DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
The issue is also compounded IMO by the fact 5E has typically a 60-70% attack success rate. This also makes things boring to me and my group. When we did our first 1-20 game, PCs were hitting so often due to bounded accuracy that we got more excited when someone MISSED!!!
So, now all attacks are at disadvantage, ability checks are straight d20, and all saves have advantage. FYI, we allow sources to stack, so you can have multiple sources of advantage, etc.
This creates a game were PCs succeed on attacks 36-49% instead of 60-70%. By lowering the HP bloat, combats take maybe an extra round typically compared to RAW combat.
Another thing we decided is when you upcast a spell, you don't gain additional dice but gain additional MAXIMAL die. You cast sleep for 5d8 at 1st level, but at 3rd level it is 5d8 + 16 (not 2d8, but maxed 16). This makes upcasting much more useful and appealing. You cast cure wounds for 1d8+4 or upcast it at level 2 for 1d8+12 (normal +4 and 8 for maximum 1d8 extra). Yes, this makes spells more powerful if upcast, but you are trading off of casting spells from higher levels. It works nicely for us.
All of this changes, and many more, keep the game moving quickly, make it more exciting IMO, and reduces the dreaded hp bloat.
So, now all attacks are at disadvantage, ability checks are straight d20, and all saves have advantage. FYI, we allow sources to stack, so you can have multiple sources of advantage, etc.
This creates a game were PCs succeed on attacks 36-49% instead of 60-70%. By lowering the HP bloat, combats take maybe an extra round typically compared to RAW combat.
Another thing we decided is when you upcast a spell, you don't gain additional dice but gain additional MAXIMAL die. You cast sleep for 5d8 at 1st level, but at 3rd level it is 5d8 + 16 (not 2d8, but maxed 16). This makes upcasting much more useful and appealing. You cast cure wounds for 1d8+4 or upcast it at level 2 for 1d8+12 (normal +4 and 8 for maximum 1d8 extra). Yes, this makes spells more powerful if upcast, but you are trading off of casting spells from higher levels. It works nicely for us.
All of this changes, and many more, keep the game moving quickly, make it more exciting IMO, and reduces the dreaded hp bloat.