My Thoughts:
• Astral Elf is presented as a “full ancestry” rather then a subrace, despite having all the traits of the “base” elf ancestry. This likely indicates how “sub”-ancestries will be presented in the anniversary revisions.
• Trance Proficiencies seems like a great solution to the problem of elf cultural proficiencies, and doesn’t seem directly related to the astral variety of elf. I’d bet the astral elf polls well, this trait will end up replace elf weapon training for all elves in the anniversary edition.
• If my prediction in the previous bullet point is correct, that would mean astral elves are defined by their cantrip selection and radiant soul. Which would be consistent with
@Scribe ’s prediction that ancestries in the anniversary edition will be defined by size, creature type, and two or three traits.
• Speaking of creature type, astral elf is humanoid here, so I think we can expect elves in general to retain that type, rather than becoming fae.
• Autognome feels like a non-Eberron version of Warforged. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a stealth test drive for Anniversary Edition Warforged. I hope it is, cause I like the design a lot and I would rather it be more a more general automaton ancestry with Size Medium or Small instead of being tied specifically with Gnomes and always Small.
• By the magic of exceptions-based design, we have a construct-type ancestry that can be affected by healing spells! Also, as a 4e fan, I love seeing Mending allowing them to spend hit dice.
• Nothing about the Giff traits specifically says Giff to me. These could just as easily be the stats for any large-but-not-large ancestry.
• Hadozee is pretty cool. Not much to say about it. It feels like it should have a climb speed.
• Ooze-person ancestry!
Love it conceptually. Mechanically feels a little thin. Amorphous is nice, but I wish it allowed you to occupy another creature’s space. I’d also like to see them be able to make unarmed strikes with their pseudopod for like 1d4 acid damage or something.
• Thri-Kreen is pretty much perfect. Also sends strong signals that Dark Sun is likely incoming.
• This makes me wonder if Hadozee is actually a stealth test for pterrans. That would explain the lack of climb speed.
dnd.wizards.com
