D&D (2024) D&D species article

[Parmandur]

they're always, permanently (or at least until, like, level 8 to 12, depending on how WotC do it) more stupid than a similar character from a noble background or the like

Not really the case: someone of the noble Background has access to putting their floating ASI (because they are still floating within the confines of the Background, the bonuses are not assigned) i to Intelligence if they so choose, doesn't guarantee they will be more Intelligent than someone who doesn't.

 

[CreamCloud0]

No, this is what you described:

If it says "proficient in Dwarven" on the PC's character sheet, but the PC never speaks Dwarven in the game, then the PC is not speaking Dwarven. If it says "proficient with light hammers and warhammers" on the PC's character sheet, but the PC never wields one of those weapons in the game, then how has it been established the PC knows how to use them?


Again, this is false. Nothing in the rules prevents you from building the character you described.


I believe I'm following you just fine. You just have a narrow view about what's possible for some reason.


The game gives players lots of options. There's no requirement to use all of them.


I don't know what you mean by "require". The 2014 rules make it possible to play a stereotypical dwarf. They don't force you to.

Even if they never speak a word of it What Happens when they’re spoken to in dwarvish though? Or encounter dwarven runes? They’ll understand them, they can’t not, because they know the dwarven language, that’s a true fact about the character.

You can’t just close your eyes and cover your ears and hope those features will disappear, because they don’t.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Not really the case: someone of the noble Background has access to putting their floating ASI (because they are still floating within the confines of the Background, the bonuses are not assigned) i to Intelligence if they so choose, doesn't guarantee they will be more Intelligent than someone who doesn't.

Yes really the case in any actually-relevant example, such as two Wizards.

Yes obviously a Fighter is not going to be more intelligent, but that's meaningless and irrelevant. If we're using the standard array, someone with INT in their background will be able to start with 17 INT, and someone without, only 15.

That's bad on both mechanical and conceptual levels. Conceptually those seem like very different numbers - mechanically they are significantly different (anyone coming to me with "it's only 5%!", no buddy, that's absolutely not how actual maths work, I'm just telling you that right now). And because of the way ASIs work, they cap will stay in place until you've had multiple opportunities to raise the the stat.

Further, what you're not getting is, they may have to essentially WASTE the +2/+1. For example. You want to play a Wizard, you want them to have backstory X. Backstory X dictates Background Y. Background Y offers you +STR, CHA or WIS. As a Wizard, you don't really want any of those much. But you must put the +2 in one of them and you must put the +1 in another.

Even a better scenario, like you have DEX, CON and CHA maybe, you have to go for suboptimal stats (probably +2 CON, +1 DEX or swapping them depending on breakpoints), rather than +2 INT.

You've got to waste more than the equivalent of an entire Feat just to get equal! That's bonkers!

And it's purely down to the whims of some clueless designer at WotC, given we voted for a different approach and they never playtested this one!

EDIT - Obviously in real play the inverse will happen, which is that people will simply select from the very narrow selection of backgrounds that don't make them throw stat points on the ground and set them on fire lol. Like whatever backgrounds offer +INT and either +DEX or CON, those will be like 95% of Wizards

 

[DarkCrisis]

Or the PC could have real wings and deal with the logical consequences of such.

In my recent game, the group found plate mail fit for a dwarf. They took it to a blacksmith who fixed it up to fit a halfling. Took 2 whole minutes of roleplaying (and some gold) to sort out.

 

[Hriston]

Even if they never speak a word of it What Happens when they’re spoken to in dwarvish though? Or encounter dwarven runes? They’ll understand them, they can’t not, because they know the dwarven language, that’s a true fact about the character.

You can’t just close your eyes and cover your ears and hope those features will disappear, because they don’t.

The character was described as speaking, and last I checked the rules, the player is in control of what the character does.

 

[Parmandur]

Yes really the case in any actually-relevant example, such as two Wizards.

Yes obviously a Fighter is not going to be more intelligent, but that's meaningless and irrelevant. If we're using the standard array, someone with INT in their background will be able to start with 17 INT, and someone without, only 15.

That's bad on both mechanical and conceptual levels. Conceptually those seem like very different numbers - mechanically they are significantly different (anyone coming to me with "it's only 5%!", no buddy, that's absolutely not how actual maths work, I'm just telling you that right now). And because of the way ASIs work, they cap will stay in place until you've had multiple opportunities to raise the the stat.

I have never seen the array used in practice, nor point vuy for that matter, only rolled stats, so I wouldn't even begin to think of making that particular assumption.

So, assuming rolled stats...very possible to get a Wizard with 16-18 Intelligence from any Background. 20 is pretty unlikely, but thst is what it is.

Also an easy assumption that the DMG will make it extremely clear thst the limitations of the floating ASI is just training wheel, and I am sanguine that 99.9% of tables will be open about that.

 

[Clint_L]

I agree with you on the general idea, but there's thing that I don't understand with the way 2024 is doing it; if it's dumb to have every dwarf trained with hammer, why is it a good thing that each wood elf knows how to cast Druidcraft and Longstrider? Because it's innate magic? what if I was to add the line; "through divine inspiration of the Rune-Carving Mother, you are blessed with proficiency in the with hammer and axe and your choice of Mason, Smith or Woodcarver tools?

To me, in both cases, it kinda looks like biodeterminism with a good veneer of Arcane mumbo-jumbo.

I take your point. I'm okay with species traits such as darkvision which seem like adaptations. Innate magic could be interpreted that way, but it's marginal and I don't love it. Mostly, I would prefer traits to come from backgrounds.

 

[Clint_L]

The point that makes me want to riot is the apparent lack of half elves. The children of two worlds who are a distinct group all of their own and not either of their ancestors are an important thing in their own right. It covers things like second generation immigrants.

Not only can you still make a half-elf, you can now make a half-anything. And you can make them a "distinct group all of their own" as much as you like. Different human groups don't get their distinctiveness from unique abilities, they get their uniqueness from forging their own culture.

Edit: for example, here in Canada the Metis are a distinct group all their own not because of an ability score increase or darkvision or something, but because of historical circumstance and culture.

 

[Tonguez]

The point that makes me want to riot is the apparent lack of half elves. The children of two worlds who are a distinct group all of their own and not either of their ancestors are an important thing in their own right. It covers things like second generation immigrants

Do Tieflings cover this niche now? Formerly despised child of two worlds forging their own path...

 

[Minigiant]

Do Tieflings cover this niche now? Formerly despised child of two worlds forging their own path...

Typically Tieflings have no social connection to their fiendish side.