D&D (2024) D&D species article

[Minigiant]

Do we need one? Someone being a diplomat is more on the person.

Some people want to have strength in the mechanics that are involved in social interaction.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Some people want to have strength in the mechanics that are involved in social interaction.

I think there is an origin feat and or background for that.

 

[Minigiant]

I think there is an origin feat and or background for that.

I'd like a species that is good at that.
Just like you can do with other game aspects.

 

[I'm A Banana]

it's not about ASI, it's about too many species features being converted into some form of spell or magical effect rather than just let them be innate passive natural capabilites, how say, wood elf doesn't get inherent movement bump or stealth capabilities but rather longstrider and pass without trace, how mask of the wild is now druidcraft, the magic energy dragonborn wings, the size shifting goliaths, activating dwarven tremmorsense.

There's a method to this.

Passive abilities that are always on tend to be easy to forget about.

But abilities that you have to choose to switch on are more memorable, and can be more impactful.

Not that this is always a good idea or that they needed to go so hard with it, but I imagine the team is working under the idea that, where possible, an always-on passive ability should be turned into an actively-chosen ability, because of those gains.

 

[Chaosmancer]

it's not about ASI, it's about too many species features being converted into some form of spell or magical effect rather than just let them be innate passive natural capabilites,

Too many being... the one time for Rock Gnomes?

how say, wood elf doesn't get inherent movement bump or stealth capabilities but rather longstrider and pass without trace, how mask of the wild is now druidcraft,

You are mixing a lot of false information here. Wood Elves still get their inherent movement buff. They ALSO get longstrider and Pass without a Trace. MAsk of the wild is the only ability they lost.

And, again, as I pointed out, Wood elves getting Druidcraft, Longstrider and Pass Without a Trace to mirror High elves and Drow who get a cantrip, 1st level spell, then 2nd level spell is coherency of design. It isn't about taking away non-magical abilities and making them spells, but making all elves work the same way.

the magic energy dragonborn wings

Which they had in Fizban's and has a practical effect of preventing armor issues as I mentioned

the size shifting goliaths

Yes, this is a magical effect. It is also cool. Also, they didn't lose an innate ability to gain this. They still have Powerful Build, an innate, inborn trait.

activating dwarven tremmorsense.

Does not have to be a magical effect if you don't want it to be.

 

[Chaosmancer]

More about features like Powerful Build and Half Elf Versatility.

What about a fast species that just has a base speed of 40ft? Or a species with eyes so fine, their ranged attacks increase by 20 ft.

So it is bad that they didn't design something they didn't design? Sure, you could make those things. Just because they didn't, or they didn't design a species with four arms or a species with skin so thick they have a natural armor class doesn't mean they have done anything wrong.

Or give species skills. Not from culture but biology. Maybe gnomes could be so naturally smart they all get proficiency with a lore skill. Or Halfling fingers being delicate to the point that they all are proficient in Sleight of Hand?

Sure, they could do that. But, um.... they also DID give species skills.

Humans get a skill
Elves get a skill
In the playtest, Halflings get a skill (stealth) from Naturally Stealthy, which they still get in 2024. And likely still get to replace the old ability of hiding behind people. Which, interesting note, would show that both exceptions to the stealth rules from the species got cleaned up. Could be part of reworking the stealth system into... actually functioning better.

Sure, that is only three of the ten species that get a skill... but do they need to give EVERY SINGLE species a skill? Can't the species have different designs?

Why did orcs lose Powerful Build?

Likely to open up the power budget to allow for their Temp Hp ability to recharge on a short rest, since that is fairly powerful upgrade.

Why did goliaths lose Athletics?

Likely because it was meant to represent Goliaths being better able to grapple and break out of grapples, and now that grapple is no longer an Athletics check, it isn't serving that function anymore. Instead, they added specific rules to showcase the Goliath ability to break out of grapples.

Who is the diplomat species?

Whoever it makes sense for? What an utterly bizarre question.

 

[Corinnguard]

Which they had in Fizban's and has a practical effect of preventing armor issues as I mentioned

The Gem Dragonborn were the only Dragonborn in Fizban's who had the spectral wings ability. The Chromatic and Metallic Dragonborn had their own signature abilities. The Chromatics had Chromatic Warding, which granted them temporary immunity to the damage type of their own breath weapon. The Metallics had Metallic Breath, which offered them a secondary breath weapon that either repelled their foes or enervated them.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

But more on point, each of the Tiefling options is neither more nor less magical than the 2014 base Tieflings: more equally magical options simply means "no more magical".

It's more magical variety

 

[Chaosmancer]

Some people want to have strength in the mechanics that are involved in social interaction.

I'd like a species that is good at that.
Just like you can do with other game aspects.

If you want mechanics, then you can take Elves for the Insight skill (useful for a diplomat) or humans for the persuasion skill (also useful for a diplomat), humans can also grab three additional skills and have a re-roll.

So, if you want a species who has abilities that make them good diplomats.... humans. Humans are the most mechanically powerful diplomats.

 

[Parmandur]

It's more magical variety

Yes, but none of it is more magical. It the same magic quotient.