D&D 5E (2024) CoDzilla? Yeah Na Its CoDGFaW.

[EzekielRaiden]

So....

What exactly is the difference between Cleric-or-Druid-zilla and Cleric-or-Druid-Goes-for-a-Walk?

Because both of them seem to be the open admission that spellcaster >>> non-spellcaster unless spellcaster gets nerfed by GM.

Which is precisely the balance problem D&D has been struggling with for...um...how long has D&D existed again, minus the years of The Edition That Must Not Be Named?

People keep talking about how the balance concerns are overblown etc. etc. etc., and yet I'm hearing exactly the same things I've been hearing since, like, 2002-ish. Specific types of Wizards are awesome, and require careful play but good play rewards you much, much more than any other class. Clerics and Druids, when competently played and using the spells as written, run rings around anyone else (in this case, almost literally). Fighters can only barely keep up, and that only by being giant meatsticks with little to no utility value beyond "HULK SMASH!!!"

Like, how are we not exactly where we've been for the past 25 freaking years, minus the few years where 4e actually did something different for once?

 

[Voadam]

Back in 3E the term CoDzilla was thrown around. It mostly referred to natural spell feat/overall druidic power level and a cleric using divine Metamagic to make buffs last 24/7. The cleric at least was mostly a high level theory craft build. Druid not so much it wasn't a very popular class in any event regardless of its power.

Experiences vary on that for druid.

My experience on 3e clerics being CoDzilla was not dependent on sourcebook supplement feats. Being a full caster with access to their whole spell list everyday plus full armor and d8 HD was enough. Not the biggest damage dealer (spell or immediate round weapon attacks) or constant save or die SAD builds, but really really strong. At higher levels generally being better fighters after two buffs at the same general time scry buff teleport came online was pretty big.

5e cleric spirit guardians is hugely powerful and changes the feel of the class and not in a way that supports the classical clerical themes IMO.