D&D 5E Everyone Should Play Custom Lineage by Default

[Giltonio_Santos]

My default rule is that nobody gets to play a custom lineage.

 

[Maxperson]

The default will be no custom lineage for us. It's an optional rule which, in my view, is not as compelling for the game as feats and multiclassing are. So, my guess is we will only allow it if there is a very good compelling role playing reason for it, and the feat taken with it will have to be a role-playing heavy feat like Actor. It will likely see use just for an invented race a player comes up with.

That's exactly what I plan on using it for.

 

[Weiley31]

Technically, doing the races as normal is the better option if your DM allows Supernatural Gifts/Feats at first level. Custom Lineage only gives you a +2 ability score modifier. Non Custom Lineage gives you at least a +2/+1(in most cases outside a few exceptions) OPTIONAL/TAKE IT BUTT HURTERS swapping ability modifiers+you get a feat at level one if allowed by DM.

Unless Dark Vision plus a feat is that good.

 

[Remathilis]

CUSTOM LINEAGES DON'T GET ACCESS TO RACIAL FEATS BECAUSE THEY AREN'T MECHANICALLY THAT RACE

You're not an elf. You're a custom lineage that LOOKS like an elf. You don't get access to elven accuracy any more than a changeling who morphs into an elf does.

Further, if you WANT to argue you are a member of whatever race you happen to look like, you create massive holes in the system. For example, a halfling is small and has a 25 ft movement, unless he's a custom lineage, then he's medium and has a 30 ft move. A custom lineage aarakroca can't fly. A custom lineage triton will drown because it can't breathe water. A custom lineage goliath suffers altitude sickness. A custom lineage warforged has to eat, drink, breathe and sleep. Need I go on?

Custom lineages are best for emulating a unique entity or entities that is similar in appearance to another race but is separate from them. For example, a being from the shadow realm or the scion of a demi-god. It is terrible for trying to make a customized version of an existing race.

 

[Blue Orange]

It's not D&D, but Adventurer, Conqueror, King's players' companion had an interesting set of rules for constructing classes and 'races' from the ground up, with XP balancing for each extra feature. You could try adapting that.

 

[loverdrive]

One day, I hope, WotC designers would get that fiction-first approach works better in TTRPGs and we would have just aspects, instead of any specific rules on races and all the other naughty word.

 

[Dausuul]

GURPS is not D&D, and D&D is not GURPS. That is the customizable system you seek.

So, instead of using official published content for their system of choice, OP should adopt a wildly different system with its own laundry list of flaws, because you don't like the content in question?

 

[Zsong]

So, instead of using official published content for their system of choice, OP should adopt a wildly different system with its own laundry list of flaws, because you don't like the content in question?

If you don’t want a wildly different system, mutants and masterminds can be used for sword and sorcery games too. And it is a system with no classes and very balanced as far as rpg’s go. Although there are loopholes that are very very easy to fix. Much easier than what is trying to be fixed in 5E with this thread.

 

[toucanbuzz]

I think this convention would ultimately allow players to play what they want without feeling like they're straightjacketed by the rules...

I'm all good for conversations, but hell no at my table.

It's not fair sharks can breathe underwater and I can't. I want what they have.
It's not fair elves can see in the dark and I can't. I want what they have.

I bought the book, but this "I don't conform to the stereotype" doesn't do anyone favors by homogenizing the races to the point there's nothing special about any one of them. If you don't want to conform, fantastic. But that doesn't mean you can suddenly see in the dark.

 

[Weiley31]

Nonsense: EVERYBODY loves Halloween masks being put on their not human.

Syndrome be damned!