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

[Flamestrike]

I suppose in my view it opens everything up even more so you have, in effect, a lot more options that with set races. And a blanket offer of darkvision or a skill is horrible, who would ever not take darkvision???

It depends on the character and the lineage.

I can always use a torch, and the light spell is a cantrip. Plus I might be playing a custom lineage halfling or human so darkvision wouldn't be an appropriate choice for that lineage.

 

[Scott Christian]

I would use this analogy. The great chef that can create a great set menu is the one who gets the highest praise. The great chef that has a menu that looks like Cheesecake Factory has a job and the title of chef.
When limitations exist, creativity is not suppressed, but rather encouraged. When no limitations exist, creativity (again) is not suppressed, but rarely encouraged.
All in my humble opinion.

 

[DND_Reborn]

It depends on the character and the lineage.

I can always use a torch, and the light spell is a cantrip. Plus I might be playing a custom lineage halfling or human so darkvision wouldn't be an appropriate choice for that lineage.

Sorry, but not as I see it. A "halfling" or "human" made by the custom lineage system really would be something else (as others believe as well) and you could give them darkvision. I'm glad you think otherwise, but IME with most players you would be the exception more than the norm.

When no limitations exist, creativity (again) is not suppressed, but rarely encouraged.

Precisely. Darkvision will be selected IMO by most players over a single skill, given the nature of most games I have been part of or witnessed. Feat selection will now be the feats that are typically considered the stronger feats.

Now, think of the variant human in the PHB, they are the only race that received a feat, but don't have darkvision. A single skill as well and only two ASIs +1, no +2 ASI (true, a half-feat choice could net you a +2, however).

I think a balance of a feat OR darkvision plus a skill would be more equal, personally.

The only good balance I can say about custom lineage is that you get only a single ASI +2. At least if you want custom, you pay the price of the ASI +1...

 

[Remathilis]

Thats not true at all.

Your custom lineage is an Elf if you say it is. Born to elven parents and raised in an elven community. If thats what you say it is.

I love custom lineages. They're mechanically balanced and they open up options for players both mechanically (now you can be an Elf or a Dwarf and have a feat at 1st level) and also narratively.

I honestly don't get the hate in here.

That can't be true. Because custom lineages don't have the defining traits of their parent race. You're custom halfling is the same size as a human. Your custom aarakroca can't fly. Your custom triton can't breathe water. And your custom lineage elf can't take elven accuracy because he doesn't meet the prerequisite: elf. Because otherwise, my aasimar PC can say "oh my mom was an elf, so I am an elf too and I can take elven accuracy."

Listen, you can do what you want as a house rule, but this is literally reducing race to rubber masks if you can cherry pick any racial feat you want while having the abilities of a vhuman.

I defended ASI swaps, I defended swapping racial proficiencies, but to be able to make a 6 ft tall, 30 ft move greatsword-welding "halfling" with the Second Chance feat is a bridge too far.

 

[Remathilis]

Besides, everyone knows the best build is a "deep gnome" custom lineage fighter/eldritch knight with Svirfneblin Magic as your feat. You are medium (and thus can use heavy weapons), have 30 ft move (vs 25) have darkvision, +2 Str, and have permanent no detection, plus blur, blind/deafness and disguise self all 1/long rest. But you still look like you're a 3ft tall hairless gnome.

Alternative best build is a "drow elf" CL who take drow high magic and doesn't have light blindness.

 

[Argyle King]

Isn't this how GURPS & Savage Worlds do their non-humans?

Sorta.

You're given a points budget and can purchase traits with points.

However, depending upon GM/setting, pre-built templates exist. For example, Dungeon Fantasy has a pre-built package for elves, dwarves, catfolk, and etc.

 

[Flamestrike]

That can't be true. Because custom lineages don't have the defining traits of their parent race. You're custom halfling is the same size as a human.

No, a custom lineage (halfling) would be Small.

Unless he was a Halfling with giantism or something, or maybe he also had an Elven parent as well as a Halfling parent (making him a really short half-elf).

Your custom aarakroca can't fly. Your custom triton can't breathe water.

OK, and you need to explain why that is. Were your wings cut off as a child by slavers? Is is a mental block you cant get over? Is it due to a curse? Were you just born differently, without functioning gills or wings, and cast out of your society?

Which is the whole point of custom lineages.

And your custom lineage elf can't take elven accuracy because he doesn't meet the prerequisite: elf. Because otherwise, my aasimar PC can say "oh my mom was an elf, so I am an elf too and I can take elven accuracy."

Of course you can. You can design a Custom lineage of an Aasimar father and an Elven mother, and be half elf and half aasimar (and as you're half elf you qualify for Elven accuracy).

Which is not only as it should be (why should only half-human + half eves get access to elven accuracy) but also opens up a ton of cool options.

 

[Flamestrike]

Besides, everyone knows the best build is a "deep gnome" custom lineage fighter/eldritch knight with Svirfneblin Magic as your feat. You are medium (and thus can use heavy weapons), have 30 ft move (vs 25) have darkvision, +2 Str, and have permanent no detection, plus blur, blind/deafness and disguise self all 1/long rest. But you still look like you're a 3ft tall hairless gnome.

What?

If you're 3' tall, you're Small, not Medium. If you want to play a Medium sized Gnome, I'd allow it (especially with that +2 to Strength) but you're around the same size as a Dwarf (a giant among your kind).

You forgo Gnome Cunning, your darkvision is only 60', you dont get advantage on Stealth checks anymore, and you dont get +2 Int and +1 Dex.

You're a big (4'5"), Strong (+2 Strength) but clumsy and slow (no +2 Int or +1 Dex) Gnome who cant see as far as his smarter fellows, and isn't as stealthy nor as cunning as his shorter friends.

The fact that custom lineage allows such a PC is a feature, and not a bug!

And I really don't see how the above is in any way 'the best build'. I'd rather have GWM, PAM or similar on a fighter at 1st level. Who cares for a few utility spells 1/ long rest at 1st?

 

[Flamestrike]

I defended ASI swaps, I defended swapping racial proficiencies, but to be able to make a 6 ft tall, 30 ft move greatsword-welding "halfling" with the Second Chance feat is a bridge too far.

The halfling could be Dwarf sized (medium) and a giant of his kind. Brandobrias Took in LOTR was 4 and a half foot tall (which firmly places him in Medium size) and was renowned for knocking off a Goblins head with a giant two handed war-club and thus creating the game of Golf.

I could get with a medium sized halfling (4 and a half foot tall), with a two handed weapon, and +2 to Strength. There is literally one in LOTR, which is where Halflings kind of came from.

 

[Flamestrike]

Sorry, but not as I see it. A "halfling" or "human" made by the custom lineage system really would be something else

No, they would be halfling or human (if that's how they define themselves, and are accepted as in the game world).

Maybe the human (or halfling) has distant elven ancestry? Or was born that way and is a freak.

I mean the game is in a pretty good shape when the most 'broken' thing you can think of is 'they get darkvision instead of a bonus skill proficiency!"