D&D (2024) 2024 Player's Handbook Reveal: Feats/Backgrounds/Species

[Nikosandros]

I think that the reason because WotC (and a lot of posters) are OK with ASI for backgrounds and not for species/race is deeply political and cultural and, as such, I believe it to be off-bounds for this site.

 

[Micah Sweet]

And again, one is not innate. The other is. The one that is innate has been considered inflammatory for a very long time. The other one, not so much. That is until people try to make it about something that is inflammatory. But when presented with:

PC One grew up around scholars, laboratories, books, wizards, and had private tutors. PC Two grew up around beggars, thieves, and inside a brothel. Therefore, PC One knows more arcana than the latter at the start of the game.

Versus this take:

PC One was born a half-orc. While he is stronger than the average wizard, he is not as smart. PC Two was born a high elf. Therefore, he knows more arcana than the half-orc.

For some, this second example is a representation of racist ideas that are sometimes reflected in modern society. Hence, it's more inflammatory.

Like I said earlier, a pure political move meant to draw off social heat. It has nothing to do with improving gameplay, and makes no mechanical difference, particularly in the long run.

 

[Xamnam]

Unless those other players are at your table, I don't see how that has anything to with what you do.

Why wouldn't I care about things that actively bother other people, even if it doesn't affect me (and if I gain nothing from it personally), especially if their arguments are persuasive?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

And yet, both those things used to be in the PH.

And for custom backgrounds it did not help at all... how many people took the sailor background because of perception proficiency... (it was in so many guides...)

 

[Micah Sweet]

Why wouldn't I care about things that actively bother other people, even if it doesn't affect me (and if I gain nothing from it personally), especially if their arguments are persuasive?

Well I suppose it is up to you. Lots of things bother lots of people though, and some are contradictory. You can't crusade for them all.

 

[Minigiant]

I think that the reason because WotC (and a lot of posters) are OK with ASI for backgrounds and not for species/race is deeply political and cultural and, as such, I believe it to be off-bounds for this site.

And it's better this way

Orcs having Powerful Build and Gnomes having Gnome Cunning match more how people see them.

The +2 ultimately does nothing in comparison and just causes mechanics and power gaming headaches.

 

[Micah Sweet]

And it's better this way

Orcs having Powerful Build and Gnomes having Gnome Cunning match more how people see them.

The +2 ultimately does nothing in comparison and just causes mechanics and power gaming headaches.

And attaching the same mechanic to backgrounds doesn't cause mechanics and power gaming headaches?

 

[Nikosandros]

And it's better this way

Orcs having Powerful Build and Gnomes having Gnome Cunning match more how people see them.

The +2 ultimately does nothing in comparison and just causes mechanics and power gaming headaches.

For me, the better option would have been floating ASI. I very much dislike having them tied to backgrounds and I plan to use the customization rules to effectively make them floating.

 

[Belen]

I have no idea if that's true, but a similar narrative would explain why "urchins" are "wayfarers" now. That's another one that really annoys me, because "wayfarer" just means "someone who travels a lot, usually on foot." There is no connotation of growing up on the streets and learning to use thieves' tools, both of which we've been told are baked into the "wayfarer" background. That background isn't describing a wayfarer, it's describing an urchin.

It sounds like they hired sensitivity readers. I use them a lot in scientific publishing right now.

 

[Parmandur]

It sounds like they hired sensitivity readers. I use them a lot in scientific publishing right now.

Yes, each bit of text now goes by two sensitivity readers, both of whom have veto power.