It might be interesting to look back at how they did the druid and wild shape during the playtest. The druid was introduced in package 6 and used templates, the templates remained pretty similar until there was a big change in the templates in package 9
I still wish they had stuck with and refined the martial damage dice and maneuvers, add a few more dice, add high level maneuvers, let them learn more maneuvers than they had, let them combine as many maneuvers as they have dice to spend and it would have been gold.
The thing I miss most about the 5e playtest is the sorcerer. It was such a unique concept unlike anything we have in 5e.
It's interesting how they tried to solve the problem with sorcerer losing its identity due to spontaneous casting being standard, and the partial caster symmetry with the class (paladin, ranger, and sorcerer). Will points casting two-thirds caster, d8 hit die, all weapons/armour. And gradually manifesting more and more of your bloodline as you spend will points.
Instead we just got wizard, but hot. Sorcerer getting changed at the last second is also the reason why there are divine and primal partial casters in the PHB, but no arcane one. Sorcerer was originally planned for the role.
Lets look at the old playtest when talking about One DnD
I do not mean look back at the packages release so far but look back to the DnD Next playtest that led up to DnD 5e.
Here is a drop box with all the DnD Next playtest packages https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qwk8517jn2knnnb/AAD9jRQ6uEWXRWnwaowt7llWa?dl=0
It might be interesting to look back at how they did the druid and wild shape during the playtest.
The druid was introduced in package 6 and used templates, the templates remained pretty similar until there was a big change in the templates in package 9
those WSs suck s well.
I still wish they had stuck with and refined the martial damage dice and maneuvers, add a few more dice, add high level maneuvers, let them learn more maneuvers than they had, let them combine as many maneuvers as they have dice to spend and it would have been gold.
The thing I miss most about the 5e playtest is the sorcerer. It was such a unique concept unlike anything we have in 5e.
It's interesting how they tried to solve the problem with sorcerer losing its identity due to spontaneous casting being standard, and the partial caster symmetry with the class (paladin, ranger, and sorcerer). Will points casting two-thirds caster, d8 hit die, all weapons/armour. And gradually manifesting more and more of your bloodline as you spend will points.
Instead we just got wizard, but hot. Sorcerer getting changed at the last second is also the reason why there are divine and primal partial casters in the PHB, but no arcane one. Sorcerer was originally planned for the role.
Sorcerer as a half-caster would have been interesting.
comparison table. moon druid in the old UA also gained +2 str and dex (max 22) in hound shape and regained half hp as well as an extra WS
I think I have that comparison table ok – please correct me if I’m wrong.
Cursory glance, not taking into account synergistic abilities and rules (grapple, spell casting):
AC & HP gains from wild shape, both 5E and old UA gained something in combat. Old UA wild shape gained half HP when reverting and str & dex modifiers.
Tiny shape in the old UA and 5e occurred at a much lower level.
New UA has a lot going on with wild shape – appears not to be balanced for other play styles
My opinion: Corrections needed for next UA
For those familiar with the 2013 packets, which ones had the old sorcerer and warlock, the ones that got scrapped?