mikemearls23 points21 days ago
All the paladin ones. The balance between core class and subclass mechanics is way off. The class overall functions very well, but there’s not enough room to make the subclasses there really shine from 3rd level. AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.

If I was starting with the Guild, I’d look at the top selling compilations or larger books and start there, then follow the authors whose work strikes me. Comment from discussion AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.

Discovery to me means finding or uncovering things considered lost, walking at the very edge of the known and pushing onward. It would be things like discovering a forgotten ruin or reclaiming a lost relic.Comment from discussion AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.

So, I was wondering, is this actually how it works? Are all spells created (hopefully) equal regardless of damage type?

mikemearls15 points21 days ago
We don’t adjust damage based on type. from discussion AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.

Third edition is kind of infamous for the large power disparity between some classes. This has changed dramatically since then and modern D&D is much more balanced. In the development of 4E, how did you gauge power level, and how did that change the way you approached D&D design for 4E and 5E?

Was there ever any thought in 4E to making a Martial controller class?

Eberron was designed specifically for 3.5 and it turned out to have a dedicated fandom. Was there any thought to doing the same thing with 4E and 5E?

D&D has a lot of campaign settings that are not currently supported in 5E. What’s your favorite campaign setting that you think is unlikely to receive support?

And thanks again.

mikemearls15 points20 days ago
4e power balance was more spreadsheet and number based. 5e uses some of that, but there’s a much bigger emphasis on letting people feel powerful.

Not really. I think in the original design the idea was to leave that box empty.

4e’s setting was supposed to be the Nentir Vale. For 5e, we wanted the rules to be less impactful on what a setting should or must look like. We wanted the rules to be more transparent or flexible.

I think we will eventually get to them all, but Greyhawk will be the toughest nut to crack to keep it true to its roots while also making it standout as something interesting to new players. from discussion AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.

You mentioned in the past how you want each setting to have its own niche to set it apart. I was wondering what your thoughts were on how to set Greyhawk, Dragonlance, and Mystara apart from the Realms.

Also, when are we going to see Dragonlance and Spelljammer again?

mikemearls17 points20 days ago
Can’t give dates, but what I see:

Dragonlance: Emphasis on relationships, love, and epic events
Greyhawk: Imminent evil powers like Iuz, a darker flavor for D&D
Mystara: Classic pulp fantasy, fueled by adventures like the Isle of Dread and The Lost City from discussion AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.

mikemearls50 points19 days ago
Mix of the two – I react to what happens at the table, but I also sometimes send out an email asking for input on what people want to do, usually do that after resolving a big adventure or event. Comment from discussion AMA: Mike Mearls, D&D Creative Director.