D&D 5E Humans: should they have any racial ability bonuses?

[Yaarel]

For a different take, I use these humans in my campaign setting: http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/VJnO0-Ccx

This is partially because I give out 1 free feat at first level to everyone, and partially because I really don't like the jack-of-all-trades human, it makes humans too much of a default in the context of the world, I'd rather treat us as just another race with our own talents and flaws. It also adds another intelligence racial option, which is nice.

For the tone of a setting, I can see making the unmodified score the Human standard, and then granting a +1 a score because of cultural development.

Maybe even grant two +1's, one from the cultural environment, and the other from personal interest and aptitude.

 

[cbwjm]

For a different take, I use these humans in my campaign setting: http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/VJnO0-Ccx

This is partially because I give out 1 free feat at first level to everyone, and partially because I really don't like the jack-of-all-trades human, it makes humans too much of a default in the context of the world, I'd rather treat us as just another race with our own talents and flaws. It also adds another intelligence racial option, which is nice.

I've seen this before, I think it is a good idea. I think the Zendikar placeshift document also had different types of humans using the variant option to create distinct subraces of human which I quite liked. Could create a Norse culture where everyone has a +1 to Str and Con, extra hit points/level, and training in athletics and water vehicles to represent their culture.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

If you want a simple solution, give humans nothing but a +1 to their proficiency bonus.

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

I liked having humans as the baseline, with other races having bonuses and penalties, but that philosophy has fallen out of favor.

I miss that as well. I suspect Humans getting +1 is just a way of not having to deal with angst over "Dwarves get -2 DEX".

 

[Yaarel]

If you want a simple solution, give humans nothing but a +1 to their proficiency bonus.

Excellent suggestion.

No ability score improvement, or anything, but improve proficiency by +1.

Perfect for Human flavor. Ambition, technology, specialization, compassion, aggression, everything.

 

[Yaarel]

Proficiency bonus emphasizes cultural specializations too.

 

[CapnZapp]

I miss that as well. I suspect Humans getting +1 is just a way of not having to deal with angst over "Dwarves get -2 DEX".

Exactly my thoughts.

That Dwarf effectively has -1 Dex and doesn't even know it.

And what you don't know...

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[CapnZapp]

If you want a simple solution, give humans nothing but a +1 to their proficiency bonus.

And now the Dwarf's Dex penalty just grew from -1 to -2

Good job! [emoji106]

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