D&D General D & D height comparison

[Charlaquin]

Probably a combination of LotR and WoW imagery, based on the timeline.

Although I remember not liking 5’ elves when I was introduced to the idea of 2e, so their current presentation feels more “correct” to me.

The general lack of popularity of short races makes me believe such trends will continue.

100%

The LotR films were hugely influential on my generation’s view of fantasy, and Tolkien’s elves are actually taller than humans on average, so them being so short in 3.5e seemed very strange to me and my friends at the time. To us, 4e fixed elves’ height, bringing them more in line with expectations set by Tolkien and Peter Jackson. If anything they could have pushed elves’ height even taller.

 

[Clint_L]

I really hate the fact that all elves became tall in 5E. That was a realms specific thing that bled into the core rules.

Eh we always had elves as around human height in our games. Making them short for AD&D felt weird to us. Kinda seemed random.

 

[the Jester]

Yeah, there should be carry limits, but since Strength is how well you use the strength you have, not simply how strong you are....

Is it? I would think proficiency marks using your strength well. Is this (Strength is how well you use the strength you have) stated in the books somewhere?

 

[Ferrousbones]

A 20 strength halfling can still only carry half the weight of a 20 strength human

I assume you are referring to pre-5e, because this isn't true in 5e or 2024 5e revised. In both of them, small uses the same carrying capacity multiplier as medium. (page 176 in 2014 PHB; page 362 in 2024 PHB)

 

[Oofta]

I assume you are referring to pre-5e, because this isn't true in 5e or 2024 5e revised. In both of them, small uses the same carrying capacity multiplier as medium. (page 176 in 2014 PHB; page 362 in 2024 PHB)

D'oh! You're right, it's tiny that has half capacity. Which in a way is even worse I suppose.

In any case, strength is a weird abstraction and isn't particularly realistic across different sizes and species (including beasts and other monsters).

 

[Tonguez]

I prefer my gnomes under 2 ft tall, dwarfs under 5 and halflings eaten by goblins.
I've had 7 ft tall human character,

elves as always are all over the place from short and willowy 5ft feet to tall and lank 7ft, they may as well be trolls

 

[ezo]

Is it?

Yes.

I would think proficiency marks using your strength well.

Proficiency has no influence on using your strength well. Proficiency can influence Athletic-related Strength checks if you have proficiency in Athletics, of course.

Is this (Strength is how well you use the strength you have) stated in the books somewhere?

Strength measures bodily power, athletic training, and the extent to which you can exert raw physical force.

The extent to which you can apply the raw physical force you generate through your bodily power and athletic training.

It was spelled out more in prior editions, but it is still part of it. That is how I read it anyway.