D&D (2024) D&D species article

[Chaosmancer]

What's the symmetry of Human-Orc?

Well, the obvious first comparison was tribal societies vs town based societies but...

That's culture with in not assumed.

Try again

Okay, fine, you want a different angle. How about the adaptability and versatility of humans (mechanically represented) against the unstoppable, unyielding toughness of the orcs (mechanically represented).

Don't like that?

Humans are the race most commonly found to have nobility and lines of succession, orcs tend to have rule based on might makes right and sacred ceremonies.

Another? I could, but again, the point is you CAN find these things if you look for them. So, how about this, Other than "culture doesn't count" what reasons do you have that these cannot possibly be contrasted?

What's the symmetry of Dwarf-Elf?

Um... two of the most common fantasy races of all time?

Yes really.

These arent the Anti-magic Dwarfs of the past.

This isn't Warhammer or 1e.

Try again.

Who needs to be Anti-magic? You have Forest vs Mountain, Wood and Nature vs Forge and Steel, Tall lithe and beautiful vs rough short and stocky, Sword and Bow vs Axe and Hammer.

It is Elf vs Dwarf. Literally one of the most common fantasy opposites in the entire genre of fantasy. Again, other than "Culture doesn't count anymore because WoTC bad" what objections do you have to state that Elf Vs Dwarf cannot possibly be a contrasted pair?

 

[Chaosmancer]

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.

No, it wasn't. Everyone was just saying that Aasimar should be in the book, since they were the counterpart. No one was referencing 2e Elven Celestials and saying that Elves were taking the role of tiefling counterpart.

 

[Corinnguard]

One isn't a better route than the other. And I actually think this one is more interesting, simply because no one thought about it in all the "I bet we will see three different lineages for the three different celestial realms, just like with tieflings" discussions everyone was having.

Truth. It seemed like, for a time, everyone was focused on their replacements, the Ardlings and their three different lineages.

 

[Minigiant]

Okay, fine, you want a different angle. How about the adaptability and versatility of humans (mechanically represented) against the unstoppable, unyielding toughness of the orcs (mechanically represented).

Don't like that?

Humans are the race most commonly found to have nobility and lines of succession, orcs tend to have rule based on might makes right and sacred ceremonies.

Another? I could, but again, the point is you CAN find these things if you look for them. So, how about this, Other than "culture doesn't count" what reasons do you have that these cannot possibly be contrasted?

Culture doesn't count.

Orcs can be kings and run governments. WOTC removed these mental blocks from them.

Orcs are more British than humans but humans are no way paragons of civility.

Who needs to be Anti-magic? You have Forest vs Mountain, Wood and Nature vs Forge and Steel, Tall lithe and beautiful vs rough short and stocky, Sword and Bow vs Axe and Hammer.

It is Elf vs Dwarf. Literally one of the most common fantasy opposites in the entire genre of fantasy. Again, other than "Culture doesn't count anymore because WoTC bad" what objections do you have to state that Elf Vs Dwarf cannot possibly be a contrasted pair?

Again

Culture doesn't count.

DROW
SEA ELVES
SHADAR KAI
ASTRAL ELVES

No wood and forests found.



Again. You are using Past D&D to design Modern D&D.

 

[Xeviat]

You know, removing the cultural features from the Species really makes them boring to me. I'm really glad A5E split Lineage and Culture.

 

[Corinnguard]

You know, removing the cultural features from the Species really makes them boring to me. I'm really glad A5E split Lineage and Culture.

The split into heritage and culture adds another degree of customization in the character creation process for A5e. Especially when your character is raised in a culture not associated with their heritage. It also has an RL feel to it.

 

[Yaarel]

Culture doesn't count.

DROW
SEA ELVES
SHADAR KAI
ASTRAL ELVES

No wood and forests found.


Again. You are using Past D&D to design Modern D&D.

Magic is a cultural choice, like speaking a language is a cultural choice.

The elven cultures are magical cultures. Strictly culture.

Same species, different cultures.

 

[Minigiant]

Magic is a cultural choice, like speaking a language is a cultural choice.

The elven cultures are magical cultures. Strictly culture.

Same species, different cultures.

Sure

But WOTC neither made an anti magic nor martial nor Shadowfell counterpart to them.

 

[Yaarel]

Sure

But WOTC neither made an anti magic nor martial nor Shadowfell counterpart to them.

I view Elf versus Human as the main contrast: magical idealism versus realistic pragmatism.

I dont think the Elf versus Dwarf is true anymore: Dwarves abandoned "antimagic" editions and decades ago, and any species can be any body shape. Both are equally magic item oriented, and equally artistic. Personalities for both can be anything. Dwarves tend to be "earthy", but Wood culture is also "earthy".

 

[Micah Sweet]

Culture doesn't count.

Orcs can be kings and run governments. WOTC removed these mental blocks from them.

Orcs are more British than humans but humans are no way paragons of civility.



Again

Culture doesn't count.

DROW
SEA ELVES
SHADAR KAI
ASTRAL ELVES

No wood and forests found.



Again. You are using Past D&D to design Modern D&D.

As it should be. Culture should count. Not having it do so is IMO a design mistake on WotC's part.