Looking at the game from a big picture view. I'd say 5e is definitely one of the less challenging versions of the game.
Mainly because of the stakes of choice in 5e seem to have been purposefully reduced. I attribute this to a number of factors:
I kill PCs mostly by massive damage at 1st level, or multi-attack against already 0 hp characters. Otherwise there is very little risk for PCs and there are very little long term consequences to PC actions in the game. By the rules of the default game, there is little consideration beyond the adventuring day.
At even 4th, 5th level, D&D 5E starts looking more like The Avengers than actual fantasy. At even 3rd to 4th level, every character is throwing magic lasers and turning into flame and flying like superheroes. The default style of play in 5e is definitely super hero fantasy. Add the new UA and now you have Iron Man.
Sleep 8 hours and multitudes of wounds, death touches by wraiths, and charm spells are immediately negated as if nothing ever happened. 5e is D&D easy mode.
Mainly because of the stakes of choice in 5e seem to have been purposefully reduced. I attribute this to a number of factors:
- Ubiquity of magic and spells. Magic is easily accessible and available to every class. Spells are rules elements that overcome challenges. They are made more easily available. There are more ways to have character resources overcome challenges, instead of player choices.
- Spells and abilities that present challenges have been practically eliminated. There are very few detrimental effects that are not easily overcome. Life drain, damage, petrification is recovered after an 8 hour rest. Charm person only lasts an hour. There are less debilitating effects and those that exist are easily recovered from.
- Monsters that were previously immune to magical attacks are now only mostly resistant (1/2 damage). Even monsters that are actually immune are less challenging. Nearly every class has access to magical attacks such that resistance or immunity to normal attacks is all but irrelevant by 4th level. There is less need to think of alternate solutions. Just blast away.
- Death and dying rules are very easy. This couples with increased access to magic. Dropping to zero is not dangerous because of how much magic is available. Death saves make dying very rare. There is very little risk to being at 0 hit points.
I kill PCs mostly by massive damage at 1st level, or multi-attack against already 0 hp characters. Otherwise there is very little risk for PCs and there are very little long term consequences to PC actions in the game. By the rules of the default game, there is little consideration beyond the adventuring day.
At even 4th, 5th level, D&D 5E starts looking more like The Avengers than actual fantasy. At even 3rd to 4th level, every character is throwing magic lasers and turning into flame and flying like superheroes. The default style of play in 5e is definitely super hero fantasy. Add the new UA and now you have Iron Man.
Sleep 8 hours and multitudes of wounds, death touches by wraiths, and charm spells are immediately negated as if nothing ever happened. 5e is D&D easy mode.
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