D&D (2024) D&D species article

[mamba]

Stealth does not equate to dex. All dex is stealth does not mean that all stealth is dex. The same goes for sleight of hand, deception, etc. Stats add to skills, but skills don't necessarily add to stats.

which is why boosting Dex for a stealthy race has ‘side effects’

 

[Minigiant]

Weightlifting is a reallife skill. A character should be able to have "Weight Training" as a skill proficiency. Lifting extreme weights is an ability check that the skill adds proficiency to, and the Strength adds an ability bonus to. Meanwhile, a character that is significantly larger will additionally have a significantly higher carrying capacity.

I long said 5e should have a weightlifting skill


Strength (Weightlifting)

 

[CreamCloud0]

Can you provide an example of a better-developed trait for Strength?

so, to design a trait to better embody a 'strong species' representation as strong i would want something much more well rounded to cover all areas their strength should affect like:
powerful build 2.0
-you count as one size larger when determining the weight you can push, drag or lift.
-you have advantage when making STR skill checks. (is this the right wording to work on pure strength checks but not attack rolls?)
-you have advantage on damage rolls when you make an attack using your STR score.
-you may hold weapons with the VERSATILE property in one hand and use the 2-handed damage die.
-increase the ranges for weapons with the THROWN property by 50% or 15ft (whichever is larger).
-small creatures with this trait ignore the disadvantage imposed when using HEAVY weapons.

Are you also advocating a name change for the stat currently referred to as Strength? Because if not, this is going to be confusing and counter-intuitive.

i think you misunderstood the intent of what my post was saying there, i was trying to say that there are other ways to design a 'strong species' to be strong than purely with a sky high STR ability score.

 

[Yaarel]

so, to design a trait to better embody a 'strong species' representation as strong i would want something much more well rounded to cover all areas their strength should affect like:
powerful build 2.0
-you count as one size larger when determining the weight you can push, drag or lift.
-you have advantage when making STR skill checks. (is this the right wording to work on pure strength checks but not attack rolls?)

Yeah, the above sounds good.

Below, I would handle the combat aspects of separately.

-you have advantage on damage rolls when you make an attack using your STR score.
-you may hold weapons with the VERSATILE property in one hand and use the 2-handed damage die.
-increase the ranges for weapons with the THROWN property by 50% or 15ft (whichever is larger).
-small creatures with this trait ignore the disadvantage imposed when using HEAVY weapons.

Size in itself has no combat mechanics but other mechanics might refer to it.

I would eliminate mechanics for "weapon sizes".

Instead, I would grant the creature − not the weapon − a damage bonus.

Something like:
Large Momentum. Once per round, on an attack that hits that relies on Strength, you can add an additional 1d6 to the damage type.

The for Large the Size bonus to damage is 1d6. For Huge, 2d6, and for Gargantuan 3d6.

The Size bonus can be added separately via a feat. Some species might have this feat as part of its traits.

The weapon size lacks special mechanics, however the weapon must be made for a Large wielder to wield it proficiently. Likewise, armor must be the appropriate size to wear proficiently.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Yeah, the above sounds good.

Below, I would handle the combat aspects of separately.

Size in itself has no combat mechanics but other mechanics might refer to it.

I would eliminate mechanics for "weapon sizes".

Instead, I would grant the creature − not the weapon − a damage bonus.

Something like:
Large Momentum. Once per round, on an attack that hits that relies on Strength, you can add an additional 1d6 to the damage type.

The for Large the Size bonus to damage is 1d6. For Huge, 2d6, and for Gargantuan 3d6.

The Size bonus can be added separately via a feat. Some species might have this feat as part of its traits.

The weapon size lacks special mechanics, however the weapon must be made for a Large wielder to wield it proficiently. Likewise, armor must be the appropriate size to wear proficiently.

??? I never mentioned weapon sizes, only that small creatures have disadvantage using heavy weapons, it’s a trait for any species stronger than average for creatures their size

I dislike adding the once per turn mechanic to their extra damage, a species is not ‘especially strong’ only once per round

 

[Yaarel]

??? I never mentioned weapon sizes, only that small creatures have disadvantage using heavy weapons, it’s a trait for any species stronger than average for creatures their size

In my eyes, Small character wielding Medium weapon relates to weapon sizes.

Ideally, the same rules that apply to Medium-Large, also apply to Small-Medium.

I dislike adding the once per turn mechanic to their extra damage, a species is not ‘especially strong’ only once per round

Narratively, the once-per-turn mechanic relates to giant lumbering clumsy lurching, that might only get a full swing in with full momentum about only once per round. Other feats can be available to increasing frequency of the extra damage, in which case, the creature would seem weirdly swift and "small" − like an elephant tap dancing or whatever.

 

[Maxperson]

Your are missing my point. You can have the same strength score and that strength can be applied differently.

I will give you two simple personal examples (though it goes much deeper and wider than these).

1. My dog is smaller and weaker than me. His strength score is probably half mine at best. However, he is much faster than me (absolutely) and can pull more weight than me (proportionally). That can't be expressed by a strength score alone. He can apply his lesser strength differently than me to accomplish athletic feats beyond me.
2. When I was a freshman at university I was on the track team, ran a sub 2 min 1/2 mile and could squat over 600lbs. At that time Mike Powell had just broken the long jump WR at over 29'. He was noted as being able to squat 600lbs. We had the same STR score, but there is no way I could long jump 29' even though I was a fairly highly trained athlete myself.

There are so many variables that go into a display of strength (training, morphology, mindset, culture, etc.) that it is completely acceptable, and realistic IMO and IME, that this could be, possibly should be, accommodated with more than a simple strength score.

I get what you are saying, but my response is the same. The game doesn't get that detailed, so stronger = bonus to str stat. It doesn't get into 4 legs allowing you to pull better. It doesn't get into different kinds of athletic training. It's just strength. And just athletics.

 

[Maxperson]

Weightlifting is a reallife skill. A character should be able to have "Weight Training" as a skill proficiency. Lifting extreme weights is an ability check that the skill adds proficiency to, and the Strength adds an ability bonus to. Meanwhile, a character that is significantly larger will additionally have a significantly higher carrying capacity.

No. Or kinda sorta. Training makes a difference, but they build a ton of strength to do it. It's not just skill. I don't care how good a person is at weightlifting, if he isn't also very strong, he's not going to be very good at it.

 

[Maxperson]

which is why boosting Dex for a stealthy race has ‘side effects’

Which race is that? Elves are otherworldy graceful. Halflings are very nimble. Tabaxi are cats for God's sake. What race has gotten a dex bonus for just being stealthy?

 

[Maxperson]

I long said 5e should have a weightlifting skill


Strength (Weightlifting)

That would be athletics.