I’m feeling a bit torn myself. I understand the thinking behind the vanilla rules; it helps balance out some of the spellcasters’ power, especially at higher levels. But my understanding of balance in 5e is that it’s to balance the players against each other, to avoid having 1 or 2 players be so clearly better at so much that it naturally pulls the limelight away from the rest of the party and causes people to lose interest their own character.

I think totally unrestricted spellcasting carries the potential for imbalance, but doesn’t guarantee that outcome, and if I’m not making my spellcasters manage their resources then I’m doing something wrong. Something like Matt Mercer’s house rule “spells of 2nd level or lower” would also be a good compromise because it allows the utility of things like Misty Step, or for a Gish to summon a shadow blade etc.

What do y’all do at your tables, and why?

  • Spuddaccino@reddthat.com
    6·
    1 year ago

    When you cast a leveled spell using a bonus action, the only other spells you can cast with your action on that turn is a cantrip.

    I, personally, think it’s confusing and doesn’t really add much in the way of balance to the game. Let the wizard burn all his spells twice as fast and be useless for the rest of the adventuring day. If your adventures have meaningful consequences for taking too long clearing a dungeon, it’ll work itself out.

    • sbv@sh.itjust.works
      2·
      1 year ago

      I agree on the confusing part.

      There’s a pretty small set of bonus action spells though, so a lil asterisk reminding players of the limitation would probably be enough to settle it.

        • DonnieDarkmode@lemm.eeOP
          2·
          1 year ago

          Yeah it does make quickened spell way more powerful, and there’s not much love for sorcerer amongst the people I DM for, so I haven’t really seen it in combat.

    • evilgiraffe666@ttrpg.network
      2·
      1 year ago

      Even this isn’t exactly correct - that would allow you to cast reaction spells on your turn, but the rules do not.

      When you cast a leveled spell using a bonus action, the only other spells you can cast on that turn is a cantrip, with your action.

      The difference is you can’t cast more leveled spells at all, and you can’t cast any spells including cantrips if they don’t use an action. That last part doesn’t usually matter, unless you have multiple bonus actions, or reaction cantrips (which appeared in the playtest of next edition).

      Edited to reduce misinformation, left the wrong in place so corrections make sense