Login | Signup

Community

Activity Feed

    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Wound Modules, Uncommon Choices and Humans
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      Thursday at 11:16am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 15
      RadperT
      RadperT
      I'm going to go out on a limb here and declare giving anybody, elf, human or otherwise, 3 pluses to stats at first level in a game with bounded accuracy is dumb. Elves don't need to be especially intelligent or wise, and the game already includes a consideration to increase those abilities through class. Just using high elves as an example, having a feat you can burn if you want to take your Intelligence bonus up 1 is plenty.
      Let's try backing off the ability boosts in the next iteration....

      View full comment
      May 19, 2013 10:28 AM PDT
      RadperT
      RadperT
      I haven't read all the Third Edition splat books but Races of Destiny had to be one of the worst, at least from the standpoint of power creep. It's good to know what the countries, cultures and even ethnicities of races in a given setting are, but I'm against creating subraces with options or traits which exceed those of other members of the race. Thus not only are gith not human, if we decide to reintroduce eladrin with a +1 to Intelligence, they need to be a race, not a subrace.
      I am in...

      View full comment
      May 19, 2013 11:02 AM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Subclass Basics, Subclass Customizing & Non-Vancian Subclass...
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      May 9 at 10:43am
      Login to Comment
      1 person likes this blog post.
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 63
      moes1980
      moes1980
      Wow, I really like the part about DMs working with players to create their own subclasses that fit for their campaign and story. I also like the part about subclasses focusing on fluff and background, thus, the are things like Knight and not Defender (defender/slayer can be dealt with through feat and expertise dice maneuver selections). I like where subclasses are going!
      May 17, 2013 6:54 PM PDT
      Killwalla
      Killwalla
      4E edition was very Controller based, like confusing, slowing, stunning, dominating enemies and even going as far as scrambling their positions on the battlefield. The 4E Psion is a perfect example of how they are not the Wizard, even though they are both Controllers, and with augments (similar things already in the packet) I think they could easily stand on their own. Subroles could be Telepath, Kenetic, Shaper and maybe even Psychic Warrior, to roll them into a single class.
      May 18, 2013 6:02 PM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      WotC_Rodney is now friends with TransplantAsian and 2 other people.

      TransplantAsian
      Voldran
      thornis67
      May 4 at 11:04am
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Skills, Skill Dice and Proficiencies
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      May 2 at 12:24pm
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 48
      RadperT
      RadperT
      Are you saying to ignore players who want modules they can unbolt? I don't have a lot of money, but I'm sitting on a skill system I developed for C & C, and I think it'll fit this game perfectly as long as you can't Feint with a Bluff check.
      May 10, 2013 2:18 PM PDT
      Schwarg
      Schwarg
      Zippy, there are spells that bring characters back to life, from old school reincarnation to true resurrection at higher levels to raise dead at lower levels. It was a pain but if you needed to keep plot lines going with certain characters, these were ways to keep them going but also modify them because of setbacks. If the characters always survive, the game is boring. If the PCs always succeed, the success is not that cool. Surviving a killer dungeon with riddles, and interesting traps, and...

      View full comment
      May 10, 2013 11:17 PM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Starting Gold, Paragon Paths/Prestige Classes & Bounded Accuracy
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      April 25 at 11:08am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 26
      abchurch
      abchurch
      Here is a new idea for high level characters because they do not get additional feats--give them feat swapping. That is, at higher levels you gain feats as normal, but for any given adventure/session you can only slot so many feat choices. That way a fighter could really practice his old tricks and start using them again if needed, and the wizard could prepare the ability to perform other, more archaic tricks. This gives the characters additional flexibility and planning possibilities for...

      View full comment
      May 9, 2013 7:24 AM PDT
      WaltKovacs
      WaltKovacs
      The argument would be that, the assumption of bounded accuracy is that a magic item will help a character, but it should not be necessary to defeat a monster. A +1 to hit and damage will not be the tipping point, nor would a similar bonus to AC, etc. In 4e, at higher levels you need magic items to keep up. The idea is to allow for low to high magic campaigns fit in the same system. Also, having the character be about his race, class, etc first, and his magic items are a nice addition, not a key...

      View full comment
      May 15, 2013 1:36 AM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Immunities, Two-Weapon Fighting & Signature Abilties
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      April 18 at 11:21am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 21
      Kalranya
      Kalranya
      And here I was thinking we DIDN'T want the Fighter to sigh, sit down on the steps and break out his whittling block while the Wizard solves the encounter. One step forward, two steps back.
      Whether or not violence is a viable solution to a monster should be a determination the DM makes. It should NOT be something baked into the system.
      Also, I want to be using a character's archetypal, iconic abilities all the time. They're ICONIC. I don't want to have to wait for nineteen levels...

      View full comment
      1 person likes this discussion post.
      April 23, 2013 2:37 AM PDT
      Kalranya
      Kalranya
      Didn't you hear? "Oldschool" is in this season. And by season I mean edition.
      April 23, 2013 2:39 AM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      WotC_Rodney shared an article.

      The Fine Art of the DM www.wizards.com
      April 17 at 12:49pm
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 4 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 6
      Prom
      Prom
      I've really enjoyed the Mines of Madness podcast, it sounds like a great adventure. If D&D Next can deliver what Chris talked about with a character and monster builder online, I'd think of changing.
      April 17, 2013 1:45 PM PDT
      G_X
      G_X
      I like your style.
      April 17, 2013 2:03 PM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Caster Level, Multiclassing & The Apprentice Tier
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      April 11 at 10:59am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 37
      Schwarg
      Schwarg
      Tiers and feats for multiclassing made it very unappealing to me to multiclass. 1st edition and 2nd edition multiclassing was also pretty unappealing. You were often way behind. 3 edition had the most 'love' for the multi-classer, but maybe simply limit it to just two or three classes at most. It wasn't until you added multiple prestige classes with multiple classes did the munchkin army arrive. Even then it was sometimes fun to see the circus. But the tier system and the old way of doing...

      View full comment
      May 4, 2013 11:34 PM PDT
      nattravnet
      nattravnet
      Nalehw and Schwarg: The issue brought up about a multiclass wizard 5/Cleric 5 not being effective in a level encounter had me thinking. The first 3e campaign I was in (to learn the system), I played a multi class wizard/cleric as I liked half elf druid/wizards in 1e/2e. I was VERY effective in the campaign, even though I was only able to cast low level spells- my 5d6 fireballs still did damage and my 3d8+5 cure spells still helped the party.
      I agree all the prestige classes really amped...

      View full comment
      May 5, 2013 1:27 AM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Sub-classes, Spells and the Bard
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      April 4 at 11:24am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 23
      LordOfTheFlies87
      LordOfTheFlies87
      Word. They're far too derivative on their own. They're awesome as subclasses/paragon paths/etc. Same goes for Seeker (should be incorporated into Ranger), Warlord (should be under Fighter), and Assassin (should go into Rogue).
      April 8, 2013 2:19 PM PDT
      RadperT
      RadperT
      I like playing jesters and minstrels. I don't see them being necessary as backgrounds, but there needs to be room for a tricksy tumbling bard with magic to impress, as well as excise wounds.
      April 13, 2013 3:58 PM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Martial Healing, Fighter Utility, and Ranger Challenges
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      March 14 at 11:29am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 83
      Enigmatical
      Enigmatical
      I just realised I may not have been clear in my short reply. What I meant was that I understand D&D is not all simulation, and that it is a game, but it has always held a level of believability, regardless of whether the topic was magic or fantasy. The mechanics are all designed to in some way mimic or emulate life in some way (or a specific concept of life), but whenever abstraction is used, it is always done to turn something that is purely a game mechanic into something we should...

      View full comment
      March 24, 2013 1:18 PM PDT
      AbdulAlhazred
      AbdulAlhazred
      So? You have leveled this like it is some sort of problem. Its actually a FEATURE.
      March 24, 2013 2:58 PM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      WotC_Rodney added a comment to his blog post on the DnD Next group.

      D&D Next Q&A: Healing, NPCs and Retraining
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      March 7 at 11:18am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 66
      Enigmatical
      Enigmatical
      Not sure where "ability to avoid harm" comes into it... wouldn't that mean that being held down should reduce your hit points simply because you are reducing this ability?
      Sadly I think that as much as they keep saying it is an abstraction, the reality is that ALL mechanics treat it purely as physical harm only and that somehow certain people have a lot more "life" than others purely because of the class they have chosen.
      Personally I think its time to put the abstraction to rest and...

      View full comment
      March 28, 2013 4:02 AM PDT
      Enigmatical
      Enigmatical
      This is where I see the age old saying of "not enough time in the day" coming into effect. In a realistic sense, we learn things that we invest time into, and the more time we put into it, the more we can learn. People can only learn so much at any given time (just ask any uni student), so it all comes down to how you portion out your free time.
      Now think of the fighter. They are more capable with a weapon because they invest a lot of their time into training and "maintaining" these skills,...

      View full comment
      April 4, 2013 2:14 AM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Wizard Options, Monstrous Races & Power Creep
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      February 28 at 11:28am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 34
      Ed_Warlord
      Ed_Warlord
      How is not having light or magic missile, but still having Meteor Swarm, "low magic?"
      March 6, 2013 10:17 AM PST
      Marandahir
      Marandahir
      Did not say no-magic, but low-magic.
      Usually, in low-magic, what magic there is, is difficult to use, but very powerful.

      View full comment
      March 13, 2013 3:19 PM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: System Mastery, Unbound Accuracy & Terminology
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      February 21 at 9:58am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 25
      MacLar
      MacLar
      bounded accuracy still confuses me
      4e is being prematurely burried like a character out of Poe for the unforgivable crimeof 'not being D&D' enough yet every version of D&D has always had attacks get better with level.
      how does bounded accuracy not make Next even more "not D&D" than 4e?

      View full comment
      March 1, 2013 2:06 PM PST
      mbeacom
      mbeacom
      I think part of the reason you are confused is because you perhaps think bounded accuracy means that attacks rolls do NOT improve with levels. They do. Just much slower. This is actually a lesson learned FROM 4E, not a regression. This is moving the ball forward into a better game (hopefully). The problem with 4E (as some saw it, and this apparently includes the 5E designers) was that the numbers scaled up too fast. This made for very high numbers as you went up in levels. It made mental math...

      View full comment
      March 7, 2013 9:48 AM PST
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Lines, Finding Spells & Fighter Identity
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      February 14 at 9:31am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 72
      Silentwind6
      Silentwind6
      I replied above of the comment list. ;-)
      March 7, 2013 12:11 AM PST
      Silentwind6
      Silentwind6
      @Shamanstarr:
      No, no.. ^ ^
      What you have already described is Strategy:
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategy
      Tactic consists in reasoned actions useful to defeat one opponent. This reasoned actions can be part of a strategy plan, yes, or can simply be the reasoned use of weapons, manouvers and other pratical knowledge in battle.
      Let make an example of the fight with a stick or a...

      View full comment
      March 7, 2013 12:40 AM PST
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Rage, Transitioning Character & Weapon Dice
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      February 7 at 10:18am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 16
      nukunuku
      nukunuku
      >2 / day is already at-will, effectively. The barbarian as-written is pretty much 100% uptime raging, especially past the first couple levels. This is yet another mechanic for which "per day" really doesn't work well. Maybe a recharge mechanic, or Pathfinder's "rounds / day," or some kind of build up/charge up, or something else is called for...
      February 12, 2013 6:02 AM PST
      Bennedict
      Bennedict
      Instead of a /day or /encounter, I would rather see maybe an attribute check with modifiers based on things like damage taken, fear check result, intimidation or taunt from monster. The roll would be a reactive roll when the triggering action happens. If you want to try without triggers, make a roll with no modifiers. Make it so that it is hard to do unless provoked. Maybe give bonus modifiers based on level or something to simulate more control over rage.
      February 12, 2013 1:59 PM PST
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Standard/Basic Characters, Ease of DMing & Multi-classing
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      January 31 at 10:06am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 32
      TRBand
      TRBand
      "Hmm... shameful that third answer is."
      ~Yoda

      View full comment
      February 15, 2013 4:44 PM PST
      dragonshaman
      dragonshaman
      I played with someone who really like the scout class, and I know that ninjas a somewhat popular. I know Knights as class will most likely not make a return because of the Knight background. What I'm trying to get out is that I would like to know what classes are planned for a return, which former ones are now going to be delegated to background or specialty. Here's a character concept to try out, a fighter type character that is only proficient in the use of shields as both offensive and...

      View full comment
      March 23, 2013 11:24 AM PDT
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Weapon Dice, Sorcerer, Warlock & Feats
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      January 24 at 4:15am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 15
      awogaman
      awogaman
      the 1/28/13 playtest pack.
      February 2, 2013 6:56 PM PST
      awogaman
      awogaman
      i'd prefer they do away with monks completely. I think it's silly that they are equal to fighters in attack, damage and defense potential. Then each level they get powers that mimic rare or higher magic items. THEN they can get magic items that stack with their stuffs...
      February 2, 2013 7:09 PM PST
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Advantage Dice Rolls, Ranged Fighters & Popular Paragon Paths
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      January 17 at 12:47am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 12
      awogaman
      awogaman
      it's been forever since i played 3e, 3.5... but i seem to recall two feats: i think, "monkey grip" and "oversized weapon fighting"... i swear i remember something like wielding a fullblade in 1 hand and a great sword in the other... i mean, maybe we were doing it "wrong", but i seem to remember stuff like that... just sayin... high five! :-)
      February 2, 2013 6:48 PM PST
      awogaman
      awogaman
      I think doing polls, email surveys, mailers, etc. is a great idea to get input.
      February 2, 2013 6:49 PM PST
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Two-Weapon Defense, Customizing Monsers & Character Conversion
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      January 10 at 10:08am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 12
      Zoberraz
      Zoberraz
      Some. Whatever I ended up with was very watered down and ineffective, though. Pairing Ranger and Wizards still brings about splitting ability scores between Dex/Int primaries (two high scores on that single AC/NAD category, resulting in weaker NDAs elsewhere) along with leaving only lower scores for secondaries (meaning significantly weaker power riders).
      Using Warlock or Sorcerer switch the ABs needed to Dex/Cha, but then it's kind of lame to go that way when you remember the path roleplay...

      View full comment
      January 16, 2013 9:23 PM PST
      Shamanstarr
      Shamanstarr
      I don't know if being weaker than previous editions as a Hybrid fully equates to being watered down. 4e did balance all the classes, hybrids of course did give up some optimization potential if you had to use something with multiple primary abilities (I've found the Hybrid system works best if they have the same major stats, best combo I've seen being a Rogue/Bard) but that is part of what you typically pay for in trade for having the abilities from more than one class.
      Class balance was...

      View full comment
      January 26, 2013 3:59 PM PST
    • WotC_Rodney

      D&D Next Q&A: Racial Ability Scores, Cleric Options & Monsters
      You've got questions—we've got answers! Here's how it works—each...
      December 13, 2012 at 10:09am
      Login to Comment
      Show previous 5 comments... Show previous comments...
      2 / 21
      The_Mask_of_Ice
      The_Mask_of_Ice
      Maybe it's protective stupidity or a general unawareness of what's supposed to be causing fear to them, due to a sheltered lifestyle.
      January 4, 2013 10:55 PM PST
      InvisibleMouth
      InvisibleMouth
      Reading my 4th Edition PHB from 4 years ago:
      "This is the 4th Edition of the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game. It’s new. It’s exciting. It’s bright and shiny. It builds on what has gone before, and firmly establishes D&D for the next decade of
      play."
      So ... what's up? Why is WotC rewriting this franchise from the ground up ... again .... 6 years ahead of schedule?

      View full comment
      January 22, 2013 8:22 PM PST

My Profile

    About Me

      About Me: I'm a designer and a developer for Wizards of the Coast. I work on Dungeons & Dragons and the Star Wars Roleplaying Game. I've won both ENnie and Origins Awards for my work, and I'm originally from Tennessee.
      My Games:
      Betrayal at House on the Hill
      Duels of the Planeswalkers
      Dungeons & Dragons
      Guillotine
      Magic: The Gathering
      RoboRally
      Star Wars Roleplaying Games
      Star Wars miniatures
      Vegas Showdown

Blog Posts

More

Comments

    Leave a Comment | View All Comments

    Geeking Out: I'm finally getting to run Dawn of Defiance. Finally! And, I gotta say as the GM, I am loving the layout. I'll easily adjust for when (not if) the players go off the beaten path. Thanks, man!

    peteyrock
    May 6, 2011
    12:48 PM
    Delete Comment

    So how 'bout that remaining SWSE errata? Will it ever see the light of day or have you given up on it?

    pukunui
    August 28, 2010
    8:45 AM
    Delete Comment

    Love the idea of the deck. Looking forward to reading it. Now how about that wand of wonder?

    darjr
    April 21, 2010
    9:20 PM
    Delete Comment

    Whats up Rodney, hope all is well w/you and yours man!

    AKBrowncoat
    August 27, 2009
    9:44 PM
    Delete Comment

My Characters

Lair Assault

Vitals

    Loading...

Calendar

     

Calendar Events

Friends

(View all friends)

My Groups