Pathfinder 1e vs 2e
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Better is subjective but if you use a lot of published material, history would say it’s smart to adopt early.
Kriptini
Vyemm Raider
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I've played quite a bit of Pathfinder 1e and have been GMing Pathfinder 2e almost non-stop since it came out. I'd say the main differences are that Pathfinder 1e is much better at being a "simulator" and Pathfinder 2e is better at being a "game."
1e has rules for everything, and gets really crunchy. There are precise rules for making any kind of jump you could imagine and very little ever has to be left up to GM discretion. The economy for mundane and magic items was meticulously written, to the point where entire campaigns can be run about being a simple merchant. That being said, game balance between classes is almost non-existent. Martials are strong in the early game and get completely eclipsed by spell casters in the late game, while Gunslingers are always insanely OP because, you know, guns in a fantasy setting. This tracks with being a good fantasy simulator but doesn't always lend itself to fun gameplay.
2e is less crunchy (though still much crunchier than D&D, in regular Pathfinder fashion), opting to be less precise about ultra-specific rules cases and instead focusing on the meat and potatoes of what it takes to play the game, leaving the GM to resolve niche cases where the rules are unclear. There are thousands of character options and an extremely flexible multiclass system which feels far less punishing than multiclassing in any other system I've played or ran, and all of these character options are very well balanced, to the point where only the most specific min-maxed builds are able to edge out over the average player. The system's math is extremely tight, making every single +1 and -1 matter, and even these bonuses have been condensed and simplified from the crazy amount of math from the previous edition. The system's three-action-combat mechanics give players more flexible combat turns that end up being pretty unique from battle to battle, helping to reduce the monotony of combat that plagues most TTRPGs.
Personally, I prefer 2e. It's also vastly easier to get into as there have only been about a year and a half of published content for it as opposed to the ten years of published content (and powercreep) that has been released for 1e. That being said, there has been so much packed into this year and a half that you will not have to worry about running out of things to do - we'll be getting four new classes this year (bringing the total to 20), at least 20 new multiclass archetypes (bringing the total to over 100), two new three-volume campaigns, one new six-volume campaign, a republishing of Kingmaker for 2e (including new content from the Kingmaker video game, as well as books for converting it to 1e or D&D 5e), a couple new (as of yet unannounced) standalone adventures, and multitudes of one-shot scenarios for the Pathfinder Society organized play (that can also be fit into campaigns outside of organized play). Not to mention several books on lore, including regions previously unwritten about in the Golarion setting.
1e has rules for everything, and gets really crunchy. There are precise rules for making any kind of jump you could imagine and very little ever has to be left up to GM discretion. The economy for mundane and magic items was meticulously written, to the point where entire campaigns can be run about being a simple merchant. That being said, game balance between classes is almost non-existent. Martials are strong in the early game and get completely eclipsed by spell casters in the late game, while Gunslingers are always insanely OP because, you know, guns in a fantasy setting. This tracks with being a good fantasy simulator but doesn't always lend itself to fun gameplay.
2e is less crunchy (though still much crunchier than D&D, in regular Pathfinder fashion), opting to be less precise about ultra-specific rules cases and instead focusing on the meat and potatoes of what it takes to play the game, leaving the GM to resolve niche cases where the rules are unclear. There are thousands of character options and an extremely flexible multiclass system which feels far less punishing than multiclassing in any other system I've played or ran, and all of these character options are very well balanced, to the point where only the most specific min-maxed builds are able to edge out over the average player. The system's math is extremely tight, making every single +1 and -1 matter, and even these bonuses have been condensed and simplified from the crazy amount of math from the previous edition. The system's three-action-combat mechanics give players more flexible combat turns that end up being pretty unique from battle to battle, helping to reduce the monotony of combat that plagues most TTRPGs.
Personally, I prefer 2e. It's also vastly easier to get into as there have only been about a year and a half of published content for it as opposed to the ten years of published content (and powercreep) that has been released for 1e. That being said, there has been so much packed into this year and a half that you will not have to worry about running out of things to do - we'll be getting four new classes this year (bringing the total to 20), at least 20 new multiclass archetypes (bringing the total to over 100), two new three-volume campaigns, one new six-volume campaign, a republishing of Kingmaker for 2e (including new content from the Kingmaker video game, as well as books for converting it to 1e or D&D 5e), a couple new (as of yet unannounced) standalone adventures, and multitudes of one-shot scenarios for the Pathfinder Society organized play (that can also be fit into campaigns outside of organized play). Not to mention several books on lore, including regions previously unwritten about in the Golarion setting.
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Seananigans
Honorary Shit-PhD
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As someone who plays a good bit of DnD and has never played PF, I have to say the three action flexible system is very intriguing. The example I saw was a cure spell being touch if you use one action, ranged if you use two, and AE if you use all three for casting it. That’s a really cool way to add flexibility IMO.
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Caliane
Naxxramas 1.0 Raider
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Bumping this old ass post since I was looking into this recently. I was using the various a.i's to simulate a DM. and seeing how it went.
so, I don't really play the actual pnp, just the crpgs based on them. so there is always a step removed. but, I do look into the base games as well. Like, I play Wrath of the Righteous, and make a Witch, and then go see how that Witch would translate into pnp, with a different spell list, feats, etc.
Which led me into looking at first how 1e witches and 2e witches compared then deeper into 2e changes all around.
What a strange choice.. 1e exists because everyone rejected 4e. So, why the hell is pathfinder 2e.. just 4e but slightly different again? I have no idea why they keep trying to streamline it and make it more newbie friendly, instead of just addressing some of balance, and jank of 1e while keeping it crunchy and simulation focused that core audience wanted.
man they ruined Witches. 1e witches easily one of my favorites. 2e witches seem borderline unplayable.
www.d20pfsrd.com
Flavor.
1e witches are full arcane casters. with a patron that gives them arcane secrets, in the form of hexes and spells. the witch still actually casts them. and if the patron left, the witch would still have access.
the actual relationship with the patron is up to the player.
the witch bonds with a familiar, but controls the familiar.
2e witches are partial casters enslaved to their patron.
the patron gives them lessons. the player must beg the patron to cast the hexes for them. the patron owns the and controls the familiar.
Hex - Traits - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database "A hex is a spell caused by your patron’s direct attention and intervention." what person wants to play a pc that is the bitch of another creature and needs to beg it to cast spells for them?
1e. far more versatility in patrons. both from more choices of patrons, and the relationship with the patron as noted. you could be a witch that sold their soul to a demon, or a witch the studies demons to kill them. with the same patron and powerset.
1e hexes are... varied. a handle are massively OP. and the rest are total trash. but the ones that are good, slumber, evil eye,restless slumber, flight, so good.. also, they are spellike abilties, supernatural abilities, or extraordinary abilities. not spells. varied and that variance can matter at times.
2e hexes are cast by the patron. lame. and pretty much all shit.
1e.
www.d20pfsrd.com
evil eye. open to any witch. supernatural ability. -2 to AC,or skillchecks,or attacks, or saving throws pick one. can stack. mind effecting. can stack with other witches, can be cast for each type. upgrades to -4 at 8th level. 1 round duration on save, 3+int on fail. godlyhex.
2e.
only open to one patron. resentment. which is the only patron that isn't total shit.
sickened 1 on fail. sickened 2 on crit fail. what a piece of shit. now its open to sickened immunities. can't stack with other sickened conditions.
very few 2e hexes are any good. curse of death, cackle.
focus points. fuck you.
yes. 1e hexes being unlimited was kind of bonkers. but holyshit focus points go the complete other direction to being totally shit.
1 point per learned hex, max 3. then need to spend 10 minutes dicking around to regenerate 1 point. how retarded. that has to totally fuck up dungeon crawl pacing. having to stop and spend 10-30 minutes after ever encounter standing around. This is really lame. refocus should be10 minutes to restore all points, or just a 10min passive recharge per point. *hex focus feat allows refocus to recover all focus pooints.
yes, every class gets focus spells, but HEXES were core to 1e witches. THE main draw, not a side option.
Hexes+ familiar. the one saving grace. "hexes are total shit, because, when you cast them, your familiar does something special" absolute cope. but is true.
2e witches are ALL about their patrons and familiar. to their detriment. as already noted on patrons.
this is kind of true with familiar as well. 2e witch familiars become the main draw of the class. but they aren't REALLY better then before. the flavor that they aren't YOURS is bullshit.
they lose "share spells" as far as I can tell?
1e
2e familiars can swap around abilities. which is neat. and the ONLY actual buff...
Thank you for listening to my ted talk.
docs.google.com
so, I don't really play the actual pnp, just the crpgs based on them. so there is always a step removed. but, I do look into the base games as well. Like, I play Wrath of the Righteous, and make a Witch, and then go see how that Witch would translate into pnp, with a different spell list, feats, etc.
Which led me into looking at first how 1e witches and 2e witches compared then deeper into 2e changes all around.
What a strange choice.. 1e exists because everyone rejected 4e. So, why the hell is pathfinder 2e.. just 4e but slightly different again? I have no idea why they keep trying to streamline it and make it more newbie friendly, instead of just addressing some of balance, and jank of 1e while keeping it crunchy and simulation focused that core audience wanted.
man they ruined Witches. 1e witches easily one of my favorites. 2e witches seem borderline unplayable.
Witch – d20PFSRD
www.d20pfsrd.com
Witch - Classes - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
You command powerful magic, not through study or devotion to any ideal, but as a vessel or agent for a mysterious, otherworldly patron that even you don't entirely understand. This entity might be a covert divinity, a powerful fey, a manifestation of natural energies, an ancient spirit, or any...
2e.aonprd.com
Flavor.
1e witches are full arcane casters. with a patron that gives them arcane secrets, in the form of hexes and spells. the witch still actually casts them. and if the patron left, the witch would still have access.
the actual relationship with the patron is up to the player.
the witch bonds with a familiar, but controls the familiar.
2e witches are partial casters enslaved to their patron.
the patron gives them lessons. the player must beg the patron to cast the hexes for them. the patron owns the and controls the familiar.
Hex - Traits - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database "A hex is a spell caused by your patron’s direct attention and intervention." what person wants to play a pc that is the bitch of another creature and needs to beg it to cast spells for them?
1e. far more versatility in patrons. both from more choices of patrons, and the relationship with the patron as noted. you could be a witch that sold their soul to a demon, or a witch the studies demons to kill them. with the same patron and powerset.
1e hexes are... varied. a handle are massively OP. and the rest are total trash. but the ones that are good, slumber, evil eye,restless slumber, flight, so good.. also, they are spellike abilties, supernatural abilities, or extraordinary abilities. not spells. varied and that variance can matter at times.
2e hexes are cast by the patron. lame. and pretty much all shit.
1e.
Evil Eye* (Su) – d20PFSRD
www.d20pfsrd.com
2e.
Evil Eye - Spells - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
Your patron's resentment manifests in a baleful, envious gaze. The target becomes <a style="text-decoration:underline" href="Conditions.aspx?ID=34">sickened 1</a> if it fails a Will save (or sickened 2 on a critical failure). This condition value can't be reduced below 1 while the spell is...
2e.aonprd.com
sickened 1 on fail. sickened 2 on crit fail. what a piece of shit. now its open to sickened immunities. can't stack with other sickened conditions.
very few 2e hexes are any good. curse of death, cackle.
focus points. fuck you.
yes. 1e hexes being unlimited was kind of bonkers. but holyshit focus points go the complete other direction to being totally shit.
1 point per learned hex, max 3. then need to spend 10 minutes dicking around to regenerate 1 point. how retarded. that has to totally fuck up dungeon crawl pacing. having to stop and spend 10-30 minutes after ever encounter standing around. This is really lame. refocus should be10 minutes to restore all points, or just a 10min passive recharge per point. *hex focus feat allows refocus to recover all focus pooints.
Refocus - Actions - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
You spend 10 minutes performing deeds to restore your magical connection. This restores 1 Focus Point to your focus pool. The deeds you need to perform are specified in the class or ability that gives you your focus spells. These deeds can usually overlap with other tasks that relate to the...
2e.aonprd.com
Hexes+ familiar. the one saving grace. "hexes are total shit, because, when you cast them, your familiar does something special" absolute cope. but is true.
yes. that is pretty good. ANY negative condition. not just the ones applied by you or the hex.
2e witches are ALL about their patrons and familiar. to their detriment. as already noted on patrons.
this is kind of true with familiar as well. 2e witch familiars become the main draw of the class. but they aren't REALLY better then before. the flavor that they aren't YOURS is bullshit.
they lose "share spells" as far as I can tell?
1e
2e familiars can swap around abilities. which is neat. and the ONLY actual buff...
that is legit the only thing I consider an actual buff for the entire class.
Thank you for listening to my ted talk.
Remaster Witch Guide to Pathfinder 2e
Remaster Witch Guide to Pathfinder 2e By Mattrellen The Three Witches from MacBeth, by Daniel Gardener Introduction This guide is meant for the remaster version of the witch in Pathfinder 2e. The witch is one of the most complex classes in the game. You’ll get your choice of spell list, ba...
...
Goonsquad Officer
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i been buying pathfinder second edition revised books. i mean to run a long running game set in a setting i had used previously for like a decade.
I like the cut of 2nd pathfinder's gib due to it having more complex (than 5th edition) rules and spells like pathfinder 1, but smoothing out some dndisms. it has a lot of subclasses now (unlike early on it had naturally). I havne't read each class thoroughly yet, i mean to at some point.
I was also a huge witch fan in 1st (defensive luck, cackle, misfortune, and various other fight manpulators were very fun). and i also hated the reliance on the familiar but then the intense loss of loosing the spells. it was always so absurd i would try to take subclass/archtypes that make the familiar not even a thing.
I really need to run a game or three to have a deep understanding of the mechanics.
and i need to sort out if i'm going to literally re-use the setting (which some of the players have played in), or if i'm going to make a new setting with the same sort of detailed world building techniques and notes. paralel, like a final fantasy game where ifrit may pop up in other places in other story elements. not certain yet. i got lots of books for it! i'm only missing about....2 of the revised 2nd bookss. i told myself i'd buy all the books for a game i like (i've been bbuyin all of pathfinder 2nd revised, and dark heresy malidiction). incase entertainment keeps getting more and more absurdly expensive i can paper game with the homies and my kids for free.
so currently i'm running dark heresy (malediction) every other saturday and at some point i'm gonna run pathfinder 2nd R, on sundays when i find a squad of savages who will play every sunday, for a lengthy game.
I like the cut of 2nd pathfinder's gib due to it having more complex (than 5th edition) rules and spells like pathfinder 1, but smoothing out some dndisms. it has a lot of subclasses now (unlike early on it had naturally). I havne't read each class thoroughly yet, i mean to at some point.
I was also a huge witch fan in 1st (defensive luck, cackle, misfortune, and various other fight manpulators were very fun). and i also hated the reliance on the familiar but then the intense loss of loosing the spells. it was always so absurd i would try to take subclass/archtypes that make the familiar not even a thing.
I really need to run a game or three to have a deep understanding of the mechanics.
and i need to sort out if i'm going to literally re-use the setting (which some of the players have played in), or if i'm going to make a new setting with the same sort of detailed world building techniques and notes. paralel, like a final fantasy game where ifrit may pop up in other places in other story elements. not certain yet. i got lots of books for it! i'm only missing about....2 of the revised 2nd bookss. i told myself i'd buy all the books for a game i like (i've been bbuyin all of pathfinder 2nd revised, and dark heresy malidiction). incase entertainment keeps getting more and more absurdly expensive i can paper game with the homies and my kids for free.
so currently i'm running dark heresy (malediction) every other saturday and at some point i'm gonna run pathfinder 2nd R, on sundays when i find a squad of savages who will play every sunday, for a lengthy game.
Kriptini
Vyemm Raider
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...
Goonsquad Officer
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quote the other guy! i said i don't understand how the classes work because i haven't read them thoroughly yet!
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Wow that sucks! Witch was a great class which was always useful in campaigns. Sucks what they did to it.Bumping this old ass post since I was looking into this recently. I was using the various a.i's to simulate a DM. and seeing how it went.
so, I don't really play the actual pnp, just the crpgs based on them. so there is always a step removed. but, I do look into the base games as well. Like, I play Wrath of the Righteous, and make a Witch, and then go see how that Witch would translate into pnp, with a different spell list, feats, etc.
Which led me into looking at first how 1e witches and 2e witches compared then deeper into 2e changes all around.
What a strange choice.. 1e exists because everyone rejected 4e. So, why the hell is pathfinder 2e.. just 4e but slightly different again? I have no idea why they keep trying to streamline it and make it more newbie friendly, instead of just addressing some of balance, and jank of 1e while keeping it crunchy and simulation focused that core audience wanted.
man they ruined Witches. 1e witches easily one of my favorites. 2e witches seem borderline unplayable.
Witch – d20PFSRD
Witch - Classes - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
You command powerful magic, not through study or devotion to any ideal, but as a vessel or agent for a mysterious, otherworldly patron that even you don't entirely understand. This entity might be a covert divinity, a powerful fey, a manifestation of natural energies, an ancient spirit, or any...2e.aonprd.com
Flavor.
1e witches are full arcane casters. with a patron that gives them arcane secrets, in the form of hexes and spells. the witch still actually casts them. and if the patron left, the witch would still have access.
the actual relationship with the patron is up to the player.
the witch bonds with a familiar, but controls the familiar.
2e witches are partial casters enslaved to their patron.
the patron gives them lessons. the player must beg the patron to cast the hexes for them. the patron owns the and controls the familiar.
Hex - Traits - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database "A hex is a spell caused by your patron’s direct attention and intervention." what person wants to play a pc that is the bitch of another creature and needs to beg it to cast spells for them?
1e. far more versatility in patrons. both from more choices of patrons, and the relationship with the patron as noted. you could be a witch that sold their soul to a demon, or a witch the studies demons to kill them. with the same patron and powerset.
1e hexes are... varied. a handle are massively OP. and the rest are total trash. but the ones that are good, slumber, evil eye,restless slumber, flight, so good.. also, they are spellike abilties, supernatural abilities, or extraordinary abilities. not spells. varied and that variance can matter at times.
2e hexes are cast by the patron. lame. and pretty much all shit.
1e.
evil eye. open to any witch. supernatural ability. -2 to AC,or skillchecks,or attacks, or saving throws pick one. can stack. mind effecting. can stack with other witches, can be cast for each type. upgrades to -4 at 8th level. 1 round duration on save, 3+int on fail. godlyhex.Evil Eye* (Su) – d20PFSRD
2e.
only open to one patron. resentment. which is the only patron that isn't total shit.Evil Eye - Spells - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
Your patron's resentment manifests in a baleful, envious gaze. The target becomes <a style="text-decoration:underline" href="Conditions.aspx?ID=34">sickened 1</a> if it fails a Will save (or sickened 2 on a critical failure). This condition value can't be reduced below 1 while the spell is...2e.aonprd.com
sickened 1 on fail. sickened 2 on crit fail. what a piece of shit. now its open to sickened immunities. can't stack with other sickened conditions.
very few 2e hexes are any good. curse of death, cackle.
focus points. fuck you.
yes. 1e hexes being unlimited was kind of bonkers. but holyshit focus points go the complete other direction to being totally shit.
1 point per learned hex, max 3. then need to spend 10 minutes dicking around to regenerate 1 point. how retarded. that has to totally fuck up dungeon crawl pacing. having to stop and spend 10-30 minutes after ever encounter standing around. This is really lame. refocus should be10 minutes to restore all points, or just a 10min passive recharge per point. *hex focus feat allows refocus to recover all focus pooints.
yes, every class gets focus spells, but HEXES were core to 1e witches. THE main draw, not a side option.Refocus - Actions - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
You spend 10 minutes performing deeds to restore your magical connection. This restores 1 Focus Point to your focus pool. The deeds you need to perform are specified in the class or ability that gives you your focus spells. These deeds can usually overlap with other tasks that relate to the...2e.aonprd.com
Hexes+ familiar. the one saving grace. "hexes are total shit, because, when you cast them, your familiar does something special" absolute cope. but is true.
yes. that is pretty good. ANY negative condition. not just the ones applied by you or the hex.
2e witches are ALL about their patrons and familiar. to their detriment. as already noted on patrons.
this is kind of true with familiar as well. 2e witch familiars become the main draw of the class. but they aren't REALLY better then before. the flavor that they aren't YOURS is bullshit.
they lose "share spells" as far as I can tell?
1e
2e familiars can swap around abilities. which is neat. and the ONLY actual buff...
that is legit the only thing I consider an actual buff for the entire class.
Thank you for listening to my ted talk.
Remaster Witch Guide to Pathfinder 2e
Remaster Witch Guide to Pathfinder 2e By Mattrellen The Three Witches from MacBeth, by Daniel Gardener Introduction This guide is meant for the remaster version of the witch in Pathfinder 2e. The witch is one of the most complex classes in the game. You’ll get your choice of spell list, ba...
Im still loving 1e. I have the rules for 2e, but as an avid Advanced Squad Leader player......I loved the number crunching. Everyone was different and everything was available in the game. Simulation sounds about right but levels 1-4 were a lot of fun, while 5-10 were DnD on speed. So much damage as a cleric ( my class) you had to be on your toes as one bad guy feat could fuck you quick. So much fun.
Seananigans
Honorary Shit-PhD
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Has anyone read up on pathfinder quest? The crowdfund is still opt in, and I really love warhammer quest style games.
I kind of want to put in for it to play with the family? Any strong opinions on it?
Seems pretty low effort, honestly. I guess for family play it might be worthwhile, but it feels like slop.
Grabbit Allworth
Confirmed J6 Insurrectionist
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While I've never actually played a single minute of Pathfinder, I own everything printed for 2e and have a shit ton of 1e books (including a physical copy of literally every 1e adventure path ever printed). I bought the material because it's only one step removed from D&D and I like to have a ton of options to mine for content. That, and I'm afflicted with the collector curse.
That said, I doubt I will ever actually play a game of Pathfinder because I'm a lot like the guy in the video insofar that I know exactly how all the systems levers in D&D work and which ones can/should be pulled, but it would likely take years of experience before I developed that level of comfort with PF. Even then, trying to throw various switches in 2e may not even be possible given how tight the balance of the system is.
The incredible balance of 2e is one of its greatest pros, but it's also one of its most glaring cons. The DM really doesn't have a lot of room to tweak things without damaging the math and it's extremely easy to trivialize encounters or, on the other hand, make them almost impossible. 2e also greatly suffers from the most efficient/powerful options because they're so much better than everything else. And that not taking those options is basically a handicap. Consequently, the books are packed with useless filler that only a fraction of the players will ever use. There's always going to be a 'best' option (to an extent, 5e suffers from this too), but the gap shouldn't be as large as it is in 2e.
Recently, I watched a video of Mr. Rhexx (D&D lore YouTuber) debate The Rules Lawyer (low-T faggot Pathinder YouTuber) about 5e vs. PF 2e. It was clear that Rhexx shares a lot of my own views that keep me from really wanting to give 2e a shot. One of the major issues being the mechanics not making sense within the narrative. I'm not a simulationist and I get that it's a fantasy game with magic, gods, etc., but some things just need to make sense and not feel so gamified in order to fit within the mathematical framework.
After level 5(ish), 5e isn't a balanced system, at all, but that lack of balance gives a knowledgeable DM a lot of agency to do his own thing without breaking the game and that's extremely valuable to me.
That said, I doubt I will ever actually play a game of Pathfinder because I'm a lot like the guy in the video insofar that I know exactly how all the systems levers in D&D work and which ones can/should be pulled, but it would likely take years of experience before I developed that level of comfort with PF. Even then, trying to throw various switches in 2e may not even be possible given how tight the balance of the system is.
The incredible balance of 2e is one of its greatest pros, but it's also one of its most glaring cons. The DM really doesn't have a lot of room to tweak things without damaging the math and it's extremely easy to trivialize encounters or, on the other hand, make them almost impossible. 2e also greatly suffers from the most efficient/powerful options because they're so much better than everything else. And that not taking those options is basically a handicap. Consequently, the books are packed with useless filler that only a fraction of the players will ever use. There's always going to be a 'best' option (to an extent, 5e suffers from this too), but the gap shouldn't be as large as it is in 2e.
Recently, I watched a video of Mr. Rhexx (D&D lore YouTuber) debate The Rules Lawyer (low-T faggot Pathinder YouTuber) about 5e vs. PF 2e. It was clear that Rhexx shares a lot of my own views that keep me from really wanting to give 2e a shot. One of the major issues being the mechanics not making sense within the narrative. I'm not a simulationist and I get that it's a fantasy game with magic, gods, etc., but some things just need to make sense and not feel so gamified in order to fit within the mathematical framework.
After level 5(ish), 5e isn't a balanced system, at all, but that lack of balance gives a knowledgeable DM a lot of agency to do his own thing without breaking the game and that's extremely valuable to me.
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