Unpopular opinions go here

[pemerton]

Sure but it is still an important detail, and it is something that would matter if a character were to be aged.

But why wouldn't magic aging be proportionate?

I mean, the interaction between the ghost aging rules in AD&D, and the life expectancies of demihumans, is basically arbitrary. Likewise the fact that spell-induced aging doesn't bother demihumans.

 

[pemerton]

My memory is of a dragon magazine article. Which suggested that, and, possibly trance, as well. Maybe those changes also appeared in a later supplement, maybe even UA or 2e?

Only Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin) have ultravision, of the UA-legal demihumans.

 

[aramis erak]

You're not engaging what I said at all. Do feel free to try again.

What you're claiming is patently false - D&D 5E defines 3 types of rolls as the core mechanic, and they differ only slightly
Attack Rolls
Saving Throws
Ability Checks

2 of the 3 are combat focused. Sure, they're in different chapters... but they are the three most common rules interactions, and they're all 1d20+PB+AttMod if proficient, 1d20+AttMod if not proficient. What differs are the 1's and 20's effects.

Most PHB spells are combat focused, some of which have non combat uses. Similarly feats and class abilities.

The other two claimed pillars of play are not mechanicalized well in the classes, feats, nor spells. Much of the playtest feedback revolved around combat balance.

Given all those, claiming D&D 5E isn't combat focused seems rather disconnected from reality.

The intent can be inferred by the competent English reading individual - the intent was to have social there as a backup in case people are dump-statting Charisma. Exploration is intended to lead to exciting combats. Combats have the most detail, and the most mechanical support, so many are going to use what they have been given...

Can one run a zero-combat D&D game? Sure - in any edition, even - but that doesn't make it not-combat-focused.

It does, however, leave out half the spells, and the main purpose for the Fighter, Barbarian, and Warlock classes to exist in setting.

 

[Aldarc]

World of Warcraft would have been a much better game - with more organic growth of classes, races, and lore - without the Alliance vs. Horde faction split from the start of the game. The fanbase would have also been less toxic across the board.

Edit: I don't think that this opinion is that unpopular or controversial, but I do think that there are a fair number of WoW fans out there who love the two factions and/or feel faction pride.

 

[aramis erak]

DM fiat and house rules are the single best tools for making the game fun. Like any good tool, it can be misused, but that's not the tool's fault.

I've found that, as both player and GM, antithetical to enjoyable gaming.

Random GM whims generally are bad in my experience. Few GM's house rules are well thought out, and most I've heard of result in breaking things elsewhere.

Totally freeform? you're no longer playing a game... you are playing, but it's no longer a game. Nor is it D&D anymore.... but it might be Kriegspiel...

 

[Jd Smith1]

Unpopular opinion. Unless you’re the world’s best referee (and you are not) you cannot reasonably expect 100% attention from your players for 4-6 hours. Also note, things like ADHD exist and there’s a good chance someone in your group has it…if not multiple people. Their brain is literally incapable of giving you 100% attention for 4-6 hours. Them diving into their cell phone is infinitely less distracting and disruptive to the rest of the table than the other options. Constantly rolling dice, talking over people, interrupting, talking about unrelated things, playing with the maps and minis, etc. Trust me. You’d much rather they stare at their phone for a few minutes at a time when it’s not their turn. You can choose to take it as an insult or disrespect. But chances are that is them being as respectful as they can be…by not disrupting the game for everyone else. Source: I am a gamer with ADHD and I’m the father of a gamer with ADHD.

I have avoided ADHD gamers, F2F and online.

I have found that using a VTT helps keep gamers focused, as the video gaming conditioning kicks in.

I don't use video when gaming online because I find it distracting, and my gamers are all ugly and the wrong gender.

 

[Bedrockgames]

But why wouldn't magic aging be proportionate?

I mean, the interaction between the ghost aging rules in AD&D, and the life expectancies of demihumans, is basically arbitrary. Likewise the fact that spell-induced aging doesn't bother demihumans.

It could be either. Since ghosts and magic aging don't exist, anything is possible. I think it is both more intuitive and more interesting to have it be the same (presumably 1 year is of equal value to a ghost whether it comes from a human or elf). But that is also just one example. Like I said, in a long enough campaign or a campaign where time elapses, those aging modifiers and your max age range can become very important. I just don't see the value in making these physical differences between races mechanically meaningless

 

[Cadence]

I never did get the argument that floating ASI's makes all species the same.

I thought the argument made by some was that they help distinguish them?

A Tortle has an AC 17, and can go prone in shell to raise this to 21.

A Tabaxi can double it's speed each turn in combat as long as they didn't move in their previous turn.

These are far more interesting, fun and flavourful than +1, +2

The Cat person and the Turtle person are certainly very different without any help from ASIs! I'm guessing the Bird person and Fish person would be too. A bunch of the races in the PHB are different kind of "Demi-humans" in the old parlance and apparently need more help?

 

[Bedrockgames]

and the life expectancies of demihumans, is basically arbitrary

I don't think this is true at all. A lot of elven behavior and personality is explained as a product of their longevity. This goes for other races as well (humanities fleeting mortality is also an important part of their character). People don't have to like the life spans but I always found elven longevity an interesting feature and it didn't seem like they just slapped it in there without any thought to me

 

[Hussar]

I don't think this is true at all. A lot of elven behavior and personality is explained as a product of their longevity. This goes for other races as well (humanities fleeting mortality is also an important part of their character). People don't have to like the life spans but I always found elven longevity an interesting feature and it didn't seem like they just slapped it in there without any thought to me

That's the point though. If you're playing an elf, the fact that you are essentially, at least from the point of view of most of the other races, immortal SHOULD be a HUGE element in your character. It has virtually no actual mechanical import or impact, but, elven longevity is probably one of the biggest defining elements of elves in D&D.

Of course, since many players play elves as just humans that can see in the dark, any actual distinctiveness is generally lost at the table - so, in a way I suppose, the mechanical stuff does at least serve some purpose in making some sort of attempt to make your elven fighter different than my human fighter.

IMO, the mechanical stuff is the least interesting part of the races.