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D&D  Next:  Playtest  Update  

January  28,  2013  
Welcome  to  the  D&D  Next  playtest!  This  is  an  
Changes  in  This  Packet  
exciting  opportunity  to  try  out  pieces  of  the  next  
iteration  of  DUNGEONS  &  DRAGONS  and  to  provide  
Classes  
your  feedback.     Barbarian.  The  barbarian  class  is  now  part  of  
  In  the  playtest,  you  are  looking  at  portions  of   the  playtest.  
the  game,  not  the  whole  thing.  Because  of  that     Clarifications.  The  cleric  and  the  monk  classes  
fact,  you  might  find  things  in  the  rules  that  are   both  contain  clarifications.  
unclear  or  that  refer  to  elements  of  the  game  
that  aren’t  yet  in  the  playtest.  Let  us  know   How  to  Play  
through  our  surveys  what  works,  what  doesn’t     Invisibility.  An  invisible  creature  now  has  
work,  what  you  don’t  like,  and  what  you  like.   advantage  on  its  attack  rolls.  
  Resolving  Tied  Initiatives.  Resolving  tied  
initiatives  has  been  simplified.  
Using  This  Packet     Clarifications.  Numerous  pieces  of  the  How  to  
If  you  are  a  player,  here  is  the  recommended   Play  document  have  been  clarified.  
order  for  reading  the  playtest  packet’s  
documents:   Character  Creation  
  The  instructions  on  character  creation  have  been  
1. How  to  Play.  The  rest  of  the  playtest   reordered  and  clarified,  and  the  explanation  of  
packet  assumes  you  are  familiar  with  this   alignment  has  been  expanded.  
document,  which  presents  the  basics  of  
play.   Spell  Durations  
2. Character  Creation.  This  document   Several  spells,  such  as  minor  illusion,  have  had  
guides  you  through  creating  a  character   their  durations  adjusted.  
and  points  you  to  the  packet’s  other  
player-­‐focused  documents:  Races,  Classes,   Against  the  Cult  of  Chaos  
Backgrounds  and  Skills,  Specialties  and   A  conversion  document  is  provided  for  the  4E  
Feats,  Equipment,  Maneuvers,  and  Spells.   adventure  Against  the  Cult  of  Chaos.  
 
If  you  are  a  Dungeon  Master,  here  is  the  
recommended  reading  order:  
Known  Issues  
  • Certain  player  characters  deal  more  damage  
1. How  to  Play.  The  rest  of  the  playtest   than  desired.  
packet  assumes  you  are  familiar  with  this   • The  DCs  in  the  Caves  of  Chaos,  Isle  of  Dread,  
document,  which  presents  the  basics  of   and  Reclaiming  Blingdenstone  adventures  do  
play.   not  reflect  those  currently  in  the  DM  
2. DM  Guidelines.  A  mix  of  DMing  advice  and   Guidelines  file.  
rules,  this  document  includes  the  nuts  and   • The  character  sheet  might  no  longer  reflect  an  
bolts  of  setting  DCs  and  crafting  combat   optimal  presentation  for  the  available  
encounters.   character  options.  
3. Bestiary.  Containing  a  selection  of  
monsters,  this  document  gives  you  enough  
creatures  to  try  out  encounter  building.  
 

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