How basic should basic attacks be?

[Kzach]

Assuming that DDN uses a powers system similar to 4e, should basic attacks be kept as they were in 4e or should they be expanded?

By this I mean things like grappling, tripping, disarming, charging, etc. Should these be considered basic attacks that anyone can do?

Personally, that's how I'd like to see it be done in 5e. That way you can then expand on those abilities for certain classes that have a focus on combat, but everyone can still do something interesting even if they've exhausted all their other 'special' options.

And let's face it, who WOULDN'T want to have grapple be so simple it could be considered a 'basic' attack that could be explained on a small powers card?

 

[Sunseeker]

I just wrote up this thread here: Attack riders in the sky? - EN World: Your Daily RPG Magazine

I feel that all martial classes should have free "attack riders" they can choose to attach to any basic attack they make. Wizards should have very basic spells that cover their "basic attacks", Acid Orb, Ray of Frost. Perfect "basic attacks" for casters.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Assuming that DDN uses a powers system similar to 4e....

I think you'll get more thoughtful responses if you have this thread moved to the 4E forum. I would expect more "That will never happen!" kind of posts here.

Back on topic: have you seen Pathfinders "Combat Maneuvers" system in action? It makes for fairly simple grappling, tripping, fondling, etc.--and it works.

 

[n00bdragon]

I think you'll get more thoughtful responses if you have this thread moved to the 4E forum. I would expect more "That will never happen!" kind of posts here.

Back on topic: have you seen Pathfinders "Combat Maneuvers" system in action? It makes for fairly simple grappling, tripping, fondling, etc.--and it works.

The difference between combat maneuvers and at-will powers is the first one penalizes you for trying something more interesting than "I hit it with my axe" (IHIWMA). The second makes the assumption that you are always doing something more interesting than IHIWMA.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that WotC and most players of D&D expect casters to do something more interesting than IHIWMA each round so if they have any sense they'll give everyone with an axe powers to compensate for that. Vancian martial attacks anyone?

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Roll D20, add level based attack bonus + strength bonus. For damage, roll the appropriate weapon die + strength and magic bonus. Special attacks are evil.

 

[Incenjucar]

I'd like to see every class have a decent chance to hit with a basic attack at all levels, with some classes mostly having a much stronger effect if they do hit.

 

[Dausuul]

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that WotC and most players of D&D expect casters to do something more interesting than IHIWMA each round so if they have any sense they'll give everyone with an axe powers to compensate for that. Vancian martial attacks anyone?

Logic fail: "Something must be done. This is something. Therefore we must do this."

The 4E power system is not the only way to provide interesting options for martial types. Vancian wizards are bad enough; I'm not playing another game with Vancian fighters. If that's what D&DN ends up looking like, I'll play my own homebrew edition instead.

 

[Kzach]

I think you'll get more thoughtful responses if you have this thread moved to the 4E forum. I would expect more "That will never happen!" kind of posts here.

No. It's a 5e question and discussion so it goes into the 5e question and discussion forum.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that WotC and most players of D&D expect casters to do something more interesting than IHIWMA each round so if they have any sense they'll give everyone with an axe powers to compensate for that. Vancian martial attacks anyone?

I wouldn't be opposed to having magical and divine basic attacks as long as they weren't more powerful or more useful than regular basic attacks. A wand or rod could allow the caster to do a ranged basic attack of some sort whilst a staff or dagger could allow for a melee attack, etc.

One way to do this would be to allow power sources to grant damage bonuses to attacks. For instance, a wizard could use their Intelligence bonus to add 'arcane damage' to any attack, whether with an implement, weapon or even unarmed. If done properly with balance in mind, you could make the 'martial' power source able to damage anything, whilst the arcane might not be any good against aberrant creatures. This would give the martial characters an advantage whilst still making arcane characters useful in most combats with or without their spells.

 

[El Mahdi]

...have you seen Pathfinders "Combat Maneuvers" system in action? It makes for fairly simple grappling, tripping, fondling, etc.--and it works.

So what was your CMB in High School?

 

[n00bdragon]

Logic fail: "Something must be done. This is something. Therefore we must do this."

The 4E power system is not the only way to provide interesting options for martial types. Vancian wizards are bad enough; I'm not playing another game with Vancian fighters. If that's what D&DN ends up looking like, I'll play my own homebrew edition instead.

Welp. It's a good thing your approval isn't necessary for every idea in the world then. You can always smell a good idea by how many D&D players it ticks off.

I'm not suggesting anything in this topic will probably happen. You'll probably get exactly what you want out of 5e and I'll be the one playing homebrew but until then I can dream.