Generalists vs. Specialists

[Szatany]

What do you think about this part of the game design. Should each race (at least in PHB) be intended for some use/have a distint mechanical flavor, or should races be more of a generalists? By specialists I mean something like: dwarves are really sturdy and they mainly have abilities that make them resistant to stuff: DR, + on saves against spells, + Con, etc. Generalist dwarf would mean one of those abilities, some weapon proficiency stuff, craft bonuses etc.
Specialization means you are kinda one-dimensional as far as your racial powers go.
Generalization means you will have usually some abilities that are useless to you.

 

[ptolemy18]

I'm pretty skeptical of the news that "each race has a clearly defined function" in D&D4E. This reeks of oversimplification, and I envision a worst-case scenario where, for instance, half-orcs are so obviously the best barbarians that there's no reason to play a barbarian of any other race.

In any case I *personally* pretty much always play humans anyway... So, up with generalists, baby!

 

[delericho]

Yep, generalists, perhaps with slight leanings towards favoured classes.

 

[crazy_cat]

...and I envision a worst-case scenario where, for instance, half-orcs are so obviously the best barbarians that there's no reason to play a barbarian of any other race.

Maybe we could play other races for... hmm? *thinks*

Oh, I don't know, you may call me crazy for this one - but maybe we could play them for roleplaying reasons rather than purely mechanical ones. It being a roleplaying game and all that.

 

[Stalker0]

I don't mind specialization if the abilities are useful to everyone.

For example, sure the dwarf might be mega tough, but that doesn't mean a wizard character wouldn't use one, I mean they need to take damage too

If elves get evasion, well that's useful for rogues, fighters, and wizards.

 

[Nifft]

Races should have specialties IFF* those specialties are orthogonal to class specializations.

In other words, probably not.

Cheers, -- N

*) if and only if

 

[Kahuna Burger]

generalists with slight leanings towards a party niche. Why? Because somewhere out there is a whole society of dwarves and they can't all be fighters cause then they'd be dead from lack of food and crummy armor. Humans as the only generalists has been my most hated part of the default fantasy (and sci fi) setting.

 

[Nifft]

Let me follow up and expand on my "specialists orthogonal to classes" idea:

What if there are no "specialist" Wizards, just racial preferences for schools of magic? Then there's no such thing as a race-free "Conjurer", just a Human Paragon Mage. No such thing as an "Enchanter", just an Elf Paragon Mage. Necromancer = Tiefling Paragon Mage? Anyway. Your racial specialty would cut across classes, though obviously Magi would be most affected -- a bonus to Enchantment might not do much for a Druid.

Similarly, the Halfling's affinity for thrown weapons could gain a talent tree of its own, making a Halfling thrower more effective than a Human thrower. Similar things could be done for other traditionally under-powered niches (like crossbow users or spear men).

Cheers, -- N

 

[Jhaelen]

Generalization means you will have usually some abilities that are useless to you.

I'd prefer generalists. But I don't think this implies you'll have abilities that are useless to you.
What I'd like to see is racial abilities that are chosen from a list. There should be different options for different roles. So, if you're playing a dwarf wizard you'll pick the 'sturdy spellcaster' while a dwarf fighter will pick the 'sturdy brawler' ability.

Of course, some abilities will be useful for characters of any role.

 

[howandwhy99]

There is no such thing as a useless ability. Most combats are won or loss before initiative is rolled.

I prefer my races as a mix of specialist/generalist. It's hard to pigeonhole an entire race. They should be broad enough in character, culture, and hereditary traits to attempt any action. Yet, to really be more than a differently shaped human, they do need different advantages and disadvantages.