Interesting stuff.
Unlimited AoOs caused a lot of problems in Pathfinder. My group that has come over from Pathfinder are already crushing 5E encounters. I don't think I want to see Sentinel and Polearm Master builds with unlimited AoOs locking down monsters that are already too easy to beat. Archery is already too strong. Some tank build with Sentinel that can lock down a bunch of creatures why Sharpshooter/Archery Style players blow them down isn't something I look forward to as a DM. I would prefer the game stay more fluid without ridiculous mechanics turning it into a game of group synergy absent any sense of dramatic and dynamic combat.
I don't know if anyone already noticed since i haven't read all the posts here but,
close quarter shooter AND the archery fighting style are not mutually exclusive.
If you manage to get both (from multiclassing or champion) you get all those benefits AND + 3 to hit...
Thats so OP IMO
My group had the same "issues" in 4e. Our group powergames quite a lot and we play quite strategically, so we cut through "hard" encounters like they were nothing. Just gotta design tougher encounters if that's the case, and if that is a problem. Have stronger enemies. Have more enemies. Have enemies that the players aren't used to dealing with. Have encounters that puts the party at a disadvantage.
Well considering that you have to be a high level Champion or a fighter/ranger, its not so bad.
Multiclassing is bad in 5th. Powerful combos are the only things making it decent.
As for champions, an OP basic attack is the whole point of it.
Adding a ranged attack option to your monster/npc stat block is not challenging. Neither is actually attacking the tank instead of ignoring him. Nor is handwaving 10'-15' of movement or not laying out every grid with choke points.It allows a player with the fighting style to swing far more times than character without that fighting style when a large number of AoOs are allowed. It also creates problems if they create feats like Polearm Master that allow for AoOs when approaching a player or Sentinel when allowing AoOs for a player that moves away regardless of using Disengage. It will create long-term problems with any feat that allows an AoO for other situations. I watched this crap with Combat Reflexes in Pathfinder with abilities like Come and Get Me where the player was able to swing an absurd number of times. Combat Reflexes that maxed AoOs at a Dex modifier + 1 was bad enough. When the Mythic Adventures book came out allowing for unlimited AoOs, Come and Get Me and some similar abilities can't remember the name of became ridiculous.
Allowing an unlimited AoO abilities opens the door to absurdity. It becomes worse when some game designer forgets and puts in an ability that synergizes with a feat to create ridiculousness. 5E is already far too easy a game. A fighting style like this just makes a DM's ability to challenge more difficult.
I've dealt long enough with extra AoO min-maxing in Pathfinder. It's one of the things I hated about that game. AoOs are supposed to be limited. I'm putting a limit on the AoOs. I hope Mearls gets control of this kind of crap quickly.
On top of that, being able to swing that many times compared to say something with much better reflexes looks stupid in my mind's eye. I
Well i disagree,
a champion has to be 10th lvl, wich is only half way, so not so high lvl.
while multiclassing is pretty strong in this edition considering how many strong options are gained in the 1st few class lvls.
For example for a ranger, multiclassing one lvl into only 1 lvl of fighter to get +2 to hit is a no brainer and stricly better than going full ranger.
And since the combo of the 2 styles is so powerful and sinergic, its gonna be convenient for many builds to just multiclass.