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Well after a quick read through the playtest material I'm rather happy with the base system.

What I like so far.

1. Classic spells make a return to the game.  Sleep, Magic missle, shield, and even hold person are back and they read like their old school versions.  I'm also happy that Silence has returned and prevents spellcasting. 

2. Spell schools / domains are back.

3. The monster descriptions are detailed like they used to be in 2e.  They now include habitat & society and legends & lore sections.  

4. The 5e version of energy drain is an enervation power that reduces the Max HP of the character.    You won't lose a level here, but it's still very dangerous.  Imagine what will happen if the PC's get jumped by a group of Wights and then have to face the BBEG with only half their max hps.  

5. Getting into and out of armor rules.   

6.  Caves of Chaos has a room with 40 kobolds.  now that's old school room design.   

7.  Basic equipment can be sold for half price again.   Not 1/5th as 4e suggested.   Electrum is back!

8.  Fighters can use any type of armor and weapon.   No need for a feat just to gain access to plate. 

9.  Gelatinous Cubes can't be knocked prone. 

10. Wands have charges again.   They are also implements. 

13.   Monster entries in the CoC module are tiny and don't take up most of the page.  

What I don't like

1.  Fighters Surge.    Not sure I like any daily abilities associated with the fighter class at all.  
 
2.  The armor and weapon tables are rather thin, but I guess that to be expected with the playtest material.  

3.  I didn't see any rules for falling damage.  

I still have to play through a game, but so far things are looking good.  

At this point the system doesn't look anything like 4e.    It's more like a basic version of the d20 system with several 2e elements/concepts tossed into the mix.    I think this edition will capture what 3e lost and completely ignore 4e.  

Yea... electrum is back for the first time since 2e I think. Good old electrum pieces for added currency conversion confusion! Personally I think I am going to stick to a copper/silver/gold model myself.

I also noticed that for the first time in awhile you see examples of monster non-combatants. 4e never talks about the goblin kids, old folks, cripples, oppressed females, etc. Its good to have that bit of flavor back in official products.

May 24, 2012 -- 7:48PM, dmgorgon wrote:

May 24, 2012 -- 7:30PM, Rupert_ADnD wrote:

I´m not sure it will / should ignore 4E. But it seems nice so far.

I shouldn't have said ignore 4e, the system does retain the 3 death saving throws concept and a few other rules, but class design with powers can't be found.     

 

Did you miss the at-wills for the cleric and the wizard?  Those are powers.

May 25, 2012 -- 8:09PM, janilestarbrow wrote:

May 25, 2012 -- 8:03PM, kam2112 wrote:

And I love the "get back to basics" feel of it. I want it to be D&D not WoW on my table.

Agree. But there are some things i liked from 4th. But so far this eddition reminds me of Basic Red Boxed set. Even going on to call the DCs by old basic names like Immortal.

There are a couple of things from 4th I do like as well (not many) one is a couple of at will spells for mages and clerics (the Cantrips and Orisons in the packet) help make the Mage more useful at lower levels.