D&D (2024) D&D species article

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Verisimilitude.

A low-Str max-20kg person effectively using a rapier in one hand breaks my verisimilitude just as much as them waving a twohander around.

 

[Scribe]

A low-Str max-20kg person effectively using a rapier in one hand breaks my verisimilitude just as much as them waving a twohander around.

Even if its an appropriate for their size rapier?

 

[Micah Sweet]

A low-Str max-20kg person effectively using a rapier in one hand breaks my verisimilitude just as much as them waving a twohander around.

Fair. That should be a problem too, especially if the rapier is full-sized.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Verisimilitude.

Does your game fancy giant spiders? If yes, you already have thrown versimilitude to the wind.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Does your game fancy giant spiders? If yes, you already have thrown versimilitude to the wind.

There are always magical explanations for stuff like that. You use them when obvious stuff like ridiculously huge spiders show up. Also dragons.

Feel free to try again. Verisimilitude doesn't mean everything is just like the real world. It means there are reasons for everything and those reasons are consistent.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Even if its an appropriate for their size rapier?

They are not controlling any kind of a space with that length, then, and they just do not have the push behind the blade for it to do any actual damage. Stepping into a thrust is very different when done by an 80kg person than a toddler, kind of a thing.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Ability score adjustments for species aren't good. Ability scores don't enough unless they are vastly different.

A 18 Str Orc and a 14 Str Halfling don't really have that much of a different in actual strength. It only affects classes IE fun.

Instead every race should have traits that modify their formula and stats.

• STRENGTH
  • Powerful Build
• DEXTERITY
  • Naturally Stealthy
  • Nimble
  • Nimble Escape
• CONSTITUTION
  • Relentless
  • Resilience
  • Toughness
• INTELLIGENCE
  • Cunning
  • Extra Skill
• WISDOM
  • Keen Senses
• CHARISMA
  • ????

Yeah, these sorts of traits are exactly the kind of things that ought to be used to differentiate the strengths of various species IMO.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

There are always magical explanations for stuff like that. You use them when obvious stuff like ridiculously huge spiders show up. Also dragons.

I keep saying that any Str20 halfling clearly fell into a cauldron of Str potion juice as a baby. That's just how they've been since.

 

[Minigiant]

It's just like @EzekielRaiden said.

It's the Trilemma

Normally it's Fast, Good, Cheap, Pick 2.

For D&D and most TTRPGs it's

Broad, Reliable, Simple, Pick 2.

If you want a halfling and a orc to exist in the same game and make sense you're going to have to increase the complexity or unreliability of the game.

2014 5e was just a bit below the sweet spot.

Orcs had double carrying capacity.
Halflings and Gnomes could not wield two handed weapons.

Just adding a little squirt more of more penalty and corresponding bonus to balance it out like an AC bonus Would have put it in the perfect spot.

But Wizards went the opposite direction

 

[Scribe]

They are not controlling any kind of a space with that length, then, and they just do not have the push behind the blade for it to do any actual damage. Stepping into a thrust is very different when done by an 80kg person than a toddler, kind of a thing.

I largely agree, we all have our lines in the sand on this particular thing.