Some playtest questions

[Melkor]

Pardon me if these questions have been asked and answered already. I have tried to look through as much info as I can before asking.

• Minor Spells / Orisons - Is there a limit to the number of times these can be cast in a day, or are they just "at will, all the time?"

• Sorceror's Dragon Breath - I can't find at what level the sorceror obtains this, and how often it can be used. Am I just missing it?

• Can any character take any background?

The last one seems to blur the archetype line quite a bit...A High Elf Fighter with a Thief background is a true McGuyver. If I am reading things right, he could cast Magic Missile at will, fight like a mother#$%^er, and have access to some Thief Abilities.

Now that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly doesn't feel like classic AD&D for those wanting the option to play in that style (unless the DM restricts backgrounds - then, I guess it feels like the Basic Fighter/Magic User).

But that High Elf Fighter with the Thief background using Deadly Strike expertise dice, casting Magic Missile at will, and with access to some Thief Abilities seems to even be able to do enough damage (upped Longsword damage to D10 + expertise dice Deadly Strike) to make the Thief backstab not so appealing because it requires advantage....so he's kind of a McGuyver.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[1of3]

- Minor spells are at-will.

- As of now, a sorcerer cannot gain Dragon Breath. It's probably at a higher level, and has been removed from the files by now.

- That depends on how you want to play: No backgrounds at all, suggested background only, free choice of backgrounds, create your background yourself.

 

[am181d]

Now that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly doesn't feel like classic AD&D for those wanting the option to play in that style (unless the DM restricts backgrounds - then, I guess it feels like the Basic Fighter/Magic User).

There were plenty of half-elven fighter/magic-user/thieves in AD&D. Don't see how this is out-of-place.

 

[Melkor]

There were plenty of half-elven fighter/magic-user/thieves in AD&D. Don't see how this is out-of-place.

Good point. I guess I just never experienced them in my AD&D gaming group.

That said, when and if multi-classing is added to the playest...well, damn....as it is currently written, talk about a McGuyver.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

That said, when and if multi-classing is added to the playest...well, damn....as it is currently written, talk about a McGuyver.

Would not a straight rogue (with thief and sage) be a better McGuyver.. I don't see much fighter in him... Or magic

 

[DogBackward]

Deadly Strike vs. Sneak Attack
The Fighter is meant to be better at killing things. The Rogue isn't. That's why "fight" is in one class's name, and not the other.

Dragon's Breath
This costs 3 Willpower, so is most likely meant to mimic a 3rd level spell. Which means it probably becomes available at level 6. They just put it there to show off what the Dragon bloodline would look like, since a breath weapon is a very iconic ability.

 

[Melkor]

Deadly Strike vs. Sneak Attack
The Fighter is meant to be better at killing things. The Rogue isn't. That's why "fight" is in one class's name, and not the other.

Right. That goes without saying.

I was just making a note that the Fighter taking a Thief background could do a lot of "Thiefy" things and one-up the Rogue's backstab. Seemingly making it an overall "better" choice.

 

[Baumi]

Can you even cast Magic Missile with Armor? Normal Wizard Spells doesn't allow it, but I'm not sure if that is Class specific and do apply to Cantrips.

 

[Melkor]

I think only the sorcerer can....so there is that.

 

[tlantl]

Can you even cast Magic Missile with Armor? Normal Wizard Spells doesn't allow it, but I'm not sure if that is Class specific and do apply to Cantrips.

The only class currently able to cast arcane spells in armor is the sorcerer. WotC broke their own rule with that one.

Being able to cast a single 0 level spell does not a wizard make. In my world anyone can cast cantrips, but of course real cantrips don't do a whole lot of damage. Only about as much as a dagger or dart.

I have to agree that the thief background is pretty good but you still don't get the rogue's take ten plus the bonus for trained skills. So if you want a lesser rogue wizard wannabe fighter be my guest. You'll have to find a way to cast that magic missile while dolled up in that nice suit of full plate you found last week, though.