D&D (2024) How did I miss this about the Half races/ancestries

[SteveC]

I always preferred the multiclass rules to duel class rules but i gets its a preference.

I did as well. I for the game "Pools of Radiance" I had an all fighter-magic user-cleric party since the game had a max level that was less than the level limits. That was ... quite the party.

 

[Charlaquin]

If they're really too scared to continue using Half-X nomenclature then the ideal solution would have been giving those combinations actual names, not reducing them to meaninglessness so they aren't missed when deleted.

I agree that the "Half" in the name is a problem, but I feel like they can just come up with a better name... elfkin or orcling, or whatever. Have a list of options and have folks vote.

I don’t think the term “half whatever” is the problem. It’s that half-human-half-elves and half-human-half-orcs were somehow special as the only hybrid combinations the rules acknowledged. They want players to have the option to have any mixed heritage they want, and I don’t think that’s negotiable for them.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

It looks to me like they are taking half-elves from being a distinct thing and saying "you can do that thing with any species/legacy/ancestry" so I'd say that's removing something. Once again, not willing to fight over it (and I play Pathfinder, so I get what they are doing...) but it's strange to me.

What they are removing is the distinct mechanics for all cross-species. But the cross-species are still an option.

It is not my preferred option, but it doesn’t really bother me. Ideally, they would come up with a way to use one species as a base and then swap out some traits with the other species. Seems like the could come up with a list to do this without breaking anything; however, i always play humans and am not familiar with the traits of other species.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I don’t think the term “half whatever” is the problem. It’s that half-human-half-elves and half-human-half-orcs were somehow special as the only hybrid combinations the rules acknowledged. They want players to have the option to have any mixed heritage they want, and I don’t think that’s negotiable for them.

I agree, though I think the “half” term is loaded and a problem.

Though I think they could come up with a way to share traits from both parents

 

[JohnSnow]

Come up with a list of Heritage feats that represent blended ancestry (or not). And make them Background Feats that can only be taken at character creation. I'll take a stab at the 2 most iconic, and one more (Abilities derived from Unearthed Arcana: Character Origins):

Elf-Blooded (Background)
Prequisite: Ancestry must not be "Elf"
Most characters of mixed heritage strongly favor one parent or another. Whether inherited from a parent or ancestor, or derived due to some magical condition, you share some of the defining traits of Elves, and gain the following benefits:
- Darkvision. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
- Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the charmed condition on yourself.

Orc-Blooded (Background)
Prequisite: Ancestry must not be "Orc"
Most characters of mixed heritage strongly favor one parent or another. Whether inherited from a parent or ancestor, or derived due to some magical condition, you share some of the defining traits of Orcs, and gain the following benefits:
- Darkvision. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
- Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 Hit Points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 Hit Point instead. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a Long Rest.*

Dwarf-Blooded (Background)
Prequisite: Ancestry must not be "Dwarf"
Most characters of mixed heritage strongly favor one parent or another. Whether inherited from a parent or ancestor, or derived due to some magical condition, you share some of the defining traits of Dwarves, and gain the following benefits:
- Darkvision. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey.
- Dwarven Resilience. You have Resistance to Poison Damage. You also have Advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Poisoned Condition on yourself.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I don’t think the term “half whatever” is the problem. It’s that half-human-half-elves and half-human-half-orcs were somehow special as the only hybrid combinations the rules acknowledged. They want players to have the option to have any mixed heritage they want, and I don’t think that’s negotiable for them.

I agree, though I think the “half” term is loaded and a problem.

Though I think they could come up with a way to share traits from both parents

 

[Corinnguard]

Ideally, they would come up with a way to use one species as a base and then swap out some traits with the other species.

Level Up did this.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Level Up did this.

I am aware

 

[JohnSnow]

As an aside, I forking hate Darkvision, because it ends up being something nearly every character ancestry has, is stupid and largely makes torches, lanterns and magical light spells pointless. We should go back to:

Low-Light Vision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and darkness as if it were dim light, provided there is a light source present. You cannot see in total darkness.

 

[cranberry]

They are. All 2014 content is still playable. They have reiterated this many times, including at the D&DDirect just this week. So you're in luck!

Yes, but from a practical standpoint, no DM (who doesn't want a headache) is going to mix and match the different versions depending on player preference.