D&D 5E (2024) Unpopular opinion: I wish 5e PCs looked like NPCs

[TwoSix]

When I'm browsing through some of the monster options in the most recent Monster Manual, and I see sheets like these:

Mage » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Priest » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Pirate Captain » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Goblin Hexer » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Cambion » DnD 5.5 Monsters

I think, I wish 5e PCs looked like that. Simple, clean, elegant. No moving parts, just pick up and play. I'd like to just have a PHB that's like 100-150 blocks like that, let the players pick one, and have some optional rules in the back to let advanced players swap out some functions as desired.

When you level, gain a Hit Die and increase 1 stat by 1.

 

[prabe]

When I'm browsing through some of the monster options in the most recent Monster Manual, and I see sheets like these:

Mage » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Priest » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Pirate Captain » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Goblin Hexer » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Cambion » DnD 5.5 Monsters

I think, I wish 5e PCs looked like that. Simple, clean, elegant. No moving parts, just pick up and play. I'd like to just have a PHB that's like 100-150 blocks like that, let the players pick one, and have some optional rules in the back to let advanced players swap out some functions as desired.

When you level, gain a Hit Die and increase 1 stat by 1.

Different tastes and preferences will be different. As someone who thinks build choices are among the sorts of player choices that can and should matter, that'd drive me kinda nuts.

 

[TwoSix]

Different tastes and preferences will be different. As someone who thinks build choices are among the sorts of player choices that can and should matter, that'd drive me kinda nuts.

Well, I did label it "unpopular opinion" for a reason.

But, I just look at the cambion block or the mage block and think "That's my perfect character for a 5e game". I could play that for 25-30 sessions, and as long as we get some fun magic items periodically to change things up, I don't even need to level.

 

[payn]

Different tastes and preferences will be different. As someone who thinks build choices are among the sorts of player choices that can and should matter, that'd drive me kinda nuts.

Im with Prabe on this one.

Though, I know im sounding like a broken record, when I want character sheets/abilities that dont change much I play something like Traveller. I expect D&D to be crunchy. Though, im a weirdo who loves 3E/PF1.

 

[mamba]

Mage is not too far off, you still have some spells to select, but for a Fighter this becomes pretty restrictive. If that is what you are looking for, there is always the OSR

 

[TwoSix]

Mage is not too far off, you still have some spells to select, but for a Fighter this becomes pretty restrictive. If that is what you are looking for, there is always the OSR

Most OSR games are too gritty and lethal for what I prefer, and they also like to section off fun magic abilities into complex mechanics.

I'd love to play a 5e character like:

Standard array
6d8 HD
Proficient in 6 skills, and expertise in 3.
Light armor, simple weapons.
Pick one 2nd level spell (that doesn't heal HP), cast it at-will.

 

[Tigris]

When I'm browsing through some of the monster options in the most recent Monster Manual, and I see sheets like these:

Mage » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Priest » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Pirate Captain » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Goblin Hexer » DnD 5.5 Monsters

Cambion » DnD 5.5 Monsters

I think, I wish 5e PCs looked like that. Simple, clean, elegant. No moving parts, just pick up and play. I'd like to just have a PHB that's like 100-150 blocks like that, let the players pick one, and have some optional rules in the back to let advanced players swap out some functions as desired.

When you level, gain a Hit Die and increase 1 stat by 1.

I think 5E classes, especially spellcasters, could be more clear/n, but level up being just more health and 1 stat increasing by 1, thats not fun. Thats not a levelup. That brings absolutely no meaningfull change in gameplay.

Other games like beacon have more streamlined classes: https://img.itch.zone/aW1hZ2UvMTE2MDE1Ny8xNDM1Nzc0NS5wbmc=/original/kjWBLp.png


And you can also make premade characters in 5E to just pick up and play people do this for one shots in conventions all the time.


Also the linked blocks are not that clean. The spellcaster still has 12 linked spells which are not on the statblock. And the most thing which is missing is the items (which you speak of in levelup). So this mage is a bit simpler than a normal character but not that much simpler.

 

[Clint_L]

I feel like that wouldn't be a 5e character, at all. This is kind of suggesting that 5e would be better if it used a totally different character system.

Homebrew it. Try it out and see what you think. These are the much more basic character cards I made for my Pro-D&D games:

 

[Gradine]

I'm with OP, I'd love a 5e Basic; a B5E to go along with A5E, if you will.

 

[TwoSix]

I think 5E classes, especially spellcasters, could be more clear/n, but level up being just more health and 1 stat increasing by 1, thats not fun. Thats not a levelup. That brings absolutely no meaningfull change in gameplay.

Yep. That’s what I find to be a feature, not bug.

Other games like beacon have more streamlined classes: https://img.itch.zone/aW1hZ2UvMTE2MDE1Ny8xNDM1Nzc0NS5wbmc=/original/kjWBLp.png

Yea, that’s excellent. Love the look of that.

Also the linked blocks are not that clean. The spellcaster still has 12 linked spells which are not on the statblock. And the most thing which is missing is the items (which you speak of in levelup). So this mage is a bit simpler than a normal character but not that much simpler.

I understand the complaint, certainly, but I've never found looking up/remembering spells that onerous as a player. At a certain level of option complexity, options have to be moved into some sort of appendix and out of the mainline text.

And what I really like is how each spell is more like a spell-like ability with its own uses, rather than the "pool of options" of 5e spell slots. And I like the shared casting of the BA and reaction abilities a whole lot. That's what I find the most elegant.