A New D&D 2024 Addition Might Transform Game Playing Styles
While most of D&D 2024 consists of improvements to 5e, one new addition is innovative and potentially alter game playing. With all the rebranding on its new Dungeons And Dragons version, it's hard to follow what Wizards of the Coast is working on with the most recent iteration. Following the naming rules of past iterations, Wizards dubbed its most recent tabletop One D&D, then D&D 2024 instead of 5.5e or 6e. D&D 2024 aims not to replicate a whole fresh iteration of the most well-known tabletop game available worldwide. Rather, it aims to be a revised form of 5e with backwards compatibility for past exploits. September 17 will see the release of the new D&D 2024 Player's Handbook.
Bastions could transform D&D gameplay.
There aren't many major additions since it aims to be an upgraded and developed form of the wildly popular fifth edition of Dungeons And Dragons. Though there are few, there are plenty of modifications to how things used to work, such a paladin's Divine Smite being a spell instead of significant gameplay enhancements. One of the things that could be revolutionary for how the game is played is the crafting system; others are the new actions for particular weapons.
The Unearthed Arcana 2023 playtest rules state that the new Bastion feature lets player characters have a home to return to with systems in place to make that house feel like a live, breathing location that is always functioning. While some Dungeon Masters promote player homes in their campaigns to provide a group somewhere to return to, occasionally it is something that players search for, hence it is good that there are now guidelines surrounding this. Level five lets players get their first Bastion. The Dungeon Master and players entirely control how a Bastion is acquired; it can simply be purchased or have a quest centered upon it.
While they are excellent for campaigns allowing players to return somewhere to have some rest, bastions won't work for everyone. Although for the slow-burn campaigns that are more focused on player character interactions and roleplaying, having a Bastion could be ideal, world-spanning adventures or fast-paced campaigns lacking enough in-game free time to lounge and relax would not be optimum. It provides players with a familiar, comfortable environment to go back to so they may participate in roleplaying events on their terms. As a Dungeon Master, downtime roleplaying can be challenging to control; but, interactions shouldn't be pushed if players don't seem interested.
One of the wonderful things about Bastions is that they are always changing and need to be cultivated into something amazing during a campaign. Although this can be a hassle and probably won't fit a party that doesn't want to become overly involved with their house, it does imply that a Bastion will have more usefulness depending on what a party desires. Though this is at the discretion of the Dungeon Master, a player character can also possess a Bastion personally and then combine it with other players to increase its functionality.
How Can Bastions Be Used?
It should be mentioned that since investment is necessary to let bastions grow, they need for a certain degree of micromanagement. Bastions will acquire their own turns over time; usually, they happen every seven days. Where a party is and what they are doing will influence this. If a party is traveling for months without much activity, for example, the Bastion Turns could be performed once a month instead, and during these turns the party can roll for a designated Bastion event—such as a visit from an Honored Guest.
During these turns, players will have to give commands to their Bastion; if the Hirelings— NPCs hired to operate in the Bastion—receive none for a period, the bastion would be deserted. This is also unfortunate since the other facilities that may be added—such as a Smithy or Teleportation circle—are rather helpful and create Bastion Points (BP), which one can spend to purchase Magical Items. This does not apply to Basic Facilities, such as a bedroom or dining room, which can also be included for improved roleplaying purposes. Basic facilities for bastions are bedroom, courtyard, dining room, kitchen, parlour, storage, and washroom.
Players are urged to sketch or otherwise build their own map for their Bastion, incorporating defensive walls, windows, hallways and so on and so forth. Investment can also help to increase the Bastions and its amenities since players can have more depending on their level. Spending money in-game allows one to build facilities from cramped to roomy, then gigantic. This is expensive, though, and Bastions would most likely gain from a Dungeon Master that gives freely of gold.
Bastions are a creative addition not for everyone.
For people who enjoy the pure Gaming feature of D&D and roleplay-oriented enough to enable excellent player-character interactions, bastions help to be useful enough. Though their inclusion can be explored in session zero to see whether the Dungeon Master and the party desire, they won't be for everyone. Only if the party is interested in it will it be worth doing; but, having a Bastion will provide a campaign whole different dynamic and provide players something to do with their free time when both resting and traveling.
Having a Bastion results in Magical Items as a by-product of the BP system, which is a great way for players to feel as though their house is working for them. Having Hirelings might possibly add unforgettable NPC that naturally become party favorites. as a Dungeon Master can have fun with these Hirelings, especially as one of the Bastion Events entails having a Criminal Hireling, these NPC can also be a two-edged sword. As their exploits go on, they also provide the party the impression of ascending the social ladder.
The new feature might greatly enhance a Dungeons & Dragons campaign given all the many facilities Bastions can offer and its ideal venue for roleplaying between party members. Given all the customizing options, this system could be ideal for people wishing to have a house to return to in a campaign. D&D players do have a past of enjoying pets in campaigns; players can even have their own zoo with a Menagerie facility.
