D&D 5E (2024) How I would do 6E.

[Minigiant]

I agree with you the starting hit points should be higher to counter those 1st-2nd level TPK horror stories.

I would be in favour of
1st Level = Max Hit Points + Constitution Score (if your Constitution Score every increases so do your hit points).

That still slightly lower than I'd do it.

I'd take out Con bonus to HP and let you start with 3 HD.

This also let's you play with Tough feat and having only warrior types adding Con to HD.

 

[Yaarel]

Instead of max hitdie at level 1. Take the standard average. But then add an additional average from the species.

7 hit points: Dwarf, Orc
6 hp: Dragonborn, Goliath
5 hp: Human, Elf, Awsimar, Tiefling
4 hp: Halfling, Gnome

These species hit points only apply once at level 0 for origin, and dont relate to later improvements when gaining class levels.

 

[AnotherGuy]

That still slightly lower than I'd do it.

I'd take out Con bonus to HP and let you start with 3 HD.

This also let's you play with Tough feat and having only warrior types adding Con to HD.

I agree the 3HD is a better fit as it accentuates the importance and difference between the classes, whereas the Con score creates more same-y.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Oh yeah, race-specific hit dice, I remember that the d20 Farscape game had that, and classes added a bonus modifier, and your class determined control point die and the race giving a bonus modifier. IIRC, that basically lead Hynerians Aristocrats being bad at both and Delvian Priestesses being good at both. Explains what got Rygel so mean-spirited, I guess.

Aynway, you better prepared to give the low-hit-dice species something worth the loss and not just say for verisimilitude's sake, they are worse at combat.

It might actually be better and remove constitution as attribute an acknowledge that hit points and hit dice got nothing to do with meat. (In any place you used to use Constitution, use Strength instead, except hit points, who are no longer affected by any ability score, unless you perhaps take a special feat or your class decides which ability affects hit points.)

 

[mamba]

Aynway, you better prepared to give the low-hit-dice species something worth the loss and not just say for verisimilitude's sake, they are worse at combat.

It might actually be better and remove constitution as attribute an acknowledge that hit points and hit dice got nothing to do with meat

in that case, what is your rationale for basing the number of HD on size in the first place

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

in that case, what is your justification for basing the number of HD on size in the first place

I have none, but I would't try to do that. Particularly not for PC races.

 

[ECMO3]

everyone can use a weapon today already

Not effectively. A Bard or Sorcerer should be able to grab a sword Gandalf-style and get as many attacks and be able as do as many things with that sword as any other class can.

To be clear, I am not suggesting a Gish subclass for every class I am suggesting that this kind of thing be a basic ability available to all.

not sure I understand this, so the fighter still can only swing swords while the others get new toys? Why would I even want that?

I suggested we get rid of non-caster classes completely. There would be no one that can only swing swords.

You could still have a class that you call "fighter" but that class would have spells intrinsically as part of the class, and "doing cool things with weapons" would not be gated behind that class.

The different spells available and perhaps some other non-combat mechanics would be what defines the differences between classes.

 

[ECMO3]

Instead of max hitdie at level 1. Take the standard average. But then add an additional average from the species.

7 hit points: Dwarf, Orc
6 hp: Dragonborn, Goliath
5 hp: Human, Elf, Awsimar, Tiefling
4 hp: Halfling, Gnome

These species hit points only apply once at level 0 for origin, and dont relate to later improvements when gaining class levels.

I really don't like this idea. One huge plus to 2024 is that they got rid of all the stereotypes and the ties to the basic character statistics.

 

[THEMNGMNT]

My next 5E campaign will start players with Constitution score + rolling the class hit die or taking the default increase. Then no Con bonuses as they level. That keeps hit points higher in Tier 1, but lower in Tier 4. Which fits the power curve of 5E better.

 

[Sorinth]

One "bigger" change I wouldn't mind seeing is to overhaul the way initiative is handled. There's too much variability, and often the turn order limits the tactical options. I'm not sure they should go all the way to freeform turns like say Daggerheart, but the d20 is just to variable, and the Ready Action is too punishing.

Also feels like it's an area where things could be sped up which is always nice.