Phase 1 introduced critical new rules--Action Points and Focus--while bolstering PCs with targeted custom paths and classes.

Phase 3 is the full adoption of all new rules (or maybe there will be more phases).

Phase 2 will address some core mechanics that are out of whack, and will complete the transition to the new Equipment system.

On the block:

• Critical hits
• Casting modifiers
• Armor Class
• Weapon hit/dmg rolls
• Improving weapon damage over time
• Rationalizing multiattack
• Maybe spell damage; if not, at least Mana for all casters
• Uncap stat adds (consider tier bonuses)
• Action confusion

Given that:

• Bonus actions are weird.
• There was nothing wrong with 3e.

Proposal:

• Eliminate single action, bonus action.
• Replace with standard action, swift action.

Variant A:

• Eliminate bonus action.
• Add offhand action.
• Offhand attacks are offhand actions, and swift spells are labeled as "offhand spells".

Variant B:

• Clarify that any ability labeled as a "bonus action" implies that you gain the ability to use it as a bonus action.

Variant A might have better terminology, but kind of unfair to dual wielders. Then again, there are plenty of augment maneuvers and spells, which would fix the problem. Two-hander wielders might be confused, but they can still use offhand actions, they just can't hold two weapons while doing so.

Variant B is by far the simplest. The others might confuse non-rules-lawyers.

Given that:

• Maneuvers and feats will make it possible to strike more enemies per action (in phase 3, and in phase 1-2 via targeted path/class abilities)
• Fighters need base damage upgrades over time to compete with casters (and monsters)
• Damage rolls are already overcomplicated

The proposal is:

• Give multiattack equally to all fighter classes (fighter, ranger, barbarian, monk, paladin, and rogue) every 5 levels
• Delete multiattack, and replace it with a base damage upgrade
• Ensure all weapons inflict 1 die at 1st level
• Add proficiency bonus to damage with proficient weapons
• Add expertise mechanic for certain class/weapon combos to enhance proficiency bonus

Thus, a dagger inflicts 1d4 at level 1-4, 2d4 at level 5-9, 3d4 at 10-14, etc. A greataxe inflicts 1d12, 2d12, 3d12, etc...

Specific notes:

• This obsoletes 5e Adv fighter's Weapon Specialization. Proposed solution: grants ability to take half damage without rolling. Further specialization: max damage.

Crits are less common now, but also less effective? That's...a little dumb.

Given:

• Crits are quite rare
• Crits should be exciting
• Enemies seem to have too many HP, and only casters can circumvent that
• PCs have more ways to avoid insta-death without relying on HP

I propose:

• Critical hits neither add dice nor damage, but have a chance to instantly kill or maim the subject.
• All characters and monsters have a Damage Threshold.
• Variant A
  • DT = max HP before modifiers from elite, villain, etc.
  • Any critical attack that deals less than DT kills minions, but elites and PCs merely gain the "wounded" status (disadvantage to all d20s) which itself can be healed away.
  • A critical attack that deals DT or higher causes instant death, and must be avoided with Action Points or other contingencies.
  • When I say "killed" or "instant death", I'm talking about what happens in normal 5e when you reach 0 HP.
• Variant B
  • DT = Con + level x Scale.
  • There exists a table of injuries, similar to System 7 (but simpler).
  • Injuries are either minor, serious, or critical.
  • Minor: dmg < DT
  • Serious: DT < dmg < 2DT
  • Critical: dmg >= 3DT
  • Minions go down with any injury. Elites and leaders go down with a serious injury. Villains go down with a critical injury. PCs take the injury as it comes.
• Variant C
  • DT = max HP
  • If a critical attack deals less than DT, lose 25% of your max HP. If that puts you at 0, so be it.
  • If a critical attack deals DT or more, lose 50% of your max HP.
  • If you hit 0, follow the normal rules.

I like A, but C is growing on me. B is too complex.

Also, goes without saying:

• Sneak Attack doesn't add bonus damage. It causes critical damage.

Proposal:

• All casters switch to Mana.
• Pure casters (wiz, drd, clr, war) gain 2/level. Sorcerers get 3/level. Everybody adds their casting stat. No bonuses at 1st level.
• Partial casters (pal, rgr, paths like eldritch knight) grant 1/level.
• Multiclassers can bite me. Nah, use the stat from the higher-level class, rather than keeping separate Mana pools.
• Spells cost 1 Mana per level.
• Short rest: 1/4 max Mana (once/day). Long rest: all Mana.
• Everyone has access to basic metamagic:
  • Empower: whenever a spell says "at level X, inflict Y more dice" that now means "for each 1 point Mana, add 1 die". There is no max Mana you can spend on Empower (other than, you know, spending all your remaining Mana).
  • Enlarge: +1 Mana = +100% range.
  • Widen: +1 Mana = +1 square of radius or box size, +2 squares cone, +5 line. Original spell must be an AoE.
  • Extend: +1 Mana = +100% duration.
  • Silent: 1 Focus = no verbal components. Can also roll Spellcraft DC 10 + 2/level, on success, free silent spell, on fail, no spell 4 u.
  • Still: 1 Focus = no somatic components. Can also roll Spellcraft DC 10 + 2/level, on success, free still spell, on fail, no spell 4 u.
  • Reserved: 1 Focus = auto-concentrate.

Given that:

• Casting modifier and save DC are some of the hardest mechanics to memorize in all of 5e.
• Spell attacks are out of sync with regular attack system.

Proposed:

• Remove casting modifier, save DC, and special spell attack rules.
• Add a Spellcraft skill. All casters are proficient, and the ability modifier is the one they prefer.
• Casting modifier is replaced with Spellcraft skill check.
• Save DC is set by the caster when rolling Spellcraft to target the spell. This skill should always be rolled when casting a spell.
  • If preferred, you can set a static DC, equal the result you would get on Spellcraft when rolling a 10. Minions should always use static DC.

Given that:

• Dex save for half on an AoE takes a long time to resolve.
• Save for half is far less impactful than save for none, let alone save or die.
• Enemies have way too many HP, and PCs have Action Points to escape an AoE.

Proposed:

• Eliminate save-for-half from virtually all spells and effects that allow it.
  • Damage is unchanged.
• Dex save remains useful, especially if Dodge is allowed.

The Armor Ratings idea described in 5e Advanced has some merit, as do the Dodge and Block Maneuvers. Neither seems like a Phase 2 idea. Instead, perhaps some class-specific tweaks:

Rogue:

• Uncanny Dodge now reads: once/rd, you may roll a Dex save against any attack that otherwise hits you. On success, you avoid it entirely. You need not have been aware of the attack.

Also proposed:

• Use simplified armor per the Armor page.

Proposed:

• Focus is now set to 5, with no Int or level component.
• Focus and AP are valid targets for stat add every 4 levels. Max is 10 each.
  • Racial bonuses exist. Halflings gain +1 AP, Elves gain +1 Focus.

I'd like to get to a place with standard path advancement, skill alternatives, etc, but it still feels too heavy. Maybe feats can bridge the gap.

Proposed:

• Feats are now gained on every even level, with a bonus feat at level 1.
  • Humans get an extra bonus feat.
• Use the Feats list for now.
• Feats can grant new skills, as well as skill alternatives.

• No more generic +200% HP because you're a villain. You have to have a template that explains it, such as "possessed by a demon" or "secretly a dragon the whole time" or whatever.
• If you aren't a weird monster, then choose your battle location. A wizard in his tower is much scarier than one on the street.
• If that's not feasible, then partner up! Don't use worthless minions, use serious partners of similar ability! Preferably in equal or greater number to the enemy!
• Failing all three: don't fight the PCs. You will lose. Extra HP will only prolong your agony.

Same goes for minibosses and elites; maybe you can have a few more HP (although higher defenses might be better), but the key is that you're a heavier hitter, and should be a priority target...not that you're a boring slog-fest to kill.

Work on them cards!!! They are the real answer to Action Points.