jgsugden
Legend
I've been reading the new options for Barbarians, Bards, Clerics, Druids and Fighters with interest, but I've been asking myself a question at the end of each article and the answer has consistently been no. The question: "If I was making a new character of this class, would I rather play one of these new builds instead of a build from the PHB?"
In an ideal world, the answer each of us give to that question would be "I'm not sure", or "Sometimes". The new builds should not overshadow the PHB, and the PHB should not overshadow these new builds. They should be merely good candidates.
However, consistently, I find that the new builds have flaws that keep them from being candidates that I might play. Some are really underpowered to the point that they'd frustrate me. Others fill a very narrow niche that does not interest me. Others have features that would be difficult to use in regular play (any creature within 10 of you takes damage when you rage means you always need to be far from your allies, requiring multiple d20 rolls to deal damage once, etc...)
If I were starting a barbarian today, I'd start a Totem barbarian. Bard? Lore. Cleric? Light. Druid? Moon. Fighter? Battlemaster.
How many of us would make use of the new options in these UA articles if they were starting a (3rd level) PC of that class today?
If the answer is that very few of these builds will actually see play, one goal of the articles (to get playtest feedback for new ideas) is not going to work out too well.
Thoughts?
In an ideal world, the answer each of us give to that question would be "I'm not sure", or "Sometimes". The new builds should not overshadow the PHB, and the PHB should not overshadow these new builds. They should be merely good candidates.
However, consistently, I find that the new builds have flaws that keep them from being candidates that I might play. Some are really underpowered to the point that they'd frustrate me. Others fill a very narrow niche that does not interest me. Others have features that would be difficult to use in regular play (any creature within 10 of you takes damage when you rage means you always need to be far from your allies, requiring multiple d20 rolls to deal damage once, etc...)
If I were starting a barbarian today, I'd start a Totem barbarian. Bard? Lore. Cleric? Light. Druid? Moon. Fighter? Battlemaster.
How many of us would make use of the new options in these UA articles if they were starting a (3rd level) PC of that class today?
If the answer is that very few of these builds will actually see play, one goal of the articles (to get playtest feedback for new ideas) is not going to work out too well.
Thoughts?