D&D General [+] More Robust 'Fantasy Race' Mechanics for D&D-alikes / Redeeming 'Race as Class' for Modern D&D [+]

[TwoSix]

If you truly want Humans to be the golden child stop beating around and DO it. Give them obvious advantages instead of making all the other races play in the cruel shoes. That is my main objection is that Humans are not actually better, everyone else is worse. This does however follow the trope of D&D being a No system.

And if that was what I wanted, I would do it.

 

[Micah Sweet]

If you truly want Humans to be the golden child stop beating around and DO it. Give them obvious advantages instead of making all the other races play in the cruel shoes. That is my main objection is that Humans are not actually better, everyone else is worse. This does however follow the trope of D&D being a No system.

There's a trope that D&D is a No system?

 

[Mannahnin]

If you truly want Humans to be the golden child stop beating around and DO it. Give them obvious advantages instead of making all the other races play in the cruel shoes. That is my main objection is that Humans are not actually better, everyone else is worse. This does however follow the trope of D&D being a No system.

Is being, say, 1 level ahead not "being better"?

 

[Tesral]

There's a trope that D&D is a No system?

Well yes. D&Ds default answer to any idea is no. It might be no, but. But it is no. The skill system is Exhibit A. You can't do that if this. We give you X points then take half away if you don't stay in the class box. The restriction on non-humans in AD&D. Stat limits, level limits. AD&D is all about limits, not possibilities.

Contrast to Pathfinder were skill point are skill points and class skills give you a +3 instead of hobbling all other skills.

 

[jmartkdr2]

This is still hobbling everyone else to make Humans look good. Why is a floating stat bump and and extra skill point not enough?

Because then all other races cannot have features any better than a feat and a skill point. Which barely captures what elves traditionally get, let alone more powerful races like genasi or centaurs.

If level adjustment isn't an option, all races must be balanced, which is highly limiting terms of design space.

 

[Tesral]

Because then all other races cannot have features any better than a feat and a skill point. Which barely captures what elves traditionally get, let alone more powerful races like genasi or centaurs.

If level adjustment isn't an option, all races must be balanced, which is highly limiting terms of design space.

So give Humans more. Give them bonus feats. A +2 plus in perception (or spot search) because Humans are the pattren reconition masters. Give it to them every other round. A roll for adrenaline boost. +7 to strength. for length of combat. Also they get 2d10 temporary hit points. Ignore stun, ilness or other such effects. If 5e they are at advantage for the rest of the combat. They pay with instant fatigue after. Toss in an endurance bonus.

Give Humans sopmething postitive.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Well yes. D&Ds default answer to any idea is no. It might be no, but. But it is no. The skill system is Exhibit A. You can't do that if this. We give you X points then take half away if you don't stay in the class box. The restriction on non-humans in AD&D. Stat limits, level limits. AD&D is all about limits, not possibilities.

Contrast to Pathfinder were skill point are skill points and class skills give you a +3 instead of hobbling all other skills.

I have no issues with certain activities being functionally impossible to accomplish without training and/or tools.

 

[Tesral]

I have no issues with certain activities being functionally impossible to accomplish without training and/or tools.

Some yes. You either can swim, or you don't is a good example. No one gets to craft a sword with their bare hands. (Except Fullautomatix)

 

[Lanefan]

Ok, but then do the humans get to just be BETTER than everyone else in trade for their limited class selection?

No. The original question that brought this up was one of how to make Humans a bit weaker in order to make non-Human species more attractive to play, and this was my off-the-cuff idea for such as inspired by @GobHag .

And if so, does that mean the core four classes have to be weaker in trade? If so, of course, no one else will want to be one.

The classes stay as they are.

 

[Lanefan]

So give Humans more. Give them bonus feats. A +2 plus in perception (or spot search) because Humans are the pattren reconition masters. Give it to them every other round. A roll for adrenaline boost. +7 to strength. for length of combat. Also they get 2d10 temporary hit points. Ignore stun, ilness or other such effects. If 5e they are at advantage for the rest of the combat. They pay with instant fatigue after. Toss in an endurance bonus.

Give Humans sopmething postitive.

Does the game really need yet more power creep?