20 levels of Race?

[Derren]

Yeah, I can't wait to play my level 20 stereotype.

Not sure if that is what you wanted to imply but I see race as levels as a very horrible idea as it would just reinforce racial stereotypes.

What abilities do you give a dwarf over 20 levels? Keeping them all generic is pretty much impossible. So you will end up with a race for fighters, a race for wizards, etc. just because their racial levels synergize with the class very well.

Worse, WotC likely can't resist adding the usual "dwarfs are miners and fight with axes" and "elves use bows" stereotypes to the racial levels, making it even harder to play something which goes against LotR.

 

[Leatherhead]

A songless bard with ¼ sneak attack progression.
Nale from OotS basically.

Sounds like a Factotum (3.x dungeonscape) to me.

Which I would be cool with, Factotums are fun.

 

[Leatherhead]

Yeah, I can't wait to play my level 20 stereotype.

But if you don't have stereotypes to rebel against, how would anyone make all the Drizzt clones?