CrimsonCarcharodon
Explorer
Do you have the same problems with humans?
Yes. Humans are also boring and feel very generic.
Just because you desire more choice of subraces doesn't mean WotC should make every race have that option. 5e has always mixed complex options with less complex options.
The neat thing is you as a player are free to choose the option that interests you the most, unless the DM has limited those options from the game.
Just because you desire simplicity doesn't mean WotC should make races simple without the option of subraces.
Soooo .... how about kender?
Halfling subrace for Dragonlance. Doesn't bother me any.
I'm all for half-elves and half-orcs, I simply wish they were human with variant features as opposed to entirely new races unto themselves.
If half-races need to have mechanical representation, yeah. That'd be a good way to do it.
You could blend the current PHB Half-Elf and Half-Orc with the Human Variant. Maybe something like:
Half-Elf (Human subrace)
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity or Charisma score increases by 1, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.
Age. (as PHB Half-Elf)
Alignment. (as PHB Half-Elf)
Size. (as PHB Half-Elf)
Speed. (as PHB Half-Elf)
Darkvision OR Fey Ancestry (replaces Human Variant Feat)
Skills. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
Languages. (as PHB Half-Elf)
Half-Orc (Human subrace)
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength or Constitution score increases by 1, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.
Age. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Alignment. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Size. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Speed. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Darkvision OR Savage Attacks (replaces Human Variant Feat)
Menacing. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Relentless Endurance. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Languages. (as PHB Half-Orc)
Keeping Relentless Endurance is because the player does not get to choose a skill, they must accept the Intimidation skill (from Menacing).
I would start with something like those and tweak them as desired.
I kinda like these. I could see using these in a game.