Some tweets from Mearls....

cranebump · June 20, 2014, 07:52:44 PM

I'm a HS English teacher. The only thing my students know about WWII is the Holocaust, and they don't know much about that. I'm not entirely sure what the history teachers are teaching, but even basic stuff about WWII seems to elude the typical HS senior (to include the fact that there were two vastly different theaters). In all fairness, though, I graduated with some stupid ass douche bags, too, so this generation most likely doesn't have a monopoly on cluelessness.

Emperor Norton · June 20, 2014, 08:11:39 PM

Quote from: cranebump;759931I'm a HS English teacher. The only thing my students know about WWII is the Holocaust, and they don't know much about that. I'm not entirely sure what the history teachers are teaching, but even basic stuff about WWII seems to elude the typical HS senior (to include the fact that there were two vastly different theaters). In all fairness, though, I graduated with some stupid ass douche bags, too, so this generation most likely doesn't have a monopoly on cluelessness.

I would make a bet that its more that they aren't paying attention than they aren't being taught it. 10:1 odds they don't remember the stuff you teach the moment they leave your class, either.

I say this because people I went to school with will bitch about how terrible the school we went to was and are all "We didn't learn this in school!" and every time I'm just like... yes we did...

People just don't care.

LibraryLass · June 21, 2014, 04:04:38 AM

Quote from: cranebump;759931I'm a HS English teacher. The only thing my students know about WWII is the Holocaust, and they don't know much about that. I'm not entirely sure what the history teachers are teaching, but even basic stuff about WWII seems to elude the typical HS senior (to include the fact that there were two vastly different theaters). In all fairness, though, I graduated with some stupid ass douche bags, too, so this generation most likely doesn't have a monopoly on cluelessness.

I'd chalk it up to a generational thing. When I was a teenager, there was a show about WW2 on The History Channel at least three times a day. Now it's all reality shows and aliens.

Omega · June 21, 2014, 08:13:28 AM

Back on topic.

This bit is interesting.

Quote@YetiMoose Anything you can tell us about henchmen, cohorts, followers, hirelings, etc.. in 5e? Tied to your charisma score in any way?
@mikemearls DMG has rules - followers have a loyalty rating influenced by Charisma, determines bond to you, changes depending on treatment

The rules in the playtest were fairly interesting and usefull for creating NPC dynamics on the fly. Hopefully stuff like this will be retained into the final version.

Marleycat · June 21, 2014, 11:09:49 AM

Quote from: Omega;760062Back on topic.

This bit is interesting.

The rules in the playtest were fairly interesting and usefull for creating NPC dynamics on the fly. Hopefully stuff like this will be retained into the final version.

If that's how it works I can see the reason they changed the Noble background because previously it would have given them henchmen automatically which doesn't work for me at all.

Omega · June 21, 2014, 11:25:42 AM

Quote from: Marleycat;760082If that's how it works I can see the reason they changed the Noble background because previously it would have given them henchmen automatically which doesn't work for me at all.

3 non-com retainers that would leave if endangered too much. So no battle butler for you. Sorry.

Marleycat · June 21, 2014, 12:14:50 PM

Quote from: Omega;7600843 non-com retainers that would leave if endangered too much. So no battle butler for you. Sorry.

I just think Henchmen and the like shouldn't be free out of the gate is all. I know a big reason for me as far as 5e goes is that I see 1st level adventurers as 16-17 years old. They haven't made any life defining choices yet so why would you get 3 followers?

Obviously it's a playstyle difference not much else. And I see no reason that a person couldn't make backgrounds suitable for their setting anyway.

Iosue · June 21, 2014, 01:22:10 PM

Quote from: Marleycat;760094I just think Henchmen and the like shouldn't be free out of the gate is all. I know a big reason for me as far as 5e goes is that I see 1st level adventurers as 16-17 years old. They haven't made any life defining choices yet so why would you get 3 followers?

Because you are a noble. This is not rocket science.

Armchair Gamer · June 21, 2014, 01:24:11 PM

Quote from: Marleycat;760082If that's how it works I can see the reason they changed the Noble background because previously it would have given them henchmen automatically which doesn't work for me at all.

My guess would be that it was determined to be overly cumbersome, especially for newer players--having to manage 3 semi-PCs in addition to your PC? Better to stick it as an option in the DMG.

Marleycat · June 21, 2014, 02:24:27 PM

Quote from: Armchair Gamer;760102My guess would be that it was determined to be overly cumbersome, especially for newer players--having to manage 3 semi-PCs in addition to your PC? Better to stick it as an option in the DMG.

Probably and also just because you're a Noble doesn't mean you get servants or henchmen free. Look at Warhammer for instance. Being able to have an "in" or contacts/reputation with/within the upper class? Sure.

Omega · June 21, 2014, 08:42:47 PM

Quote from: Marleycat;760094I just think Henchmen and the like shouldn't be free out of the gate is all. I know a big reason for me as far as 5e goes is that I see 1st level adventurers as 16-17 years old. They haven't made any life defining choices yet so why would you get 3 followers?

Obviously it's a playstyle difference not much else. And I see no reason that a person couldn't make backgrounds suitable for their setting anyway.

Well take note that these guys were retainers. Not Henchmen. It read like they dont even go on adventures with the noble. They tend the camp or the family grounds or somesuch.

I think they dropped them because for the Starter, handing some NPCs to the players would have added more complexity that they didnt want in the Starter.

Also you could lay bets that someone would try to argue that these three are not henchmen and thus do not count against your henchmen limit, and try to weasel in some excuse to make them combat effective.

Marleycat · June 21, 2014, 08:53:16 PM

Quote from: Omega;760156Well take note that these guys were retainers. Not Henchmen. It read like they dont even go on adventures with the noble. They tend the camp or the family grounds or somesuch.

I think they dropped them because for the Starter, handing some NPCs to the players would have added more complexity that they didnt want in the Starter.

Also you could lay bets that someone would try to argue that these three are not henchmen and thus do not count against your henchmen limit, and try to weasel in some excuse to make them combat effective.

It's basically the KISS principal is all. You could put the other version in or whatever floats your boat simple Simon. Look my mindset for Dnd is casual so it works for me.

If I want to get all hardcore I have other games for that.

Omega · June 21, 2014, 09:00:31 PM

Quote from: Marleycat;760160It's basically the KISS principal is all. You could put the other version in or whatever floats your boat simple Simon. Look my mindset for Dnd is casual so it works for me.

If I want to get all hardcore I have other games for that.

Tonight! Hardcore Retainers in THE PIT! Jarvis vs Alfred!

crkrueger · June 21, 2014, 09:11:47 PM

Quote from: Omega;760163Tonight! Hardcore Retainers in THE PIT! Jarvis vs Alfred!

I have Wellington and Jeeves coming out of their groups, but I think Rutledge is undefeatable this year.

Marleycat · June 21, 2014, 10:43:39 PM

I pick Harley vs Ivy.