D&D 5E So, this is it.

[Zaran]

The one thing I'm afraid of is the fact that spellcasters were really gimped for high level spell slots for the entire playtest. I hope this was corrected because it really discourages me from using high level spells in combat. And if I'm just the same spells I did at lower levels then where is fun in that? The way it should work is the lower level spell slots should be used for utility and high level slots for combat.

 

[Mistwell]

I'm definitely still in the 'wait and see' phase. The playtest has been up and down since the start, with good ideas being introduced, canned, reintroduced, etc. I'm frustrated that many rules from this new edition seem to be a step backwards from 4th Edition, particularly how level progression is all over the place. I also think the price looks like a barrier to entry unless you want to play with just four classes with one build each. It definitely cleans up a lot of the bloat from 3rd and 4th editions, but there's enough rules changes that I'm not enthusiastic about. I'd like to see the full product, especially the non-Basic classes and builds, before I pass judgement.

I don't know of anyone who only bought the 4e PHB 1 and didn't feel the need to buy at least PHB 2, which had some basic races and classes in it. That is, unless they got in so late they bought just Essentials. Given that, it seems like 5e is cheaper than 4e.

 

[Raith5]

I thought the 3E changes to saving throws (to the Fort/Ref/Will model) was one of the greatest things I had ever seen for a D&D mechanics change that made absolute sense and in my opinion made the game so much better..

I had the exact feeling with reference to Fort/Ref/Will Defences in 4th ed. Making the attacker always roll just seemed to elegant and intuitive.

With regards to the OP, while I still think that 4th ed is a fantastic game, I have to admire the ways WOTC did such a large scale playtest and think the basic game looks like first form of D&D that I will be able to play with lapsed or new gamers. Whether it has a new take (and modularity) that is able to emulate the depth of 3rd or 4th ed will have to wait a few more months.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I'm expecting that my reactions to the 5E PH will be quite different than my reactions to the 3E PH when that was released... in that I'm thinking I'm going to feel more pangs of small annoyance by little things that either changed or were not changed enough than I did with 3E. Reason being that unless MAJOR changes occurred following the closing of the playtest... I already know what the main differences and big changes to the game are. Thus the "HOLY CRAP, THAT'S BRILLIANT!" reaction that I had to many parts of the 3E book that got changed (of which I knew very little of before reading it) will not be present because I've already experienced it over the course of the playtest.

Case in point... I thought the 3E changes to saving throws (to the Fort/Ref/Will model) was one of the greatest things I had ever seen for a D&D mechanics change that made absolute sense and in my opinion made the game so much better. While at the same time... I think the 5E change of Advantage/Disadvantage rather than small numeric bonuses is almost as great and just as brilliant. However, the downside is that I've already been living with that change for over a year now... so when I read the 5E book, what would've been a "MY GOD, I LOVE THIS!" moment just won't be there. So ironically... with so many major parts of rules that I would've ordinarily been fawning over now already known to me and I'm no longer emotionally gobsmacked by... much of what will be left will be lots of just small niggling complaints of minor rules differences that would ordinarily have been drowned out by my bigger reactions to the bigger changes. So it's weird to think that I might end up feeling worse about the 5E PH than I otherwise might have, despite the fact I really love a lot of what they've seemingly done with it. I almost hope that some things I haven't yet seen (the new warlock and sorcerer, many sub-classes, etc.) do have some huge changes and implications so that they drown out whatever my ultimate feelings of what was finally decided on for crit rules (for example) have become.

Here's hoping! Because I'd love to still have an "OH CRAP!" moment once or twice when I read the book. Those are fun and very satisfying.

You just expressed unconscious concerns I didn't know I had.

 

[Wrathamon]

Here's hoping! Because I'd love to still have an "OH CRAP!" moment once or twice when I read the book. Those are fun and very satisfying.

I'm guessing you're going to get this with the DMG!

I don't think the PHB is going to have much in the way of brand new stuff over the play test other than some classes/sub-classes. Most are probably minor tweaks.

 

[Jester David]

Completely and totally off topic, does anyone else see the phrase "So, this is it..." and mentally finish it with "we're going to die." each and every time.

 

[Thaumaturge]

Completely and totally off topic, does anyone else see the phrase "So, this is it..." and mentally finish it with "we're going to die." each and every time.

No.

But I do finish it with "please let me know."

I know it should be "if this is it". But that doesn't change facts.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Rygar]

My thoughts?

I started buying Pathfinder. There's too many things in 5th edition that I'm not a fan of, I had considered it at the end of the playtest, but all of the information that came after it decreased my interest substantially. After careful consideration I decided my best course of action would be to invest in Pathfinder as it offers the type of game I prefer, and at this point 5th edition seems to be based on design that makes my playstyle difficult, if not impossible.

 

[TarionzCousin]

I am waiting until I see if it truly works as originally promised: modular. That is, can someone play a simple, no-feats fighter alongside a 3e Skill Monkey and both be equally effective and equally difficult to DM at the same table.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Completely and totally off topic, does anyone else see the phrase "So, this is it..." and mentally finish it with "we're going to die." each and every time.

I hear this song from King Missile in my head (not quite Gramma-friendly): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E57pFwbUVto