D&D (2024) Why are weapon masteries limited?

[Pauln6]

"A melee attack that involves using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5ft of you."

Hmmm...

Though the Damage option -does- specify that you have to make an attack roll, separately from the introductory text.

I'll accept this interpretation because it's marginally less lame for D&D24 than the alternative... but A5e's implementation remains superior, IMO.

Though I almost can't wait to see some funky interactions since grappling is a melee attack tied to unarmed strike when someone implements a mechanic that applies to all melee attacks and results in someone pulling off a flaming Piledriver of a grapple check 'cause it "Adds 3d6 fire damage to all melee attacks!"

In 2024 and in A5E, it's an attack roll make an unarmed attack (which can inflict higher damage with certain feats or class features) but a saving throw for your opponent for the others. No more expertise in Athletics or advantage from being berserk. It makes it more of a fair contest. The main difference in A5E (there are a few others like being able to shove more than 5 feet)is that you ALSO do the basic 1 damage when you do the other manoeuvres if they fail their save.

So no features that require an attack roll or a damage roll will key off of these manoeuvres unless expressly stated.

 

[abirdcall]

"A melee attack that involves using your body to damage, grapple, or shove a target within 5ft of you."

Hmmm...

Though the Damage option -does- specify that you have to make an attack roll, separately from the introductory text.

I'll accept this interpretation because it's marginally less lame for D&D24 than the alternative... but A5e's implementation remains superior, IMO.

Though I almost can't wait to see some funky interactions since grappling is a melee attack tied to unarmed strike when someone implements a mechanic that applies to all melee attacks and results in someone pulling off a flaming Piledriver of a grapple check 'cause it "Adds 3d6 fire damage to all melee attacks!"

I believe in 2014 an "attack" was defined by being an attack roll but now it is not as clear
Though under "attack" it still says make an attack roll with a weapon or unarmed strike.

Then under unarmed strike it gives 3 options and 2 aren't attack rolls so yeah could be more clear.

The main difference is that it was an opposed check (which was terrible) and now forces a save.

 

[ezo]

We'll have to see if the Save mechanic works any better or more fairly. I'm not holding my breath... but here's hoping.

 

[Ashrym]

Neither Shove nor Trip are in the Rules Glossary. Nor are they in the Combat section that I saw.

Do you have a page reference?

I see someone else already posted, but it's under Unarmed Strike rules. I had the same issue because it wasn't in the rules glossary or combat section and found it reading other parts of the PHB. That's something that could have been better referenced.

 

[Steampunkette]

That's something that could have been better referenced.

I feel like this is just a description of much of the D&D24 PHB.

 

[Azzy]

I see someone else already posted, but it's under Unarmed Strike rules. I had the same issue because it wasn't in the rules glossary or combat section and found it reading other parts of the PHB. That's something that could have been better referenced.

It is in the index (under "shoving") at least.