D&D 5E (2014) L&L Sept 16th . The Latest on Skills

[Balesir]

I actually really like what is described, here. It finally makes a definite positive step for D&D, IMO, in unifying combat and non-combat through making "proficiency" something that applies to weapons, tools and skills (using your body and mind as tools?). I could prefer to see implements kept (with proficiencies) and integration carried through to other systems, but it's at least a move in a positive direction.

 

[MarkB]

It feels like this version of the skills system still has quite a few niggling aspects resulting from trying to retain earlier playtest ideas, and hopefully it'll be smoothed down a little further before release.

Frankly, though, after all that trouble redeveloping skills, this version doesn't really look to have any particular merit over the 4e skill system.

 

[Minigiant]

I like it.

The beauty of having skills start low as +2, only raise to +6, and making only the most difficult task out of the skill-less range gives the unskilled a chance while making the skilled better.

I'd still wish for some "if you roll under 10, treat it as a 10" and "use your score if you roll horrible" somewhere.

 

[1of3]

The one positive thing about this, as I see it, is they want to get rid off attack bonus by class.

Your skill bonus equals your proficiency bonus. Your proficiency bonus is based on your total level and applies to skills, weapons, and tools that you are proficient with.

 

[JeffB]

Yikes. They keep killing things I liked about previous packets..

Fields of lore
Expertise dice
Martial dice

For starters..

 

[1of3]

You can convert the proficiency bonus to a proficiency die: +2 -> d4, +3 -> d6 ... +6 -> d12. I guess, that's why the bonuses stop at +6.

 

[Ratskinner]

I dunno what to say. I kinda liked the previous incarnation. Its not that this one is particularly objectionable as presented.

I will say that this game seems to be offering less and less to me vs. FATE Core, FATE Accelerated, Dungeon World, or even 13th Age.

 

[gyor]

I really like the changes, but I got to say that 5e feels kike 2e updated with the best parts of 3e and 4e, plus a few original ideas like advantage. I'm really liking how 5e is shaping up.

I like the idea of profincies absorbing skills.

I like how a bunch of skills got absorbed into item profiecies.

Just a thought, but might magic users apply thier know skill profiencies the way a fighter would use his weapon profiency?

Like a fighter uses his martial weapons prof when he attacks with a great sword, but a wizard uses his prof in Arcana when he casts a spell, a Cleric or Paladin thier prof in religion for spell casting, and a druid or ranger thier prof in nature.

I will note that this could lead to some cool combos. Like a Paladin who combines a Charisma check with his weapon prof to make a dazzling display with his weapon. Or a Cleric who has high wisdom, but low intelligence who uses his religion skill with wisdom instead of intelligence, to feel what his God wishes instead of relying on tradition dogmatic teaching to guide him so the religion skill isn't left useless. A nature check with wisdom could be used to gather berries, a nature check with intellignce could be used to know facts about natural and natural laws like gravity, or a nature check with strength or dex could be used to hunt for food.

I was hoping for an ETA on when the packet was going to be released.

 

[1of3]

Like a fighter uses his martial weapons prof when he attacks with a great sword, but a wizard uses his prof in Arcana when he casts a spell, a Cleric or Paladin thier prof in religion for spell casting, and a druid or ranger thier prof in nature.

For what? If they stick with implements from the last packets that would cover it. And it's only useful for attack spells in the first place.

 

[Kinak]

Well, I like that the skill die has gone away, the untethering of skills from attributes, and the use of consistent bonuses for all skills (which makes the untethering not require a bunch of lookups).

I feel that the bonus for skills is still too low, but it works out well with experts.

Overall, this is a step up. I look forward to seeing the new backgrounds.

Cheers!
Kinak