to see spell points. While power points were implemented differently in 3.5 and 4e, I've come to associate that level of granularity with psionics. RE: Counterspell - I think for transparency purposes I'm fine with counterspell being an option...

I think it's a really-FR centric viewpoint to insist that fantasy cultures have to just by expys of IRL cultures. While other settings might seem that way on the surface, if you actually dig in there's lots of nuance and good writing. The Dark Sun City States yes clearly have themes and ideas...

Of all the people in the world, I feel like the Sorcerer Kings need psionics the least to justify their existence and power. Psionics to me stands out as a way to explain how people out in the desert find ways to survive in the absence of magic. Yes, I get that in 2E you had to dual-class to...

I actually fully agree with the thesis that Psionics don't add to the most important theme in Dark Sun, which is the environment. In fact, I think having an alternate power source that doesn't clearly have downsides in either effect or raw power level weakens those themes. At the same time, the...

Almost feels like the "long rest" works better with gritty realism, where just resting for several long rests is significantly more costly.

Here's why they're doing reprints For someone who's barely bought books (PHB, maybe Xanathar), it's effectively new material For someone who's bought a setting book or two (I skipped both MTG books but got Rising), that's still basically-new material for me For someone who's bought every book...

The value in the level-up swaps is there's a large number of DMs who try to play strictly by RAW, so if a player doesn't like their character that's it. Providing official rules for those retrainings at level up is a moderate & fair approach that gives people less comfortable with telling their...

Planeshifts aren't official and have never been held to nearly the same standards of balance - they're James Wyatt's first drafts where he goes to get the theme.

Might I suggest you instead limit it to Artisan's tools? I know it might seem like a lot to allow say Thieves Tools, but carpentry tools are barely useful and you still get away from genetic weapon proficiency

I will say running more outdoor, coastal/naval campaigns has increased the relevance of a wide variety of tools in my games. Vehicle takes damage -> Tool check to fix -> Everyone's having a good time.

What published campaign? What's the rest of the party? Of course a long rest class being able to go nova on the one fight a day is going to outshine a party of fighter, monk, and a warlock who are all short-rest oriented classes. Does the wizard never have to use a utility spell either? Some...

Yeah flavor-wise the elf/dwarf stuff just reinforces that they don't start adventuring until they're like 80 years old - they've had decades and decades to learn a number of professions. Balance-wise... I don't usually ask for any tool check more than once a session. You could give a character...

I fully agree with the analysis above that the biggest buff/change is extraneous weapon proficiencies can now be traded for tool proficiencies. At the same time, this was the more important change compared to ASIs - genetic longsword proficiency is way harder to justify than "elves are dexier"...

Duration on the save penalty changed but that's not a big deal.

' I'd say "For many people, D&D is more about the roleplaying than the game. For them, character choices are about pursuing a fantasy that fits an aesthetic rather than power-level ideal. The raging halfling barbarian with a Napolean complex, clawfoot mount, and incredible strength but small...

So, here's the deal - while population averages may be a thing, D&D is about fantastic individuals. Those individuals are not bound by "population averages". Part of this is as a wish fulfillment exercise, why not allow someone to say "They're a woman stronger than any man!" - it's not like...

See, this is where I think that 5e sanitized away a much more interesting set of decisions by removing racial powers and other actually-interesting decisions. If every race is only a combination of ability scores and proficiencies, I find that far less interesting than having to choose...

Since everyone else is going to war over sources and optional rules, I'll just bring up two things that a lot of new-but-experienced DMs screw up due to assuming they work like older editions 5e doesn't have "skill checks". It has ability checks where you can sometimes add a skill proficiency...

50 pages in wow. We should probably get a new thread when the book actually launches in November.

Yeah that's what sticks with me - is getting that double 18 worth sacrificing most other race features, like not getting a single skill proficiency?