Swarmkeeper
Hero
Did you forget a "not" in there towards the end?
D&D (2024) Anyone else dislike the "keyword" style language of 5.24?
- Thread starter Puddles
- Start date
FitzTheRuke
Legend
Nope. I meant it more of a joke, in that I don't think that it's sinister, even if I do think that whoever advocated for it is probably someone that I wouldn't have any chance of agreeing with on very many things. Horrible monster is probably a bit strong, but I intended it to be understood to be overblown. I see how I wasn't clear, though.
Swarmkeeper
Hero
All good. Sorry - ruined your joke by making you explain it!
I read it a few times and it actually made me wonder about the term “horrible monster”. I was definitely overthinking: could be either someone who is just extra awful -or- could be someone who is actually bad at being a monster, perhaps like the gnome in the 4e video. I’ll show myself out.
FitzTheRuke
Legend
Ooh. I love the idea of someone being horrible at being a monster. "WHOOPS! I tried to do something mean, but it turned out for the best!"All good. Sorry - ruined your joke by making you explain it!
I read it a few times and it actually made me wonder about the term “horrible monster”. I was definitely overthinking: could be either someone who is just extra awful -or- could be someone who is actually bad at being a monster, perhaps like the gnome in the 4e video. I’ll show myself out.
Cordwainer Fish
Imp. Int. Scout Svc. (Dishon. Ret.)
A little like how I've toyed with the idea of a dragon [1] whose personality was dependent rather than antisocial. "Won't you please look at my hoard?"
[1] All dragons are JRRT dragons.
rmcoen
Adventurer
I loved [Keywords] in 4e. I thought it was a marvelous design concept. Magic missile causes [Force] damage. That damage is affected by things that affect [Force], but not things that prevent you from forcing open a door. A beautiful bit of scenery or jewelry can be charming without triggering an elf's defenses against [Charm]; likewise, being immune to [Sleep] doesn't mean you can't fall asleep.
On the downside, BY DEFINITION, swords cause [Slashing] damage, even when you strike with "flat of the blade". If you decide ritual witchcraft is a thing in your setting, you need to decide if it is [Arcane], [Primal], or [Divine], because inventing [Witchcraft] means it doesn't interact with anything else in the system. (Like the old "do psionics work in an antimagic shell?" debate.) Or, you can hybridize and say it's "[Divine]+[Primal]" (acts as the better of either, which is clearly better) or "[Divine] or [Primal]" (acts as the worse of either, which is clearly weaker), or "depends on the circumstance" (which goes against the whole point of keywords...).
As a programmer (long ago, but still), keywords make sense to me. Most of my players... don't care. Some, with comprehension issues, find it easier to use, "if it fits, it sits" style. One of my players hates them with a passion, because it "interferes with creativity" (i.e. making things do something never intended or considered before).
On the downside, BY DEFINITION, swords cause [Slashing] damage, even when you strike with "flat of the blade". If you decide ritual witchcraft is a thing in your setting, you need to decide if it is [Arcane], [Primal], or [Divine], because inventing [Witchcraft] means it doesn't interact with anything else in the system. (Like the old "do psionics work in an antimagic shell?" debate.) Or, you can hybridize and say it's "[Divine]+[Primal]" (acts as the better of either, which is clearly better) or "[Divine] or [Primal]" (acts as the worse of either, which is clearly weaker), or "depends on the circumstance" (which goes against the whole point of keywords...).
As a programmer (long ago, but still), keywords make sense to me. Most of my players... don't care. Some, with comprehension issues, find it easier to use, "if it fits, it sits" style. One of my players hates them with a passion, because it "interferes with creativity" (i.e. making things do something never intended or considered before).
Levistus's_Leviathan
5e Freelancer
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