D&D (2024) Things You Think Would Improve the Game That We WON'T See

[Yaarel]

I was thinking of that too. One of the concerns with Spell Points is that you would be able to cast multiple high level spells (like Wish or Time Stop) every day, which would be too powerful. The solution would be either A) remove certain high level spells from the Sorcerer list, or B) use the Warlock chassis that limits spells to 5th level (with some kind of Mystic Arcanum equivalent).

I would lean more towards option A and remove the problematic spells from the Sorcerer list. Certain high level spells seem, to me, to make more sense as something that would need to be learned from a book or scroll or dusty old tome hidden away in a Wizard's tower, rather than something a Sorcerer would climb out of his bedroll one morning and say, "Hey guys, I had an epiphany last night. I think I figured out how to stop time for everyone around other than myself." This would help to further make them NotWizards.

Since 2014, Legend Tier Wizards can cast Wish per day.

For the spellpoint Psion, the highest slots are once per day, similar to Invocations. Thus the Psion can only manifest Wish once per day. (Wish is the purest psionic power, making ones mental intention the reality.) The spell point system advances upto slot 5. Meanwhile, the spell points to spend equal level+1. Thus a Legend Psion can manifest three slot 5 spells, then afterward only has 3 points left. This is a dangerous position to be in for a Legend Tier combat adventure. The spellpoint Psion balances well.

 

[MostlyHarmless42]

Where to even begin with this? I just want one thing:
The complete severence of the D&D brand from Wizards of the Coast (more accurately Hazbro), or ANY other corporate entity.

But presume you wish to keep the scope of the conversation to strictly in-game mechanics, so...

1) The complete removal of classes in favor of more organic build abilities that progress based on how many class resources you invest in them (i.e. perks, feats, etc.). Not quite full skyrim where you gain experience by doing things, but akin to that with each major ability (like sneak attack or spellcasting) being tied to "talent trees" or whatever.

2) For monk to have a choice of different strike options akin to weapon masteries rather than stunning strike.

3) For them to realize that Hunter's Mark and hex as spells that use concentration is a terrible option and always will be.

 

[Horwath]

If trying to consolidate the classes, there is only need for two classes:

• Mage (Bard, Cleric, Druid, Psion, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard)
• Warrior (Fighter, Rogue, Warlord)

Multiclass (Artificer, Barbarian, Monk, Paladin, Ranger)

that is mostly my idea

Warrior, martial
Gish, 1/2 caster
Adept, 2/3rd caster
Mage, full caster

 

[Horwath]

I use arrays. So the Background Ability Improvements dont really matter to me, with regard to character concept.

But for players who choose to roll Abilities, the Improvements can mitigate a poor roll. I imagine the Improvements will remain for the 4d6 rollers.

yeah, that +1/+1/+1 can really fix bunch of odd rolls.
if you remove ASI's from race and roll (4d3D1)×2, spread from 6-18, you get similar total as with 4d6D1 with +2/+1, but no chance of odd rolls.

 

[Remathilis]

2) For monk to have a choice of different strike options akin to weapon masteries rather than stunning strike.

3) For them to realize that Hunter's Mark and hex as spells that use concentration is a terrible option and always will be.

The only ones that were remotely feasible, and would have been a good idea. Alas...

 

[mellored]

I was thinking something along the lines of the Spell Point variant in the DMG, but with the base Spell Points Per Level lower than in the table on p289 and adding CON modifier to it.

How about using HP instead of SP?


Sorcerer
Hit dice: 1d12+ Con
DC: 8+proficiency+Con

Casting a non-cantrip spell reduces your max HP by 5 per spell level. This penalty can only be removed by resting.
If this would reduce you to 0HP, you are instead reduced to 1 HP and are incapacitated, but can still maintain concentration. This condition lasts until you restore your max HP.

You can restore your max HP by taking a long rest. You can restore 3 Max HP per hit dice spent.

Metamagic: when you cast a spell, you can reduce your max HP further to gain one of the following effects....

Subclass
When casting the following spells, your Max HP is reduce by 4 per spell level...

 

[mellored]

I was thinking of that too. One of the concerns with Spell Points is that you would be able to cast multiple high level spells (like Wish or Time Stop) every day, which would be too powerful. The solution would be either A) remove certain high level spells from the Sorcerer list, or B) use the Warlock chassis that limits spells to 5th level (with some kind of Mystic Arcanum equivalent).

C) increase the cost with each cast. Or some other penalty for spamming the same spell.

 

[Li Shenron]

What are some changes to the game that you think would improve it that we WON'T see in the new 2024 releases? And why won't we see them?

I think the game would improve if WotC got completely terminated by Hasbro, 5.5e publication was cancelled, and D&D stopped being a business and never saw another official edition ever again but became public domain for the community to create endless variations to each one's own tastes. It won't happen, and why are you even asking why?

On a lesser scale, I think the game would improve if less emphasis were actually given to the rules (and RAW ceased to be a thing) and all importance was given to how to DM and play the game. It won't happen because new rules and recycled material sell, why making the game really work doesn't.

On an even lesser scale, I might be content enough if they removed Druid's metal armor/shield restrictions. It won't happen because designers don't care and just have to leave at least some little imperfections into the game in order to leave the door open for future changes.

 

[mellored]

2) For monk to have a choice of different strike options akin to weapon masteries rather than stunning strike.

They can choose between grapple, push, and trip. And those are all actually decent option now.

Stunned enemy will automatically fail those saves, and Grapple with extra speed lets you drag people into damage zones.

Plus elemental can pull, mercy can punch-heal, shadow can effectively blind creatures, and open hand is better at punching.

 

[wicked cool]

For those of you who want wotc out of the picture and rules to be what you want go create your own. Thats what pathfinder did etc. me i I’m way more happier than when tsr ran it and certainly way more happier than when it didn’t exist. When hostess went out of business nobody stepped up and made a better Twinkie

For me i want some of the changes that Bg3 brought
I love the combo of create water and ice/lightning
Create illusion as something to drag enemies in for cloud of daggers
So many surface area spells don’t work as well in the actual game
Disguise spell works better

There’s a whole bunch of tinkering they could do