I agree wholeheartedly on your view of the D&D spell system. I have heard opposing views that go something like this: "I DO NOT want there to be some kind of risk when I have to cast a spell or I will be too concerned to even cast them.". Where I perceive dangerous fun they perceive debilitating anxiety. I don't fully understand this view myself but I can respect it, especially if it takes away their fun. Great review. Keep them coming. Greetings from Canada.
I really enjoyed this! I agree that things are maybe a bit vanilla for veteran players... but I'ts a great place for people new to the hobby. And it's a great place to start an addition because there's plenty of room to expand. As for the nerfing of utility spells... I actually really like that they've taken a light hand with some of them. It allows a lot of creative freedom for the DM and players that isn't all crunch and rules calculations. I think spells, particularly enchantments as per your example, should feel like you are manipulating someone not just afflicting x number of targets with y status effect and push/pull/sliding them z squares. I played a wizard specializing in enchantment in 4e that was recently converted to 5e and the difference is remarkable. the 4e wizard was so detached and the powers just seemed so impersonal and mechanical whereas the 5e wizard feels more like he's directly affecting the hearts and minds of his victims do to the wording and flavor of the spells. That's worth a lot in my book.
Thank you for your observations and thoughtful opinions. I admire WOTC for finally developing a game that works with so many different players, styles, characters and worlds. BTW my friend heard this video playing and asked if Jango Fett was talking about D&D :)
+Troy Cook Jango Fett!!!!!!???? He's a damn kiwi. I'm South African. I suppose I can understand the accents may sound similar. By the way, since I made the video I have become thoroughly converted to D&D 5e. I think its a brilliant system, that brings to the front the priorities of the rpg experience.
+Rob Acton I'll definitely let him know. I'm continually impressed with the system as I read the PHB transcript. That's my next RPG purchase. Are you planning on reviewing the DMG and the MM?
+Troy Cook I own the DMG but I don't have a MM. I would prefer to give my ongoing views of the system as we play it. Its been more than a year now and I have played in and run a regular 5e game. I think I am in a much better position to comment, and to mention how the DMG has affected how we play.
5E is probably the best edition so far, except for the spell system. And while a more flavorful spell system would be interesting, I'm not sure the spell system can handle the burden at present. The concentration mechanic has already made the vast majority of spells mutually exclusive. I guess one could throw fire, ice, and lightning balls since they are instantaneous and don't break concentration. Then again, I can do that in any game. One of the things that made D&D neat was the spell system. One can't even buff and use controlling effects simultaneously (Mirror Image, Mage Armor, and Fire Shield are the exceptions). The wizard is a controller no more, or he's a defenseless one with only minimum capacity to control the battlefield. It's even worse for fighter mages and melee clerics. It's a shame really.
Personally I don't have a problem with concentration as a mechanic in 5E, but I think that its a limiting factor and spell casters should have the option to incrementally tear down those limits, at great risk to themselves, but with the possibility of a big pay-off.
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I agree wholeheartedly on your view of the D&D spell system. I have heard opposing views that go something like this: "I DO NOT want there to be some kind of risk when I have to cast a spell or I will be too concerned to even cast them.". Where I perceive dangerous fun they perceive debilitating anxiety. I don't fully understand this view myself but I can respect it, especially if it takes away their fun.
Great review. Keep them coming.
Greetings from Canada.
I really enjoyed this! I agree that things are maybe a bit vanilla for veteran players... but I'ts a great place for people new to the hobby. And it's a great place to start an addition because there's plenty of room to expand.
As for the nerfing of utility spells... I actually really like that they've taken a light hand with some of them. It allows a lot of creative freedom for the DM and players that isn't all crunch and rules calculations. I think spells, particularly enchantments as per your example, should feel like you are manipulating someone not just afflicting x number of targets with y status effect and push/pull/sliding them z squares.
I played a wizard specializing in enchantment in 4e that was recently converted to 5e and the difference is remarkable. the 4e wizard was so detached and the powers just seemed so impersonal and mechanical whereas the 5e wizard feels more like he's directly affecting the hearts and minds of his victims do to the wording and flavor of the spells. That's worth a lot in my book.
Thank you for your observations and thoughtful opinions. I admire WOTC for finally developing a game that works with so many different players, styles, characters and worlds. BTW my friend heard this video playing and asked if Jango Fett was talking about D&D :)
+Troy Cook Jango Fett!!!!!!???? He's a damn kiwi. I'm South African. I suppose I can understand the accents may sound similar. By the way, since I made the video I have become thoroughly converted to D&D 5e. I think its a brilliant system, that brings to the front the priorities of the rpg experience.
+Rob Acton I'll definitely let him know. I'm continually impressed with the system as I read the PHB transcript. That's my next RPG purchase. Are you planning on reviewing the DMG and the MM?
+Troy Cook I own the DMG but I don't have a MM. I would prefer to give my ongoing views of the system as we play it. Its been more than a year now and I have played in and run a regular 5e game. I think I am in a much better position to comment, and to mention how the DMG has affected how we play.
5E is probably the best edition so far, except for the spell system. And while a more flavorful spell system would be interesting, I'm not sure the spell system can handle the burden at present. The concentration mechanic has already made the vast majority of spells mutually exclusive. I guess one could throw fire, ice, and lightning balls since they are instantaneous and don't break concentration. Then again, I can do that in any game. One of the things that made D&D neat was the spell system.
One can't even buff and use controlling effects simultaneously (Mirror Image, Mage Armor, and Fire Shield are the exceptions). The wizard is a controller no more, or he's a defenseless one with only minimum capacity to control the battlefield. It's even worse for fighter mages and melee clerics. It's a shame really.
Personally I don't have a problem with concentration as a mechanic in 5E, but I think that its a limiting factor and spell casters should have the option to incrementally tear down those limits, at great risk to themselves, but with the possibility of a big pay-off.
is that your game room?