Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
Potion miscibility and the wandering trollop table.
D&D 5E What would you like to see added to 5E before it's published?
- Thread starter koga305
- Start date
pickin_grinnin
Explorer
Yep. Be honest about what it is.
Dice4Hire
First Post
I really want to see a strong dose of 1E's randomness and less of 4E and 3.x's rigid decision making. Not picking on those editions, but they are far less random.
Randomness meaning things like
potion miscibility
chances of dragons sleeping
tables to randomly make dungeons
and the like/
Randomness meaning things like
potion miscibility
chances of dragons sleeping
tables to randomly make dungeons
and the like/
Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad
GreyLord
Legend
This could open a can of worms, but that could actually be very subjective on whether it's actually 5th edition or not.
You have OD&D, Holmes, B/X, BECMI, Rules Cyclopedia as the actual 5th edition D&D.
Or, if you include AD&D, you could see it as BECMI as the 5th edition.
Or...
it goes on and on and on....
Edition as an edition is really a more subjective thing than people think!!!!
Dragons sleeping ... Yeah sure, but then I'd like a chance of other creatures sleeping as well. Dragons shouldn't be the only ones who can be caught napping. Maybe monsters could be listed with an activity period (diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular), or in the case of sunless environment dwellers, a percentage chance of being awake.
Meanwhile, in response to the OP, I'd like the Kris Kringles at Wizards of the Coast to put a knight subclass for fighters, a necromancer, a star pact warlock, tactics and narrative modules, trap building, a comprehensive downtime system, extreme weather rules, and most importantly, metallic dragons into the 5e stocking. A module for running Victorian settings with rules for pistol duelling would be nice, but is not essential.
TrippyHippy
Hero
Non-generic Human race/cultures.
MortalPlague
Adventurer
Playing one in the internal test right now. Tremendous fun.
Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
I'd agree with you if they hadn't explicitly labelled 3E as 3rd Edition and 4E as 4th edition.
5th Edition seems like a logical naming choice.
steeldragons
Steeliest of the dragons
I'm not sure how much of this is "added to" or "going back to" [from earlier playtests] or, maybe even already included...but what I'd like to see...
1. Simple "base/big 4" classes. They were there...and then it seemed they continued to pile stuff on. Now, how much of that was them testing "additional/optional" bits n' pieces and how much was to be taken as "default" I can't really say.
2. Easily added "sub-classes" through backgrounds and "specialities." I should be able, with minimal trouble, to take a Fighter and get a knight, non-"barbarian" berserker, a swashbuckler, hand-to-hand/pugilist/martial artist, professional mercenary crossbowman/axeman, a tribal spear-chucker/javelin user, etc...I should be able to take a mage and with a background or specialty make a rural "wisewoman/witch-type", or ceremonial magic/ritual specialist magician, a barbarian clan's run-caster/soothsayer type, etc...not necessarily an arcane "tradition" in the sense of specialist schools. The illusionists, necromancers, etc... seem easy enough to do and/or easy enough to come later with extended spelllists, splat books, and the like.3
3. A SIMPLE/minimal feat list. Enough options for non-casters to be comparable to casters in player options, but not so many as to invoke option paralysis or require pages and pages of reading just for feats.
4. A SIMPLE/minimal skills list. I'm kinda on the fence as to whether this should include interactive skills (persuasion, diplomacy, bluff, etc...) or not. I suppose these could be included in the expanded "Standard" or "Advanced" game options. Depends on how well they do an interaction sub-system, I suppose. I am prone to want this to be left to roleplaying moreso than not. But we'll see. Honestly, I think more than other elements, interactions should be effected by/based in background...with, then, possible skills adding further bonus.
5. An effective but simple interaction subsystem that still allows/depends on roleplaying [then adding bonuses/penalties on top of the RP element). I would include the Morale system in the interaction pillar of mechanics as it is where, typically, "parlay" moves into combat and/or combat can move into surrender/capture/parlay.
6. A severely pared down spell list...for all casters/types of magic. Adding spells after in supplements, online resources, "Unearthed Arcana" and "Ultimate Magic" hardbacks and such is a no-brainer. Not to mention, we have 40 years of backlog of spells. If there's not something you want in your games in the initial release spell lists, it should take minimal effort to port/convert your favorite spells into 5e terms.
7. A thorough, but easily incorporated, set of guides for stronghold building/realm ruling in the "Expert/Companion" level play...given what we know of 5e, I would put this around the classic area of 9th [ye olde "name" level]-12th level. Obviously, this wouldn't need to be included in the "simple/basic" version of the game, but for the Standard or Advanced I would certainly like to see it. Mass combat/inter-domain conflict optional...as its own separate module.
8. Warlocks and Sorcerers that have good flavor, moreso than kewlz mechanics, that do not make the Wizard/mages lame or inconsequential. IMHO, the Wizards are the WIZARDS! There is a somewhat unspoken implication that they are the masters of magic. Witches, sorcerers, and other arcane classes are just trying to figure things out on their own, steal and/or take the easy way to power, and/or keep up with actual wizards. Obviously at higher levels this isn't necessarily so, but for the beginner/starter PCs, yeah a wizard should be able to "out magic" a warlock or sorcerer.
9. I would like to see an easy to incorporate system for psychic powers/psionics...but I have no idea how/what that should be...nor whether psionic classes need be included out of the gate or if a supplement "Powers of the Mind" module to tack on for those that want them will suffice.
10. Non-"shouty healer" Warlords. Warlords are what? Lords...of War. Give me the battlefield stuff and combat effectiveness, and yes some "leadership/inspirational" skill or persuasion. Mid-combat shout healing, while yes, very handy for winning combats, is just not good for immersion. This seems already in the works, if not the bag, so that's good from my perspective.
I'll reiterate the "randmoness/specific tables" requests as well. But, again, I have plenty of those from past editions so if 5e doesn't have them...I still know where to get them...or can make up my own. Well, on that note, I guess this counts enough to be its own thing...
11. I will add, to the random tables list, an optional "Spell Disruption/Interruption Effects" for casters that don't get their spells off...which I suppose mandates spell interruption mechanics if they aren't already there [even as an optional module?]. Making magic should be tricky, potentally dangerous, theriouth business!
I'm sure there's more...but that'll do for now.
[EDIT] OH! And I forgot to mention...a great big bold, whole page explaining (for those who don't know/just entering the D&D world or never having played this way before) the whole "This manual is full of Rulings not Rules", "Guidelines not Law", and "Saying NO about any particular element in the game is not a dirty word and completely permissible for the DM." I want it at the beginning of every blessed book, PHBs, MMs and DMGs so ni matter what is being looked at/owned/used by the individual players, they all are reminded. Granted the DMGs can go into this with more detail, guidelines, suggestions for incorporating and how to effectively adjudicate and mediate for your group.[/EDIT]
1. Simple "base/big 4" classes. They were there...and then it seemed they continued to pile stuff on. Now, how much of that was them testing "additional/optional" bits n' pieces and how much was to be taken as "default" I can't really say.
2. Easily added "sub-classes" through backgrounds and "specialities." I should be able, with minimal trouble, to take a Fighter and get a knight, non-"barbarian" berserker, a swashbuckler, hand-to-hand/pugilist/martial artist, professional mercenary crossbowman/axeman, a tribal spear-chucker/javelin user, etc...I should be able to take a mage and with a background or specialty make a rural "wisewoman/witch-type", or ceremonial magic/ritual specialist magician, a barbarian clan's run-caster/soothsayer type, etc...not necessarily an arcane "tradition" in the sense of specialist schools. The illusionists, necromancers, etc... seem easy enough to do and/or easy enough to come later with extended spelllists, splat books, and the like.3
3. A SIMPLE/minimal feat list. Enough options for non-casters to be comparable to casters in player options, but not so many as to invoke option paralysis or require pages and pages of reading just for feats.
4. A SIMPLE/minimal skills list. I'm kinda on the fence as to whether this should include interactive skills (persuasion, diplomacy, bluff, etc...) or not. I suppose these could be included in the expanded "Standard" or "Advanced" game options. Depends on how well they do an interaction sub-system, I suppose. I am prone to want this to be left to roleplaying moreso than not. But we'll see. Honestly, I think more than other elements, interactions should be effected by/based in background...with, then, possible skills adding further bonus.
5. An effective but simple interaction subsystem that still allows/depends on roleplaying [then adding bonuses/penalties on top of the RP element). I would include the Morale system in the interaction pillar of mechanics as it is where, typically, "parlay" moves into combat and/or combat can move into surrender/capture/parlay.
6. A severely pared down spell list...for all casters/types of magic. Adding spells after in supplements, online resources, "Unearthed Arcana" and "Ultimate Magic" hardbacks and such is a no-brainer. Not to mention, we have 40 years of backlog of spells. If there's not something you want in your games in the initial release spell lists, it should take minimal effort to port/convert your favorite spells into 5e terms.
7. A thorough, but easily incorporated, set of guides for stronghold building/realm ruling in the "Expert/Companion" level play...given what we know of 5e, I would put this around the classic area of 9th [ye olde "name" level]-12th level. Obviously, this wouldn't need to be included in the "simple/basic" version of the game, but for the Standard or Advanced I would certainly like to see it. Mass combat/inter-domain conflict optional...as its own separate module.
8. Warlocks and Sorcerers that have good flavor, moreso than kewlz mechanics, that do not make the Wizard/mages lame or inconsequential. IMHO, the Wizards are the WIZARDS! There is a somewhat unspoken implication that they are the masters of magic. Witches, sorcerers, and other arcane classes are just trying to figure things out on their own, steal and/or take the easy way to power, and/or keep up with actual wizards. Obviously at higher levels this isn't necessarily so, but for the beginner/starter PCs, yeah a wizard should be able to "out magic" a warlock or sorcerer.
9. I would like to see an easy to incorporate system for psychic powers/psionics...but I have no idea how/what that should be...nor whether psionic classes need be included out of the gate or if a supplement "Powers of the Mind" module to tack on for those that want them will suffice.
10. Non-"shouty healer" Warlords. Warlords are what? Lords...of War. Give me the battlefield stuff and combat effectiveness, and yes some "leadership/inspirational" skill or persuasion. Mid-combat shout healing, while yes, very handy for winning combats, is just not good for immersion. This seems already in the works, if not the bag, so that's good from my perspective.
I'll reiterate the "randmoness/specific tables" requests as well. But, again, I have plenty of those from past editions so if 5e doesn't have them...I still know where to get them...or can make up my own. Well, on that note, I guess this counts enough to be its own thing...
11. I will add, to the random tables list, an optional "Spell Disruption/Interruption Effects" for casters that don't get their spells off...which I suppose mandates spell interruption mechanics if they aren't already there [even as an optional module?]. Making magic should be tricky, potentally dangerous, theriouth business!
I'm sure there's more...but that'll do for now.
[EDIT] OH! And I forgot to mention...a great big bold, whole page explaining (for those who don't know/just entering the D&D world or never having played this way before) the whole "This manual is full of Rulings not Rules", "Guidelines not Law", and "Saying NO about any particular element in the game is not a dirty word and completely permissible for the DM." I want it at the beginning of every blessed book, PHBs, MMs and DMGs so ni matter what is being looked at/owned/used by the individual players, they all are reminded. Granted the DMGs can go into this with more detail, guidelines, suggestions for incorporating and how to effectively adjudicate and mediate for your group.[/EDIT]
Last edited:
Similar Threads
