D&D (2024) D&D species article

[Chaosmancer]

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.

Yes, I know.

IS being able to activate an elemental shield that protects you from lava LESS magical than energy wings? Those were all more magical options, and I don't understand rioting NOW for something that people were demanding during the playtest. We wanted Fizban's dragons during the playtest, we got them, why are we upset now that Dragon People have magical abilities?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yes, I know.

IS being able to activate an elemental shield that protects you from lava LESS magical than energy wings? Those were all more magical options, and I don't understand rioting NOW for something that people were demanding during the playtest. We wanted Fizban's dragons during the playtest, we got them, why are we upset now that Dragon People have magical abilities?

Perhaps the people complaining are not the same people demanding what you see as the opposite position during the playtest?

 

[Minigiant]

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.

No. It's bad that they keep talking about archetypes then removed 2 classic ones.

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?

They didn't give species more skills and didn't explore them the skill system in species.

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.

I personally don't like the THP thing.
The Orc Aggressive felt better. Orcs being able to rush the target every turn felt special. Adrenaline Rush could have been tied to it and limited.

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.

It feels like a lost that Goliaths are 7ft or 8ft tal humaniod with giant hands and feet. All without not being naturally clumsy like tall folk.

Goliaths, if you look at them, should be naturally good at climbing and swimming.

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

Because they removed it.

The shift of ASI to backgrounds and removal of skills and half elves left the PHB without a charmer, diplomat, or wanderer species option.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The shift of ASI to backgrounds and removal of skills and half elves left the PHB without a charmer, diplomat, or wanderer species option

But there are charmer, diplomat and wanderer background options, so you can still play those roles, this time as a charming orc or wandering halfling.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

After reading this article, I'm even more tempted to move to an all-human campaign world for any 5.5 games I run.

 

[Minigiant]

But there are charmer, diplomat and wanderer background options, so you can still play those roles, this time as a charming orc or wandering halfling.

So?

I was to be a naturally charmer because of my species. Or double or triple down. Half Elf Noble Bard.

Or them take away elf spells and make magic elves choose Magic Initiate.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

So?

I was to be a naturally charmer because of my species. Or double or triple down. Half Elf Noble Bard.

Or them take away elf spells and make magic elves choose Magic Initiate.

That implies that you can only be good at something because of your species. Which is racist.

It’s the same reason gender ability score limitations were removed in second edition.

 

[Minigiant]

That implies that you can only be good at something because of your species. Which is racist.

It’s the same reason gender ability score limitations were removed in second edition.

No.

Any race can be charming.
Half elves are naturally charming.

A species can have a physical or mental feature without it being racist.

Changing everything into magic to escape racism to me is unnecessary.

If works naturally grow to 7 ft 300 lb It's not racist to say they have an ability that lets them lift better.

It's not racist to say half elves because of their dual parentage have a mental wiring and physical traits that allow them to be better at skills. They have human adaption and ambition with an elephant lifespan and thus can commit to more skills over there adolescence and adult life than a elf or an human.

That was the half elf trait since third edition. Half elf lived long lives like elves but unlike elves did not spend it basket weaving and knitting

That was the lure of the elves. Elves spend the first hundred years of their lives doing jack squat except for learning the social norms of their culture.

Half elf because they're not a full elf would spend decades in their physical prime mastering extra skills (sometimes via isolation) so that when you play them as adults you had a character who put a couple extra decades into learning something else that's what's useful.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Personally, I would want my species to have enough impact on my character abilities that two otherwise identical characters can each be easily identified purely by how their play is altered as a result of their species abilities.

And ‘play different’ doesn’t just mean ‘has natural access to a few common skills or abilities that are attainable through other means’

 

[UngeheuerLich]

No. It's bad that they keep talking about archetypes then removed 2 classic ones.



They didn't give species more skills and didn't explore them the skill system in species.


I personally don't like the THP thing.
The Orc Aggressive felt better. Orcs being able to rush the target every turn felt special. Adrenaline Rush could have been tied to it and limited.


It feels like a lost that Goliaths are 7ft or 8ft tal humaniod with giant hands and feet. All without not being naturally clumsy like tall folk.

Goliaths, if you look at them, should be naturally good at climbing and swimming.


Because they removed it.

The shift of ASI to backgrounds and removal of skills and half elves left the PHB without a charmer, diplomat, or wanderer species option.

So all half-elfs are charmers and diplomats?