D&D 5E (2014) Live Q&A with D&D R&D

[TerraDave]

Dragons: some legendary, some not. "Most versatile".

Tyrany of Dragons: not to destroy/reshape the Realms, but highlight it. Both Mearls and Perkins emphasize setting continuity.

How done: 95%+ mentions small details as last point to work on. "bug squashing".

 

[I'm A Banana]

...because it's my bag....

With so many settings planned, how do you plan on keeping their flavor distinct from the "default" suggested in the core books? If you publish Al Quadim, will Grazz'zt or dragonborn or whatever leak into the setting just because these things appear in the basic game or the first MM/PH?

 

[TerraDave]

Mention mass combat rules as something they are finishing now. Give really interesting example, but I miss the numbers (60 of this vs 100 of that). (more in Legend and Lore?).

 

[TerraDave]

backgrounds, flaws, ideals, backstories...they like these things. And the battlemaster fighter and barbarian.

EDIT: And giants that punt characters and use them as weapons.

EDIT: Optional tactical rules for DM. Example: flanking optional. Optional monster tactics for grids.

 

[Sage Genesis]

Unimportant side note, but is it just me or does Chris Perkins look like he just doesn't want to be there? His expressions, his body language, the way he looks and plays more with that bottle than connecting with his colleagues... Guy looks like he's hugely distracted.

 

[TerraDave]

Basic (5E) D&D would be about as complicated as the Rules Cyclopedia, with the d20 core mechanic, levels 1-20.

Monsters little more complicated. A few more class features...but more focused core mechanic.

 

[TerraDave]

DM options examples: guidance on no magic items, variations in resting.

Other settings (again): Respect what is there already. Do not want to reinvent. Want to focus on what works for the game. Example of Dragon Lance game starting at the beginning of War of the Lance. Alternate futures again comes up.

 

[TerraDave]

Lots of pictures for magic items, including some not depicted before. Tables for custom items.

Segway from non-combat items to more emphasis on exploration in the game.

 

[Li Shenron]

I liked a lot the bits about how a Beholder behaves in combat as a legendary creature.

The main idea, is that legendary creatures can use "legendary actions" to interrupt or alter the normal initiative flaw, giving you a feeling like you are not fighting one isolated monster but a band of eye rays. I guess the added value here (unlike when normally fighting multiple monsters) is that those "legendary actions" can happen at unpredictable initiative counts.

 

[TerraDave]

Unimportant side note, but is it just me or does Chris Perkins look like he just doesn't want to be there? His expressions, his body language, the way he looks and plays more with that bottle than connecting with his colleagues... Guy looks like he's hugely distracted.

I think its just him. Maybe hes tired. His answers are fine.