D&D 5E Jeremy Crawford Discusses Details on Custom Origins

[Weiley31]

Hell the UA Revised Ranger of 2016 is way better than the BS we've been shown/given.

This right here is your 5E ranger folks.

 

[Remathilis]

Yes, almost like pizza orders and game design operated somewhat differently... Niche protection is a thing one needs to think in game design, less so with pizzas.

So the half-orc barbarian feels his niche is protected because he could have a a starting strength 2 points higher. Does he then feel inadequate if he chooses to take great weapon master while the halfling bumps his strength?What if the halfling is a fighter and uses his extra bumps at 6th and 10th to get to 20 before the half-orc? Does the half orcs demand that's not fair?

 

[Crimson Longinus]

So the half-orc barbarian feels his niche is protected because he could have a a starting strength 2 points higher. Does he then feel inadequate if he chooses to take great weapon master while the halfling bumps his strength?What if the halfling is a fighter and uses his extra bumps at 6th and 10th to get to 20 before the half-orc? Does the half orcs demand that's not fair?

Why would they chose to take GWM if their fantasy was to be the big strong guy? They will max their strength first, and if not, that's their choice.

And this is not about any one specific example, it is about the very concept of niche protection. In a splat based game where you choose races and classes it must exist to certain extent for these choices to matter. You can quibble about the details, but the basic principle applies.

 

[Weiley31]

Well the only good thing about all the races becoming humans in Halloween masks is the fact that Halloween is literally tomorrow.

 

[Scott Christian]

Let's say having a 16 starting makes me happy. However, I want to play a race that doesn't have ability bumps to provide that. I had two options:

• Get a 16, but play a race I don't want to play.
• Play the race I want, but start out with less than a 16.

To some, this is a fair trade off; you have to choose one or the other. But either way, I am in net not happy because I had to compromise something about my character.

But let's just say now I have the third choice to assign my scores. I get both my race and a 16. I am happy. What are the downsides?

The downsides have been stated many many times.

Am I more powerful than either of the two options above? I don't think so, outside of some niche corner case somewhere.

That is one of the points, it will lead to you being stronger. Trust me. There will be some combination, some quirk, that will allow you to suddenly be a better halfling barbarian or whatever than previously thought. When you open the mechanics up, you make them easier to manipulate.

Am I ruining the race for others? No, since others can use the original mods without change.

As stated earlier, you may be. And that goes to table options, which is a different discussion. But I think we can all agree that not all tables are run as a dictatorship, so Tasha's will make its way onto tables where several players/DM's do not want it.

And I will say this one last time. Having a 15 versus a 16 means nothing unless you run a super-tight, incredibly well balanced, min-max game. If I made your character and had never told you a bonus, an AC, HP, etc. and had you do the rolls, it is doubtful you would be able to notice. But for some reason (myself included at times), we need a 16 in order to fully enjoy the character. I get it. I just don't think it should come at the expense of dismissing archetypes, an original rulebook that has held up for five years, and another player's fun.

 

[Maxperson]

No, no it doesn't.

Agreed. Dwarves are serious and dour as a type, so roleplaying one as a happy, carefree jokester is playing agains type.

 

[Maxperson]

But I haven't taken away the option from them, they are just mad I now have the option as well.

If I order a pizza with pepperoni, bacon and ham, I haven't ruined the meat lovers pizza for everyone else. The store isn't going to say, "welp, guess we don't need the meat lovers anymore" and take it of the market. And if you're mad that my pizza has the audacity to have pepperoni, bacon and ham without having sausage and hamburger, I'd kindly tell you to mind your own business.

Look at it like this. If a kid in a class is promised a pepperoni and green pepper pizza as a special reward, he is going to be rightly upset when everyone else in the class is just given the same pizza anyway. Their pizzas take all specialness away from that kid's pizza.

 

[Oofta]

Look at it like this. If a kid in a class is promised a pepperoni and green pepper pizza as a special reward, he is going to be rightly upset when everyone else in the class is just given the same pizza anyway. Their pizzas take all specialness away from that kid's pizza.

All this talk about pizza made me so hungry for it I had to run out for some.

 

[Weiley31]

Agreed. Dwarves are serious and dour as a type, so roleplaying one as a happy, carefree jokester is playing agains type.

I actually have a Dwarven NPC right now that is pretty hospitable and carefree joking when he's drinking and partying with friends. but becomes full on Dwarven serious and dour when he's angry or dons his Battlerager armor.

 

[Weiley31]

All this talk about pizza made me so hungry for it I had to run out for some.

I would love pizza right now, but I had a side salad for breakfast.