D&D 5E Is Tasha's Broken?

[Minigiant]

So? I fail to see a point. Why does it matter that every table is different? That's kind of the point. They tried forcing a single play style, it didn't work. Now we have flexibility for each table to make the game work for them...which seems to work for millions of people.

Because they still forced a single playstyle by omission.

That's why Tasha's happend

 

[Bill Zebub]

I think most people have it backwards.

It's not that the PC are different kinds of people. It's more that the people who are built different, are freaks of nature, prodigies, or hve fortunate lives are more likely to be successful PCs.

There are NPCs with usually ability scores and features. Many a orc village has scrawy runts who become natural clerics, wizards, and warlock advisers for the chief or nobles

I suppose that’s an in-game explanation, but I’m just fine with “I don't want to play average Joe.”

 

[Oofta]

Because they still forced a single playstyle by omission.

That's why Tasha's happend

I honestly have no clue what you're trying to say. Ability scores aren't that important other than adding some flavor. It doesn't make for còokie cutter games.

 

[Minigiant]

I honestly have no clue what you're trying to say. Ability scores aren't that important other than adding some flavor. It doesn't make for còokie cutter games.

That's the point.
Ability scores aren't that important other than adding some flavor.... except for combat.

Because combat have the most rolls and the smallest dice. Perfect for making cookie cutter games after you've already suggested that having a 16 in your prime combat stat.

And fans fight the idea because they think other fans are powergaming and what to destroy traditions. However it just people playing into a game with a high combat bias and an encouragement to have a high prime ability score with little to no support for secondary scores.

All of which could be prevented with a rather variant rule or two.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

First, we have a Capacity Modifier (for weight carried. Male get x10, female get x8) which is multiplied by half your Strength score to determine your base weight limit before being encumbered. So, if two PCs are both STR 10, but one is male and the other female, the male can carry 50 lbs. and the female 40 lbs. before suffering encumbrance penalties. Small males are x3, and small females are x2, so also have a difference.

wow...I know some players that would be VERY vocal about there dislike of this.

Second, we use exhaustion a lot, and female characters gain an additional level of endurance (a free level of exhaustion).

wait...what?

 

[James Gasik]

wow...I know some players that would be VERY vocal about there dislike of this.

wait...what?

Studies have shown that women have a lot more muscle endurance and stamina than men, so apparently female characters in that campaign can ignore the first level of exhaustion they would take.

 

[Oofta]

That's the point.
Ability scores aren't that important other than adding some flavor.... except for combat.

Ability scores can make quite a difference outside of combat in any game I've played. They don't have to of course, some people push the idea that you should just describe your actions in such a way that a role is never called for. See The Role of the Dice in the DMG.

Because combat have the most rolls and the smallest dice. Perfect for making cookie cutter games after you've already suggested that having a 16 in your prime combat stat.

I've never suggested having a 16. I've run multiple PCs that started with a 14. Eventually most of them got higher, that's the nature of the game.

And fans fight the idea because they think other fans are powergaming and what to destroy traditions. However it just people playing into a game with a high combat bias and an encouragement to have a high prime ability score with little to no support for secondary scores.

I can't say no one has ever said Tasha's was for powergamers, but I don't remember the last time I saw it. I say that it is for optimization because it is, or at least for perceived optimization. Pre-Tasha's the fixed values nudged people in a direction that had an oversized influence that wasn't entirely justified. A high elf wizard wasn't really that much better than a dwarf wizard (and I would say in some ways inferior), but people played those elf wizards because they believed they were significantly better.

All of which could be prevented with a rather variant rule or two.

Which is where I totally lose you.

 

[DND_Reborn]

wow...I know some players that would be VERY vocal about there dislike of this.

Then I would think they have a hard time facing reality? (j/k)

Seriously though, females in most species cannot carry as much weight as males. The same is true for smaller races compared to medium races. Now, this is a fantasy game, so having some races where they are equal or even have it reversed (as in the sense of Drow classically), works in those cases.

If you look at real-life world weight lifting records, female records are usually anywhere from 65-80% of male records. So, we went with the highest ratio and gave females 8 and males 10. We did not want to penalize females in the sense of attack rolls or damage, or strength checks, and the difference in weight carried is significant but moderate enough to represent reality without being overly taxing.

Many players enjoy D&D will less of a real/simulation feel, but we like it that way as grounding the game more makes it more believable for us.

wait...what?

Studies have shown that women have a lot more muscle endurance and stamina than men, so apparently female characters in that campaign can ignore the first level of exhaustion they would take.

Precisely, they also have (in general) a higher tolerance for pain.

Since we use levels of exhaustion in such fashion, granting females an additional level seemed appropriate.

 

[Minigiant]

Ability scores can make quite a difference outside of combat in any game I've played. They don't have to of course, some people push the idea that you should just describe your actions in such a way that a role is never called for. See The Role of the Dice in the DMG.

Didn't say they couldn't.

The point is at various tables they importance changes. A table could have all fighting. Another some checks and a bit of fighting

And 5e did not take that into account until TCOE.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Then I would think they have a hard time facing reality? (j/k)

Seriously though, females in most species cannot carry as much weight as males. The same is true for smaller races compared to medium races. Now, this is a fantasy game, so having some races where they are equal or even have it reversed (as in the sense of Drow classically), works in those cases.

again well in general true it is in no way true to every set...

Now I am out of shape (when I was younger I would have argued round WAS a perfectly valid shape but age has made that less true) and 3/4 of the women I know are athletic in one way or another... BUT i would be hard pressed to name a woman that COULDN'T carry/lift/push more then me.

My Fiancé was working in garden center at walmart when we met...she would by herself move huge heavy boxes without a thought that me and my best friend would have trouble moving together... now she works in an office now (as I always have) but she still puts the ACs in and out of the windows at my house while I cat call her... cause she can no big deal while I struggle to do so.

Many players enjoy D&D will less of a real/simulation feel, but we like it that way as grounding the game more makes it more believable for us.

nothing against you but in a game with magic, dragons, and the ability to get 8 hours rest and feel refreshed most of us have LONG lost the real/simulation feel.