Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sloblock Sep 20, 2014 4:47:33	hi there   I have finally got round to picking up DnD 5e, I have ran other RPGs ( WFRP, Dragon Age and Cthulhu ) so whilst I am not a new DM/GM I am for DnD.   Last night we ran through character creation and so far we have a Wizard and a Ranger, the other two players will create their characters next week, and then we will start Hoard of the Dragon Queen.   The basic Wizard seems quite powerful, he has picked several offensive Cantrips that require no spell slots, compared against the ranger who has 4 extra hp and 4 better AC.  Is this expected? I am concerned that HotDQ Chapter 1 will be a breeze for the players.   any tips / thoughts / advice would be appreciated
#2 Thank_Dog Sep 20, 2014 4:53:07	Firstly, welcome.   Secondly, read through HotDQ carefully, especially the first episode. It is not a breeze.   Thirdly, the damage output of a wizard at 1st-level compared to a ranger at 1st-level is not really comparable. The ranger will win every time simply due to being able to add their ability bonus to the damage whereas a wizard casting a cantrip cannot. However the damage cantrips are unlimited because it always gives the player something to do while they can sit on their more powerful spells for when they're really needed.   And believe me, you will need them in HotDQ. Especially an area effect like Burning Hands or Sleep.   And the AC will most definitely come into play, as will the hit points. Playing the kobolds properly will mean using pack tactics which can be super lethal. The players will want to avoid combat as much as possible (read the first episode, twice if you have to, it points out that the PC's can avoid combat because the cultists think they're mercenaries and ignore them unless given a reason to pay attention to them) because there are only a few chances at a short rest and no chance at a long rest.
(Reply to #2) sloblock	thanks for the reply.   ah right, I thought that the Wizard could use his proficiency bonus on the Cantrips, I can now see that the Ranger does have a bonus.  I had my Ranger player saying that he was underpowered.  World of DnD is quite new to us   I will also make sure that I re-read the first episode, as I presumed that combat was the only option.
#4 Thank_Dog Sep 20, 2014 5:40:09	Proficiency bonus applies to attack rolls for both ranged spell attacks, melee spell attacks, melee weapon attacks and ranged weapon attacks. It doesn't apply to any damage roll at all. Spells simply do the dice of damage that is listed in their description and nothing more whereas weapon attacks get to add the ability modifier used to make the attack with. For instance, a ranger with a longbow attacking a creature would add its ability modifier (dexterity, let's say it's 16 and therefore a +3 modifier) and it's proficiency bonus (1st level would be +2) for a total of +5 to the d20 attack roll. The damage, however, would be 1d8 + 3 (dexterity ability modifier). A wizard casting fire bolt would get to use his Intelligence modifier (again let's say it's 16 and so +3) and proficiency bonus (again +2) for the attack roll to hit the target's AC, just like the ranger would with his bow. However the spell does only 1d10 damage with no additional damage added due to the wizard's Intelligence bonus.