D&D 5E (2024) Just realized Sentinel is heavily nerfed! No longer works with PAM, no longer works on most enemies who Disengage.

[LordEntrails]

gummy bears?

Gummi, the proper spelling is gummi

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Gummi, the proper spelling is gummi

Gumby Bears?

 

[Blue]

The player in question is kind of bummed about this turn of events. I might let him retcon it and choose a different feat.

Curious, why is this a "might"?

Why isn't this "this player was mislead into thinking a rule acted like the 2014 edition of it and really doesn't, so of course I'll let them change".

Why do you consider, "sorry, you didn't reread it but I'm going to force you to keep it for the entire campaign even though it will impact your fun since you're bummed" a valid possibility that you might do?

I know that's not the main thrust of your post, but it leapt out at me.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I'm sure the PAM attack not being an opportunity attack was intentional, but the anti-disengange function of Sentinel not working with reach weapons seems like another victim of 5.5s sloppy editing for "brevity".

 

[Reynard]

Curious, why is this a "might"?

Why isn't this "this player was mislead into thinking a rule acted like the 2014 edition of it and really doesn't, so of course I'll let them change".

Why do you consider, "sorry, you didn't reread it but I'm going to force you to keep it for the entire campaign even though it will impact your fun since you're bummed" a valid possibility that you might do?

I know that's not the main thrust of your post, but it leapt out at me.

I don't think one should stop the player from switching feats in a case like this, but there is a bit of a RTFM situation happening here.

Read. The. [Dang]. Manual. People.

 

[Blue]

I don't think one should stop the player from switching feats in a case like this, but there is a bit of a RTFM situation happening here.

Read. The. [Dang]. Manual. People.

I agree, but I've been told for years by the company in the know that it's the same edition, so it shouldn't have traps in it.

 

[AlViking]

The recommendation is to use the new version of a rule if it's been overridden so I don't see what the issue is (other than just trashing the authors). On the other hand I don't see an issue with it either - if you and your players prefer the old rule, use it.

I'm okay with the new rule because I think it needed nerfing. On the other hand, I pretty much ignore the new stealth rules and I'm thinking about going back to the grapple rules being opposed rolls.

 

[Reynard]

I agree, but I've been told for years by the company in the know that it's the same edition, so it shouldn't have traps in it.

No you haven't. You have been told that the stuff that ISN'T yet updated should work with the new material. So you have to RTFM to know which things those are.

 

[FrogReaver]

One of the PCs in a game I DM is running a PAM/Sentinel Fighter. The traditional pole arm guy with a 10 foot reach.

Bad guy approached and the Fighter made his AOO, dropping move to 0 or so I thought, as did the player. One of the other players at the table pointed out that the PAM attack when he enters reach is not an "Opportunity Attack" and therefore does not trigger the "Halt" portion of Sentinel.

After reading further we realized the new Sentinel also does not work against enemies who disengage, it only works against them if they actually take the Disengage action while standing next to you and then it works even if they don't move. As long as they take the disengage action when they are more than 5 feet away from you they don't provoke from you even if they move in and out of your reach.

The player in question is kind of bummed about this turn of events. I might let him retcon it and choose a different feat.

The disengage issue doesn’t even need a rule change. Just never have an enemy move 5ft away and then disengage.

By and large I feel Sentinel and PAM were both buffed independently due to being able to combine them with super high accuracy and weapon masteries like push or topple. It’s just they synergize together a bit worse now.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

It makes perfect sense. Pam is a lubricant spray, Sentinel makes your character more sticky.