D&D (2024) Size = Strength-Constitution?

[Scribe]

The desire is to avoid "othering".

To use the term "species" meaningfully.

And to avoid stereotyping.

You are not avoiding stereotyping, you are leaning into it. Talking about 'Green Eyes' as if thats what actually differentiates the fantastical species of D&D is an intentional effort on your part to mislead and confuse the discussion.

Why are you trying to erase a player option that has been distinct for decades?

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I mentioned the hypothesis that a "wizard did it".

For the Hin, the effect of the magic is a normal Human.

Nope. Not buying it.

 

[Yaarel]

You are not avoiding stereotyping, you are leaning into it. Talking about 'Green Eyes' as if thats what actually differentiates the fantastical species of D&D is an intentional effort on your part to mislead and confuse the discussion.

Why are you trying to erase a player option that has been distinct for decades?

There are reallife communities around the planet, who tend to be little on average.

Likewise, the Hin are a community, with a distinct culture with their own language.

None of this is a separate species.


(The comment about green eyes is a reference to the absurd notion as if Elf "subraces".)

 

[Scribe]

There are reallife communities around the planet, who tend to be little on average.

Likewise, the Hin are a community, with a distinct culture with their own language.

1. And?
2. And? That doesnt make them 'just Humans who are short'.

D&D is not real life. D&D species, are not 'species' in the scientific real world definition. D&D species, are not racist. D&D species, are not ethnic groups as one would associate with real world Humanity. D&D does not have a Culture (capital C) rules object.

Its only when people begin to mistakenly apply words or try and change definitions of words, in some weird effort to twist the reality of the above to reflect their own myopic desire, that things get weird.

So again, why are you trying to erase player options which have existed for decades?

 

[cranberry]

This is an interesting, but I think going from the other direction would also make sense. For example, a 3 foot tall humanoid should have a maximum (unaided) STR score.

Now that I think of it, I may need to move this to the unpopular opinions thread...

 

[Scribe]

This is an interesting, but I think going from the other direction would also make sense. For example, a 3 foot tall humanoid should have a maximum (unaided) STR score.

This is how it was, and how it actually makes sense.

 

[Yaarel]

1. And?
2. And? That doesnt make them 'just Humans who are short'.

D&D is not real life. D&D species, are not 'species' in the scientific real world definition. D&D species, are not racist. D&D species, are not ethnic groups as one would associate with real world Humanity. D&D does not have a Culture (capital C) rules object.

Its only when people begin to mistakenly apply words or try and change definitions of words, in some weird effort to twist the reality of the above to reflect their own myopic desire, that things get weird.

So again, why are you trying to erase player options which have existed for decades?

Unlike Elves where "a wizard" really "did" do "it".

The Hin give the impression of a natural biology, and a Human one. They exhibit every Human characteristic.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

This is how it was, and how it actually makes sense.

And I am on the opposite of both extremes. Size and Species doesn't have to apply to PC ability scores at all.

 

[billd91]

This is an interesting, but I think going from the other direction would also make sense. For example, a 3 foot tall humanoid should have a maximum (unaided) STR score.

Now that I think of it, I may need to move this to the unpopular opinions thread...

That is kind of the byproduct. If I wanted to play a halfling or any small species I'd have to artificially limit my Strength to something below average? Or assume that my character has a mixed ancestry (human or dwarven)?
This is really... dubious.

 

[Scribe]

And I am on the opposite of both extremes. Size and Species doesn't have to apply to PC ability scores at all.

No, they clearly dont have to, as we have 5e here sitting all smug.

It will never not be absolute nonsense to me as I look at Halfling/Goliath.