D&D 5E Could SCAG be power creep?

[RCanine]

The interesting thing about SCAG is it's either well or poorly designed; many of the character options lack much in the way of synergy, such that they're really tough to abuse. Bladesinger is a great example. It's flavorful, but mechanically weird: light armor basically just saves you a Mage Armor slot; extra attack conflicts with interesting cantrips; recommended weapons that make you want str, dex, and int. Although there are some things to like, it's either intentionally awkward, designed for multiclassing, so simply flavor-over-function.

The only power creep is Tiefling flight (although Aarakocra are a thing already), flat-out-better cantrips, and a ton of half-elf possibilities (don't underestimate that cantrip!).

 

[Shadowdweller00]

But its not a flat damage bonus. You still need to catch your enemy at a disadvantage (either by virtue of him being distracted in combat with an ally, or you having advantage on your attack roll).

If sneak attack is "supposed to be guaranteed" as you stated, it is effectively a flat damage bonus. Again 1) BORING, 2) miserably bad game design for a backstab mechanic.

It might be easy to set up, but it still comes with limitations. It also requires an element of player interaction each round (target selection, and battlefield positioining)

Circling around the enemy until you find an open space does not qualify as "tactics". It does not involve any thought, planning, or anything remotely resembling a trick on the part of player or character.

Swashbucklers are not 'backstabbing' though are they? The archetype is for people who want a rougish character with the ability to duel others 'one on one'.

In which case it would have been the simplest thing in the world to have given them an alternate mechanic - such as again REPLACING the base sneak attack conditional requirements instead of tearing out all effective limitations. Or they could have been given them any number of other mechanics that were NOT based around a conditional ambushing archetype. Furthermore, the swashbuckling fictional archetype generally implies significant skill with the blade - which is NOT well represented by a class that only ever gets a single basic attack.

In a two on one situation, he suddenly sucks.

Wrong, and this has already been explained to you.

 

[Flamestrike]

If sneak attack is "supposed to be guaranteed" as you stated, it is effectively a flat damage bonus. Again 1) BORING, 2) miserably bad game design for a backstab mechanic.

But its not a backstab mechanic. Particularly not for the Swashbuckler.

Circling around the enemy until you find an open space does not qualify as "tactics". It does not involve any thought, planning, or anything remotely resembling a trick on the part of player or character.

No, thats far from true. A Rogue has to either attack something thats threated by an ally, or gain advantage somehow. Its not convoluted to achieve, but it does involve thought and planning.

the swashbuckling fictional archetype generally implies significant skill with the blade - which is NOT well represented by a class that only ever gets a single basic attack.

A single basic attack that deals tremendous damage. The rest of the turn is spent with elaborate parries, ripostes and bantern to catch the opponent off guard and deliver a single devestating attack.

Works for me.

 

[ccooke]

But its not a backstab mechanic. Particularly not for the Swashbuckler.



No, thats far from true. A Rogue has to either attack something thats threated by an ally, or gain advantage somehow. Its not convoluted to achieve, but it does involve thought and planning.



A single basic attack that deals tremendous damage. The rest of the turn is spent with elaborate parries, ripostes and bantern to catch the opponent off guard and deliver a single devestating attack.

Works for me.

Indeed.

The actual backstab mechanic is what the assassin gets - automatic criticals with sneak attack in some hard-to-arrange circumstance, later on potentially doubling the damage. a 20th level Rogue(Assassin) can end up making a sneak attack with the equivalent of 40d6 + 4d8 damage. They just need to do it in the first round of combat against a surprised opponent who fails a CON save.

If you want to play a rogue who is looking to set up backstab, that is the rogue for you. The swashbuckler exists to serve people who want something different.