One D&D Cleric & Revised Species Playtest Includes Goliath

"In this new Unearthed Arcana for the One D&D rules system, we explore material designed for the next version of the Player’s Handbook. This playtest document presents the rules on the Cleric class, it's Life Domain subclass, as well as revised Species rules for the Ardling, the Dragonborn, and the Goliath. You will also find a current glossary of new or revised meanings for game terms."

Get One D&D Playtest at no cost - D&D Beyond

www.dndbeyond.com

WotC's Jeremey Crawford discusses the playtest document in the video below.

 

[Minigiant]

My suggestion since the 2013 DNDN playtest was to have more than 1 "easy class" and add more classses to the game. But I was called a madman.

There are 4 Class Groups. There should be a easy class with a simple subclass for each type.

 

[Horwath]

My suggestion since the 2013 DNDN playtest was to have more than 1 "easy class" and add more classses to the game. But I was called a madman.

There are 4 Class Groups. There should be a easy class with a simple subclass for each type.

1. champion fighter, maybe bear totem barbarian
2. draconic sorcerer
3. scout rogue
4. maybe life cleric can be even more simplified with more powerful healing

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

if you get overwhelmed with complexity of 1st level fighter, then you need to read the class description again, and again if needed. And then some more.

personally, tuning the game towards people that cannot be bothered to read 1st level fighter abilities is bad design.
or just accept that those players will be bad in combat for first several sessions. or forever. Perhaps they are great roleplayers so combat will not be a big issue for them if they are not performing at 100%.

They read the class abilities. I tried to explain them to the best of my ability. They just weren't versed enough in the system to understand how everything worked together.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

My suggestion since the 2013 DNDN playtest was to have more than 1 "easy class" and add more classses to the game. But I was called a madman.

There are 4 Class Groups. There should be a easy class with a simple subclass for each type.

And I think that all PC classes should be of relatively similar complexity, and that if people want even simpler options, they can play a Sidekick.

 

[Horwath]

They read the class abilities. I tried to explain them to the best of my ability. They just weren't versed enough in the system to understand how everything worked together.

then they will have to learn the hard way.
trial and error.

we had players that were "slow" to grasp mechanics. Either not playing similar games ever or lets be honest not investing time like others in D&D, but eventually it all got sorted out. you can also passively learn the game while playing. it will just take longer.

 

[Horwath]

And I think that all PC classes should be of relatively similar complexity, and that if people want even simpler options, they can play a Sidekick.

I actually have reworked all 3 sidekick classes to be on power level with "normal" classes, just with loads of "passive" abilities.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

then they will have to learn the hard way.
trial and error.

we had players that were "slow" to grasp mechanics. Either not playing similar games ever or lets be honest not investing time like others in D&D, but eventually it all got sorted out. you can also passively learn the game while playing. it will just take longer.

And WotC is trying to make the learning process easier for Clerics by delaying when they get their subclasses. Accusing them of elitism for trying to help some newer players learn the game easier is uncalled for and stupid.

 

[Minigiant]

1. champion fighter, maybe bear totem barbarian
2. draconic sorcerer
3. scout rogue
4. maybe life cleric can be even more simplified with more powerful healing

Even better:

1. Berserker Barbarian
2. Dashing Swashbuckler
3. Emnity Avenger
4. Pyromantic Arcanist

I don;t think the classic 4 classes should be augmented to make simpler version within their complex schemes.

Dont wreck the Cleric trying to make n Easy Priest option. Just design an Easy Priest Class.

And I think that all PC classes should be of relatively similar complexity, and that if people want even simpler options, they can play a Sidekick.

Or... just make the simple option a new class.

 

[Horwath]

And WotC is trying to make the learning process easier for Clerics by delaying when they get their subclasses. Accusing them of elitism for trying to help some newer players learn the game easier is uncalled for and stupid.

And in exchange we get bland 1st and 2nd level characters.

Great.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

there is easy fix for multiclassing:

1. there is no multiclass
2. you cannot multiclass before 5th level and you must take 4 levels in new class at least before raising levels in your other class.

Nope. Bad fix. The other one is better.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Or... just make the simple option a new class.

Like the Sidekick classes.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

if you get overwhelmed with complexity of 1st level fighter, then you need to read the class description again, and again if needed. And then some more.

personally, tuning the game towards people that cannot be bothered to read 1st level fighter abilities is bad design.
or just accept that those players will be bad in combat for first several sessions. or forever. Perhaps they are great roleplayers so combat will not be a big issue for them if they are not performing at 100%.

This is a lot more dismissive attitude than what is ascribed to wotc for treating new players as "not intelligent enough". One is inclusive and one is gate keeping.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

And in exchange we get bland 1st and 2nd level characters.

Great.

Better to accommodate newer players with simple early levels than to drive them away with complexity.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Like the Sidekick classes.

This is a thing for really young players or people who just want to try it out before investing to much time in it. I have used that approach a few times and it worked well enough.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

And in exchange we get bland 1st and 2nd level characters.

Great.

My characters are not bland...

 

[Bagpuss]

Picking your subclass for a cleric is picking who you worship. Seems odd you would wait till third to do that.

No pick who you worship at the start (if at all, it's not mentioned).

Then at 3rd level you pick your subclass "of your choice" seems who you worship has no bearing on it. Worship a God of Death and pick the Life Domain ("so a Cleric of any religious tradition might choose it"), worship a Fire deity and pick Water... I hope this gets changed so the choice is limited, it use to read "Choose one domain related to your deity".

Not sure I like Divine Spark, working on everything to do damage.

It's like they have sucked anything thematic out of the class to make it easier to play (less words to write), mind you it kind of reflects what they did to the races species.

Also they mentioned removing the thief cunning action not interacting with use an object being because they wanted to remove "Mother may I?" in the pervious UA feedback video and then they do nothing with "Divine Intervention" for the Cleric. Except make the refresh random for some reason and lower the level it becomes automatic. If "The DM chooses the nature of the intervention" why have a percentage chance at all. Also the guidance is "the effect of any Divine Spell is appropriate." So you use to have an 10-19% chance of a extra cleric spell, now you have an 11 to 17% chance of an extra spell. It's like playing with some minor dials when the whole thing should go. Asking for divine help should be something any player can do and guidance be in the DMG. This weak sauce ability for the Cleric isn't worth having as it is.

 

[Umbran]

if they fell from their high horse, they would surely break their necks.

Mod Note:
Hey, folks, it would be better to not attack the developers personally. Please resist the urge to cast personal aspersions on them.

 

[Minigiant]

Like the Sidekick classes.

Sure. That works too.. Just rename and buff them them.
The Swashbuckler would be a renamed Expert with subclasses.
The Avenger would either be the Warrior with Oath of Enmity, CD, and Censure

Leaving the Cleric alone to add Rune Priest, Oracle, and Inquisitor Holy Order options.

 

[Horwath]

My characters are not bland...

bland in mechanics sense to be precise.
background/roleplaying of characters have (almost)nothing to do with it.

 

[Minigiant]

No pick who you worship at the start (if at all, it's not mentioned).

Then at 3rd level you pick your subclass "of your choice" seems who you worship has no bearing on it. Worship a God of Death and pick the Life Domain ("so a Cleric of any religious tradition might choose it"), worship a Fire deity and pick Water... I hope this gets changed so the choice is limited.

Not sure I like Divine Spark, working on everything to do damage.

It's like they have sucked anything thematic out of the class to make it easier to play.

I believe the assumption is that if your cleric worships a god, you can only choose a domain that god control or has access to.

I mean FR, GH, Mystara and most of the settings with active gods have them killing each other over domains. Some 3rd level cleric wont be able to tap a domain without the corresponding god's permission.