What does a character look like from what we know so far?

[Morrus]

Given the 5E Info we have so far (which is, of course, very incomplete), do you think you could design what you think a character might possibly look like?

Obviously, we wouldn't know the underlying math, so we'd be plugging in a lot of fake numbers, but I think we might just have enough information to create a partial - even if a bit inaccurate - sample character. We know how D&D has worked in the past, we have a plethora of tiny snippets of information all documented and categorised on our D&D Next page. It might just be possible.

For example, since we know a little about ability scores and skills, we might be able to say (and yes, I know there's guesswork involved here):

[NOTE - EVERY ITEM OF INFO COMES SOLELY FROM NON-NDA SOURCES; PLEASE DO NOT SUGGEST ANYTHING NDA'd. THESE ARE FROM PUBLIC SEMINARS, ARTICLES, PODCASTS, AND SO ON; SEE THE 5E INFO PAGE FOR WHAT WE KNOW THAT IS NOT UNDER ANY KIND OF NDA]

1st-Level NG (alignment) Half-Orc (race) Fighter (class) Noble (background) Gladiator (theme)

Movement: 25 ft.

STR 17 (+1 Half-Orc, +1 Fighter) (Swimming +2, Climbing +2)
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 10 (-1 Half-Orc) (Heraldry +2)
WIS 8
CHA 14 (diplomacy +2)

HP 15 (dead at -14)
Short Rests x2 (1hp)
Hour Rests x1 (7hp or recharge stuff)
8-Hour x1 (7hp + recharge stuff)

Mace +4 (+1 fighter, +3 STR) to-hit/1d8+3 bludgeoning damage; crit +1d10

Skills: Swimming (STR), Climbing (STR), Heraldry (INT, background), Diplomacy (CHA, background)
​

 

[hafrogman]

Well, I guess the biggest question mark I have here is the attack line. There's been some discussion of flattening math to prevent some of the scaling issues of previous editions. The ability bonuses of (X-10)/2 have two editions of history behind them, and have the convenience of being instantly calculable . . . but can we afford to keep them there and just try and reign in ability score increases? The other question is the +1 'level'. A point every level for fighters was there from the days of THAC0, but it's another thing that's really tough to keep the math up with.

And finally, on a personal note, I really, really hope that fighters get more than 2 skills. I'm tired of that.

 

[the Jester]

Two things: I don't think we'll have skills listed outside of next to their linked stats, and I agree with hafrogman- we won't see "+1 level" on attacks, though we may well see "+1 fighter".

 

[Morrus]

Well, I guess the biggest question mark I have here is the attack line. There's been some discussion of flattening math to prevent some of the scaling issues of previous editions. The ability bonuses of (X-10)/2 have two editions of history behind them, and have the convenience of being instantly calculable . . . but can we afford to keep them there and just try and reign in ability score increases? The other question is the +1 'level'. A point every level for fighters was there from the days of THAC0, but it's another thing that's really tough to keep the math up with.

Yeah, that's just one of those random numbers. Since we don't know what the progression will be, I went with a guess that a 1st level fighter will at least start with a +1. But yes, that number's a pure guess.

And finally, on a personal note, I really, really hope that fighters get more than 2 skills. I'm tired of that.

Oh, I'm sure they will; we don't have any info on how many they get. I just plucked two and threw them on there to illustrate how they apparently interact with the ability scores.

 

[Gansk]

His gladiator theme needs to factor in somehow.

Maybe he can TWF with a net?

Otherwise what is so interesting about this character that a 3rd or 4th edition player would want to play him?

 

[Zireael]

@ up: Maybe the idea that the skills contribute to attributes? (btw where was it mentioned?)

To me, the stats looks nice, not-overly-long. Just the thing I'd aim for in D&D Next.

 

[steeldragons]

I could see things looking something like this.

Coupla things:
1) What do the abilities, other than those with adjustments attached to them, do? A 14 Con...doesn't have any mod?

2) I believe, and certainly hope, the a Background comes with more than 2 skills attached. Though 2 or starting with 2 is a nice way to keep things simpler.

3) Where is/what does their theme give them?

4) Where did Swimming and Climbing come from? Are those supposed to be "Fighter class" auto-skills? What other abilities/skills did the Fighter get...or choose?

5) Other than the +1 Str and the -1 Int, what are they getting (taking up space on the character sheet) for being a half-orc?

 

[Jan van Leyden]

@ up: Maybe the idea that the skills contribute to attributes? (btw where was it mentioned?)

That hasn't been mentioned. Look at the details. Morrus' line says:

STR 17 (+1 Half-Orc, +1 Fighter) (Swimming +2, Climbing +2)

So he implies the STR recieves +1 each due to the character being a Half-Orc and a fighter.

STR itself generates a +2 bonus for the Swimming and Climbing skills.

 

[jadrax]

STR itself generates a +2 bonus for the Swimming and Climbing skills.

I believe you roll d20 +17 for Strength skills, with a further +2 for Swimming and Climbing as your are trained in them.

All in all, that profile looks pretty sweet, although I would like to see Alignment trimmed. ;o)

 

[Szatany]

1st-Level NG (alignment) Half-Orc (race) Fighter (class) Noble (background) Gladiator (theme)

Movement: 25 ft.

STR 17 (+1 Half-Orc, +1 Fighter) (Swimming +2, Climbing +2)
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 10 (-1 Half-Orc) (Heraldry +2)
WIS 8
CHA 14 (diplomacy +2)

HP 15 (dead at -14)
Short Rests x2 (1hp)
Hour Rests x1 (7hp or recharge stuff)
8-Hour x1 (7hp + recharge stuff)

Mace +4 (+1 fighter, +3 STR) to-hit/1d8+3 bludgeoning damage; crit +1d10

Skills: Swimming (STR), Climbing (STR), Heraldry (INT, background), Diplomacy (CHA, background)
​

No modifiers from ability scores? I'm getting that they are same as in 3e and 4e, but only thanks to the mace entry. And it states attack bonus but not skill bonus.
Also, there's no need to put a skill list, if they are listed next to abilities. Or if you have to, at least put the bonus next to each skill.
Half-orc's speed is more likely 30 ft, since halflings have 25.
No abilities from the gladiator theme? We can make something up (like no penalty for improvised weapons or a bonus when using piecemeal armor).