D&D 5E The At Will Attack Granting Thing

[Zardnaar]

Apologies if someone else has mentioned this but some of the argument about at will attack granting are around balance. Put simply with things like Barbarians in the game and the way Rogue sneak attack scales vs 4E Rogues it is a problem. However I think I may have a solution.

Rather than grant attacks how about granting bonus damage instead? Say 2d6 or so at low levels and being a martial class instead of multiple attacks a warlord can grant the extra damage more times. So a level 11 Warlord for example can grant the damage 3 times instead of attack 3 times like a fighter.

The damage can also scale either by level (3d6 at level 8 for example) or via some sort of other resource eg Ki points, superiority dice or inspiration dice but one tailored to the warlord. That way everyone knows roughly how good the granted damage will be and at what levels. Some builds could outright borrow other class mechanics such as a tactical warlord having access to superiority dive and the inspiration one have inspiration dice. Then one can figure out how to staple on things like healing as well.

 

[mellored]

I do full attack action, but deal half damage. Works for rogues, barbarians, and fighters.

I also have bonus damage.

 

[jayoungr]

Interesting idea. I'd like to see someone try it out.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Half damage just seems so odd, to me. "Basic Attack" was such a convenient limiter, and it doesn't seem like it should be so problematic in 5e. A few provisos kept it working in Essentials, when daililess basic-attack spammers became de rigeur.

Obvious stuff would be only a single attack, no extra attack. Takes care of most weapon-users, leaving casters and rogues problematic. Cantrip-only (no spell slot) reduces the issue for casters (reducing the level scaling of the cantrip might be called for - 1st level/1d would map to only one attack). Then again, both of those could be going a little /too/ far if the action-grant costs a full action. For the Rogue, well, SA is 1/turn, extend that to 'since the beginning of the target's last turn' for purpose of the action grant, and you're reasonably safe.

Though it might be a little arbitrary, I also like the idea of limiting healing, action grants, and possibly other things by the lower of the Warlord's or Ally's level.

 

[mellored]

Well another option is haste.

i.e. an extra attack on your turn.

Perhaps as a bonus action.

 

[Valetudo]

I'm not even sure that a 5th edition warlord needs at will attack granting. Definitely not in the core class. This was only one of the many warlord abilities and too many people use it as an excuse for not making an official warlord.

 

[Onyourbike]

I do full attack action, but deal half damage. Works for rogues, barbarians, and fighters.

I also have bonus damage.

Great one...

 

[MoonSong]

Apologies if someone else has mentioned this but some of the argument about at will attack granting are around balance. Put simply with things like Barbarians in the game and the way Rogue sneak attack scales vs 4E Rogues it is a problem. However I think I may have a solution.

Rather than grant attacks how about granting bonus damage instead? Say 2d6 or so at low levels and being a martial class instead of multiple attacks a warlord can grant the extra damage more times. So a level 11 Warlord for example can grant the damage 3 times instead of attack 3 times like a fighter.

The damage can also scale either by level (3d6 at level 8 for example) or via some sort of other resource eg Ki points, superiority dice or inspiration dice but one tailored to the warlord. That way everyone knows roughly how good the granted damage will be and at what levels. Some builds could outright borrow other class mechanics such as a tactical warlord having access to superiority dive and the inspiration one have inspiration dice. Then one can figure out how to staple on things like healing as well.

The same problem than with extra attack vs extra damage, it doesn't feel the same to just grant more damage for the sake of more damage than to allow an ally an extra attack.

 

[jodyjohnson]

I think there will be multiple solutions.

I don't think making the Warlord the 'extra damage' class would be THE solution. I'm sure one could make a balanced extra damage granting class however.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Some allies will have attacks that do more than just damage, or who gain or grant a benefit when they attack, some enemies will respond to being attacked differently. Attack granting was more than just buffing DPR.