Well it's been a while, a very long while so firstly I would like to apologies for the lack of posts from and Alifornication. but as DnD Next has officially started I figured now is a good at time as any to get things moving again :D. so my first impressions on the DnD Next stuff so far... I like it. the lac of 4e stuff is noticeable (some things for the better I have to say). also I have to say to all those moaning on how the classes are boring or not very inventive let me kindly say and with all due respect please could you all SHUT THE FUCK UP! it is a play test an early one at that they said there will be more stuff for the fighter and I have no doubt there will be I imagine the the maneuvers mentioned will act much like the 4e stances (well at least I hope I love the Slayer and Knight classes). now as for healing...yeah it needs some work there needs to be more than just hit dice or maybe more hit dice than just 1 for every level but that's a minor thing and can be remedied with a simple house rule. The basics of healing seem fairly lack luster this could be an issue with the play test characters having better HP meaning that most heals aren't that effective I think clerics either need some more healing abilities (or at least some clerics). a work around this is the healer feat that allows you to make potions and other healing items which costs 25 gold per item... for an edition stated not to rely on gold a good source of less need for a cleric requires an awful lot of gold. of course a DM can easily house rule this like most things that DnD Next is meant to be about giving the DM creative freedom.
I have read through the caves of chaos and it looks fun, sadly I haven't had a chance to run it yet. the classes seem fine enough and magic missile being an at-will cantrip does not bother me, it does 1d4+1 damage per missile with a new missile every 3 levels damage potential is minimal and yes I know it's auto damage but the Slayer theme for the fighter can do some damage on a miss and instantly kill any Kobold but it's a fucking Kobold they have officially been demoted to weaker than goblins and their whole shtick is is to mob the PCs the rules even gives them advantage if they outnumber the party. speaking of advantage and disadvantage I automatically liked it when I saw it I find it hard to fault and it gives a balance. instead of just being a system of advantage it now works both ways and the awarding of it is based on DM fiat instead of a rule in the hands of a good DM this will be a very good thing to have in the hands of a bad one well...
All in all I like what I see and will make a follow up when I finally get to playtest it I will however be posting again on the blog so hopefully some cool stuff will appear soon until next time this is Owler signing off for now.
