D&D (2024) D&D species article

[Chaosmancer]

When the Åsimar were missing from the Players Handbook, it seemed like Tiefling and Elf were the counterparts. This was a nod to the earlier Eladrin Åsimar. It is also matches their similar "lineage" design.

Maybe to you, but I never once saw the Tiefling and the Elf as thematic counterparts. At best you can say that they are mechanically similar, but that doesn't reference Eladrin either, since the eladrin have entirely different mechanics.

But now that the Åsimar are in, the Elf/Tiefling division is less elegant.

How? Just because the elf and the tiefling share a mechanical structure, and even that is a stretch because the second you step outside "cantrip, spell, spell" they don't share essentially ANYTHING, the Aasimar never changed any of that, nor are the Aasimar required to share a mechanical structure to be thematically opposed, and it is actually interesting that they do NOT share a mechanical structure BECAUSE of what that does for the thematics.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Overall I would prefer symmetry

Human -- Orc
Dwarf -- Elf
Goliath -- Dragonborn
Halfling -- Gnome
Tiefling -- Aasimar

It isn't hard to find symmetries and patterns if you are willing to change your criteria.

 

[Corinnguard]

How? Just because the elf and the tiefling share a mechanical structure, and even that is a stretch because the second you step outside "cantrip, spell, spell" they don't share essentially ANYTHING, the Aasimar never changed any of that, nor are the Aasimar required to share a mechanical structure to be thematically opposed, and it is actually interesting that they do NOT share a mechanical structure BECAUSE of what that does for the thematics.

If the Aasimar for the 2024 PHB were redesigned to have a mechanical structure similar to the 2024 Tieflings, would that necessarily be a bad thing? Since 2e, the Aasimar have been seen as the thematic opposites of the Tieflings. 5e still has them being that, but they're structurally different now. The Tieflings still have the 'cantrip, spell, spell'. The Aasimar otoh have this revelation feature.

However, having the 2024 Tieflings come in three different kinds-infernal, abyssal and cthonic- is also thematic since now D&D is focusing more specifically on which kind of fiend they're descended from. Some of us would like to see this theme being used for the Aasimar as well.

 

[Minigiant]

Human -- Orc
Dwarf -- Elf
Goliath -- Dragonborn
Halfling -- Gnome
Tiefling -- Aasimar

It isn't hard to find symmetries and patterns if you are willing to change your criteria.

What's the symmetry of Human-Orc?

What's the symmetry of Dwarf-Elf?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

What's the symmetry of Human-Orc?

Never played Warcraft?

Civilization vs Tribalism

What's the symmetry of Dwarf-Elf?

Really????????????
You did not pay attention in the last 50 years.

 

[Minigiant]

Never played Warcraft?

Civilization vs Tribalism

That's culture with in not assumed.

Try again

Really????????????
You did not pay attention in the last 50 years.

Yes really.

These arent the Anti-magic Dwarfs of the past.

This isn't Warhammer or 1e.

Try again.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

That's culture with in not assumed.

Try again



Yes really.

These arent the Anti-magic Dwarfs of the past.

This isn't Warhammer or 1e.

Try again.

Nope. I know you are too picky (only your arguments count). So I chose to use my time better.

 

[Minigiant]

Nope. I know you are too picky (only your arguments count). So I chose to use my time better.

I'm not being picky.

WOTC took culture out of species AND removed their biological differences.

So historic complementary races no longer contrast.

Blame WOTC and the subsection of the community they overly catered to.

 

[Yaarel]

Maybe 5e should bring back 3e's Skill Synergies? 3e SRD:Table of Skill Synergies - D&D Wiki

3e had it where 5 or more ranks in a particular skill would give another skill a +2-synergy bonus. So, 5 ranks of Jump would grant a +2 bonus to Tumble checks, and vice versa. For 5e, I would probably replace the +2-synergy bonus with Advantage instead as you have one of your skills aiding another skill's skill check.

5e kinda has synergies, when pairing a skill and a tool, the check gains advantage. I love this, and it makes a lot of sense.


The main problem is the abilities themselves. They need to be defined in a way that stops overlapping with each other.

Ideally there are eight abilities:

Strength and Constitution
Dexterity and Athletics
Intelligence and Perception
Charisma and Wisdom

Each of these is roughly equal to each other, and with no overlaps.


But if six abilities, it is still possible to define each one clearly, in a way that avoids overlapping with the other abilities.

Importantly, among the physical abilities, Athletics is separate from the highly intrusive and disruptive Dexterity. Among the mental abilities, Intelligence is every form of knowledge, regardless of how the knowledge is acquired. Except, Charisma is every social skill, including empathy and insight. Always use Charisma for understanding people, motives, and relationships.

 

[Yaarel]

Maybe to you, but I never once saw the Tiefling and the Elf as thematic counterparts. At best you can say that they are mechanically similar, but that doesn't reference Eladrin either, since the eladrin have entirely different mechanics.

How? Just because the elf and the tiefling share a mechanical structure, and even that is a stretch because the second you step outside "cantrip, spell, spell" they don't share essentially ANYTHING, the Aasimar never changed any of that, nor are the Aasimar required to share a mechanical structure to be thematically opposed, and it is actually interesting that they do NOT share a mechanical structure BECAUSE of what that does for the thematics.

Eladrin are originally in 2e a kind of Angel, the Chaotic Good opposite of a Lawful Evil Devil.

But 4e disrupted this by forming the Feywild that is unaligned and can be any alignment. I prefer the Feywild by far. But the relationship between Eladrin and Chaotic Good Arborea has been awkward since then.

If the Tiefling lacked the Aasimar, it is possible to make the Elf the counterpart with some adjustments. It would mean something like LG, TG, CG Elves. I dont think this is worth doing, but was kinda happening when the Aasimar were absent.