D&D 5E Your bets on what will still change before the release?

[Li Shenron]

Don't know about you, but I just realized that since the final playtest packet I've been having the feeling that the released version of the game next summer would only see minor (esp. numerical) changes here in there, but not any major change. Well the last few weeks' articles about Sorcerer, Warlock, Bard, wildshape/ploymorph etc. wiped that feeling off, and now I have quite the opposite feeling that there will still be (i.e. have been ) major changes before release. Not as massive as changing entire rules systems of the game (e.g. proficiency rules, feats, multiclassing scheme, action economy...) but still pretty major when it comes to character material.

So what do you think we'll see change significantly since the last playtest packet?

At the moment, I have the feeling we might still see important changes to the Rogue and the Ranger, and that there'll be a major revision of tools vs skills proficiencies (with possible needed changes to the backgrounds default structure). I also wonder if they might change their mind about the current spells stacking rules.

 

[ExploderWizard]

Since the public playtest was an exercise in concept testing I expect quite a bit of difference in actual mechanical operation in most areas. I never saw the playtest packets as any kind of "state of the game as of [insert date]". What was released in those packets was not only quite a bit behind the live version, but aimed more at testing the temperature of the water on hotly debated topics than anything else.

The lack of a a public playtest on actual mechanics may be a great thing or it might be terrible. We won't know until we see the finished product.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Essentially, the playtests appear to have been pre-alpha. So, I expect a lot of changes, and we have seen hints of them in the articles they've given us so far.

 

[fjw70]

I expect a lot of changes to classes and monsters.

 

[Arduin's]

The lack of a a public playtest on actual mechanics may be a great thing or it might be terrible. We won't know until we see the finished product.

Exactly. And also why I refuse to purchase this version sight unseen. Already got burnt doing that with 4e.

 

[Remathilis]

I think that some of the general ideas from the packets will remain: bounded accuracy, ability saves, stuff like that. I think the individual classes are all going to be tweaked.

Still, its useful to see all the things we didn't get: skill dice, archetypes/talents, rogue powers vs. Sneak Attack, Spell-point sorcerers, expertise dice, deities for clerics, the Mage, Healing HD, etc. They were ideas that could well have been in the PHB, but we were able to try them and discard them when they failed.

 

[fjw70]

I thought healing HD were still in the latest packet.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure HD healing is going to be in. There was an L&L article back a while ago about a completely different take, but it never materialized and Mike Mearls said that HD healing was well-received in the feedback surveys (implying they are sticking with it).

Personally, while it isn't my favorite, I'm okay with it as long as I change the rule we currently have to say that a long rest gives you half of your HD and none of your hit points.

 

[tuxgeo]

I'm fairly confident that I recall a mention somewhere that the Human race was going to be completely redesigned: No longer getting a boatload of Ability Adjustments, but instead getting things that make it the most universally useful race. That probably doesn't include a "Human bonus" feat at 1st level (Darn it!), because feats are supposed to be optional; but it might give extra proficiencies.

One of the things Mike Mearls tweeted about recently was that the proficiencies were in need of repair; this leads me to imagine that possibly one of the things the Human race could get, instead of boatloads of Ability Adjustments, is an exception to the restrictions that the designers are going to have to put on the acquisition of proficiencies by all the other races.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think they will enbd up using a cleaned up version of the 3rd/4th ed skill system (but optional) and I would not be surprised to see the return of fort/ref/will.