But what is missing is the 4th level Feat that causes frightened every time you hit (essentially Menacing Strike at will with no damage). That would still be on Wisdom.
Unearthed Arcana WOTC still can't get the backgrounds right in the new FR book.
- Thread starter ECMO3
- Start date
But what is missing is the 4th level Feat that causes frightened every time you hit (essentially Menacing Strike at will with no damage). That would still be on Wisdom.
FrogReaver
The most respectful and polite poster ever
Not sure your point?
jasper
Rotten DM
you will optimize. you will optimize. hypotoad says you will optimize!
FrogReaver
The most respectful and polite poster ever
I resemble that comment!
Nah, having a single attribute point in a place you didn't want it doesn't create a situation where you miss out on 2-3 adds the bonus. You miss out on a single plus one.
I've played at tables with over 100 characters. I've seen one be optimized.
I've watched thousands of hours of Actual Play -- I don't think I've seen an optimized character ever.
All the discussions on Twitter/Threads/Mastodon/Facebook (not counting groups designated for optimization) don't talk about D&D as an optimization game unless it's players who played 3/3.5.
I've seen no evidence that optimization of mechanics is the leading style of play in 5e and the evidence from the shifts in design to 2024 are indications that there's no evidence WotC has seen of it either.
CreamCloud0
Hero
i really think putting prescribed ASI in backgrounds must've been one of the most braindead decisions the Wizards design department must've had, one step forward, two steps back, they had floating ASI and pretty much everyone was happy (even if some like myself were lamenting the lack of default guideline ASI on the newer species coming out).
IMO backgrounds should avoid the more fundamental stuff of character creation like ASI and even probably skills (okay i know that second one makes less sense to avoid but look at how access to certain skills bias background selection) and just try go for quantity on the smaller and more niche traits that aren't so easily attained but which can work well to build the theme of the background, your sailor rather than +2,+1, acrobatics and perception, navigator's tools and tavern brawler which feels rather generic, gets a swim or climb speed, navigator's or cartographer's tools proficiency, water vehicle proficiency, hold breath/1min, proficiency with scimitars and tridents and advantage on any sleight of hand, survival, history, nature or persuasion check related to what would be considered 'sailors knowledge'
IMO backgrounds should avoid the more fundamental stuff of character creation like ASI and even probably skills (okay i know that second one makes less sense to avoid but look at how access to certain skills bias background selection) and just try go for quantity on the smaller and more niche traits that aren't so easily attained but which can work well to build the theme of the background, your sailor rather than +2,+1, acrobatics and perception, navigator's tools and tavern brawler which feels rather generic, gets a swim or climb speed, navigator's or cartographer's tools proficiency, water vehicle proficiency, hold breath/1min, proficiency with scimitars and tridents and advantage on any sleight of hand, survival, history, nature or persuasion check related to what would be considered 'sailors knowledge'
Necropolitan
Hero
ASIs should be freely-assigned and Background abilities should be tied to the main ability score of the character using them unless there's an obvious reason they shouldn't be.
Clint_L
Legend
I'm far from a hard core min-maxer, but I have to agree with @ECMO3 that the way backgrounds are currently done leads to some weird fits if you are trying to find a background that complements your class, and I do think that is something that most experienced players at least think about. You may think about it and then decide not to worry about it, but it's gotta be a consideration, right?
Perhaps one answer is to tie backgrounds to two skills and one "extra" perk, and leave ability score increases entirely up to the player - just rule that every character gets the ability score improvement feat automatically at Level 1.
Perhaps one answer is to tie backgrounds to two skills and one "extra" perk, and leave ability score increases entirely up to the player - just rule that every character gets the ability score improvement feat automatically at Level 1.
Necropolitan
Hero
The fact that the best Background for Monks is Sailor says all that needs to be said about how absurd the Background system currently is.
FrogReaver
The most respectful and polite poster ever
Why is it the best?
Similar Threads
D&D 5E (2024)
Is anyone going to use the new 2024 backgrounds?
D&D 5E (2024)
Learning to Love the Background System
