D&D (2024) What could OneD&D to bring YOU back to D&D? (+)

[Argyle King]

I don't mind "natural language."

But, if used, it should actually be natural language.

Example: There exists a plethora of unnatural rules distinctions between melee attacks, unarmed strikes, and the attacks (bites, horns, and etc) of an animal.

I do believe that 4E had a pretty good layout for rules. There is plenty of viable middle ground between prose and technical writing.

Also, better indices in the books would help a lot.

 

[Strider1973]

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is still one of my favourite game systems, together with a bunch of other systems, but in my personal top chart it has lost the pole position, so to speak.
Here is my initial wish list for One D&D:

1. I'd like a more refined and detailed Skill System, and Proficiency Bonus System, event if I know it won't happen, since it would cause some serious issues about backwards compatibility. I like for instance what PF2 has done with the Proficiency System (I don't recall the exact name, now), and I like also what Level Up! Advanced 5th edition has done with Skill Specialties. I'd like One D&D made a step in that direction, even simply looking at Skill Specialties as inspiration (no pun intended...): I would like there were more ways to customize your characters without recurring to martial abilities or spells you can cast.
2. Better rules for Half Races, or rather Hybrid Species now: please, WotC, look at what Level Up! Advanced Fifth Edition has done, or even again PF2; even on DMs Guild there are excellent third party books for Hybrid Species. Please, WotC, put more crunch and more flavor as well into Hybrid Species!
3. I'd like also a series of "official" optional rules to tone down the magic in the game, so that the players would be able to play different kind and styles of fantasy, not necessarily High Fantasy: magic is really too much mundane in 5th edtion, and it seems to me it will be even more so in One D&D!
4. I'd like a more reliable CR/Balancing Encounter System: again, according to me both PF2 and Level Up! Advanced Fifth Edition have done a better job at creating a more consistent and reliable System to create encounters as difficult or easy as the GM/DM wants them to be than D&D 5th Edition has done, even with the improvement in Xanathar's Guide to Everything.

Merry Christmas and Happy life and Happy New Year to you and to all your dear ones, and Peace to the Whole World!

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I really liked the base design of 5e, but I er the years the lack of interesting new rules content to explore has led me to feel that it got stale. More subclasses is great but doesn't work for me the same as more base classes with unique mechanics would.

Ultimately though what would bring me back would be a change in focus to release books with rules content for every table, not hybrid setting/adventure/rules books that I can only use small bits and pieces of.

 

[Maxperson]

How would pro per day be, "balance around individual encounters instead"?

Short rest abilities are only the tip of the iceberg. The game right now is balanced around hit point attrition and the abilities reflect that. They would have to be changes such that hit points aren't what the game revolves around.

Much of the game is about healing or mitigating damage and slow attrition of hit points and those abilities. If you look at 1e-3e, while hit points were good, the game wasn't balanced around them. In a different model you can have an ability that is used proficiency times per day and still be balanced per encounter rather than the adventuring day.

 

[Umbran]

You can play with anything, but there are fully-designed games out there, and I don't feel a need to waste my time and money on a half-baked product where I have to do extra work. If WotC decides to make being a DM obnoxious again, I will continue to contribute to the DM shortage. If they want my money, they need to sell me a product that actually has a RAW in the first place. This goes double for any design I'd do - I don't want to have to guess how the average DM fills in the blanks in the rules to design content for them to use those rules with.

Mod Note:
While the OP is perhaps setting up such an issue, can you please stop using a (+) thread as a general dumping ground for your dislikes? Thanks.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

1. This is a + thread.
2. I answered what would get me excited about 1 D&D. You don’t have to be excited about the same things I am and in a normal thread I’d be happy to debate you more, but this is a + thread.
3. Low level play is my favorite. I especially like levels 1 and 2.

I try to take magic initiate…I like be able to use a cantrip attack here or there to show I am no mere fighter…

A feat early is surely one reasons I often take variant human of course

 

[pogre]

If you're a lapsed player - or simply a burned-out one like me - what would you like to see to get you excited?

I still run some 5e, but the thing that would get me to jump to 1D&D would be a massive adventure campaign going from level 1 to 20.

I am fully aware I am very much on the minority on this one

 

[Incenjucar]

I still run some 5e, but the thing that would get me to jump to 1D&D would be a massive adventure campaign going from level 1 to 20.

I am fully aware I am very much on the minority on this one

Something like a double-length Curse of Strahd?

 

[Campbell]

• Smaller, less linear scenario design.
• Stronger support for exploration and social pillars, particularly for non-spellcasters.
• Tighter math.
• More compelling and dynamic monster design.

 

[pogre]

Something like a double-length Curse of Strahd?

Yes, would not have to be Ravenloft per se, but something huge and immersive.

I am also one of those oddballs that enjoys running high level games.