Eniko (moved ➡ gamedev.place)

Wow dnd is well balanced

Artificer level 4: ability score increase or feat

Artificer level 5: +1 proficiency bonus, +1 level 1 spell slot, unlock level 2 spells, new subclass mechanic

Maybe level 5 is kinda over stacked compared to level 4 there don't you think >_>

At least I get my heavy armor master feat so I can wear full plate otherwise I'd feel really disappointed

Apr 7, 2025 at 8:03amWeb
Show threadFarbsApr 7, 2025
@eniko I think there's an article out there somewhere about the value of lumpy progression in incremental games. Maybe the same applies to D&D?
Show threadZetaZetanApr 7, 2025

@eniko This is deliberate. 5e progression is divided into tiers of play and 5th level (when wizards and other full casters get level 3 spells, like fireball and flying and hypnotic pattern and such) is the threshold of tier 2. Designing the game around those thresholds was done to let it work with the traditional D&D spell list and associated progression. Everyone is supposed to get a big bump in power at or around levels 5, 11 (wizards get 6th level spells), and 17 (9th level spells.)

Doing this lets players choose what tier they want to play at and makes it easier to scope adventures properly (eg. levels 1-4 are small-scale local stuff; at level 5-11 you move towards being regional heroes; at levels 11-16 you're focused on worldwide threats; and 17-20 is about facing cosmic threats, evil deities, etc.)

Show threadEniko (moved ➡ gamedev.place)Apr 7, 2025
@ZetaZetan still leaves the problem of levels 2, 3 and 5 all being exciting and level 4 being a big wet fart
Show threadMikhail 💛💙Apr 7, 2025

@eniko Yeah, lvl 5 is a huge power jump for all classes. It's a level wizard gets fireball, melee classes get extra attack and so on.

I think DND really needs a level overhaul. Lvl 1-2 is practically unplayable.

Show threadEniko (moved ➡ gamedev.place)Apr 7, 2025
@freiksenet fortunately our DM is generous with experience points and we just faffed around barovia not getting into any combats until level 3
Show threadhadesApr 7, 2025
@eniko yeah level five is a big power jump for most classes really
Show threadEniko (moved ➡ gamedev.place)Apr 7, 2025
@hades feel like they coulda shuffled the extra level 1 spell slot into level 4 or something :|
Show threadhadesApr 7, 2025
@eniko you're right, but I think they pretty much planned the power jump (melée classes get second attack, which is huge), also if you consider how adventures at that level also become much more challenging. As a DM, I actually appreciate level 5 as a milestone after which the characters become much less prone to sudden death due to RNG. And I think for players (especially new to the system or not prone to minmaxing) level 4 still feels nice due to ASI/feat.
Show threadThe Seven Voyages Of SteveApr 7, 2025
@eniko D&D is a pretty terrible system, and I can say that as someone who has played most versions since 2nd edition. Lots of really bad choices that they can’t undo without pissing off people who are inexplicably attached to them. By far the worst thing about BG3 is D&D
Show threadThe Seven Voyages Of SteveApr 7, 2025
@eniko the fact that they design this thing so that there’s a very real chance of a dice roll meaning an action just whiffs and does *nothing* is something I learned over the years to recognise as a cardinal sin in RPG design. The outcome of player agency should never *ever* be “nothing happens”. This is something eg Forged in the Dark systems understand
Show threadEniko (moved ➡ gamedev.place)Apr 7, 2025
@sinbad yeah I agree but it's what everyone plays lol
Show threadThe Seven Voyages Of SteveApr 7, 2025
@eniko Yeah it’s a shame. I’ve played and DM’d so many things since the 80s and it’s really nice to see more people are getting into the hobby. Just.. D&D is far from the best experience the space has to offer, it just has the biggest company behind it. Props to people like Quinns for trying to showcase smaller (better) systems https://m.youtube.com/@quinns_quest
Before you continue to YouTube

Show threadjdarksideApr 7, 2025
Playing BG3 and the Pathfinder CRPGs really cemented my issues with this system. However, while Pathfinder is, quite frankly, terrifying in its granular details, it does at least allow a ton of expression in play, even if building a fun mage build is a hassle and a half. BG3, on the other hand, is based on 5e rules, so a lot of the complexity is lost or shifted in poor ways, while keeping the poor level pacing that makes any early game play a practice in save scumming and misery. Sure is great to get a smattering of basic classes to choose from that get very minor modifications around level three! Say what you will about Owlcat, at least they've tried to alleviate this during early chapter since WotR and on. Heck, they even changed how the pyromancer psykers work in their Rogue Trader game to avoid that early game hell stuff with them and make them feel more fun to use.