D&D 5E 5th Edition -- Caster Rule, Martials Drool?

[Li Shenron]

PHB says "Once per turn..." (page 96).

Which, by a literal reading, means drawing an AoO from a rogue, if you're fighting an ally of his, is a very bad idea.

A rogue can Sneak Attack once per turn. A round is composed of the respective turns of each combatant.

Where do the game rules say that "once per turn" means each other charact'ers turn?

Why does "turn" necessarily mean "anybody's turn" vs "her own turn"?

Why would someone with a "once per turn" ability be suddenly able to use it 1000 times per round, if she's in the middle of a battle with 1000 combatants?

 

[Minigiant]

A rogue can sneak attack once a turn. That means once per anyone's turn. Now a character only has 1 action and 1 reaction. So normally a rogue can only use sneak attack twice per round before other exception based class features come in.

But overall the game uses the D&D standard.

Martials kill and sneak the best, Casters do all the rest (if they choose to).

 

[Tormyr]

Yeah, once per round is sufficient. If the rogue missed on its turn and hits with an opportunity attack, then give them the sneak attack.

Back to the original question, We have been playing a campaign since April, and everyone kills stuff and has their times when they shine. The party is now level 4 and the cleric, paladin, rogue/monk, monk, wizard and fighter are all contributing from the start of the day to when they settle down for a long rest. Even when everyone has been stretched to the limit, everyone is contributing.

 

[Viridian]

Where do the game rules say that "once per turn" means each other charact'ers turn?

Why does "turn" necessarily mean "anybody's turn" vs "her own turn"?

Why would someone with a "once per turn" ability be suddenly able to use it 1000 times per round, if she's in the middle of a battle with 1000 combatants?

There are abilities, such as Divine Strike, that specify that it can be used specifically on that character's turn. "Once per turn" means something very specific in this edition, namely that it can be used no more than once on any given turn in a round, but that it can be used on any turn in that round. This was confirmed by Mike Mearls:

https://twitter.com/mikemearls/status/489804409405075459

(apologies, as it requires a forum jump)

Don't turn your back on a rogue, and pray that he doesn't have a friend who is skilled enough to give him an opening.

*Edit* - I would also point out that the rogue is still limited by their single reaction. They can't sneak attack everyone who runs by, and attacks of opportunity and Commander's Strike both require using your reaction. Smart usage can double your sneak attacks, but there are still limits.

 

[Psikerlord#]

There are abilities, such as Divine Strike, that specify that it can be used specifically on that character's turn. "Once per turn" means something very specific in this edition, namely that it can be used no more than once on any given turn in a round, but that it can be used on any turn in that round. This was confirmed by Mike Mearls:

https://twitter.com/mikemearls/status/489804409405075459

(apologies, as it requires a forum jump)

Don't turn your back on a rogue, and pray that he doesn't have a friend who is skilled enough to give him an opening.

*Edit* - I would also point out that the rogue is still limited by their single reaction. They can't sneak attack everyone who runs by, and attacks of opportunity and Commander's Strike both require using your reaction. Smart usage can double your sneak attacks, but there are still limits.

Ok yep I was having a mini nightmare about rogue SAing everyone who moves past him but its limited by the 1 reaction, fair enough. Hmm bit concerned about the manoever that gives others an extra attack though. Hmm I doubt this was actually intended, just a poorly worded rule, but will have to see how it works in play.

 

[pemerton]

Where do the game rules say that "once per turn" means each other charact'ers turn?

Why does "turn" necessarily mean "anybody's turn" vs "her own turn"?

At least in 4e, the standard usage of 1x/turn is to mean exactly that - once per turn taken, by whomever it is taken. It contrasts with 1x/round.

The 4e rogue's sneak attack ability was deliberately errata-ed from 1x/round to 1x/turn around the time Essentials was released.

 

[Viridian]

Ok yep I was having a mini nightmare about rogue SAing everyone who moves past him but its limited by the 1 reaction, fair enough. Hmm bit concerned about the manoever that gives others an extra attack though. Hmm I doubt this was actually intended, just a poorly worded rule, but will have to see how it works in play.

Keep in mind a rogue's main defensive tool is also tied to their reaction. Reactions in general are a very important resource to be managed now. The effectiveness of AoO and Commander's Strike for melee rogues is also balanced against the shenanigans that ranged rogues are capable of. Try catching a wood elf archer rogue, and just about every forum has an active debate going about lightfoot halfling archer rogues. Melee is the high risk/high reward option.

 

[Li Shenron]

There are abilities, such as Divine Strike, that specify that it can be used specifically on that character's turn. "Once per turn" means something very specific in this edition, namely that it can be used no more than once on any given turn in a round, but that it can be used on any turn in that round. This was confirmed by Mike Mearls:

https://twitter.com/mikemearls/status/489804409405075459

(apologies, as it requires a forum jump)

Don't turn your back on a rogue, and pray that he doesn't have a friend who is skilled enough to give him an opening.

*Edit* - I would also point out that the rogue is still limited by their single reaction. They can't sneak attack everyone who runs by, and attacks of opportunity and Commander's Strike both require using your reaction. Smart usage can double your sneak attacks, but there are still limits.

There is no problem with Sneak Attack or any other ability which have in-built limitations (like legendary actions).

But the problem is if there are abilities "once per turn" that don't have a limit or don't cost a reaction.

 

[Morty]

That really depends. "Power" is a nebulous term. But in terms of options, interesting interactions with the system or empowerment - the balance is more or less as it has always been in every edition apart from 4e. Casters get access to huge spell lists, whereas those who don't cast spells will do the same things over and over again. The best they could do was the Battlemaster fighter, which has access to a whopping 16 maneuvers, of which they pick 9 by the time they reach 18th level, I believe.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

There are abilities, such as Divine Strike, that specify that it can be used specifically on that character's turn. "Once per turn" means something very specific in this edition, namely that it can be used no more than once on any given turn in a round, but that it can be used on any turn in that round. This was confirmed by Mike Mearls:

https://twitter.com/mikemearls/status/489804409405075459

(apologies, as it requires a forum jump)

Don't turn your back on a rogue, and pray that he doesn't have a friend who is skilled enough to give him an opening.

*Edit* - I would also point out that the rogue is still limited by their single reaction. They can't sneak attack everyone who runs by, and attacks of opportunity and Commander's Strike both require using your reaction. Smart usage can double your sneak attacks, but there are still limits.

Ohohoho, so it's like the 4E "once per turn"? That DOES make Rogues and some others a bit better.