D&D General Why do you play non-human races?

[Fanaelialae]

Others in the thread have covered what my answer would be.

But to quote one of my newbie players, "Why would I want to play a human in a fantasy game?" For some people at least, it simply adds to the fun and fantasy; envisioning their character as something other than themselves.

 

[Bitbrain]

I’m on the autistic spectrum.

I don’t quite think or behave like most other people I know in real life, so when I get to be a player at a D&D table, I find it easier to play as a different race.

 

[Oofta]

More or less in order of importance

1. I found and painted a cool mini
2. I want to speak with a funny accent
3. I enjoy trying to envision the world from a non-human perspective.
4. Stat and racial bonuses
5. Why not?

But mostly it's the mini and funny accent that inspire a personality. Or because I am a human (as far as you know) and humans are boring!

 

[NaturalZero]

A combination of the right mechanics or stat bumps and what seems cool because it's less boring than the same old human protagonist.

For example, I'd like to run a warforged artificer because the flavor has so much potential but I'm drawn to Areni-variant High Elf because it's more optimized, mechanically, even though I feel like elves are sort of tedious humans with a pointy ear aesthetic.

 

[tommybahama]

Fluff and lore, then a bit of the mechanical bits. I'm simple like that.

For me it's this and I'm a horrible role player. Playing a fantasy race helps remind me to play as a character and not as myself.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Sorry, it's a term that is so ingrained that I continue to use it even though it was probably dropped from the text a while ago.

I just mean any of the non-human races that are available to PCs, in any edition of D&D.

Thanks. Many times that is what people mean, but sometimes it varies.

I play demi-humans for any of the reasons most people have stated.

1. Sometimes I want to play something other than human for role-playing a different culture, etc.
2. Sometimes I want the fluff and mechanical edge of a particular feature (like ASI or darkvision, etc.)
3. Sometimes I want to play a demi-human because it is part of the story.

That about covers it.

 

[vpuigdoller]

As I see it, I am already a human why play one as well? Lol, rather try something different.

 

[cmad1977]

Fun and hijinks.

 

[TwoSix]

Useful stat bonuses and mechanics, and then aesthetics. Like my last 4 characters have been elves and half-elves just because I like the Elven Accuracy mechanic so much.

 

[Shardstone]

Aesthetics and themes.