Unearthed Arcana New UA: 43 D&D Class Feature Variants

The latest Unearthed Arcana is a big 13-page document! “Every character class in D&D has features, and every class gets one or more class feature variants in today’s Unearthed Arcana! These variants replace or enhance a class’s normal features, giving you new ways to enjoy your character’s class.”

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[Undrave]

We're still missing a feat allowing us to get an extra Fighting style though. I feel that's something that would make a lot of sense.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

So now who doesn't think something like Xanathar's 2 isn't in the works?

 

[Tony Vargas]

At least Berserkers now have a "legitimate" way to shed their excess fatigue levels, with a simple one-level dip into Ranger. (As though that term had any meaning whatsoever in this edition.)

Wait, which term? Legitimate? excess? fatigue? simple? Ranger?

 

[abirdcall]

I typically don't like UA but this one is quite good.

I don't like all of them of course. The worst general idea is changing out spells known on a long rest. It is fiddly, takes time, and changes the identity of the character too often. Changing stuff on level up is cool though.

I like the variant Ranger abilities a lot. I think they nailed it.

 

[Undrave]

I don't like all of them of course. The worst general idea is changing out spells known on a long rest. It is fiddly, takes time, and changes the identity of the character too often. Changing stuff on level up is cool though.

It's only ONE spell per day so this will mostly be use for more niche spells. Like in my party where our main caster is a Warlock and we could REALLY use a Sending spell to contact our home base, but it's not worth keeping it on the Warlock for a long time.

 

[Tony Vargas]

The worst general idea is changing out spells known on a long rest. It is fiddly, takes time, and changes the identity of the character too often.

And it makes you into a wizard?

 

[Sacrosanct]

I typically don't like UA but this one is quite good.

I don't like all of them of course. The worst general idea is changing out spells known on a long rest. It is fiddly, takes time, and changes the identity of the character too often. Changing stuff on level up is cool though.

I like the variant Ranger abilities a lot. I think they nailed it.

I really like the deft explorer and favored foe options.

 

[dave2008]

Quick look and i have to agree with @lowkey13 , love the design space this opens up. Really good move and hope it makes it into an official product soon. I also hope the add more options. If there was an option or two for every time you get a feature that would be great.

I was thinking about doing something like this recently, but allowing my players to take features from a different class (instead of multiclassing).

 

[Vael]

Holy Sh!t, I was not expecting this. This is a lot, and I can only offer my first impressions.

1. A lot of the Versatility options are things I already offer as a DM. Being able to retrain when you realize that some things aren't working is important. But I like having them in print.

2. Expanded Spell Lists: Still no Shapechange for Sorcerers? Aside from that, these are solid expansions, and I have no major quibbles.

Class Specific Notes:
Druid: Wild Companion is very good, and I really like it. It often feels like if you're not a Moon Druid, you don't get a lot of use out of Wildshape (which, isn't really true, but until you get flight modes, it can be tough). Getting a short term familiar is pretty good use of Wildshape.

Monk: Poor Kensei. With the expanded Monk weapons, I feel like the Kensei subclass needs more juice.

Ranger: A solid power boost. Still need to digest. Hunter's Mark without Concentration or expending a Spell Slot is really good.

Sorcerer: I like the new ways to use Sorcery Points, and the new Metamagic options are okay. I feel like the new Metamagic can't compete with the top tier Metamagic, so I don't know if they'll see play.

 

[Salthorae]

Wow... I'm going to have to dive into these in depth tonight more, but man there are some really fun things in these at a glance.

Ranger as a Druidic Warrior? Sure - save me a Magic Initiate (Druid) feat to get me some Shillelagh

Ranger seems like it got a ton of love here.

Also also - LOVE LOVE the Elemental Spell metamagic option. I mean it's excatly like the one I already do in my games, but to have it semi-official is nice.

Also nice to have another option that is able to be applied with other metamagic options in Unerring Spell.

Also also also - THROWN WEAPON AND UNARMED FIGHTING STYLES!

I'll just leave that there...