The idea behind Starfinder seems good & all, but the system is not something I would ever want to play. I wish WOTC would do 5e space opera.
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) May 28, 2017
I love Star Frontiers, but my I have to admit that if I did this it would be like 40% to do a 5e-driven game w/o bonus actions. #wotcstaff https://t.co/4N8Kx6NKfF
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 28, 2017
Bonus actions are fairly hacky, and with 3+ years running the final game under my belt it’s now obvious how to live without them. #wotcstaff
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 28, 2017
@mikemearls Do share, how do you live without them?
— Alexander Macris (@archon) May 28, 2017
You just need to glue the appropriate actions together – for instance, Two-Weapon Fighting is just a special attack action. #wotcstaff https://t.co/b5mTWl8z93
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 28, 2017
Instead of there being an Attack action, you’d have Attack as a category with new class-exclusive options added to it. Cleaner design.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 28, 2017
With all that said, nothing that requires a new edition. We’ll do that when players and DMs ask for it. No where near that now. #wotcstaff
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 28, 2017
@NewModelKoan @mikemearlsWhere would that leave Healing Word or other spells with bonus action cast times? Or abilities that spend the bonus action to give a bonus? Perhaps something like this: "When you cast this spell, you can also take one of the following actions: attack, cast a cantrip, dodge, dash"
— Bardic Dave (@BardicDave) May 30, 2017
@BardicDave @NewModelKoan Exactly – cleaner, easier to understand
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 30, 2017
@MeadBadgerMike, what about the BA economy? If I’m fighting with TWF while maintaining Arcane Sword, can I direct the spell AND get my TWF attack? Would depend on exact design, but you might imagine TWF has its own action, ongoing spells designed w/o need to use action to maintain
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 30, 2017
As a fellow designer, I dig it. Never settling, always thinking, and being open and candid with your process. Keep up the good work. thank you!
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 30, 2017
5e is an excellent game, and its more simple, less realistic, less crunchy, less boggy combat style is an important part. That said I really don’t find bonus actions hacky, nor do I think making a special class option any smoother or better, especially if you consider multi-class characters.