D&D (2024) A strange OD&D Hypothesis

[Chaosmancer]

So, in the flurry of videos, redditt posts, interviews and discussions about OD&D, someone asked a question that I thought was very interesting. Because my first thought was "no, they wouldn't" but then... maybe?

They were looking at the Dragonborn Breath Weapon's damage, 1d10 + level. Notably, this scales almost identically to the multi-dice scaling they had

1d10+5 = 2d10
1d10+11 = 3d10
1d10+17 = 4d10

And they asked "Is this how One D&D will handle cantrips?" And the more I think about it, the scaling of 2dX at 5th, 3dX at 11th, 4dX at 17th isn't difficult... but I've still seen people forget it, and the +level is consistent throughout, which also saves page space when printing cantrips.

So... what if they did this? Would it work? The obvious exception seems to be Eldritch Blast, since it scales through multiple attacks, but that is the only thing I can think of.

 

[Parmandur]

So, in the flurry of videos, redditt posts, interviews and discussions about OD&D, someone asked a question that I thought was very interesting. Because my first thought was "no, they wouldn't" but then... maybe?

They were looking at the Dragonborn Breath Weapon's damage, 1d10 + level. Notably, this scales almost identically to the multi-dice scaling they had

1d10+5 = 2d10
1d10+11 = 3d10
1d10+17 = 4d10

And they asked "Is this how One D&D will handle cantrips?" And the more I think about it, the scaling of 2dX at 5th, 3dX at 11th, 4dX at 17th isn't difficult... but I've still seen people forget it, and the +level is consistent throughout, which also saves page space when printing cantrips.

So... what if they did this? Would it work? The obvious exception seems to be Eldritch Blast, since it scales through multiple attacks, but that is the only thing I can think of.

I think we will see soon. It's bot impossible...though the goal may have been to give the Dragonborn an ability better than a Cantrip, and a guaranteed floor for Damage is nice.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I dont think they will, but I find it quite elegant. Its really not a bad idea.

It would save a little time at the table, which is always a plus.

Would it be possible to do the same with rogue's sneak attack? (I dont do math)

 

[MockingBird]

Not a bad idea at all.

 

[Parmandur]

The more I think on it, I do not believe thisnis plausible. If it was a Cantrip damage, Dragonborn would not be limited to their use by Prof per Day. Additionally, the other Races which give damaging Cantrips would have mentioned it. So this is clearly meant to be better than a Cantrip.

 

[Lidgar]

5e was built on the altar of Mo Dice.

I wouldn’t be surprise is oD&D scales some of that back.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

1d10+5 = 2d10
1d10+11 = 3d10
1d10+17 = 4d10

2d10 avg 11 1d10+5 av 11
3d10 avg 17 1d10+11 av 17
yeah that does work... except it is a lower max but higher min... I would NOT mind this at all.

the thing is that the average goes up a bit at a time instead of a big boost at 5,11,17

 

[SkidAce]

I keep reading thread titles like this as if they are referencing Old D&D, and get very confused for a moment.

 

[Hussar]

I keep reading thread titles like this as if they are referencing Old D&D, and get very confused for a moment.

Glad I'm not the only one.

The only cantrip that might be an issue would be the warlock's eldritch blast since you are actually getting separate attacks instead of just more damage. But, fair enough, you could just leave that one be different.

It would certainly save a pile of space in the PHB where you didn't have to keep reprinting the level changes for every cantrip. You could just plonk it down once and be done with it.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

The only cantrip that might be an issue would be the warlock's eldritch blast since you are actually getting separate attacks instead of just more damage. But, fair enough, you could just leave that one be different.

i am hoping that Eldritch blast would get a rider where it can crit...like a weapon