Community

 Was the barbarian's rage mechanic always a per-day mechanic in internal playtesting? Could it be an encounter-based resource?

We wanted a barbarian going into a rage to feel like a big moment—like flicking on a light switch of awesomeness. To make it feel like that, the mechanical effect needed to be big and powerful, and as such it wasn’t something we wanted you to be doing infinitely—at least, not at low levels. The other side of that coin is that encounters in D&D Next aren’t usually intended to last that long, so basing anything—rage or beyond—on the encounter is a tricky proposition, because it can easily slide into being so frequent that it almost becomes at-will.

So the Barbarian con only rage as many times as once per battle by level 9? that's pretty much at-will. Yeah, this is one of those places where they need some requirement for the rage to kick in like bloodied, or a chance every time they get hit or hit an enemy or something interesting like that. Otherwise its just a daily martial resource that half the fan base will rail against and the other half won't like because its not unique.

WotC: C+

Will "basic" version characters be upgradeable to "standard" version midway through a campaign?

Yes, that is the goal. We want the transition between basic and standard D&D to be as seamless as possible for players and Dungeon Masters alike; this means a DM who starts with the basic rules should also be able to transition to playing a more standard or advanced game if he or she chooses. Our hope is that if you start at the basic game and crave more customizability, you dig into the standard game and find that you simply have more choices and options for your character at that point, with no “conversion” required.

Nice idea, I wonder who thought of it first? Oh wait that would be me in my free game Aetherianica. Don't belive me, go check it out for yourself.

WotC: F (keep your eyes on your own work).

Will weapon damage dice be functionally the same as martial damage dice?

In some ways, yes; our goal is to use weapon dice as a part of the standard progression for martial-type characters. We’re also experimenting with some different presentations to make it clearer how they work. Additionally, we’re playtesting some mechanics for the fighter (and potentially the rogue) that let them do the things that maneuvers/skill tricks do now, without requiring you to pay for them with your damage dice.

Ok, so not only do they get massive damage, they will get free maneuvers? Yeah, So still going for Fighters are best at Fighting rather than Fighters are best at weapon and armor usage.

WotC: C (Please review how basic math works).

 To achieve a berserk state, the berserker must spend one round working himself into a frenzy, biting his shield, howling, et cetera.  At the end of the round, the berserker must make a save v. death to reach the berserk state; otherwise, he may continue for up to ten rounds, saving at the end of each round.  If he has not reached the berserk state before this, at the end of the tenth round of working, the berserk state is reached automatically.

  The berserk state automatically increases Strength by 2 points, or one "category" if 18, up to a maximum of 19; all strength effects including weight allowance, hit and damage bonuses, doors, bars & gates apply.  The berserker also gains 2 hp per level added to the total hp during the frenzy, which are used before normal hp.  AC also improves, base AC improving by 1 class per level to a best AC of 0.  Armor class bonuses such as shield, magic, and dexterity still apply (achieving a better AC), but armor negates this benefit.  The berserk state also confers a +2 bonus on saves v. charms and mind-based attacks.  However, once the berserk state is reached, the character must enter melee immediately.  He may choose his opponent, but if he holds back from battle for more than two rounds he loses the berserk state.  Once an opponent is chosen, the berserker will not change opponents until the opponent is slain or flees beyond the berserker's ability to pursue.  If the character retreats, he loses the berserk state immediately, including all benefits gained.  The state will end whenever the berserker wishes it to, or at the end of number of rounds equal to the character's constitution.

  At the end of the berserk fury, the character must save v. death to avoid exhaustion.  Exhaustion is manifested by strength five points below normal until the character has the opportunity to rest; it returns at the rate of one point per turn of rest.  During this time of reduced strength, the character cannot become berserk again.