4E is my favorite edition of D&D. However, one of the things that I do not like is that racial bonuses are a huge factor into selecting a race for the class that you have chosen (or vice versa). For example, if you want to play a Gnome fighter you will be hampered because the Gnome racial bonuses don't really benefit a fighter. And I don't like funneling players into having to abide by those preset limitations.
So... I was thinking about making it so that each race retains a +2 bonus to one of its stats while the other +2 bonus could be used on any stat. The Player Handbook races, for example, would look like:
This will allow PCs to be a little bit more selective in matching races with classes. For Humans I'm not yet decided on what to change to compensate having one of their strengths nullified. I'm thinking about giving them an additional +1 stat increase at levels 5, 15, and 25 (so they end up with a +5 stat bonus total compared to the other races' +4 stat bonus). I'm still looking for other ideas and brainstorming on this one though.
So... any feedback appreciated.
So... I was thinking about making it so that each race retains a +2 bonus to one of its stats while the other +2 bonus could be used on any stat. The Player Handbook races, for example, would look like:
- Dragonborn: +2 Str, +2 to any one ability
- Dwarf: +2 Con, +2 to any one ability
- Eladrin: +2 Int, +2 to any one ability
- Elf: +2 Dex, +2 to any one ability
- Halfling: +2 Dex, +2 to any one ability
- Half-Elf: +2 Cha, +2 to any one ability
- Tiefling: +2 Int, +2 to any one ability
This will allow PCs to be a little bit more selective in matching races with classes. For Humans I'm not yet decided on what to change to compensate having one of their strengths nullified. I'm thinking about giving them an additional +1 stat increase at levels 5, 15, and 25 (so they end up with a +5 stat bonus total compared to the other races' +4 stat bonus). I'm still looking for other ideas and brainstorming on this one though.
So... any feedback appreciated.