Well, the new character sheet from fifth edition D&D Starter Set is here.
It's supposed to be easy for noobs to read and understand at a glance. Is it? What do you think?
I know I'm number challenged some of the time and I've only read a few of the playtest packets, but I'm also trying to look at this through novice eyes.
I'm not sure how the proficiency bonus interacts with the ability scores and/or skills. Why is the phrase "Saving Throws" at the bottom of the ability score bonuses - because they are the saving throw bonuses? If that's true, then is there no other purpose to ability score bonuses besides saving throws? That would be my inference.
I assume there's a +2 to Constitution on the far left and then a +4 Constitution on the bonus because of the proficiency bonus... does that mean it only grants a bonus to some Constitution-based rolls? Assuming a Fighter starts 1st level with a full 10 hit points, does the extra con bonus not count for hp? Why is the Hit Dice in a different box than the Current Hit Points?
Skills look fairly straightforward, your ability score bonus (I guess there is another reason for calculating them beyond saving throws) + the proficiency bonus + a d20 versus some arbitrary challenge rating, right? Or, instead of the proficiency bonus is that a separate +2 skill bonus for the skills the character chose? Wizards could learn a thing or two from the old Vampire: the Masquerade character sheets which give the actual numbers and choices a player had available.
Regarding Armor Class, the fighter is wearing Chain mail +1 for his Fighting Style (Defense) bonus -1 for his Dexterity (which should cancel each other out). So, that means Chain mail armor gives you a +7 to Armor Class assuming the base is 10... can that be right? If so, what's Plate mail? +11?
+5 for an attack bonus, huh? That's quite a bit for a starting character. But only +3 for damage? Why the discrepancy? Is this character using his Greataxe two-handed for the extra damage (1d12... I heard from some guy named Venger that the Trident only does 1d6 one handed. 1d6!?! Can you believe that shit?)? I assume so, but don't have a clue just from looking over the sheet.
Now that I look at it, the "Death Saves" box looks a little tedious. Wouldn't a single roll just be easier? Isn't this 1st level padding simply coddling the PCs - which is directly opposed to old school D&D?
As for the Second Wind feat or whatever it's called, just how limited is this well of stamina? Bonus action? When, where, and how do I get bonus actions?
While I see a lot of good things here, I'm worried about the confusion factor. If this was a grade school math test I'd write on this with red pen: Show your work, please! C+
Thoughts?
VS
