D&D 5E New D&D Next Playtest package is up (19/9/2013) [merged threads]

[Mistwell]

From my reading you don't gain spell slots from your domain. Domain spells are always prepared, but use the normal slots.

Ah right, thank you!

 

[Dungeonosophy]

"Wizardry" > "Magia"

Since not all Mages are Wizards, wouldn't it be better if the 1st-level class ability was called "Magia" (or "Magery") instead of "Wizardry"?

Tolkien uses the word "Magia":

"For the purposes of the tale there was a latent distinction between what was once called magia and goeteia."

http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Letter_155

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

It feels like the attacks section got a bit overlooked. I suspect that you're no longer supposed to gain disadvantage when attacking with a weapon which you are not proficient with.

Yeah, the disadvantage on top of not get the proficiency bonus would be too harsh. I hope they just forgot this in editing.

 

[Zoombaba]

again...Human stat bonuses are nuts.

Mearls just said on twitter that they'll probably tweaks humans, but only after they get feedback on proficiencies. So there's that. I'm getting the impression they're gonna make minor updates to this packet.

 

[Zoombaba]

Yeah, the disadvantage on top of not get the proficiency bonus would be too harsh. I hope they just forgot this in editing.

In the proficiencies side bar in Character Creation it specifically says you get disadvantage and no bonus if you're not proficient with the weapon. I don't think it's an oversight.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

What's up with the multiclass Prereqs? Wasn't that discarded along with THAC0?

 

[TwoSix]

the advantage only applies on Charisma (Intimidate) checks, not (for example) a Strength (Intimidate) check (perhaps made by shaking the target's hand and crushing it).

(I'd rather they had advantage on all checks to intimidate, personally.)

I think it's a weakness of the way they're currently phrasing skills. I have trouble visualizing a half-orc NOT getting advantage on Strength (Intimidate) checks.

 

[Mistwell]

I liked the initial idea of using stats and then having a bonus from skills.

That is how it works.

They could have easily done it like Warhammer Fantasy second edition where you have three tiers of skill at something: base stat bonus, stat +2 (say) and stat +4 (say)...this way you could have that feeling of progression and learning etc. it was elegant and easy to understand.

Which...is how this playtest works, though it's six tiers instead of three.

But this whole proficiency lark is a right load of gobbledeegook.

It's really not, you just sound like you haven't really grokked it yet. It works just like you were hoping, if I understand your description of what you were hoping for. It's ability score bonus, plus a skill bonus (sometimes phrased as a tool bonus, but it's the same thing) that increases with level at a few fixed points. So it grows from +1 at low levels, slowly up to +6 at high levels (so six tiers of skills rather than three). That sounds just like what you were mentioning.

Advantage mechanic....overused for me.

I keep hearing this, and I keep thinking this is a complaint from people who are still focused on the playtest document two times before this one. They removed most of the advantage from the game. It's really not mentioned very much anymore. Why do you feel it's so overused, where are you seeiing it that you think is an overuse at this point?

 

[Klaus]

What's up with the multiclass Prereqs? Wasn't that discarded along with THAC0?

Multiclass Feats in 4e have Prerequisites. Plus, these Prereqs aren't hard to hit, since characters can bump their stats by a decent ammount every few levels.

 

[DEFCON 1]

The multiclass pre-reqs are once more just the latest example of WotC inserting a rule to see what people's reactions are to it... not that they actually intend to definitely use it. That's why they added it-- just to gauge reactions. Just like they did with Paladin and Monk alignment requirements.

And just like the Paladin and Monk alignment requirements... they're going to go away once enough people say they don't want/need it. So don't worry. Just fill out the survey like you always have and you'll be fine.