Drow overpowered again? (and some other racial discussion)

[Graf]

So in 2nd ed everyone played a drow. Or wanted to.
And there was much pain (at least for me).

3.5 forced you to "pay for the awesome". This lead to a massive reduction in the numbers of people playing of "the evil NPC race of psychotic torturers that should be attacked on sight in the surface world".
This was nice, as muchkins generally congregated in several other races (*cough* goliaths *cough*) that were at least reasonable PC choices.
At the very least, someone who wanted to play a drow (usually) was doing it for roleplaying reasons and you could (usually) work things out (i.e. the character would disguise themselves, or roleplay being from a psychotic race of torturers, whatever)

In 4e it looks like the pendulum swingith back.
The drow get darkvision (the awesome of which is hard to disguise -- it's no longer got range limitations) and two sick powers.

For added joy one of the drow powers seriously messes with nearby allies.

A few others look very powerful too (bugbear, minotaur).

 

[themilkman]

The Drow did get some pretty cool encounter powers, particularly since one option gives combat advantage and the other one blinds (which also gives combat advantage). There are some definite Sneak Attack possibilities there.

 

[Graf]

It's a great monster powerset. Very flavorful.

For a PC?
The second power alone is probably better than feystep. The ability to pick and choose each encounter obviously increases utility.

 

[AkaKageWarrior]

and no DM is obliged to allow the drow as a PC race.
that's why it is in the MM I guess.

 

[Rzach]

I just finished my first game with my new drow pc.

Fun... Lots of Fun...

Their encounter option is cool. It really makes them effective as a rogue when they need to be. On the other hand they are missing any other abilities besides the encounter power.

So far they have seemed on par with the other races in the PHB.

Anyways I had lots of fun as drow rogue. I am looking forward to playing again.

Later,
Rzach

 

[baberg]

and no DM is obliged to allow the drow as a PC race.
that's why it is in the MM I guess.

DMs also aren't obligated to allow the Drow to be accepted by the general population. I can see smaller villages calling out the Town Watch any time they see a Drow walking into town who's not in manacles.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

The drow are balanced. they don't have any racial feat, and they get very view abilities. compared to core races. the abilities they do get are just potent.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

They look fun because of their choice of encounter power but they are hardly power houses.

Sure, their two encounter powers are nice and fun. But the designer accounted for that flexibility and, well, they don't have much else.

They basically only have their stat bonuses, on par with those of any race, their two skill bonuses and a choice of one of two encounter power.

Most race with encounter powers have an extra feature. For example, dragonborn also have skill bonuses and an encounter power (breath). But while it stops there for the drow, the dragonborn has draconic heritage and his fury.

 

[Khaalis]

I really don't see where the drow is overpowered. If anything I see them as a bit lacking compared to some of the PHB races. While the encounter powers as designed are nice, keep in mind that you can only use 1 of them Once per encounter. They are also very pigeonholed. Cloud of Darkness is obviously best for a Rogue, while Darkfire is really a Leader or Controller style ability (grants combat advantage primarily for another PC due to being intended for use at range; and prevents invisibility or concealment for 1 round). Additionally, Darkvision is nice but I don't see it as a game breaker ability either. JMHO.

 

[Graf]

They basically only have their stat bonuses, on par with those of any race, their two skill bonuses and a choice of one of two encounter power.

DARKVISION?

They didn't give it to any of the normal races because it's too powerful.

They may or may not be balanced, but I definitely think that you should count all their powers and abilities when trying to assess the power level.

(also reading the first post in the thread is a hot idea)