D&D A Single Spark

"So, our combat strategy is essentially Color Spray and pray?" Anthor questioned as he tried to urge Krista forwards.

"I have an idea. If I spontaneous cast summon natures ally, I can call forth a badger to trip there ambush and reveal their positions. Though I don't like intentionally sending a noble creature into harm's way." Crois suggests.

"What exactly did you overhear?" Krista asks, "before the worker was slain?"

"Hm... what if we staggered our assault. Crois and I could go in and draw whomever is in the cavern out into the open. Then while we distract them, you could slip in and flank them."

"I'm not sure I should take the lead, I'm our only healer and I'm still recovering from the wolves." Crois adds.

(Shhh. What other two?)

"I can lead the charge if I must, and if you prepared any healing spells today Crois, you might want to use one. We will most likely need you in the coming fight. I think Russ and Gildis are holding the cave entrance, so no one sneaks up behind us."

Hey Os, have you looked at 5E much yet?

It looks pretty nice, and my only problem with it is that it skills aren't as important (or as specialized so people are generally similarly skilled with things) and that there aren't any Prestige Classes, which feel like they have more variety than the class specializations in 5E. However, Sorcerer is no longer inherently worse than Wizard, as Sorcerer has exclusive access to Metamagic, and might actually be better overall since it has some widespread abilities, and Warlocks seem better than their 3.5e counterparts.

The Player's Handbook came out on the 19th, and the Monster Manual comes out on the 30th. You can find a free Starter Kit thing on WotC's website. It's pretty neat, but stuff like custom magic weapons and such won't be available until the DMG comes out in November.

So far, there are twelve classes:

Fighter, Monk, Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard, Warlock, Cleric, Barbarian, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, and Bard.

Each has two or three specializations (which replace PrCs) with the exception of Wizard, which has the Spell School specialization options instead, except I don't think schools are prohibited and the wizard also gets some inherent boosts (an Abjurer gets a permanent Mage Armor I believe), and also Clerics, which get domains (which are expanded to include more spells and abilities). Cantrips/0-Level spells are know infinite-use, and spells no longer scale with level, but spells (like Magic Missile) can consume a higher slot to deal more damage and such. There is no BAB and Save bonuses from classes, but each class gains proficiency in two ability scores for saves, several skills, and equipment. This proficiency bonus is equal to 1/4CharacterLevel + 2. Classes all now function off of primarily one ability score, and the rest are customizable. Certain weapons like rapiers can have their attack and damage rolls calculated using Dexterity instead of Strength, similar to how I designed the Magic Deck in OMM&MM.

Os, I purchased the new PHB and plan on getting the Monster Manual and DMG eventually and maybe one of the two modules.