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Message: <blockquote data-quote="clearstream" data-source="post: 8455104" data-attributes="member: 71699">Over four posts I'll present my class deconstruction, with a few notes as to what I think is going on (by design intent or otherwise). I focus on mechanics and - predominantly - combat. I've divided the deconstruction into -<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Sustain (aka defenses) - class features that keep a character in the combat</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Offence - broadly speaking, D&D combat is concluded by decrementing foe hit points</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Exploration - this covers making progress in the wider game world, including both explore and social pillars</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Sub-classes - this looks at how sub-classes map to classes</li> </ol>The yardstick I use to evaluate features is an ASI. Half an ASI is 1pt, a whole ASI is 2pts, and a double ASI is 4pts. This is approximate, somewhat opinionated, and in places I suspect the design intent was a feature at more or less value than what is actually on offer. Speaking of design intent - a fundamental assumption is that classes represent intentional design - not chance or accident, but it is not supposed that the designers aimed (or even could have hoped) for perfect balance. Hypothetically, the classes will be roughly balanced in value, i.e. worth a similar number of ASIs, by intent.Starting here then, with sustain -[ATTACH=full]146563[/ATTACH]Patterns of note<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Taking a d6 hit die to be free, d8, d10 and d12 are costed against the Tough feat, taking into account that they provide healing - via spending HD in rests - as well as hit point maximum</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bard, cleric, druid and warlock are all what I think of as d8-caster classes, and they are united in other important ways also; they invest 16-19pts in sustain</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sorcerer and wizard make the minimum possible investment into sustain, preserving their points (ASIs) for other things; they invest 4-5pts in sustain</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The other classes all make moderate investments in sustain - 22-33pts - with monks and rogues at the lower end (I might be undervaluing uncanny dodge and evasion)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Barbarian stands out with 54pts invested in sustain; notice that red 'relentless' - more on that later.</li> </ul>So this is post one. Three to go.[Footnote: I stop at 11th because I did this work for my upcoming 5E E6 campaign, which caps at level 6+5. If this work proves fruitful I might complete tier 3 later.]</blockquote>

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