D&D 5E The Object Interaction Rule, and how it's changed our action economy

[Psikerlord#]

I hand wave much stuff like drawing and switching weapons (yes, even dual wielding, I dont want to enforce such silliness re you can only draw one weapon for free, hahaha, no- everyone gets a half dual weilder feat in my game, yay!). Other object interactions tend to be on a case by case basis.

 

[Zinnger]

I have been a DM for all versions of D&D (-4e which we did not like at all) and I really like what was done in this edition. With 5e the DM is once again the Dungeon MASTER. True DM's could always make rulings but players would sometimes feel cheated if you ruled something against them and there was a written rule that was in their favor. DM's were more like referees ensuring that the long list of rules were being followed correctly. This 5e is simple and facilitates easy playing fun. In my game, if a player wants to use a bow and then attack later with a weapon I allow them to drop the bow for free and interact with their sword as their interact with object and attack. But the bow is then on the ground and needs to be picked up at some point. Spell casters can stow a weapon and cast this round, next round interact for free to pull the weapon and attack. I find that we all focus more on having fun with the game and much less on super tactics on how to "game" the system for max benefits or what we call min/maxing (minimum in for maximum out even if that's not what would be done in character). I love the new ruling and the whole 5e system. This rule change is just one of the many that I love.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I hand wave much stuff like drawing and switching weapons (yes, even dual wielding, I dont want to enforce such silliness re you can only draw one weapon for free, hahaha, no- everyone gets a half dual weilder feat in my game, yay!). Other object interactions tend to be on a case by case basis.

Same here. Dual wielding is a little sub-par as is without requiring the feat to get your melee on in the first round.

 

[Pickles III]

I have not found the interact making much difference or a change in the dynamic between the players & the DM. The interact equates to general minor action usage in 4e so I am used to that. Some DMs can be very pernickety about it, some more relaxed.

I do think the action economy is very good - I especially like the ability to just move a distance when you like rather than having a move action.

One thing I did like about the 1 minute rounds of 1e was that this faffing about was never an issue as a minute was long enough to do your flurry of attacks plus pretty much anything you wanted that was not plot determined.