5e Character Guides - why rate all features?

[FrogReaver]

Why do 5e Character guides try to rate all the features a class gets instead of just rating the ones that a player gets a choice about?

 

[Josiah Stoll]

I think that it helps increase your system mastery (it did for me, at least). Plus, a lot of abilities have some kind of cost associated with them in the form of actions and resources that you don’t see until you’re actually playing.

Plus, the guides are based on the Pathfinder guides; and Pathfinder’s a game where you can swap out your class features for other things.

 

[Charlaquin]

Why do 5e Character guides try to rate all the features a class gets instead of just rating the ones that a player gets a choice about?

I’m probably asking for trouble by saying this, but there wouldn’t be much to rate if they didn’t.

 

[FrogReaver]

I’m probably asking for trouble by saying this, but there wouldn’t be much to rate if they didn’t.

Then don't rate, explain how to effectively use or how such an ability works and scales together with the classes other abilities.

 

[Leatherhead]

Why do 5e Character guides try to rate all the features a class gets instead of just rating the ones that a player gets a choice about?

But you do get to pick those features, by picking your class.

It's mostly useful for asking questions like "I want to be a healer, should I be a cleric or something else?"

Also, it provides a handy segue into discussing how to use said features.

Also, also, it lets you gauge what levels you want to multi-class at.

 

[Charlaquin]

Then don't rate, explain how to effectively use or how such an ability works and scales together with the classes other abilities.

Yeah, I think that would be a more useful format for class guides in 5e.

 

[Yunru]

Why do 5e Character guides try to rate all the features a class gets instead of just rating the ones that a player gets a choice about?

Because taking a level in a class is a choice. Thus all features are a choice.
/thread

 

[André Soares]

Why do 5e Character guides try to rate all the features a class gets instead of just rating the ones that a player gets a choice about?

this only takes in consideration single class progression, an that you are reading the guide as you level up. You rate all features because:

1- As Yunu said, every level is a choice;
2- It serves as a guide for when you are choosing wich class, subclass you are going to take. Maybe Arcane recovery and sorcery points are non optional, but in rating both I can have a better idea of what arcane class I'd rather play.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[FrogReaver]

Because taking a level in a class is a choice. Thus all features are a choice.
/thread

Yet that ignores that when you get abilities and what you can already do with your action economy impacts how good abilities are. It’s impossible to accurately rate abilities without a “timing” and “package” context.

Extra attack is great if you get it at level 5 but if you were to get it at level 20 and already had access to level 7 and below spells and max tier cantrips then it might as well be worthless to you.