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I see MDD as improved ability to connect with any weapon in a more critical location.  As such, it should remain a consistent value no matter what weapon is used.  It's like being able to hit the armpit of your enemy, not just catch him somewhere in the side.  The way I see it, whether you hit that spot with a dagger or with a broad sword, the additional damage will be approximately the same, because of differences in how the weapons are used.  The dagger you will be able to drive more deeply, while the sword will create a shallower, but longer, gash.  The short sword won't penetrate as deeply as the dagger because of the width of the blade, and the two-hander isn't nearly as sharp as the broadsword.

The larger weapons already do greater average damage without added MDD, especially on a crit.  Also, imo, the goal should be to entice the players into using the interesting maneuvers whenever possible instead of going with the basic attack, but changing MDD to WDD will increase the chances that maximizing damage by throwing all the WDD into it will be seen by players as the most effective option.  I don't know if the "maneuvers without spending MDD" mechanics will change that, but as it stands now, I think they should remain as they are.

Feb 13, 2013 -- 11:06AM, Cyber-Dave wrote:

 A fighter gets a level based pool of expertise dice which he expends every time he uses a maneuver. He can recharge that pool by spending an action. That changes a lot!

This is a change I would welcome.


I'd like to see a system where we received more expertise dice balanced by a slower regeneration. Using an action to recenter yourself is great, but I'd still like the ability to recharge at least one a turn.  

Feb 13, 2013 -- 11:06AM, Cyber-Dave wrote:

As they are, we don't see enough reason to use larger weapons. I worry that the changes will swing things in the other direction, but they don't have to; the rule system I outlined above would give people a reason to use every sized weapon in this game (even if larger weapons will give people more damage).

That being said, there is really no point in discussing it right now (until we see the changes being made). Based on WotC's notes, the changes are so drastic that it is hard to imagine how they will work without seeing the rules. For example, while MDD are becoming WDD, it looks like WDD are not spent on maneuvers anymore. Or, if they are, they are only spent on basic/common maneuvers (such as those granted by feats). It looks like a fighter's maneuvers are now performed using expertise dice. A fighter gets a level based pool of expertise dice which he expends every time he uses a maneuver. He can recharge that pool by spending an action. That changes a lot! We need to see the new rules before we can comment accurately. 

I've come up with an idea that replaces the static attack bonus with a die roll which increases much like the skill die. (I posted it somewhere in the General Discussion area.)  But, in a nutshell, every character starts with a d2 (I'm probably going to have to increase monster AC by 1-2 points), and whenever they want to do something besides a basic single-weapon attack (even a power attack), they have to step down the die type.  Any time a class gains a +1 to attack, the die is stepped up.  Also, racial skill proficiencies step up the attack die, as does the fighter-only weapon specialization feat/maneuver.

However, I haven't been able to get the group together to playtest this since character creation, so I have no idea how it'll work out.

Sneak Attack doubles the amount of dice, using 5 WDD with TWF d8 Rapier at level 1 would be 3d8(13.5)+Dex with a chance of 4d8(18)+Dex for a single WDD, with all 6WDD at level 11, it would do around 13d8(58.5)+Dex+10, thats massive damage

The comparable Barbarian at level 1 using a 2hander would be pulling 2d12(13)+STR+2 or 6d12(39)+STR+18 at 11

Sneak Attack and Assasinate are not that great this package as they consume Advantage, with the loss of precision it works out as only a marginal damage gain, and considering you might have had to spend a round to set it up by hiding etc, its actually an overall damage loss. Theres details in other posts.