Introducing Racial Variants (again?)

[Jeremy Ackerman-Yost]

There are already human sub-races in the book since PHB1. Shifters, Shades, Vryloka, Tieflings, etc... you get the picture. They all are half-humans or have human origins.

Sure, but the semantic difference is important here. They aren't "human subraces" the way Gold and Shield Dwarves are "Dwarven subraces."

The result of humans mating with random stuff is fine. It's sort of distant from reality while simultaneously fitting human behavior just fine. Subdividing plain old humans would cause a bit of backlash. It's a touchy sort of subject, with good historical reason.

 

[The Little Raven]

I hate the post essentials direction so much.

Because we never had any racial variations before Essentials. Must be all Essentials fault. Man, you sound more and more like a jilted lover with every post. It's getting kinda creepy.

 

[Aegeri]

Because we never had any racial variations before Essentials.

And yet, pre-essentials you could actually hope for support for things outside the PHB so that wasn't such an exception. Right now, throwing more support at two of the best supported races in 4E when there are some so terrible they are desperate for anything (The Shade in particular) is typical of the current direction. Bury some things in endless support, leave everything that isn't in the PHB (or a Wizard) to die.

I don't really think adding further Dwarves and Elves adds anything in particular, when so many other things really need support and have for months or even years (EG Changelings).

 

[Dice4Hire]

I do not overly mind the racial variants. But they sure are weak.

Overall, can we make options that are actually the same as standard dwarves, or signifigantly different in some way. Fine-tuning Dwarven Weapon proficiency (or whatever it is called) is not much of a change at all.

 

[The Little Raven]

And yet, pre-essentials you could actually hope for support for things outside the PHB so that wasn't such an exception. Right now, throwing more support at two of the best supported races in 4E when there are some so terrible they are desperate for anything (The Shade in particular) is typical of the current direction. Bury some things in endless support, leave everything that isn't in the PHB (or a Wizard) to die.

I don't really think adding further Dwarves and Elves adds anything in particular, when so many other things really need support and have for months or even years (EG Changelings).

I'm failing to see any kind of justification for why the Neverwinter Campaign Setting is the right place to give support for these things.