D&D (2024) D&D species article

[Henadic Theologian]

No, but I think most would agree that these were clear upgrades. And I don’t think there’s a huge “Mask of the Wild” contingent out there.

Agreed although the changes really push Elves and Tieflings towards Caster Classes though, Aasimar, Dragonborn, and Goliaths and the Linageless races feel less pushed. Ironically because detect magic can be cast as a ritual and you can pick True Strike or Greenflame Blade as a Cantrip during your short rest, High Elf feels the least pushed towards casters and half casters.

 

[Remathilis]

The elf complaints make 0 sense.

In 2014, High Elves got a single cantrip and training in four weapons. In 2024, they keep the cantrip and instead of weapons they basically never used they get two of the best spells in the game (Detect Magic and Misty Step).

In 2014, Wood Elves got the same four weapons and the CHANCE to hide in light cover, not any stealth proficiency or bonus to hiding. Just a chance to try and hide. In 2024, they instead get maybe the best out of combat 2nd level spell (Pass without Trace) that makes hiding even easier for them.

They are just straight better in every way. No one was making use of random race weapon proficiency and no one picked Wood Elf for Mask of the Wild. WotC has taken near useless features and replaced them with powerful and thematic spells that still fill the lineages niche while actually being useful. How is this in any way a bad thing?

Detect magic 1/day is ribbon now that everyone and their cousin can cast rituals. And Misty step 1/day at 5th level is a pale shadow compared to eladrin/shadar-kai/astral elf getting a NON-SPELL teleport prof times per day AT LEVEL 1. Plus they get bonus proficiencies that they can change on a long rest. High elf is a trap option for anyone who doesn't have access to MotM or AAG. Wood elf fairs a little better at least at levels 3 and 5 assuming you have spell-slots to use your abilities again with, and drow is straight gain as they only lost their hindrance but gained nothing in the process.

My problem isn't that the races are better than the 2014 versions. Its that they aren't better than various upgrades they got along the way. MotM should have been the template for the base elf, like Fizban's dragonborn was for the base dragonborn. But rather than use that design language, they went and hobbled each design in the closure and made it so that MotM is now too good to use side-by-side with them.

 

[Parmandur]

The latter is significantly more powerful

No, they are about the same, on balance. They are not identical, but the power level is the same there based on how WotC builds Species (hat tip to Karl David Brown who has done the mat for this, worth checking out: Race Design for D&D 5th Edition Creating New PC Species - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild )

Honestly, I predict that there will be some new species book sooner rather than later, so they can patch up the species that don't conform to the new design choices. There are a number of species (genasi, shifter, dhampir, warforged) that are going to need some "errata" now that they have changed how species traits and spells changed, and I fully suspect the other elf "subspecies" are going to either be bent to conform to the new elf OR maybe they will be spun off into different species unrelated to elves. (I could see eladrin and shadar-kai both becoming unique fey not connected to the elf species, while Astral and Sea elves becoming spell lists for the base elf).

I don't thi k they will, because WotC is not uncomfortable with inconsistencies like thar, as long as the Species option fits in the balance framework.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

No, they are about the same, on balance. They are not identical, but the power level is the same there based on how WotC builds Species (hat tip to Karl David Brown who has done the mat for this, worth checking out: Race Design for D&D 5th Edition Creating New PC Species - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild )

I don't thi k they will, because WotC is not uncomfortable with inconsistencies like thar, as long as the Species option fits in the balance framework.

Sorry, but you really can't be suggesting the 2024 Elf is balanced in comparison to the MotM lineages? Take another look at the others.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Aasimar get abit of a buff in flexibility at least. Hope they buff light and the other none combat cantrips

 

[Remathilis]

No, they are about the same, on balance. They are not identical, but the power level is the same there based on how WotC builds Species (hat tip to Karl David Brown who has done the mat for this, worth checking out: Race Design for D&D 5th Edition Creating New PC Species - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild )

I don't thi k they will, because WotC is not uncomfortable with inconsistencies like thar, as long as the Species option fits in the balance framework.

Unless someone shows me some evidence proving that the 2024 elf was created with even a passing glance at the astral elf, I'm not inclined to believe this.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

• "Inner Radiance: Previously Radiant Consumption, still deals Radiant Damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus within a 10-foot radius, but the extra Radiant damage on one attack per turn has been moved to the broader Celestial Revelation feature."

This makes me wonder if you can only deal radiant damage on those attacks even if your using Necrotic Shroud or if Celestial Revelation will allow you to choose between Radiant and Necrotic when use or if you choose between the damage types round by round.

 

[Parmandur]

Sorry, but you really can't be suggesting the 2024 Elf is balanced in comparison to the MotM lineages? Take another look at the others.

Quite seriously ststing thst they are in balance, yes.

Unless someone shows me some evidence proving that the 2024 elf was created with even a passing glance at the astral elf, I'm not inclined to believe this.

I will go through later and build out all those Elf options using Brown's reverse engineered system, see how they stack up.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think @DEFCON 1 has the right of it here. Species have always been underwhelming in 5e, so these revised versions also being underwhelming is… I mean, it’s not great, but it’s also no significant loss. Species is primarily an aesthetic choice with the equivalent benefits of a few extra spells per day. And that’s fine. Boring, but fine.

 

[Kobold Stew]

High elf is a trap option for anyone who doesn't have access to MotM or AAG.

Can you explain what you mean by this? How is it a trap? It appears to be the most flexible of the three elf subspecies.

Unless someone shows me some evidence proving that the 2024 elf was created with even a passing glance at the astral elf, I'm not inclined to believe this.

Obviously, no one will have the evidence you want. But why would you expect them to build off a setting-specific book rather than the more substantial (and thoughtful) MotM?