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

[Maxperson]

Umm...

Hobgoblin
VGM p119
Ability Scores: Con +2; Int +1
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 ft.
Age. Hobgoblins mature at the same rate as humans and have lifespans similar in length to theirs.
Alignment. Hobgoblin society is built on fidelity to a rigid, unforgiving code of conduct. As such, they tend toward lawful evil.
Size. Hobgoblins are between 5 and 6 feet tall and weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Martial Training. You are proficient with two martial weapons of your choice and with light armor.
Saving Face. Hobgoblins are careful not to show weakness in front of their allies, for fear of losing status. If you miss with an attack roll or fail an ability check or a saving throw, you can gain a bonus to the roll equal to the number of allies you can see within 30 feet of you (maximum bonus of +5). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.

But sure, I added that. [emoji849]

Sure. It's a trait, but it's not a racial trait. Look in the PHB at the PC racial traits section. You won't find special abilities there. Hobgoblins are also a Monstrous Race, not a Character Race.

 

[Helldritch]

It's an interesting concept, but right now we have had a huge debate about evil gods making evil races, so I don't imagine that will be a take WotC will explore.

It would be a can of worms hem... Poisonous Giant Snakes to open. (I have nothing against snakes).

 

[Remathilis]

Sure. It's a trait, but it's not a racial trait. Look in the PHB at the PC racial traits section. You won't find special abilities there. Hobgoblins are also a Monstrous Race, not a Character Race.

That logic is so twisted it needs a corkscrew to put it's underwear on! It's a racial trait. To a race. That has been printed THREE TIMES in sourcebooks (Volo Eberron, Wildemount). You don't get to decide what is/isn't a racial trait or a character race because it doesn't fit your narrative.

Sorry, take the L on this one and move on. Your other points were stronger anyway.

 

[Oofta]

Actually, I've always wondered if that's necessarily the case. In a world where magic is both prevalent and powerful, and interventionist deities objectively exist (insert the usual Eberron disclaimer here), perhaps some of the racial modifiers that we deem to be cultural could instead be inherent. Could Corellon Larethian not have made all elves proficient with bows, regardless of their training with them? Could being able to speak elven not be some sort of "racial memory"?

Taken in that regard, the idea that humans were ubermensch compared to demihumans made a lot more sense, since it highlighted how humans didn't have their strengths and weaknesses inherently determined; each individual could choose them for themselves (though obviously, this was a lot more true in older editions of the game). In that regard, it seemed like no accident that there was no "god of humans" the way the elves have Corellon and the dwarves have Moradin, etc.

Just to emphasize - we are not talking about humans or the real world. Magic is real, gods are real, genetics as we understand them may or may not exist.

I actually think more detailed rules for custom races could be kind of cool depending on the campaign. I just dislike the "race doesn't really matter" aspect of the changes that will become the standard for AL games even if it never impacts mine.

 

[Maxperson]

That logic is so twisted it needs a corkscrew to put it's underwear on! It's a racial trait. To a race. That has been printed THREE TIMES in sourcebooks (Volo Eberron, Wildemount). You don't get to decide what is/isn't a racial trait or a character race because it doesn't fit your narrative.

What part of the PHB is telling us what racial traits are, are you thinking is my decision?

I didnt decide that those weren't racial traits. 5e did.

 

[Remathilis]

What part of the PHB is telling us what racial traits are, are you thinking is my decision?

I didnt decide that those weren't racial traits. 5e did.

So to be clear:

Ability score increase: racial trait Immutable.
Age: racial trait. Immutable.
Alignment: racial trait. Immutable.
Size: racial trait. Immutable.
Speed: racial trait. Immutable.
Language: racial trait. Immutable.
Subrace: racial trait where applicable. Immutable.
Darkvision. Not a racial trait.
Fey ancestry. Not a racial trait.
Keen senses: not a racial trait.
Weapon proficiency. Not a racial trait.
Stonecunning. Not a racial trait.
Lucky. Not a racial trait.
Infernal legacy. Not a racial trait.
Breath weapon. Not a racial trait.
Gnome cunning. Not a racial trait.

So that means what exactly? What here is universal, what here can't be changed and what here can?

 

[Maxperson]

So to be clear:

Ability score increase: racial trait Immutable.
Age: racial trait. Immutable.
Alignment: racial trait. Immutable.
Size: racial trait. Immutable.
Speed: racial trait. Immutable.
Language: racial trait. Immutable.
Subrace: racial trait where applicable. Immutable.
Darkvision. Not a racial trait.
Fey ancestry. Not a racial trait.
Keen senses: not a racial trait.
Weapon proficiency. Not a racial trait.
Stonecunning. Not a racial trait.
Lucky. Not a racial trait.
Infernal legacy. Not a racial trait.
Breath weapon. Not a racial trait.
Gnome cunning. Not a racial trait.

So that means what exactly? What here is universal, what here can't be changed and what here can?

You got me there. Up until I checked the wording on the ability score portion the other day, I thought those were racial traits, too. I think most or all of us here assumed that they were.

I suppose they could be traits that members of that race who tend to go adventuring have, making them PC traits.

I'm wondering why WotC chose to exclude them from racial traits for 5e.

 

[Remathilis]

You got me there. Up until I checked the wording on the ability score portion the other day, I thought those were racial traits, too. I think most or all of us here assumed that they were.

I suppose they could be traits that members of that race who tend to go adventuring have, making them PC traits.

I'm wondering why WotC chose to exclude them from racial traits for 5e.

I choose to read it "as long as you are medium, 30 ft move, have a +2 str/+1 cha and speak common and draconic, you are a dragonborn. Breath weapon and draconic heritage is not necessary/optional".

It's literal, but hey, it's what WotC wanted I guess.

 

[Helldritch]

I choose to read it "as long as you are medium, 30 ft move, have a +2 str/+1 cha and speak common and draconic, you are a dragonborn. Breath weapon and draconic heritage is not necessary/optional".

It's literal, but hey, it's what WotC wanted I guess.

Yep. But for me, a dragonborn without Breath weapon and draconic heritage is a... Lizardman?

 

[Remathilis]

Yep. But for me, a dragonborn without Breath weapon and draconic heritage is a... Lizardman?

You think that's confusing: their is literally no difference between an orc and half-orcs racial traits!