Level Up (A5E) Where to put ability bonuses during character creation

[Maxperson]

But irrelevant to PC creation. Because they aren't the race as a whole. They're heroes. And Zidi Wheatling, known across the six Shires as the Halfling Titan, is renowned for her ability to lift a wagon over her head, spanked the local orc weightlifting champion and sent him home.

Right. I get that individuals can vary. The Half-Orc Wizard might have a 10 strength and the Halfling Fighter might start with an 18. I'm just not seeing why if the Half-Orc race as a whole has +2 to strength, that the PC wouldn't get the same bonus as a member of that race.

 

[Morrus]

Right. I get that individuals can vary. The Half-Orc Wizard might have a 10 strength and the Halfling Fighter might start with an 18. I'm just not seeing why if the Half-Orc race as a whole has +2 to strength, that the PC wouldn't get the same bonus as a member of that race.

I'm cool with a mighty halfling with a strength equal to the max that an orc can have. She's clearly the Hercules of her community, and she's a unique PC, not one of the average population.

 

[Guest 6801328]

Or if you're just looking at the rules.

Which is...metagaming.

The point I’m making is that if you put yourself in the shoes of your character, and if the only knowledge your character has of halforcs is their adventuring companions (metagame concept: PCs) then the impact of the +2 Str is insufficient to lead to the conclusion that halforcs are strong. The sample size is too small, and other factors (specifically attribute assignment) have a greater impact. You would have to adventure with dozens of other PCs, at least several of which would have to halforcs, before it would become apparent that halforcs are stronger than average

Contrast this to, for example, relentless endurance or savage attacks. The effect of both of those would be readily apparent.

So all I’m saying is that if racial ASIs contribute “flavor” it’s only in the metagame sense. YOU know halforc PCs are strong; your character has insufficient data to draw that conclusion.

 

[Maxperson]

I'm cool with a mighty halfling with a strength equal to the max that an orc can have. She's clearly the Hercules of her community, and she's a unique PC, not one of the average population.

I'm actually good with that as well. I don't mind that with ASIs the Halfling can rival the mightiest Half-Orc. I'd just prefer as both a player and DM that there be a racial bonus of +2, or perhaps +1 race and +1 subrace, and then a +1 from background.

 

[Maxperson]

Which is...metagaming

Or not. In game one race is stronger than the other. There is no out of character knowledge being given to the character. No metagaming is involved.

The point I’m making is that if you put yourself in the shoes of your character, and if the only knowledge your character has of halforcs is their adventuring companions (metagame concept: PCs) then the impact of the +2 Str is insufficient to lead to the conclusion that halforcs are strong. The sample size is too small, and other factors (specifically attribute assignment) have a greater impact. You would have to adventure with dozens of other PCs, at least several of which would have to halforcs, before it would become apparent that halforcs are stronger than average

It's not insufficient at all. If you get 1000 Half-Orcs and 1000 Halflings, the Half-Orcs will generally be stronger. The average of 4d6 drop the lowest is 12.24. That's what the Halflings will average. The Half-Orcs will be averaging 14.24 which is significantly higher. Knowing in character that Half-Orcs are stronger on average than Halflings will be apparent in-game. No metagaming needed.

 

[Guest 6801328]

Or not. In game one race is stronger than the other. There is no out of character knowledge being given to the character. No metagaming is involved.



It's not insufficient at all. If you get 1000 Half-Orcs and 1000 Halflings, the Half-Orcs will generally be stronger. The average of 4d6 drop the lowest is 12.24. That's what the Halflings will average. The Half-Orcs will be averaging 14.24 which is significantly higher. Knowing in character that Half-Orcs are stronger on average than Halflings will be apparent in-game. No metagaming needed.

Oh. Sure. If your character adventures with 1,000 halforcs and 1,000 halflings, I agree the difference would be apparent.

 

[Maxperson]

Oh. Sure. If your character adventures with 1,000 halforcs and 1,000 halflings, I agree the difference would be apparent.

You think that over time the difference hasn't been noticed? If there are only a small handful of Half-Orcs at any given time, then sure, it wouldn't really be that noticeable. If they are pretty common, then it would be apparent to the the world at large, which the PCs are members of.

 

[Guest 6801328]

You think that over time the difference hasn't been noticed? If there are only a small handful of Half-Orcs at any given time, then sure, it wouldn't really be that noticeable. If they are pretty common, then it would be apparent to the the world at large, which the PCs are members of.

How many PCs exist in any one game world? On average fewer than 10?

 

[battlebaby]

I'm actually good with that as well. I don't mind that with ASIs the Halfling can rival the mightiest Half-Orc. I'd just prefer as both a player and DM that there be a racial bonus of +2, or perhaps +1 race and +1 subrace, and then a +1 from background.

I agree with a background giving ASI to Strength if your background is body builder, or wrestler, for example. A knight is a more broad concept, you can be a strategist, a councilor, a student of war history, etc.

 

[Morrus]

How many PCs exist in any one game world? On average fewer than 10?

3-6, I think. Out of a population of some billion?