Neonchameleon
Legend
I still think 4e is better in most ways than previous editions I've played, but it's not a question of 5e vs previous D&D editions because I have little desire to play any of them any more; it's 5e vs all the other systems that I've been enjoying lately.
Agreed. I consider 4e the least clunky D&D. But D&D is pretty clunky in all forms.
*remove "skill gaps" with actions not covered by any available skill (sailing? devising battle plans? crafting?)
Hi there GURPS I'm afraid is my reaction. Although I do replace dungeoneering with engineering and allow a +5 to any unknown skill for the "Tell me why you have it as part of your background".
*incentive for combat/situational improvisation and good role-playing
p42 for combat improvising if the DM is on board. Good roleplaying - action point aspect mechanics?
*rules for high-level, game-shifting rules (armies, ruling kingdoms/religions/cabals, etc)
WANT
I'd like to see the following go away:
*rest-to-full hp
I ... want to keep that. I want a paragraph in the PHB and page in the DMG saying that the default time for an extended rest is overnight but this is campaign dependent, and the DMG version having a discussion on using weekend, week, or even month long rests.
*magic items built into the math
*magic items so common they lose their magic
*gp as second xp track, required to balance game math
Inherent bonusses mostly fixed those. An actual 4.5 (rather than the two superb splatbooks and the best Monster Manual D&D has ever seen that make up Essentials) would IMO get rid of any static bonusses on items.
*feat-fixed math
And here I thought you got your free L1 feat for Expertise and your L11 for Improved Defences...
*thousands of worthless and/or boring feats and magic items contrasted to a handful of near-auto-picks
Agreed. It needs a winnowing and 5e style themes as well as 4e style.
*skill challenges
Emphatically and completely disagreed. Skill Challenges have their uses for handling insane PC plans (or just PC plans in general). They are pacing, difficulty, and experience guidance.