D&D 5E [UPDATED] DMG - Villainous Classes Preview

[TerraDave]

I'm disappointed by the line that NPCs gain class levels using the same rules rules as in the PH. I was hoping for some more simplified approach for DMs who don't have tons of time (especially since we clearly won't have a digital tool any time soon). I like most of 5E, but there are a lot of little things that make the DM's job harder than they need to be.

I think we will still see that--how to make NPCs as they appear in the back of the MM--as well.

 

[Zarithar]

Sort of off the topic, but that is one of the creepiest depictions of a lich I have ever seen. I love it... awesome work to whomever the artist is.

 

[BigVanVader]

Oh man, I want to be that skeleton guy! That looks so wicked, can you imagine that thing shambling around town? "I will slay your insignificant rodents, Mayor! I shall rend the life from their bodies, and throttle their souls forever more."

"Yeah that's great buddy, come get me when you want your 12 gold."

 

[Voneth]

I'm disappointed by the line that NPCs gain class levels using the same rules rules as in the PH. I was hoping for some more simplified approach for DMs who don't have tons of time (especially since we clearly won't have a digital tool any time soon). I like most of 5E, but there are a lot of little things that make the DM's job harder than they need to be.

NPC don't need XP, so just use the Milestone system. Like the header says, I get the impression that this is an option, you can build them the old fashioned way if you want.

 

[Nachti]

So.....the blackguard class option made it into the DMG. Nice!

The spelllist

Inflict Wounds: useless. (Better to use divine smite)
Hellish rebuke: There may be better options then use a lvl1 slot for 2-20 dmg.
Darkness: unlike warlocks paladins cant pierce through magical darkness.
Crown of Madness: situational use
Bestow curse: useful. concentation.
Animate dead: skeleton army!
Blight: 8-64 dmg (save) and kills plant easy. divine smite (4d8 + 2*2d6 )= 8-56 dmg (no save)
Confusion: useful.
Dominate person: perhaps useful.
Contagion: powerful spell. no concentration. For 3 rounds blindness, damage vulnerability or stunned forever.

The class features

Channel Divinity - Control Undead: You attempt to control an undead with CR lesser then paladin level. Want to control a mummy lord or a lich? This is the way!

Channel Divinity - Dreadful Aspect: Each creature within 30 feet must make a save or be frightened. Frightened creatures have disadvantages on attack rolls. Cast this after Dread Lord Aura and each frightened creature takes 4d10 dmg on first turn and each after. Mass Killer.

Aura of Hate: + 5 dmg for paladin and all undead minions. sweet! Oathbreaker and necromancer wizard together could do great harm with their army.

Supernatural defense: Great. Helps against these good aligned dragons.

Dread Lord: Aura deals 4d10 dmg against enemy feared with channel divinity option. You can wrap yourself and all undead minions in shadows so all enemies without blind or true sight get disadvantage on attack rolls. You can use your bonus action do deal 3d10 +5 dmg to one target.


Conclusion:

1) For tough opponents use bestow curse (Constitution) followed by a vulnerability or stun contagnion.
2) Skeleton fighter army! Each deals 5 +5 (Aura) + 6 (Necromancer created) = 15 + 50% vuln. curse = 24 dmg per skeleton. Drawback: Skeletons are squishy.
3) You can have a strong undead minion beside you.
4) Dread Lord + Fear is a powerful AOE combi.

 

[Joe Liker]

Inflict Wounds: useless. (Better to use divine smite)
Hellish rebuke: useless. (Better to use divine smite)

While not likely, it is possible that a paladin's spellcasting stat is higher that his or her melee stat, in which case inflict wounds might be a halfway reasonable choice. It might be a valid multiclass option?

I believe hellish rebuke is a reaction, so ...

 

[Minigiant]

No manslayer nature hater ranger or druid?
Aaaw.

What is shown is okay.

 

[Psikerlord#]

I'm disappointed by the line that NPCs gain class levels using the same rules rules as in the PH. I was hoping for some more simplified approach for DMs who don't have tons of time (especially since we clearly won't have a digital tool any time soon). I like most of 5E, but there are a lot of little things that make the DM's job harder than they need to be.

I have the opposite view - I love that you can make NPCs just like PCs. But really you can do both - there are many example non-PHB NPCs in the monster manual. DMG just also gives you option to build them PC-like, too. Options baby yeah!

 

[Nachti]

Ohhhhhh *mind creates a party*

Cleric - Death Domain
Wizard - Necromancer
Paladin - Oathbreaker

The wizard creates the undeads while the paladin and cleric assert control over them.

Paladin
2x 5th = (4+4)*2 = 16
3x 4th = (4+2)*3 = 18
3x 3th = 4*3 = 12

The paladin can keep control over 46 skeletons.

Cleric and wizard
1x 9th = (4+12)*1 = 16
1x 8th = (4+10)*1 = 14
2x 7th = (4+8)*2 =24
2x 6th = (4+6)*2 = 20
3x 5th = (4+4)*3 = 24

Both of them can keep control over more then 98 skeletons. The party has a total of 242 skeletons and thats a CR 62 army!

Each skeleton has 33 hitpoints, AC 13, +4 to hit and deals 16 (+6 wiz profiency, +5 pala aura, 5 base) dmg.

The paladin keeps an undead companion with him. Death tyrant beholder, death knight, drago lich, mummy lord, vampire (low wis save prefered)

Cleric and wiz could also decide to create mummies or ghasts.

 

[BRKNdevil]

Love the preview... is there a clear image of the second page that isn't missing the top paragraphs?

I'd also like to see the top of the second page of this leak. Its missing it seems one whole ability of the cleric and at least part of the Paladin's