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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tony Vargas" data-source="post: 6957172" data-attributes="member: 996">Inconceivable.  Mike Mearls's extensive research at conventions (or at least the one anecdote he related to us) clearly showed that D&Ders want to hit orcs, with axes.  The inability to do so necessitated the Essentials Slayer, and, when that didn't result in widespread enough hitting of orcs by axes, we got 5e.5e is the hit the orc with my ax edition.  It's its raisin debtor or whatever that French idiom is.  ;P  All over the world, millions, well tens of th-  well, some players are gleefully hitting orcs with their fighters' axes, reveling in their freedom from the complexity-paralysis of choosing which of two 'stances' they're in while they do it.It's a heart-warming* thought.  Were it not for the common mainstream misconception that a game of hitting orcs with axes is somehow inherently 'violent,' there'd be a Nobel Peace Prize in it for Mr Mearls.Apart from 'kiting,' terrain, and various spells, they can't.  They also don't exactly desperately need to.  Ranged DPR that depends on hitting AC does suffer disadvantage in melee, but if Advantage is already in place (and, especially if both Advantage & Disadvantage already are) that's not a huge deal - there's no AoO or other 'punishment' for an archer or cantrip-spamming caster in melee.  Adding back AoOs for ranged attacks & spell-casting might help.You might want to go with DEX-based attack, STR-based damage for all ranged weapons, projectile or thrown.  That would make ranged weapon combat MAD, and thus less optimal.Crossbows would seem an obvious exception, though maybe they'd just get no damage bonus from stats at all.'K.Cantrips that attack AC already don't get a damage bonus (mostly) and take disadvantage in melee, just like ranged weapons, so they're not crazy.  You might want to nerf the Warlocks' Eldritch Blast combos.  But, yes, when it comes to actual spellcasting, they'd be the 'new' kings of artillery.  'New.'  Sure, whatever...  Probably not the thickest stone wall, since stone's notorious for not burning well.  Maybe a pickax would be a better choice? Because no one ever needs to craft anything in the first place?That's probably enough cantrips to toss one on most rounds that you're not casting an actual spell.Sounds worth it.You went on about cantrips, what about spells and how they figure into lack of melee dominance?  At least have them provoke.  Bringing back loss of the spell (OK, slot in 5e, though that's not nearly as punishing) when interrupted wouldn't be beyond the pale, either..</blockquote>

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