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Post by chris on Oct 26, 2014 23:05:00 GMT
Hello All As discussed last week I'll be running a test game of 5th edition D&D on Monday 3rd November to give this new system a go I'll run the first part of the starter set adventure "Lost Mines of Phandelver" I believe Stephen, Karl, Maurice and Mike are signed up to play? You have 3 choices for character generation: 1) Create your own using the basic rules document - free online here: dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules2) Use the players handbook to create your own (I'll bring my copy down to the club tomorrow night but I can't lend it out I'm afraid as I need it to prep). This has huge amounts of choice compared to the free version - and includes feats and multiclass rules 3) Use one of the pre-gen characters in the box (which I'll bring) We won't have a lot of time to character gen on the night so I suggest having this sorted as much as possible beforehand so we can get cracking and try this out If you are creating your own - start at level one - use standard array or point buy system. You can buy stuff with starting gold or take the suggested packages from class and backgrounds. You can also tinker with the backgrounds but check the final results with me before we play. I've now spent quite a bit of time reading through the system. I'm impressed! I don't think it will replace Pathfinder for me but if you are looking for a less involved, lighter system, this looks awesome. I'm particularly impressed with: - The way lots of character types are viable from level one without lots of feats and without needing 8 hour's reading or a degree in the game system to produce a solid character - dex based combat characters are now easy to build and effective from the off. Actually, I think it would be hard to build an ineffective character - but there is still plenty of choice for those who want to get deep into the options.
- The advantage / disadvantage mechanic looks simple and effective
- Some really cool, imaginative ideas for class powers in the players handbook - I love the variety of channel divinity powers for clerics for example - only one domain gets to heal with its channeling the rest have more flavourful powers
- The flattening of ACs and to hit bonuses across the board - lessening the pressure to keep up and lessening the importance of oodles of boring magical gear - e.g. The ancientest biggest nastiest dragon has an ac of only 22! - (oh and 549 hp... but at least a level one character could hit it for 11hp before it batted them into oblivion with a lazy flick of its tail!)
- No arcane spell failure - wizards in armor - yay!
See you tomorrow night! Chris
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Post by mike on Oct 27, 2014 12:11:51 GMT
Yep, definitely up for this - on the 'try anything once principle'
If feats are back in it sounds much better (as per my comments last week)
I think I'll grab a read of the rule book tonight and try to generate a character - should give some clue as to how versatile the system is
See you tonight
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Post by chris on Oct 27, 2014 12:50:58 GMT
If feats are back in it sounds much better (as per my comments last week) Yep. Feats are in there. There are only about 30 feats in the book but this is for various reasons: 1) many are no longer needed as they are now options for all characters in the main rules eg precise shot is defunct as there is no penalty (apart from cover) for shooting into melee. Weapon finesse is now a core rule and improved so that you can add dex to damage as well if you use a finesse weapon 2) many are incorporated into class options or descriptions eg one fighter subclass has a whole list of cool maneauvers they can perform 3) the flattening of ac and to hit curves means that things like weapon focus are not really needed (this also has the side effect that fighters really are generalists again and can use whatever weapon comes along if they like!) 4) feats are now super feats! Most have bundle of 3 or so related effects). The trade off for this is that a feat is normally only available if you give up a stat increase (which happen for different classes at different times). Humans can get one at lev one if they want (in place of the awesome +1 to all abilities they normally get) see you later
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Post by mike on Oct 27, 2014 16:15:34 GMT
Hmm – was hoping for a little more customisation than that – beginning to like this less I really don't the the "you're a fighter so you've got to do it this way" philosophy (which is why I didn't like 4th ed) This is beginning to look a bit like "you're a fighter so you've got to do it in one of these ways" (which is only slightly better) Here's hoping that the rulebook has a little more customisation available than you've hinted at
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Post by chris on Oct 27, 2014 18:23:27 GMT
it will be interesting to see what you think. I'm not sure myself yet where this sits. There is definitely more customisation than the core books of 4th edition. I think there is probably less freedom in terms of mechanical choices than pathfinder's core book (but this is a lot simpler). Comparing beyond the core books is probably unfair at this point. (I know that there were lots and lots of extra options for 4th ed published for example and revised multi class rules) Interestingly I think there is probably more freedom in character concept in 5th ed because with the simpler rules you don't need to find a specific feat to match what you want your character to be like. (If that makes any sense?!). For example, if I want a ranger to be an expert in fighting with a great sword in pathfinder it is actually quite difficult to do efficiently as the class really wants me not to do this (two weapon or archery being the norms). In 5th it really doesn't seem to matter as so many core options are available to all. I also like the concept of the backgrounds allowing me to be say a paladin who used to be a thieving street urchin (without multi classing) and for that background to have a mechanical effect. Interesting- one to ponder as we try it! What I would say is that I've read through all 12 classes in the phb and I have at least one fun idea for each class that I'd love to play - even the bard!
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Post by chris on Oct 28, 2014 7:45:41 GMT
If anyone would like to do some more character gen for this, I'll be in the Tavistock pub from 10am for an hour or so on Saturday 1st November
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Post by Stephen Mawson on Oct 28, 2014 11:23:00 GMT
As a result of last nights discussion and flick through the PHB I've ordered by own copy, which I should get before the end of the week.
Not entirely sure what I fancy playing, several things appeal.
Warlock for one, but also a Dwarf Barbarian, so I might turn up next week with several characters.
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Post by steven on Oct 29, 2014 16:08:24 GMT
Dwarf Barbarian - we do have one of those in the club but we havent seen him for a while. He must be busy filming Series 5 of G of T!!!
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Post by neuromancer on Nov 2, 2014 21:52:06 GMT
Hello All As discussed last week I'll be running a test game of 5th edition D&D on Monday 3rd November to give this new system a go I'll run the first part of the starter set adventure "Lost Mines of Phandelver" I believe Stephen, Karl, Maurice and Mike are signed up to play? You have 3 choices for character generation: 1) Create your own using the basic rules document - free online here: dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules2) Use the players handbook to create your own (I'll bring my copy down to the club tomorrow night but I can't lend it out I'm afraid as I need it to prep). This has huge amounts of choice compared to the free version - and includes feats and multiclass rules 3) Use one of the pre-gen characters in the box (which I'll bring) We won't have a lot of time to character gen on the night so I suggest having this sorted as much as possible beforehand so we can get cracking and try this out If you are creating your own - start at level one - use standard array or point buy system. You can buy stuff with starting gold or take the suggested packages from class and backgrounds. You can also tinker with the backgrounds but check the final results with me before we play. I've now spent quite a bit of time reading through the system. I'm impressed! I don't think it will replace Pathfinder for me but if you are looking for a less involved, lighter system, this looks awesome. I'm particularly impressed with: - The way lots of character types are viable from level one without lots of feats and without needing 8 hour's reading or a degree in the game system to produce a solid character - dex based combat characters are now easy to build and effective from the off. Actually, I think it would be hard to build an ineffective character - but there is still plenty of choice for those who want to get deep into the options.
- The advantage / disadvantage mechanic looks simple and effective
- Some really cool, imaginative ideas for class powers in the players handbook - I love the variety of channel divinity powers for clerics for example - only one domain gets to heal with its channeling the rest have more flavourful powers
- The flattening of ACs and to hit bonuses across the board - lessening the pressure to keep up and lessening the importance of oodles of boring magical gear - e.g. The ancientest biggest nastiest dragon has an ac of only 22! - (oh and 549 hp... but at least a level one character could hit it for 11hp before it batted them into oblivion with a lazy flick of its tail!)
- No arcane spell failure - wizards in armor - yay!
See you tomorrow night! Chris I wil go with the classic even mage
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Post by chris on Nov 11, 2014 7:57:46 GMT
Ok! So I enjoyed running 5th ed for our test game and as discussed am happy to carry on with the adventure we started. I would guess there is about 5 sessions worth of stuff to come but we can take it week by week and see if we want to continue. I've read through most of the adventure and I'm quite impressed! The plan is to restart on Mon 17th Nov. I have the following people down for the 4 player slots available: Maurice Stephen Mike Graham You'll need to level up to level 2 (this won't take long so we can do this at the beginning of the session) In addition you are welcome to change or rewrite your character (but if you do, please do this before the session!) We will simply pretend the new characters were there all along.
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Post by chris on Nov 11, 2014 8:03:11 GMT
Oh and one other quick thing:
Only mistake I've noticed so far is that Cure Wounds can't be cast as a ritual as it doesn't have the 'ritual' descriptor
On the bright side, this does mean there is a point in using the new cool roll-hit-dice-during-short-rest mechanic!
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Post by graham on Nov 11, 2014 16:13:50 GMT
Yes I will be there for this on Monday 17th.
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Post by chris on Nov 12, 2014 12:38:26 GMT
Yes I will be there for this on Monday 17th. Great stuff! That's all players confirmed
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Post by chris on Nov 28, 2014 17:47:42 GMT
Hello all Quick reminder that it's the next part of our 5th edition game on mon 1st December. I think you had just failed to put a one eyed gribbly psychic thing to sleep and it was not happy with you. No worries though, Mike's character has his new wooden sword to use to defend you all Looking forward to it! Chris
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Post by graham on Nov 28, 2014 18:28:37 GMT
Yes I will be there leading from the front.
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