PHB 2024 Playtest Drops Tomorrow - Overview
PHB 2024 Playtest Drops Tomorrow - Overview
Crawford says it’s the biggest yet, with 7 classes (Experts: Ranger, Rogue, Bard; Priests: Cleric, Paladin, and Druid; and Monk confirmed), spells and weapon mastery tweaks, capstones back at lvl20 (epic boons will be pushed to another UA), and subclass progression reverted to the 2014 cadence after lvl3. Notably, rogues are seemingly getting another feature at lvl5 to make up for the fact that they get very nothing from their subclass between 3 and 9.
Really sounds like they're backtracking on a lot of the changes. In some ways I like that, but some of what they're keeping are not my favorite, like the subclass choice at level 3.
For me I would rather see every subclass at 1 as many change the way you play enough that it feels abrupt from a level 1 and up campaign.
In order for subclasses to feel impactful and varied, they do need to change how you play pretty significantly...but that means they need to have a pretty hefty set of abilities right when you first get the subclass. I don't think it's a coincidence that the classes that are the worst offenders as "most abused multiclass dips in 5e" all get their subclasses at levels 1 or 2.
I honestly like that some choose their subclass at a different level. For the paladin especially it feels really appropriate.
@mertag770 @SkyyHigh Maybe they are trying to balance multiclassing? If everyone can get their subclass choice at level 1 and if you decide to dip into another you will be way too op. I'm curious if they will change multiclassing rules in the playtest.
This makes sense, though as a cleric aficionado reading through the first UA with cleric rules made me reflexively wince several times. From a balance point of view it is much more simplified to have all classes using the same general template for progression, and the multiclassing powergamer "dip" concerns are valid for stacking benefits at first level.
Oh for sure that’s why they’re doing it. Subclasses require a bucket of features when you first get them in order to substantially differentiate themselves from the main class, which means it’s a big power jump. All the most common dips in 5e (warlock, cleric, sorcerer) are classes that get their subclass at 1st level.
@MartyMart I think that's the reasoning. I do think the issue tends to be overblown though, and in lieu of a new edition, I'd rather see more options for multiclassing or prestige classes since you can only play a pure class so many times before it feels very same-y.