D&D 5E Differences between the Alpha and the final

[AverageCitizen]

I've noticed:

Bard's HD to d8 from d6
Rogue's HD to d8 from d6

Armor proficiency moved from Dwarf race to Mountain Dwarf subrace

I'm sure there are a lot more.

My point here is that these are big changes so I don't think the logic "it's the last playtest, they probably aren't going to change it this late" has a lot a of merit.

 

[Snapdragyn]

I'd say it's a matter of perspective. What I've seen from the preview class charts vs. 'Tome of Forbidden Knowledge' class charts is a few minor tweaks, but no wholescale deletions, additions, or replacements of class features. Likewise the feat lists are nearly identical (I think it's one added/one dropped out of the entire list?).

Thus I'm fairly comfortable getting into some early theorycrafting based on the class abilities as presented in TFK.

 

[Thaumaturge]

I've heard meteor swarm went from 6d6 + 6d6 to 20d6 + 20d6.

That's a bit of a change.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Branduil]

Archery Fighting Style from +1 to +2.

 

[Mistwell]

I've heard meteor swarm went from 6d6 + 6d6 to 20d6 + 20d6.

That's a bit of a change.

Thaumaturge.

Wow. That is correct...and it's a huge change!

Right now I view the Alpha document as "another playtest document we can use until the real thing comes out, to fill in some stuff in our current game that is not found in the Starter Set or Basic Edition document".

 

[Thaumaturge]

Wow. That is correct...and it's a huge change!

It's what goes through my mind every time someone gets excited/upset/dismayed about the alpha. There are drastic changes in the math if nothing else.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Wow. That is correct...and it's a huge change!.

Making this the first time in five editions that I've felt meteor swarm was actually worth a 9th-level spell slot.

 

[AverageCitizen]

It's what goes through my mind every time someone gets excited/upset/dismayed about the alpha. There are drastic changes in the math if nothing else.

Thaumaturge.

Yeah, it does seem like it.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

In the alpha warlock spells recharge only on a long rest. We haven't actually seen the PHB warlock's spell saying rules yet, but Rodney said they would have spells recharge on a short rest.

This would be a huge buff to warlocks if true. (And I hope it is, because the alpha version seems very weak in that respect.)

 

[Mistwell]

Making this the first time in five editions that I've felt meteor swarm was actually worth a 9th-level spell slot.

Yeah, 40d6 damage in an 80 foot diameter circle from a mile away is a building-destroying spell. Can 150 points of damage knock a big hole in a castle wall I wonder?