Level Up (A5E) Playing A5E classes alongside 5e and ToV classes?

[Not a Decepticon]

I have been listening to a video about various "5e-adjecent" games, including A5E and Tales of the Valiant. In video it was said about the latter that you could play PCs from ToV and D&D 5e/5.5 at the same table easily. How would that apply to A5E classes? If I would want to run or play in a one-shot for classes that are each other's counterparts in each of these 3 systems at the same time, is that possible? What would challenges of doign that be?

 

[Morrus]

I don't know anything about ToV classes, so can't speak to them, but you can certainly play 5E and A5E classes alongside each other. The A5E classes are more interesting and have more to do in all three pillars of play, and the 5E class players might get a little jealous at all the fun the A5E class players are having, but they're the same game system--they're compatible.

 

[Chaltab]

TOTV compatibility is a bit trickier for a few reasons.

1. Unified subclass progression, all subclass features hit at 3,7, 11, and 15.

2. Spell lists and rituals are handled differently.

3. Some spells have different names, IE Charm and Greater Charm instead of Charm Person & Charm Monster

 

[Distracted DM]

I have been listening to a video about various "5e-adjecent" games, including A5E and Tales of the Valiant. In video it was said about the latter that you could play PCs from ToV and D&D 5e/5.5 at the same table easily. How would that apply to A5E classes? If I would want to run or play in a one-shot for classes that are each other's counterparts in each of these 3 systems at the same time, is that possible? What would challenges of doign that be?

So there are a bunch of options here. I run an A5E game, using equipment feats spells etc. but I allow other classes and origins from 5e or ToV or 3pp if I think it's reasonable.

I'm sure there are more options but off the top of my head:

The GM says each character plays with their own ruleset. A 5e wizard uses 5e spells, feats, equipment, inspiration etc, while the ToV character uses ToV spells luck etc. This seems crazy to me but other folk on here have said that this is how they do it.

The GM says "A5E is the core system, we're using the spells feats equipment combat etc. rules from it, but you can make your character with 5e origin and class, or A5E origin and class, or ToV, but don't cross streams aka no ToV origin with A5E class. " This is how I do it for the most part- the exception being that I let the ToV character use ToV point buy and ToV "feats" because they're a little specific to those characters. ex: ToV origins don't give stat bonuses, so they give better point buy.

... I forgot the third option I was thinking of :'D

 

[TheHand]

I’ve done a lot of mixing and matching with 5e and A5e in my own campaign, and I plan to incorporate some aspects from ToV, but I think it’s important to keep each character class, heritage/ancestry/species limited to their own source books. You can try a little blending (such as with subclasses/archetypes) but the DM should be ready to restrict or homebrew certain combos that may not mix well.

ToV classes will probably need to be more restricted to their own content, mainly for the reason that their subclass levels are standardized and not compatible with 5e.

I think they will largely play fine together, side by side, though you may run into level ranges where ToV characters gain features at different rates. Some of the ToV classes and feats also seem slightly stronger than their 2014 counterparts (but maybe more in line with 2024 - only speculating as I don’t have the book). I think A5e classes offer more versatility but should also play fine with ToV classes.

 

[Distracted DM]

I’ve done a lot of mixing and matching with 5e and A5e in my own campaign, and I plan to incorporate some aspects from ToV, but I think it’s important to keep each character class, heritage/ancestry/species limited to their own source books. You can try a little blending (such as with subclasses/archetypes) but the DM should be ready to restrict or homebrew certain combos that may not mix well.

ToV classes will probably need to be more restricted to their own content, mainly for the reason that their subclass levels are standardized and not compatible with 5e.

I think they will largely play fine together, side by side, though you may run into level ranges where ToV characters gain features at different rates. Some of the ToV classes and feats also seem slightly stronger than their 2014 counterparts (but maybe more in line with 2024 - only speculating as I don’t have the book). I think A5e classes offer more versatility but should also play fine with ToV classes.

Agreed.

I have one ToV player character in a game with mostly A5E characters, all using point buy- the biggest surprise was that ToV characters could start with an 18. Oh, and that ToV fighter's Quick Strike giving 3 attacks at level 1 :'D

Also, ToV has the same thing as 5e2024 where ASI levels give either: +2ASI or 1 feat and +1ASI. That's a big power bump

 

[TheConflicted]

Some of the replies in this thread seem interesting to me, since it feels like the heritages, cultures and backgrounds from A5e can easily replaces the species and backgrounds from )5e (the trials and treasuries book even calls this out). I'd happily let someone use an A5e character with an O5e class.