DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Front of House Our Community Need some help understanding D&D 5.5 (2024) Player rules

Hey fam, been a long time. So sad to see Mike has passed away. Always smiled at his <weg> note...

I have an opportunity to play in my first ftf D&D game in almost 30 years. They're using 5.5 rules. GM has gifted all players with the following stats (to be used in any order)

10,10,12,13,15,16. He says he wants us to be "heroic".

I want to play a human Rouge, with wayfarer background. So set stats to this: (Not trying to min/ max,just using PHB recs)
S 10
D 16/18 (+2 from background) +4 (modifier)
C 15 +2
I 10
W 13/14 (j1 from background) +2
C 12 +1

Proficiency bonus: +2
Feats: Lucky, Skilled

Skill proficiencies:
Stealth (expertise) +8 (modifier)
Sleight of hand (expertise) +8 (modifier)
Thieves tools
Simple weapons (martial w/ Finesse)
Light armor

I have others but just wanted to list these because of my questions

Let's say I want to pick a lock (DC 15 per PHB) so is my chance to do so have a +10 modifier (+8 skill, +2 prof bonus w thieves tool) rolled with Advantage? If this is correct it seems ridiculously over-powered. I grew up on 2e so my mind is blown.

Second question re: combat

Initiative +4
To hit / damage +4 using a light wpn w/ finesse (& vex mastery) and damage target next attack against it with advantage and extra die of damage?

Am I correct so far? Appreciate any insight y'all can offer

Hey Sivad- nice to 'see' you again!

I am sure there are a few who can help. I am not one of them. I stopped learning new D&D rules at 2.0.

BUT- Zeim and Neptune and a few others are absolute legends! I'm sure they will be able to get you pointed in the right direction

-jim

Hi Sivad,
I have to admit that I know 5e but never played or ran a 5.5e game. There are differences but the systems are very close. The pick locks looks right. Don't roll low! You should, as a rogue, be good at opening locks. The "vex" mastery is new so I can't say for sure but it feels right.

Not much help from my end I'm afraid. Don't play D&D much these days but wish I did! So hope you have a great campaign! And nice to see you again. Stay in touch & let us know how it goes.

Sivad - Your to hit/damage modifier with a light weapon should be +6 not +4. You get +4 for your Dex of 18 and +2 for your Proficiency Bonus.

On the "Vex" issue, yes you get advantage on your next attack against the same creature (which, as a Rogue, gives you the chance to use your Sneak Attack bonus), but not sure about the extra die of damage?

I reckon Sivad meant the extra die of damage from Sneak Attack, Zeim, though as you point out it's only the chance to use it. i.e., If something else enables his Sneak Attack against the same creature, Vex will just be granting him Advantage.

Yes, and getting the Sneak Attack benefit is very simple in D&D5 or 5.5. All you need to do is use your Rogue's special ability to hide the turn before or have an ally adjacent to the enemy or some other options.

Thanks y'all! The new version feels less like a game and more like a mathematics test.

Anyway good to see old friends again. Miss this group so much

Take care

You should have seen version 4. This version is simpler.

Truth is that most players just use DnDBeyond now, create their PC there and don't worry about the math. It's done for you. You just play.

And as Zeim said, it's really not difficult and the only math you do is add and subtract to your hit points when you get hit or cured.