D&D 5E Should the "core" world be centered around the classic races?

[ForeverSlayer]

When 4th edition came out the core world was centered around the PHB races which included Dragonborn and Tieflings. Now for me, I didn't really like these races and always made me think of Talislanta or being in Mos Eisley.

I don't mind exotic races, but I don't like when they are made part of the norm unless I am creating a world that specifically has them as common. I guess what I'm hoping for is essentially Greyhawk coming back as the core world.

What do you think?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I believe the argument at the time was that "classic" races didn't necessarily engage an audience that's grown up on Final Fantasy and the like. My preference is the classic races, myself, but I started playing in 1979.

Honestly, it should vary by setting, and more modern fantasy settings should also be represented. Whether that's in the "core" or not, I'm not sure.

 

[1of3]

There should not be a core world.

 

[TerraDave]

I think the last playtest presents core races and optional races. Which is fine, though I would prefer all the AD&D 1 races, including gnomes, half elves, and half orcs to be considered core. But I guess if they are there, it doesn't matter.

 

[Umbran]

There should not be a core world.

Like it or not, the core books generally imply the contents of a core world - you need the books to have races and classes and spells and gods, at least as examples. Folks will generally assume they all exist in the same world.

That core should present the races that the base expected audience likes - which they should know from all the feedback they've been getting over the past months.

 

[TwoSix]

Humans should be presented as the core race, with a host of customization options to represent various backgrounds and nationalities and possibly a touch of a more alien background. This supports S&S, lower magic D&D.

Elves, dwarves, and halflings should be presented as the next most common tier, with some customization, possibly grouped into silos to represent subraces. This supports Tolkienesque fantasy D&D.

Half-elves, half-orcs, and gnomes should be presented as a third tier, with a few customization options, supporting the "standard" AD&D paradigm.

Other monstrous or extraplanar races should be presented as a final tier, with 1 or 2 customization options, supporting the more gonzo D&D play.

The core world should have a human core area (think of the Dalelands and Cormyr), with elven, dwarven, and halfling enclaves scattered throughtout, and the other races originating from a wild frontier area (perhaps another continent).

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

IMO the core world should be centered around the core races.

When a DM did a Final Fantasy 3rd Edition game way back when, generating new races was simple. (This is especially the case if you have a simple system like 4e. Pick a couple of skill bonuses, pick your stat bonuses, pick two one or two powers with this level of power... making moogle PCs, for instance, should be really easy.)

 

[DEFCON 1]

I think we should stricken the word "Core" from every single book and use within the game of Dungeons & Dragons.

"Core" does not exist. Especially when the word gets defined as "whatever appears in the first three books published."

As a corollary to this, I want stricken from the game the ridiculous complaint that something should not appear in one of the three first books published because it means "I'd have to tell my players they can't use it."

The whole point of 5E is that you are being given a Home Depot full of tools... and each table will go in and only put into their individual toolbox the tools they want to use. So there's no point in restricting the tools you have in the Home Depot to choose from, and there's no reason to expect that, as a player, you can sit down at any table and be able to use any tool you personally want. The job will dictate which tools are useful and available for the project you are doing.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

IMO the core world should be centered around the core races.

When a DM did a Final Fantasy 3rd Edition game way back when, generating new races was simple. (This is especially the case if you have a simple system like 4e. Pick a couple of skill bonuses, pick your stat bonuses, pick two one or two powers with this level of power... making moogle PCs, for instance, should be really easy.)

 

[Blackbrrd]

I think the last playtest presents core races and optional races. Which is fine, though I would prefer all the AD&D 1 races, including gnomes, half elves, and half orcs to be considered core. But I guess if they are there, it doesn't matter.

I really prefer it this way. The "core" should be pretty small, but give options for more. This should please the biggest audience and make it easier for DM's to say: "No Dragonborn in this world".