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Message: <blockquote data-quote="clutchbone" data-source="post: 7187336" data-attributes="member: 98332">When assigning a feature or skill, it should fit the theme of the entire race. Every member gets this as a baseline, either because of their culture or their genetics. Take half-orcs and goliaths; sure they are both stronger than humans, but they come from different places. Half-orcs share blood with the traditional enemies of the "civilized" races, and constantly feel the shame and fear of those around them, and they struggle to control their Gruumsh-given rage. This theme makes sense for why every half-orc would have the intimidation skill, because they are constantly put in hostile social situations. But nothing is mentioned about half-orcs being athletes, It's more than just being "ugly". Likewise, being athletic is more than just being "strong". I know plenty of strong guys who aren't athletic in any sense; they could throw me across a room, but they can't climb a fence or jump to save their lives. Goliaths, on the other hand, are mountain dwellers who are constantly climbing and jumping, and their entire culture revolves around competition and physical fitness, so it that is why every Goliath character comes with Athletics, and why every Goliath is not proficient with intimidation.Maybe this is overthinking it for just an extra skill, but in terms of d&d design, it's as much about crafting a "flavour" as it is about balancing numbers. Its gotta make sense.Dragonborn:<s>- Menacing.</s><s> You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.</s> Sure they may look ugly to us, but they aren't an overly aggressive race. In the PHB, the dragonborn flavour text describes them as community oriented with a continual drive for self improvement. "A dragonborn holds mastery of a particular skill as a lifetime goal." In this case, an extra floating untyped skill or tool, or alternatively double proficiency on one skill they are already proficient in, might make sense.Gnome:- Forest Gnome. <s>You gain proficiency in the Nature or Animal Handling skill.</s> Gnomes are honestly fine and don't need anything. Small size isn't that bad; what gnome would ever want to wield a greataxe anyways? For the Forest gnome, the Nature skill is booklearning, and just because they are smart it doesn't mean every forest gnome has been educated about the genus and phyla of a common sparrow, or whatever. Most have never even left their own forest. And they have Speak with Beasts so they don't need Animal Handling. No reason why they need to be good at horseriding or calming down spooked cattle as well as talking with tiny forest animals. - Rock Gnome. My problem with rock gnomes is that Tinker is lame. I'd straight replace it with the prestidigitation cantrip.- Deep Gnome.<s> You gain proficiency in the Arcana skill.</s> Arcana is booklearning, and there's nothing in the theme that says all deep gnomes learn about magical theory and lore along with reading and writing.Halflings - Musicus overrates the impact of small size, and underrates Lucky. They should be -.5 and +1 (or even 1.5 - it's always on, never needs to recharge), respectively. Half-Orc: <s>You gain proficiency in the Athletics skill.</s> Not thematic.Human: 2 skill or tool proficiencies <s>and a 30 ft. climbing or swimming speed</s> Why the climb or swim speed? Humans aren't tritons. Most humans aren't even athletic, let alone as good as swimming as a triton or as good a climber as an ape.Tiefling: You gain proficiency in the Deception skill. This fits.Genasi - Elemental Expertise. When you make an Intelligence ability check related to your elemental affinity, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply. This is makes sense.Goliath:<s> You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.</s> Not thematic.</blockquote>

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