Generalists vs. Specialists

[Wik]

Y'know, I hit "generalists" but now that I think about it, I like "specialists" a bit more. Makes me think of OD&D for some reason... and I love the flavour of the OD&D settings.

Although I guess "generalists" would work better for weird character concepts, which is one of the fun things about D&D. I have fond memories of my half-orc abjurer, and if the rules were pushed towards specialists even moreso, I'm sure that character would never have happened (as it is, it almost didn't happen - a -2 to my int was just too big of a hit in exchange for stuff I'd never use!)

 

[TwinBahamut]

I pretty much agree with Nifft.

Races would be best if the abilities they gave were very specific and powerful, but were some kind of ability that could be useful to wide variety of classes.

 

[Lanefan]

I'd like to see them specialized, but not *too* specialized.

Elves make better woodsmen. Dwarves do better underground. Gnomes are good with mechanical stuff. Humans are versatile...that versatility *is* their specialization. And so on. Same goes for monsters...each has a thing it does well.

Lanefan

 

[Wik]

I'd like to see them specialized, but not *too* specialized.

Elves make better woodsmen. Dwarves do better underground. Gnomes are good with mechanical stuff. Humans are versatile...that versatility *is* their specialization. And so on. Same goes for monsters...each has a thing it does well.

Lanefan

GFT

(incidentally, I think I walked past you at the Bay centre today, Lane. Was gonna chase you down, but then I decided I was hungry. )

 

[variant]

Races should have different Talent trees. So if you want to play an Elf that masters the longbow or one that masters the longsword, you can.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Races should have sufficient differentiation in abilities to render each one distinct and interesting. They might have a leaning toward a specific class, but it should not be so much that they become the obvious choice for a class, nor should they lean so far away from a particular class that they are gimped with that class selection. No race should have a clear advantage over all other races.

I want to read through the PHB, and after each description think "This race is the best!" until I get to the end and discover that they're all the best.

 

[Li Shenron]

I would prefer them specialists.

 

[hong]

See, you wouldn't have all of these problems if you just banned all races.

 

[Slife]

See, you wouldn't have all of these problems if you just banned all races.

Banning all racists is definitely the way to go. Solves all sorts of interparty/intraparty conflicts. And if a player starts rolling too well getting on your nerves causing trouble, an incredibly vague accusation is all it takes to get the group to boot him/her out. You don't have to do any work yourself.

and yes this is a joke. who would reply seriously to hong?

 

[Varianor Abroad]

There has always been a "specialist" trend. Dwarves make better fighters, for example. Halflings make better rogues. That said, I don't have enough information on the proposed change....