I've been an avid D&D 3.5 player since the edition came out, but I really like what I am seeing in the 5.0 rules. It looks to me like they have a lot of the flavor of the 3.5 game but with simplified mechanics. I intend to post about many of these over the coming months.
The Proficiency Bonus
Many variables we used to track in 3.5 have been replaced by the single Proficiency Bonus in 5.0. The Proficiency Bonus is based solely on your character level and is the same for all classes. What makes each class, race, and character different is the things that the proficiency bonus applies to.
There is no Base Attack Bonus (BAB) in 5.0, nor increase in each Saving Throw Bonus per level, nor skill points to assign each level. Instead, when making attacks, rolling saves, and using skills you simply apply your Proficiency Bonus, if you have a Proficiency Bonus for that action.
For example, both rogues and fighters are proficient with short swords, and thus each
will have the same proficiency bonus with that weapon at the same level. This happens to be a +2 for a first level character and +3 for a 5th level character. Both 5th level fighters and 5th level rogues have +3 Proficiency Bonuses on short swords. Fighters however are
more likely to have strength and feats that further boost their attack ability than rogues; so don't worry that your rogues will be as tough of fighters as your fighters.
As you gain levels, your
proficiency bonus increases and that is it.
No more tracking base attack bonus (+11/+6/+1), instead it is simply your Proficiency Bonus.
Similarly for saving throws you don't need to modify bonuses to the three saving throw types when gaining levels. Now you just apply your proficiency bonus to your save roll if your class allows you to apply your proficiency bonus to that type of save. For example, clerics may apply their Proficiency Bonus to saves based on Wisdom or Charisma. For dexterity saves they will likely never have a Proficiency Bonus, even at 15th or 20th level.
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