Some great suggestions, I agree with most of this. Also nice to see it all condensed in one place.

However, highlighting some exceptions and issues I personally have:

1.1 & 1.2 Acions and bonus actions:

I definitely don't like shove being a bonus action considering how powerful it is. I don't think changing the rules for attacking a prone creature is necessary, either. Edit: I'd also like to see players have an option to knock prone with shove, shove be reduced to 5 feet as per 5e rules and have it utilise a contested atheltics vs athletics/acrobatics ability check (currently I believe it's an attack roll but may be wrong on that).

I think Throw should remain an action, it's fairly powerful as is and was something people really complained about back in the initial showcase months ago which was actually changed before EA iirc.

Changing weapon shouldn't take a bonus action either and should remain a free action (between your ranged and melee option). I think they should let us have two weapon loadouts which we can switch between as a free action once on your turn using a toggle (see Solasta), much like the current one-handed vs two-handed attack option.

I'm actually a big fan of the current implementation of Help. The only problem I have with it is that it restores 1 hit point to a downed character instead of stabilising them, which creates these awkward and frankly ridiculous combat scenario where one character is trapped reviving another character in an endless cycle. Maybe they could add an option to use Help on an opponent within melee range to give advtange to the next attack roll or ability check an ally makes against the creature. Also maybe using Help on a stabilised character could cause a Medicine check that if successful grants an ally 1 hit point.

2.1 Movement
Ladders should essentially count a difficult terrain unless you have a climbing speed as per 5e rules. Probably not a major priority or issue, though.

2.2 Jump
I don't really mind Jump being a bonus action and thus being more powerful, although I can be swayed on this. I definitely don't like the fact it disengages, however.

3.1 Backstab
I think these backstab rules are convoluted, unbalanced and unnecessary. Just get rid of backstab altogether, it doesn't make sense without the full implementation of facing rules, which would just be a chore. At most a small benefit for flanking maybe?

3.3 Light
I think the rules for light are just currently bugged at the moment...

4 Surfaces and Additional Damage.
Surfaces need to be toned down; rarer, shorter and more balanced. Use spells like Spirit Guardian and Sleet Storm as examples: if you start your turn or move into the area for the first time each turn you take some damage with a relevant save to take only half damage.

4.1 Cantrips and Area of Effect
Hard disagree on all AoE spells wantonly creating surfaces. There already are spells that essentially create surfaces (see again: Spirit Guardian, Sleet Storm). I don't think they need to be arbitrarily slapped onto all AoE spells just because they are AoE spells. I don't mind relevant interactions creating surfaces, such as casting a fire spell on grease, but otherwise it's going too far.

5.1 Miss
Definitely don't want miss cutscenes slowing down combat and emphasising feelsbad moments.

5.3 Combat cutscenes
Again, in my opinion combat cutscenes are jarring, slow things down and dilute the momentousness of critical hits. Having them for crits is enough.

6.1 Must have
I actually think allowing all classes to use scrolls is a good move. It adds more things for everyone to do (which Larian has issues with) and it facilitates people who want to run party composition of their choice, rather than feeling compelled to bring spellcasters.

I don't see anything wrong with accessing companions inventory. It's really just QoL but maybe a range limit if there isn't one already (haven't tested).

I don't necessarily mind monsters having more special attacks. I haven't noticed it being particularly overdone so far, either.



I also wanted to highlight some excellent points you've made that I think deserve some extra emphasis.

a). Advantage is definitely too prevalent currently. An optional loaded dice mechanic could help alleviate issues many people have with missing. Not sure how I feel about lots of additional/different modifiers affecting hit like you've suggested (3.4). 5e was created to be very streamlined and a lot of these floating modifier were removed, but they are a lot easier to manage in a video game, so some might be beneficial.

b). Hide, Disengage, Dodge and Ready as actions, definitely. Ready and Dodge give options if you've nothing else to use your action on, and add some more tactical decision making (e.g focusing on defence, or setting up ambushes). No idea why they weren't implemented.

c). Reactions as they stand now are terrible. I would love pop-ups personally but understand why many people are against this. Not sure what the solution is but believe Larian should just trust 5e on this.

d). Again surfaces need to be rarer and toned down and more in-keeping with existing 5e rules.

e). More verbiage for missing would be good. Wielding a melee weapon and being missed by a melee attack will occasionally replace the miss with a "parry". Wearing no armour, light armour or medium armour will pop an occasional "dodge". Wearing heaving armour or wielding a shield will sometimes pop a "block". More variety in miss animations would be nice (e.g raising your shield).

f). Eating during combat is ridiculous, definitely needs changing.

g). Love the idea of a growing bestiary but I understand it being a low priority. Personally, I think Examine could be an interesting bonus action that makes a relevant Intelligence check to uncover extra information, but reckon a lot of player would find it boring.

h). I cannot fathom why Bless doesn't let you choose your targets; the technology exists with Magic Missiles. Why did the decide to make it so cumbersome to use?


Finally, while it may not directly relate to combat, I don't think you can discuss D&D 5e combat ideas and balance without talking about rests. Currently long and short rests in BG3 are terribly implemented. So much of the game, in and outside of combat, revolves around them. We need more limits for long rests and greater availability of short rests.

Last edited by Changeling4; 14/11/20 06:17 PM.