> as a DM/GM I generally threw out the rules as soon as they got in the way of a good narrative.
5e seems to be designed with that in mind. Bonuses are largely replaced with the "advantage/disadvantage" system which gives the DM much more leeway in determining bonuses (beside simplifying the mechanism overall). Skills are greatly simplified and reduced in number, and partially replaced with "Backgrounds" which are 100% DM fiat.
Example from my first 5e session. "Use Rope" is gone, but my character has the "Sailor" background. So by DM fiat I was able to identify the condition of a rope. No dice involved.
To be honest as a DM/GM I generally threw out the rules as soon as they got in the way of a good narrative.
I'm quite tempted to give it a dabble again ...