D&D 5E I cant wait to see what they do with backgrounds... one thing i hope is that there is a slot for flaws

[Kyle Ropp]

For roleplaying purposes Id like to see a flaw mechanic in backgrounds... just... hopefully not to the point that it feeds min maxing, UNLESS it gives dm's a major thread to tug on.

 

[Li Shenron]

For roleplaying purposes Id like to see a flaw mechanic in backgrounds... just... hopefully not to the point that it feeds min maxing...

That's the problem. Backgrounds are suggestions, but you can make your own by cherry-picking traits and proficiencies. Flaws will likely lead to min-maxing, unless they are truly flaws that impose a cost you can't avoid, such as most of the 3e Flaws from Unearthed Arcana (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterFlaws.htm#flawDescriptions).

I wouldn't bet a penny that we'd see "negative" features in the core 5e game.

 

[Obryn]

If they're used like compelled Aspects in Fate, it would work better than a simplistic point buy kind of system.

So, for a flaw like "terrible liar," you get some kind of metagame currency every time you behave according to that flaw and it puts you in a tough spot.

 

[ccooke]

If they're used like compelled Aspects in Fate, it would work better than a simplistic point buy kind of system.

So, for a flaw like "terrible liar," you get some kind of metagame currency every time you behave according to that flaw and it puts you in a tough spot.

That appears to be in the Ideals/Flaws/Bonds system that's supposed to be a default option in the Advanced game. You can see half of it (the NPC half) in the playtest How To Play's Interaction system, but the PC side wasn't in the playtest. It is findable, though - it's used in all the recent livestream games, IIRC, and there's a L&L about it: http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4ll/20130722

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Backgrounds are suggestions, but you can make your own by cherry-picking traits and proficiencies.

Not actually true. Backgrounds are suggestions, but you can work with your DM to create a new one if none of the existing backgrounds is appropriate for your character. The checks and balances are built into the DM.

 

[D'karr]

I hope there's a lot of flaws too. I'll finally save some money...


Oh, slot.... Nevermind.

 

[biotech66]

I think it will be a bolt on module. I hope it is at least. Its a nice idea for an extra character option (skill/feat) for something the DM can play with. Heck run it like GM intrusion in Numenera. Choose a flaw, get a feat/skill, and then get action points/something else that the GM can give you when he pulls on your flaw or makes you pay an action point to not pull your flaw.

 

[keterys]

I think it will be a bolt on module. I hope it is at least. Its a nice idea for an extra character option (skill/feat) for something the DM can play with. Heck run it like GM intrusion in Numenera. Choose a flaw, get a feat/skill, and then get action points/something else that the GM can give you when he pulls on your flaw or makes you pay an action point to not pull your flaw.

This is a good summary of the flaws in flaw systems.

So, I take this flaw and it gives me an extra feat. Yay.

The DM uses my flaw, so I get action points. And him using my flaw gives me more spotlight time, which is what I wanted anyways. Yay.

 

[Kyle Ropp]

This is a good summary of the flaws in flaw systems.

So, I take this flaw and it gives me an extra feat. Yay.

The DM uses my flaw, so I get action points. And him using my flaw gives me more spotlight time, which is what I wanted anyways. Yay.

and this is bad because....

also its not necessarily quid pro quo system... sometimes getting drunk or being a bad liar doesn't get you an action point...

just like any other role playing rewards in any other dnd game its up to the DM to shape the story and hand out the goodies as he sees fit

 

[the Jester]

For roleplaying purposes Id like to see a flaw mechanic in backgrounds... just... hopefully not to the point that it feeds min maxing, UNLESS it gives dm's a major thread to tug on.

I wouldn't mind a COMPLETELY OPTIONAL system for flaws. Then those who want 'em can use 'em while those of us who think it's a nice idea in principle but absolutely hate every single flaw system that we've ever encountered don't have to use them. Or allow them.

There has, to my mind, never yet been a flaw system for an rpg that I've encountered that isn't immediately easy to abuse horrendously.