Half-elves and +2 CON

[am181d]

I think whoever answered "hybrid vigor" as a reason for the +2 Con in the other thread wins.

That sounds sciency to me, and therefore lame.

The obvious answer is that the +2 Con represents extra pluckiness. (Or, if you want to play a badass half-elf, extra cojones.)

Remember that hit points in 4th Edition are as much about morale as actual physical toughness. Their Con and Cha bonuses are both a testament to their strong personalities.

 

[RabidBob]

I know this is rather subjective, but does it strike anyone as odd the Half-elf gets a +2 bonus to Constitution? Neither race in the Half-elves' "gene pool" have high constitutions as a trait (well, 1 in 6 Humans would) yet the Half-elves, as a racial group, have constitutions on par with the legendarily hardy Dwarves.

Hybrid vigor.

 

[-Avalon-]

Hybrid Vigor

Hybrid vigor.

Is that anything like putting JP8(jet fuel) in a Toyota Prius?

 

[Sanzuo]

4e half-elves kick ass.

 

[Zimri]

(Or, if you want to play a badass half-elf, extra cojones.)

Badass Half-elves have extra male reproductive organs ?

 

[Jeph]

Badass Half-elves have extra male reproductive organs ?

Not only that, but they are able to parse idiomatic use of language, too!

 

[Bialaska]

I houseruled tieflings and half elves by switching their attribute bonuses. Tieflings are heavier than humans (without any indications that they would be fatter) so Con makes sense from that POV and it also fits in with the warlock archetype. They don't seem brighter than average in the racial description (not that they are dumber either ofc).

As for half elves, they are changed in the fluff to being half eladrins or changelings, explaining their intelligence bonus.

Well, the danger of giving the Tieflings Con rather than Int is that they have Hellfire Blood, which gives bonuses to BOTH attack and damage of fire and fear attacks. Infernal and Star Pacts both give Con based at-will powers that is affected by this feat, which makes them by far the most powerful warlock race. Currently both Tiefling and Half-Elf are good Warlock races, but with such a switch the Half-Elf lacks a lot of the potency for being anything but Fey-pacted and Tiefling gets more benefits.

 

[Zimri]

Not only that, but they are able to parse idiomatic use of language, too!

of course they can hence the +1 language of choice and diplomatic bonuses. They are quite cunning linguists.

 

[Tripgnosis]

I agree that it's odd half-elves are as hearty as dwarves. The fluff kinda backs up their being heartier than elves or humans, but they still shouldn't be as hearty as dwarves. I don't think it's important enough to get my panties twisted, but if I were to have it my way, I'd say +1 to cha wis int AND dex. represents the evolution they went through as not being fully accepted by either culture and having to endure that. It represents their half-breed, often outcasted culture from a number of different angles. It also represents the a bit of their elven heritage, but muted and rounded out a bit, Like humans.

 

[Minigiant]

Well half elves in my experience have been the EXTREME race that constantly does thing that gets them hurt or they just attract pain. They're always wandering and getting attacked by bears and goblins. They'd invent things like lavaboarding and owlbear wrestling. "Why not?" was a common phrase. Half elves mix elven passion and human versatility which allows them to actually go along with radical or risky ideas. Their human side allows them to explore different ideas but their elf side makes them refuse from quiting. They have few roots and attempt to try everything. This is why most half elves I encounter were adventurers... with many bruises and scars.

The humans and half elves of a group would want to explore the "cursed" cave where an elf might need a good reason. After half the group is injured exploring, only the elves and half elves would want to continue because they made seeing the end part of their plan already.