D&D 5E Primeval Awareness and other hidden gems

[Zaruthustran]

Well, that'll teach me for replying from my phone. I recalled there was a weapon that didn't get all the benefits, and for some reason I had it as the staff. Thanks for the correction and no worries, you weren't snarky.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Truth be told, I'm thinking of house-ruling a few more weapons into that feat. I understand, when picturing a historical pike, why it'd be awkward at best to try to spin it and hit someone with the blunt end--but mechanically, in the game, the pike is quite similar to the other pole arms, and is basically the only martial option for anyone who wants to be a spear fighter. I think I'd probably allow it.

Similarly, I don't see why a spear shouldn't qualify if a quarterstaff does.

 

[Ashrym]

The best thing about using the quarterstaff is that it's not required to be used in 2 hands. Quarterstaff can still be used one-handed for the bonus attack and keep a shield up.

 

[PnPgamer]

The best thing about using the quarterstaff is that it's not required to be used in 2 hands. Quarterstaff can still be used one-handed for the bonus attack and keep a shield up.

This is something i've learned just recently as well. Quarterstaff is an amazing weapon. It would be perfect if it were a finesse weapon...

 

[Hussar]

How the heck do you use a quarter staff one handed? That's a mistake IMO.

 

[Hussar]

Read the feat again, carefully. Quarterstaff doesn't benefit from all the features of the feat. EDIT: whoops, remembered this incorrectly.



On unseen servant: I don't think the servant has a fly speed. I get the impression it's pretty much an invisible servant.

Honestly I don't really disagree. It does just say "within range" but I do agree that it's a bit dodgy.

 

[Nebulous]

So, upon first reading the ranger class, I looked at Primeval Awareness and thought "No, thanks. I guess I'll keep the slot for hunter's mark". Turns out my wife, who is playing a ranger in my Night Below campaign, first learned about the ability when her character achieved 3rd level, and she disagreed completely.

Well, a few sessions later, Primeval Awareness is proving to be great. In fact, it's a strong contender for the title of most useful class feature in the campaign up till now, and it's certainly one of the reasons why she loves to play her ranger. It's a lot of knowledge for the cost of a single spell slot.

I must say I'm glad I was wrong. To me, Primeval Awareness was a hidden gem, a class feature that I had to see in actual play to understand how useful it truly is. Do you have your own hidden gems? What is the spell/feature/anything that you failed to properly gauge before seeing it in actual play?

I just looked it up. You know, at first glance, i would also ignore this feature as not very useful, but on second thought, i can see how it's actually pretty cool.

 

[Bayonet]

Truth be told, I'm thinking of house-ruling a few more weapons into that feat. I understand, when picturing a historical pike, why it'd be awkward at best to try to spin it and hit someone with the blunt end--but mechanically, in the game, the pike is quite similar to the other pole arms, and is basically the only martial option for anyone who wants to be a spear fighter. I think I'd probably allow it.

Similarly, I don't see why a spear shouldn't qualify if a quarterstaff does.

I agree with both of these. The d4 attack doesn't have to be swinging with the butt end, but could be just swinging/clubbing with the shaft, which is feasible.

The spear should definitely get the AoO.

 

[Nebulous]

I agree with both of these. The d4 attack doesn't have to be swinging with the butt end, but could be just swinging/clubbing with the shaft, which is feasible.

The spear should definitely get the AoO.

I just wish we had Classes do weapon damage instead of the weapons themselves, like in 13th Age. And then specialization in a weapon itself adds on a perk. But that was just too far afield from classic D&D.

 

[aramis erak]

How the heck do you use a quarter staff one handed? That's a mistake IMO.

Grip at about 1/3 to 2/5 of the way up, braced against the upper arm. It's actually surprisingly effective in the real world.