D&D (2024) One D&D Survey Feedback: Weapon Mastery Spectacular; Warlock and Wizard Mixed Reactions

Jeremy Crawford discusses the results of the Packet 5 Survey:

• Weapon Mastery at 80% approval, and all options except for Flex scored similarly. Crawford says that Flex is mathematically one of the most powerful properties, but will need some attention because people didn't feel like it was. This feature is in the 2024 PHB for 6 Classes, guaranteed at this point.
• Barbarian scored well, particularly the individual features, average satisfaction of 80% for each feature. Beserker got 84% satisfaction, while the 2014 Beserker in the 2020 Big Class Survey got 29% satisfaction.
• Fighter received well, overall 75% satisfaction. Champion scored 54% in the Big Class Survey, but this new one got 74%.
• Sorcerer in the Big Class Survey got 60%, this UA Sorcerer got 72%. Lots of enthusiasm for the Metamagic revisions. Careful Spell got 92% satisfaction. Twin Spell was the exception, at 60%. Draconic Sorcerer got 73%, new Dragon Wings feature was not well received but will be fixed back to being on all the time by the return to 2014 Aubclass progression.
• Class specific Spell lists are back in UA 7 coming soon, the unified Spell lists are out.
• Warlock feedback reflected mixed feelings in the player base. Pact magic is coming back in next iteration. Next Warlock will be more like 2014, Mystic Arcanum will be a core feature, but will still see some adjustments based on feedback to allow for more frequent use of Spells. Eldritch Invocations were well received. Crawford felt it was a good test, because they learned what players felt. They found the idiosyncracy of the Warlock is exactly what people like about it, so theybare keeping it distinct. Next version will get even more Eldritch Invocation options.
• Wizard got a mixed reception. Biggest problem people had was wanting a Wizard specific Spell list, not a shared Arcane list that made the Wizard less distinct. Evoker well received.

 

[Neonchameleon]

1. I recognize Flex is mathematically competitive and I continue to say that I like it. However, I'm curious how the designers might tweak it to make the crowd like it more.

I want to roll two smaller dice. It's awkward numbers (it would have to be d6+d4) to feel visceral. Or an equivalent ability could be added.

1. Regarding the commentary about the Barbarian and Fighter classes rating lower than all their component abilities, I think that means that people like what already exists, but they want more added to the class, so the sum of the parts better match the class as a whole.

Agreed. I commented and have been for a while that at the very least the non-casters should get a feat plus an ability at every ASI level as the casters get a feat plus a spell.

1. Pact Magic coming back? If they keep it as it was, that suuuucks. There was a reason why people don't like it recharging on a Short Rest. I'm curious what they mean by getting access to those spells more often. Maybe they break it away from Short Rests and turn it to a 10-minute "Commune with Patron ritual" that can only be performed X times per day?

They did imply they were on this.

1. Warlock going back to Charisma only.... awwwwwww. I really liked that. I hope they keep the stronger pact cantrips as they made each Warlock feel very different.

Agreed. I think this is the only part they've said they were changing that didn't deserve to be dumped in a toxic waste pit.

1. Going back to Class Spell list with the main reason being Wizards dserve to have the largest, most prolific spell list. WOW. Did not expect that.

... THAT SHOULDN'T BE WHY THE BAD DECISION IS REVERTED. I missed that.

The reason to revert is Paladins aren't demi-clerics and rangers aren't demi-druids and bards should be their own thing.

1. Will there still be Source lists for universal options, as well as and Class lists? I loved the Bard being able to choose from different spell lists. If they go to class spell lists, EVERY spell on individual class lists should make sense for the class, and they shouldn't add chaff. For instance, the Sorcerer spell list could remove spells that have mandatory costly components (like Chromatic Orb, Clairvoyance, Teleportation Circle, Resurrection, Gate, etc). Keep them focused on innate magic, and remove the need for material components overall, no longer needing mundane material components for spells. (Though magic item focuses can still be used.)

Here I disagree emphatically. Spells known casters like the sorcerer, bard, ranger, and warlock should have the absolute widest lists because that allows the player to customise them however the player wants and to do so between sessions. There may be suggestions - but leave out of character choices up to the player. If someone wants to play a sorcerer with a teleportation theme starting with Blink and Misty Step that learns to use their big trick to make Teleportation Circles let them. If players think that their character shouldn't get such spells then they don't.

The spell lists that need the biggest trims are the Spells Prepared casters who can change their spells prepared at every long rest - the druid, cleric, and paladin. Both to prevent book-faffing in session and because they are generic rather than individual spell lists.

 

[Tutara]

I am disappointed in the conservatism of all the reversions back to 2014, but fair enough if that is what people want. Can’t help but feel it is a missed opportunity, but there you go.

 

[Minigiant]

Reversion of magic because of the wizard fans didn't think wizards were special enough.

Typical D&D Pro-Wizard Fandom​

 

[DEFCON 1]

Reversion of magic because of the wizard fans didn't think wizards were special enough.

Typical D&D Pro-Wizard Fandom​

At some point the "Anti-Wizard" crowd is going to just have to accept the fact they are a minority. Most people just don't have the hard-on for wizard-hate (or the hard-on for Drizzt-hate) that a select group of other players always seem to have.

 

[Minigiant]

At some point the "Anti-Wizard" crowd is going to just have to accept the fact they are a minority. Most people just don't have the hard-on for wizard-hate (or the hard-on for Drizzt-hate) that a select group of other players always seem to have.

It's not Anti-Wizard hate.

It's that Wizards and Wizard fans dictate the trajectory of D&D design. And everything else suffers due to that.

 

[Remathilis]

It's not Anti-Wizard hate.

It's that Wizards and Wizard fans dictate the trajectory of D&D design. And everything else suffers due to that.

They're not called Sorcerers of the Coast...

 

[DEFCON 1]

It's not Anti-Wizard hate.

It's that Wizards and Wizard fans dictate the trajectory of D&D design. And everything else suffers due to that.

Exactly! 'Anti-Wizard hate'!

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I definitely had a problem with the general spell lists when it came to the Bard, didn't have a problem with the other classes...

Now they just need to bring back rapier proficiency.

 

[Minigiant]

They're not called Sorcerers of the Coast...

WOTC made it worse. But TSR lacks Ws but was Wizards First as well and started the mess. And many D&D-likes tilted the same in one way or another.

 

[Neonchameleon]

I definitely had a problem with the general spell lists when it came to the Bard, didn't have a problem with the other classes...

Now they just need to bring back rapier proficiency.

I had a problem when it came to the bard, the paladin, and the ranger.