So, D&D is now testing materials for the next edition, One D&D. Some of the new changes, I'm not really a big fan of; one that I really liked, however, was the new(ish) background system. Here's what I liked about it:
[1] Who you were should be relevant to who you are. In 5e, however, Wizards failed to live up to that principle for the mechanical elements of the game. Backgrounds give you a few skill proficiencies and a bit of supplies, but not really much else. In this, backgrounds give you all that and more, plus a first level feat. With this, backgrounds actually matter in-game, as they should. In 5e, backgrounds are just a random thing on your character sheet that won't actually do anything in-game. But with these modifications, your character's past actually means something and actually has an effect on who you are, as it should.
[2] In 5e, there are really only two things that matter at first level, your class and your D&D "race." By providing more things that make a difference to who your character is, and giving you choices on exactly what they do, this system allows you to make a variety of different builds and customize your character more like how you want them to be.
For example, if I were to build a die-roll-controlling wizard using One D&D rules, and I had so many spells I liked but only a few I was able to learn at first level, I'd have to make some difficult choices on what spells I really wanted to cut. But I wouldn't have to cut as many spells if I chose the Magic Initiate feat for my background. If I did that, I'd always be able to have... (picks spell) Silvery Barbs prepared and ready to be cast. This would help further my roll-controlling character strategy, without me having to sacrifice another spell I wanted to take. Oh, and don't forget, I'd also get two cantrips just so I can have even more fun!
But what if I wanted to control my own rolls as well? Then I'd just pick One D&D's Human and take the Lucky feat. With 5e, I'd only be able to get one of these, and that would require taking Human and then going for the variant that gives you less stuff, but one not-so-very-"free" feat.
In short, with more feats and more options from/for your background, you can make cool new builds and do some nice, neat stuff, even at low levels.
"In short" shortened, this is awesome!
[3] I don't know about you, but whenever I get an ASI/feat choice, I spend hours wrenching out my hair, trying to decide which choice to take. Should I sacrifice boosting my important ability scores? Is it worth it for the feat?
With this new background system, you already have a feat, and it's a lot easier to spend your ASIs on the ASIs, knowing that you've already got one real cool thing, and now you don't have to sacrifice some stat bonuses just to get one.
[4] Though this background system is using build-your-own, the game also has a viable alternative: sample backgrounds:
Sample backgrounds mean that for newer players, or for people who just don't have the time or energy to make their own background up, they don't have to. Instead, they can can take one of the sample backgrounds, and they already have it made for them. This is a variant, not the norm. But it's great to have both options for people who don't like one of them.
So what do you think of the new background system? Do you agree with what I said, or do you hate it with all your heart?
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I agree! for me, and the way I play (mostly DM) I love the new background system. I was already giving my players a feat at level 1 to everyone as a house rule. But with it becoming core to the book, and with some guideline, it become much more balanced!
Also, I love that you can now play any race, any class combo, without felling bad about bad atributes distribution. I know you already could for a while, but it makes more sense linking it to background instead race.
Only thing I want to see, a couple more 1st level feats (at least to a total of 20) and some more balance to the ones that are already there like: Savage Attacker, Tavern Brawler and Crafter.
I really like the new background system. Tying the Stat increases to background rather than race makes so much sense and its so much more intuitive and customisable than it was previously.
I like the idea but then I am one of those who think about everything my character has and the background explains it. Why does my Rogue know so many languages and is an acrobat who is also a cobbler? He grew up in a traveling circus/performing group. So they went a lot of places and hired a lot of different people from different races. So he learned their language. They also did a lot of jobs so his other job was repairing boots.
I like 1st level feats as at first level they should be for flavor. Crossbow expert should not be first level.
I think ASI in feats can come at higher levels but not first level. Only thing I think is that I am OK with some racial Ability scores set. Like Gnomes not having high strengths. Doesn't mean you can't make one just shows that your Gnome is rare and worked at it.
[3] I don't know about you, but whenever I get an ASI/feat choice, I spend hours wrenching out my hair, trying to decide which choice to take. Should I sacrifice boosting my important ability scores? Is it worth it for the feat?
With this new background system, you already have a feat, and it's a lot easier to spend your ASIs on the ASIs, knowing that you've already got one real cool thing, and now you don't have to sacrifice some stat bonuses just to get one.
In the video, Crawford explains that level 1 feats won’t have asi’s attached (so no half feats at level 1) but he seems to imply many of the higher level feats will be half feats, so maybe it will save your hair a bit.
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So, D&D is now testing materials for the next edition, One D&D. Some of the new changes, I'm not really a big fan of; one that I really liked, however, was the new(ish) background system. Here's what I liked about it:
[1] Who you were should be relevant to who you are. In 5e, however, Wizards failed to live up to that principle for the mechanical elements of the game. Backgrounds give you a few skill proficiencies and a bit of supplies, but not really much else. In this, backgrounds give you all that and more, plus a first level feat. With this, backgrounds actually matter in-game, as they should. In 5e, backgrounds are just a random thing on your character sheet that won't actually do anything in-game. But with these modifications, your character's past actually means something and actually has an effect on who you are, as it should.
[2] In 5e, there are really only two things that matter at first level, your class and your D&D "race." By providing more things that make a difference to who your character is, and giving you choices on exactly what they do, this system allows you to make a variety of different builds and customize your character more like how you want them to be.
For example, if I were to build a die-roll-controlling wizard using One D&D rules, and I had so many spells I liked but only a few I was able to learn at first level, I'd have to make some difficult choices on what spells I really wanted to cut. But I wouldn't have to cut as many spells if I chose the Magic Initiate feat for my background. If I did that, I'd always be able to have... (picks spell) Silvery Barbs prepared and ready to be cast. This would help further my roll-controlling character strategy, without me having to sacrifice another spell I wanted to take. Oh, and don't forget, I'd also get two cantrips just so I can have even more fun!
But what if I wanted to control my own rolls as well? Then I'd just pick One D&D's Human and take the Lucky feat. With 5e, I'd only be able to get one of these, and that would require taking Human and then going for the variant that gives you less stuff, but one not-so-very-"free" feat.
In short, with more feats and more options from/for your background, you can make cool new builds and do some nice, neat stuff, even at low levels.
"In short" shortened, this is awesome!
[3] I don't know about you, but whenever I get an ASI/feat choice, I spend hours wrenching out my hair, trying to decide which choice to take. Should I sacrifice boosting my important ability scores? Is it worth it for the feat?
With this new background system, you already have a feat, and it's a lot easier to spend your ASIs on the ASIs, knowing that you've already got one real cool thing, and now you don't have to sacrifice some stat bonuses just to get one.
[4] Though this background system is using build-your-own, the game also has a viable alternative: sample backgrounds:
Sample backgrounds mean that for newer players, or for people who just don't have the time or energy to make their own background up, they don't have to. Instead, they can can take one of the sample backgrounds, and they already have it made for them. This is a variant, not the norm. But it's great to have both options for people who don't like one of them.
So what do you think of the new background system? Do you agree with what I said, or do you hate it with all your heart?
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.I agree! for me, and the way I play (mostly DM) I love the new background system. I was already giving my players a feat at level 1 to everyone as a house rule. But with it becoming core to the book, and with some guideline, it become much more balanced!
Also, I love that you can now play any race, any class combo, without felling bad about bad atributes distribution. I know you already could for a while, but it makes more sense linking it to background instead race.
Only thing I want to see, a couple more 1st level feats (at least to a total of 20) and some more balance to the ones that are already there like: Savage Attacker, Tavern Brawler and Crafter.
I really like the new background system. Tying the Stat increases to background rather than race makes so much sense and its so much more intuitive and customisable than it was previously.
I like the idea but then I am one of those who think about everything my character has and the background explains it.
Why does my Rogue know so many languages and is an acrobat who is also a cobbler? He grew up in a traveling circus/performing group.
So they went a lot of places and hired a lot of different people from different races. So he learned their language. They also did a lot of jobs so his other job was repairing boots.
I like 1st level feats as at first level they should be for flavor. Crossbow expert should not be first level.
I think ASI in feats can come at higher levels but not first level.
Only thing I think is that I am OK with some racial Ability scores set. Like Gnomes not having high strengths. Doesn't mean you can't make one just shows that your Gnome is rare and worked at it.
In the video, Crawford explains that level 1 feats won’t have asi’s attached (so no half feats at level 1) but he seems to imply many of the higher level feats will be half feats, so maybe it will save your hair a bit.