D&D (2024) Unearthed Arcana Playtest Packet 6 Video

[Parmandur]

Alright, Crawford discusses an overview the next packet, deep dives intonspecifics coming in more videos tomorrow:

• new packet is the biggest UA ever, bigger than last time
• 7 Classee
• revised Spells and 1 new Spell
• multiple Subclasses per Class
• some revised old Subclasses
• some new Subclasses
• designs responding to specific feedback, moces back to 2024 in some ways, keeps some stuff from last tests, and some new stuff
• Weapon mastery is here to stay, was well received in packet 5 and appears for the Monk, the Rogue, the Ranger, and the Paladin
• endcap features for all Classes returning to Level 20, epic boon Level 20 feature was not well received
• epic boon feats will be explored in a different way and place
• Bard has a new Level 20 endcap feature, "Words of Creation" (no details here)
• Subclass progression returning to 2014, except that Level 3 Subclass start is staying
• new feature for Rogue "Cunning Strike," no details here
• Way of Shadow and Gloomstalker namedropped as being in the packet
• Planar multiversal flavor textain document
• most exciting for Crawford in this playtest is the refining process of comparing public feedback and private playtest to move towards refinement og what delights players

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

I wonder if they'll go back and give Fighter anything of their own, now that everyone gets weapon masteries.

Sounds like next up is finally a hefty playtest packet.

 

[Parmandur]

No indication of Weapon Mastery for Clerics, Druids, or Bards, btw.

 

[Parmandur]

@Morrus

 

[Remathilis]

I'm cautiously nervous. This is feeling far more closer now to nip-tuck than a reconstruction. The fact that subclasses are moving back to where they were (save third level) and the loss of epic boons shows the radical changes are done and the 24 PHB will be more like Tasha/MotM 2.0 than D&D 5.5.

In the battle between compatibility and innovation, compatibility won.

 

[Yaarel]

The return to previous subclass levels shows how difficult it is to change the deep structure of a game, once it is put in use.

Things like the crossclass subclasses, or the balancing of abilities (Dex v Int), or maybe even a functional psionics, must be done when the game first comes out (2014).

 

[Bolares]

and the loss of epic boons

epic boons will still be a thing, just not the 20th level abilities.

 

[Parmandur]

I'm cautiously nervous. This is feeling far more closer now to nip-tuck than a reconstruction. The fact that subclasses are moving back to where they were (save third level) and the loss of epic boons shows the radical changes are done and the 24 PHB will be more like Tasha/MotM 2.0 than D&D 5.5.

In the battle between compatibility and innovation, compatibility won.

Innovation is a means, not an end in itself. Compatibility is a guiding goal, bitnthe true  telos of a new set of game rules is being fun and delightful for customers: even Compatibility can bend if an idea is delightful enough, but innovation always breaks before maximizing fun. The standard progression (which I personally liked) did not fit the wnd of the design purposes of user delight.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I'm disappointed about the Bard subclass progression already, as they stand to lose a level of subclass features by going back.

 

[Parmandur]

I'm disappointed about the Bard subclass progression already, as they stand to lose a level of subclass features by going back.

But it gives the main Class some power budget back. That's probavly why they only kitted out one Subclass for each Class with the test progression.