D&D 4E Comparing 4e Races

[jaldaen]

I know we don't have all the information... in fact we really only have two complete race write-up (the Elf from our Christmas present and the Tiefling from D&DXP).

Still there are a lot of racial traits known so far based off of the Pre-Release Rules
Compilation

One thing I noticed is that the Elf and Tielfing seem to have a lot more abilities than the other core races in the PRC...

Elf
Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom
Speed: 7 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Elven
Skill Bonuses: +2 Nature, +2 Perception
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Training, Wild Step, Group Awareness, Elven Accuracy

and

Tiefling
Ability Scores: +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, choice of one other
Skill Bonuses: +2 Bluff, +2 Stealth
Racial Traits: Bloodhunt, Fire Resistance, Infernal Wrath

vs.

Halfling
Ability Scores: +2 Dex, +2 Cha
Skill Bonus: +2 Acrobatics, +2 Thievery
Racial Traits: Bold, Nimble Reaction, Second Chance

and

Human
Ability Scores: +2 to any one ability score
Languages: Common
Trained Skills: Any 1 extra
Bonus Feat: 1 extra bonus feat
Defense Bonus: +1 Fortitude, +1 Reflex, +1 Will
Bonus Power: One extra At-Will Power from the class list

The ability scores are a wash, but the Elf and Tiefling get more abilties then either the Halfling or the Human. Now I'm willing to mark up the Human traits because they are more versatile, but the Halfling still is looking a bit behind the curve... as do the Dragonborn, Dwarf, and Half-elf

Dragonborn
Ability Scores: +2 Str, +2 Cha
Languages: Common, Draconic
Skill Bonus: +2 History?, +2 Intimidate
Racial Traits: Dragonborn Fury, Draconic Heritage, Dragon Breath

Dwarf
Ability Scores: +2 Con, +2 Wis
Speed: 5 (Does not lose speed while wearing heavy armor) or 6 squares
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Racial Traits: Cast-Iron Stomach, Dwarven Resilience, Stand Your Ground

Half-Elf
Ability Scores: +2 Cha, +2 Any
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Elven
Skill Bonus: +2 Insight, +2 Diplomacy
Group Diplomacy: Grants allies within 10 squares a +1 bonus to Diplomacy
Bonus Power: Chose one At-Will power from a different class and add it as a Per Encounter power??

The Eldrin is close to the Elf and Tiefling

Ability Scores: +2 Dex, +2 Int
Vision: Low-light
Languages: Common, Elven
Skill Bonus: +2 History
Save Bonus: +1 Will
Eladrin Will: +5 to saving throw vs. charm
Fey Origin: Considered a Fey creature
Trance: Spend 4 hours in extended rest instead of 6; while taking an extended rest, you are fully aware of your surroundings
Weapon Training: Longsword, shortbow

Anyone else figure out any other racial traits from the Pre-gens or other sources? Anyone have any ideas about what we might see for additional racial traits? Or do you all think these are the final racial abilities?

 

[Fiendish Dire Weasel]

I'll disagree on the Dragonborn being behind because last I checked we didn't know exactly what the racials do.

I'll disagree on the Dwarf because I think you are underestimating their racials. Minor Action Second Wind seems pretty amazing to me, also their knockdown resistance and slideing mitigation seem pretty strong when there are so many abilities they work against. +5 vs. poison, eh, dunno how much it comes up, but saving against poison on a 4+ on a d20 is pretty handy.

Half-elves, as written, I agree seem weak. We'll have to see the specifics of their "power poaching" ability.

Humans, I fear, may be again too powerful if those are their actuall stats. Starting with 2 at-will powers, adding a 3rd than grabing a 4th and 5th with multiclass feats could be terrifyingly versitile. I think their bonuses may be worth giving up a +2 stat for.

Halfling does indeed seem a little weak. I'm wondering what Small size does for him though.

 

[Mr. Teapot]

Looking at the sheer number of abilities is silly. A bunch of really weak powers is not neceassarily as good as a single really excellent power.

The Halfling's "Once per encounter the enemy misses on a crit" power is about equal in value to the elf's "Reroll when I missed on my daily" power. So you have to ask if the elf's three abilities are better than the Halfling's two abilities. I think they're fairly balanced, in that a bonus versus fear effects and a bonus versus Opportunity attacks are both quite good. The elf's abilities, however, each are individually a little lacking: anyone who would want to be using the weapons already gets proficiency, so Elven Weapon Training is weak. A small bonus on Perception is okay, but only a +1. And the shifting in difficult terrain could be okay or totally useless, depending on the GM.

If anything, I'm wondering if Halflings will be overpowered instead of underpowered. A halfling rogue at 1st level could easily have his attacks be +9 vs Reflex and have a 25 AC vs OAs, both of which put the D&DXP pregens to shame.

 

[jaldaen]

I'll disagree on the Dragonborn being behind because last I checked we didn't know exactly what the racials do.

I agree... there is probably something more there...

I'll disagree on the Dwarf because I think you are underestimating their racials. Minor Action Second Wind seems pretty amazing to me, also their knockdown resistance and slideing mitigation seem pretty strong when there are so many abilities they work against. +5 vs. poison, eh, dunno how much it comes up, but saving against poison on a 4+ on a d20 is pretty handy.

I agree that Dwarven Resistance is a pretty good ability... I counted it twice. I only counted the Stand Your Ground once, but it does seem to be a very nice ability so that brings them a bit closer to the Elf and Tielfing.

Half-elves, as written, I agree seem weak. We'll have to see the specifics of their "power poaching" ability.

If the "power poaching" ability is essentially just the first step of multiclassing (via feats) then I'm not certain how nice that will technically be... it would be the equivalent of a feat. Of course not all feats may be equal.

Humans, I fear, may be again too powerful if those are their actuall stats. Starting with 2 at-will powers, adding a 3rd than grabing a 4th and 5th with multiclass feats could be terrifyingly versitile. I think their bonuses may be worth giving up a +2 stat for.

I think the human is fine because it is so versitile, but we'll have to see how nice their flexibility turns out in play.

Halfling does indeed seem a little weak. I'm wondering what Small size does for him though.

Me too... I was wondering whether that would be a benefit or a wash... so I did not calculate that in.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

halfling: second chance... seems like a very powerfull ability.

 

[jaldaen]

Looking at the sheer number of abilities is silly. A bunch of really weak powers is not neceassarily as good as a single really excellent power.

I agree... that's why I weighed some of the traits more than others in my calculations.

Even then there were a few races which stood out stronger than others.

The Halfling's "Once per encounter the enemy misses on a crit" power is about equal in value to the elf's "Reroll when I missed on my daily" power. So you have to ask if the elf's three abilities are better than the Halfling's two abilities. I think they're fairly balanced, in that a bonus versus fear effects and a bonus versus Opportunity attacks are both quite good. The elf's abilities, however, each are individually a little lacking: anyone who would want to be using the weapons already gets proficiency, so Elven Weapon Training is weak. A small bonus on Perception is okay, but only a +1. And the shifting in difficult terrain could be okay or totally useless, depending on the GM.

I agree the racial powers have been about on par with each other so they are a wash... I think though that you forgot also have low-light vision and +1 Speed... those are two extra abilities beyond Elven Weapon Training, Wild Step, and Group Awareness.

I would agree that the Halflings two racial traits wash out those of the Elf, but that still leave low-light and +1 speed to account for in the comparison.

Now being Small may actually be a benefit (instead of a wash) but we don't know yet.

If anything, I'm wondering if Halflings will be overpowered instead of underpowered. A halfling rogue at 1st level could easily have his attacks be +9 vs Reflex and have a 25 AC vs OAs, both of which put the D&DXP pregens to shame.

I'm certain halfings will indeed make excellent rogues

 

[jaldaen]

halfling: second chance... seems like a very powerfull ability.

I agree, though I see it on about the same level as the Elf's Elven Accuracy racial power. The former gives you a chance to be missed and the latter gives you a chance to hit.

 

[hong]

Someone remind me what the halfling's Second Chance is again...?

 

[Atlatl Jones]

What strikes me as a bit odd is that half of the races in the PH get a bonus to Charisma, more than half if you count humans. 4 get +2 charisma, 3 get dex, 2 get wisdom, 2 get int, 1 gets con, and 1 gets str.

 

[jaldaen]

Someone remind me what the halfling's Second Chance is again...?

For comparison here are the Halfling's Second Chance and Elf's Elven Accuracy racial powers:

Second Chance Halfling Racial Power
Luck and small size combine to work in your favor as you dodge your enemy’s attack.
Encounter ✦ Immediate Interrupt Personal
Effect: When an attack hits you, force an enemy to roll the attack again. The enemy uses the second roll, even if it’s lower.

Elven Accuracy Elven Racial Power
With an instant of focus, you take careful aim at your foe and strike with the legendary accuracy of the elves.
Encounter ✦ Free Action Personal
Effect: Reroll an attack roll. Use the second roll, even if it's lower.