D&D 5E Is it just me or are Harengons really (maybe a little too) good?

[Mort]

Was just messing around with some character creation and took a look at the Harengon (basically rabbit person).

Stat bonus is the now standard +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1, so nothing unusual there.

Then they get a +Prof bonus to initiative. Ok, that's good, but not huge except for some builds that focus on it (which then CAN make it huge).

Then they get proficiency in Perception. Ok, they get the "best" skill proficiency for free. Again, good, but so do elves.

Then they get the ability to reroll a dex saving throw (AND add an additional 1d4 besides) at the cost of a reaction. I'd say that's REALLY good!

Finally, they can bonus action move (jump) up to 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity (proficiency bonus times per day). That's REALLY good for certain classes. It's just a slightly weaker misty step (that Eladrin get) but the Harengon can do it more often (a lot more often as levels increase).

But hey, at least they DON'T get Darkvision - unless of course they take a class that grants it (A Harengon gloomstalker will be very, very nasty).

Just seems to be a strong collection of character abilities.

And yes, I can, of course, ban it/nerf it etc., but that's never my first goto. But I'm just looking for other people's reactions, reactions to playing one/seeing one in play , that sort of thing.

Thoughts?

 

[James Gasik]

You forgot the downside: you have to be a cute fuzzy animal person that no one will ever take seriously.

 

[MockingBird]

You forgot the downside: you have to be a cute fuzzy animal person that no one will ever take seriously.

You don't have to be. You can easily make a gritty mature Harengon. I use to feel the same way about Dragonborn and Tieflings until I saw some non 4e illustrations of them.

 

[Eltab]

My current campaign the Harengon goes early in initiative and moves fast and is an archer Ranger with allergies to melee. As DM I'm going to have to avoid "you are in an open field" and create interesting terrain to bog her down / steer her movement.

 

[Charlaquin]

You forgot the downside: you have to be a cute fuzzy animal person that no one will ever take seriously.

Anybody who can’t take this guy seriously because he has fur needs to lighten up a touch.

 

[James Gasik]

Anybody who can’t take this guy seriously because he has fur needs to lighten up a touch.
View attachment 257954

He's adorable!

 

[Charlaquin]

He's adorable!

And would mess you up in a heartbeat.

 

[James Gasik]

And would mess you up in a heartbeat.

Maybe, but he's no Martin the Warrior.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

Then they get the ability to reroll a dex saving throw (AND add an additional 1d4 besides) at the cost of a reaction. I'd say that's REALLY good!

this is straight up wrong - they don't get to reroll the save, they only add 1d4.

i think the harengon is good, but i wouldn't say it's too good. if you want a race that's too good, look at the "brb multiplying my speed by 5 by jumping repeatedly" hadozee.

 

[James Gasik]

I'd say something about Aarakocra and Yuan Ti, but since both got nerfed in Mordenkainen's, they aren't quite as good as they used to be. Warforged and Tortles for offering really good AC options (depending on class)?