Unpopular opinions go here

[Hussar]

None of this matters. You roll to win the fight.

And it's telling you're confused if you think DNDs core resolution roll has anything to do with "attacking".

Bwuh? How do you use d20+mods to “win the fight”?

And how is combat resolution not pretty core to DnD’s core resolution mechanics?

 

[Hussar]

Meh. If +2 to stat is the defining trait of a race, the loss doesn’t mean much.

If the only thing that makes your character different from mine is a +1 to hit and damage, then we might as well toss races completely.

The impact of choosing a race should have pretty much zero to do with mechanics IMO.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Meh. If +2 to stat is the defining trait of a race, the loss doesn’t mean much.

I wouldn't say +2 is a minor bonus. But races were usually more than just a bonus like that. In 2E for instance you had ability requirements before you could even choose a race, then you had ability modifiers. On top of that, you had a whole bucket of stuff in the entry. Just taking the halfling as an example:


Classes available: Cleric, Fighter, Thief, or Fighter/Thief
Langauge selection
Resistance to magic that translates into saving throw bonus based on Con score
Resistance to poisons that functions on same principle
Bonus when using slings
Bonus to surprise
Potential for infravision
Stoutblood can discern sloping passages with 75% accuracy
Strength penalty and dexterity bonus (mentioned both in entry and in racial adjustment table)

Then compare to elves:

Classes available: cleric, fighter, mage, thief, ranger. Fighter/Mage, fighter/thief, fighter/mage/thief, mage/thief
Language selection
90% resistance to sleep and charm
Bonus to bows
Surprise bonus
Infravision up to 60 feet
Detect secret doors
Dex Bonus, Con penalty

and so on

People don't have to like all these elements, but I think it is hard to argue they aren't distinct. I do think reducing races to just a single bonus or something really misses the value racial selection in D&D has added. But then making them totally meaningless and just a simple cultural overlay also misses the value.

If the only thing that makes your character different from mine is a +1 to hit and damage, then we might as well toss races completely.

I would not say this is meaningless, but I also agree this shouldn't be the only thing that differentiates races

The impact of choosing a race should have pretty much zero to do with mechanics IMO.

This I would disagree with. Preference obviously, but I like when this kind of choice has mechanical heft in the game

 

[Emberashh]

Bwuh? How do you use d20+mods to “win the fight”?

Easily. You roll, I roll. Highest wins.

Its a resolution mechanic. Thats all it ever has been.

And how is combat resolution not pretty core to DnD’s core resolution mechanics?

Because its not just used for combat. And frankly that should be self-evident given DND isn't just combat.

 

[MGibster]

The impact of choosing a race should have pretty much zero to do with mechanics IMO.

As far as I can tell, the main impact race has on the game is being able to better see in the dark and of course in the player's mind. But if you replace that halfling Wizard with an elf, dwarf, human, or goliath it won't have a significant impact on how the game is played. At least not in any module or campaign from TSR or WotC that I've seen. And with a big push online to make D&D more generic, i.e. YOUR D&D, you might as well get rid of species and just provide simple rules to creating your own for your campaign.

 

[Scribe]

And with a big push online to make D&D more generic, i.e. YOUR D&D, you might as well get rid of species and just provide simple rules to creating your own for your campaign.

It pains me that instead we wouldnt, you know, make the various species actually interesting.

 

[Micah Sweet]

It pains me that instead we wouldnt, you know, make the various species actually interesting.

This is why no one should trust the purveyers of the most popular to do anything specific for your game.

 

[Scribe]

This is why no one should trust the purveyers of the most popular to do anything specific for your game.

Yeah, at this point. I am just crossing my fingers we get a slightly updated SRD (Artificer really) and then....yeah I dont really care. I can fix the rest.

 

[Emberashh]

It pains me that instead we wouldnt, you know, make the various species actually interesting.

Its a self-imposed cursed problem.

If they make Races more interesting, they risk pissing off the people who can't deal with character building being mildly more complex.

If they don't make Races more interesting, they risk pissing off the people who are tired of 5e's anemic design.

If they try to hit the middle, they risk screwing it up and pissing everyone off.

So they make the system as light, permissive, and non-prescriptive as possible. And still piss some people off.

Pissing people off wouldn't be a problem if they had a specific vision in mind and stuck by it; designers need not concern themselves with people not in their audience.

 

[Scribe]

Pissing people off wouldn't be a problem if they had a specific vision in mind and stuck by it; designers need not concern themselves with people not in their audience.

Your post is fully correct, but this part in particular has been my problem with Wizards for years now.