Changelings in The PHB? (Vote)

[Jedi_Solo]

I'm all for having the Changeling as a PC race. I think there are enough occurances of shapeshifters in fanatasy that they should be added as a generic and setting-neutral option.

But not in the PHB (or at least not in the first PHB). I think there are enough "even more generic" racial choices that can make the PHB feel like it has a large amount of options that will last for awhile. Add them in quickly, I think they would make for a very cool PC race to added within the first year... but not right out of the gate.

 

[WayneLigon]

As much as I like them, I don't think I'd want them in the basic PHB. I think that the nice 'vanilla' Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, possibly Half-elf or half-orc is enough. I'd probably leave Tiefling out of the mix as well.

If I had to include an unusual race, I'd probably include Shifters, or something like Arcana Unearthed's Giants or Litorians.

 

[Mercule]

However, unless shifters are drastically changed -- that is, unless their racial benefits are (preferably entirely) divorced from the feat mechanic -- I really don't see them in the PH1.

With the new racial progression mechanic WotC has talked about, I very much expect shifter advancement to be separate from feats.

Actually, I believe showing off the racial progession mechanic was one of the reasons given for including tieflings in the PHB. Shifters would be a better showcase, IMO, and be more suitable to the genre.

 

[Deset Gled]

No.

As with the warforged, I don't really care one way about the other about the flavor text, but the mechanics for a changeling just seem too complicated to belong in the PHB. Just look at how many times they had to revise Wildshape and Polymorph before they finally got it right.

 

[Umbran]

To my mind, the changeling does not represent an strong or popular enough icon to merit inclusion in the first PHB. Neither do Warforged, or shifters. I'd prefer the pages be used to better develop and demonstrate the core necessities.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

To my mind, the changeling does not represent an strong or popular enough icon to merit inclusion in the first PHB. Neither do Warforged, or shifters. I'd prefer the pages be used to better develop and demonstrate the core necessities.

What he said.

 

[Shroomy]

I voted "Yes." Of all the Eberron specific races, the changelings seem to be the one easiest to divorce from the setting and among the most popular. However, has it even been confirmed or hinted at that the changeling will appear in the PHB1, or is this just unsubstantiated internet rumor?

No matter what, I do expect the changelings to at least appear in MM1, along with the warforged and shifter.

 

[Davelozzi]

I agree with some others who like changelings but voted "no". I would prefer that the PHB1 include only humans, elves, dwarves, and halflings, and that any other races appear in subsequent releases. That way only the fantasy basics are assumed to be default races in most published products.

 

[Shade]

I dislike changelings and shifters, so I definitely don't want to see them in the PHB.

As I posted in the similar warforged thread, I wouldn't mind them in there, but don't really think they need to be in it.

Kalashatar would be fine by me in the future psionics-themed PHB.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think shapechanging is just too good for a common race, and one that starts at 1st level.

Even without any combat benefit, there are way too many situations where it gives a huge advantage around the story.

If they do show up in the PHB, hopefully PrCs like the warshaper will be designed with the race in mind. Changeling warshapers are crazy overpowered in 3E.