Half-elves: What's the problem?

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I don't find half-orcs underpowered at all. They're really strong barbarians, for starters.

Half-elves ... nah. The only good thing they get is low-light vision and resistance to Enchantment. That's only worth it if you're playing a fighter.

 

[Seonaid]

I find this thread amusing because in my current campaign, I'm playing a half-elf AND a half-orc. Sorcerer/rogue and barbarian respectively. So far my main character is the half-orc. One of the reasons is to keep the party balanced, but another is because she is a very very interesting character. I like role-playing her more than I like roll-playing her: yes, she's an excellent fighter (can't wait to get Great Cleave), but she's also quite intelligent, blah blah blah, etc. What it comes down to, I suppose, is what you're looking for in a character. 99% of the time I pick what sounds interesting, not what would be good party or game mechanics. I *thought* the sorcerer/rogue would be my main character, because that's what I usually play, but the barbarian is much more than I expected. Of course . . . that could mean the half-elf is weak . . .

In general, I like the *concept* of a half-elf, so I play them often because they interest me. Lots of inter-character relationship there. I suppose it makes sense, then, for me to play a PC half-orc, though this is the first time I have done so.

 

[Nightstorm]

For me, it's very simple. Give the half elf a +2 to charisma.
thats it. thank you for your time.

 

[Zappo]

For me, it's very simple. Give the half elf a +2 to charisma.
thats it. thank you for your time.

And from now on, each and every PC sorcerer is a half-elf.

 

[devoblue]

For me, it's very simple. Give the half elf a +2 to charisma.
thats it. thank you for your time.

Thats the same house rule I tried and it does make half-elves a race that is chosen more often. Like another poster said however, no sorceror would not choose half-elf. Paladins and Bards also have a hard time going past it, so I dropped the rule.

I have always had a problem with the number of different half-breeds that we see, either through example or template. It just doesnt seem to make sense that everything can breed with something different just because we can think of what their offspring would look and act like. In my new homebrew campaign I have left out half-elves on the justification that elves and humans are too different, like dwarves. Half-orcs are possible, but orcs and humans hate each other so much that none survive much past childbirth in human lands and it is a rare thing and not for PCs in orc lands.

 

[Fenes 2]

And from now on, each and every PC sorcerer is a half-elf.

WoTC introduced the Star Elves for that...

 

[Zappo]

I have always had a problem with the number of different half-breeds that we see, either through example or template. It just doesnt seem to make sense that everything can breed with something different just because we can think of what their offspring would look and act like. In my new homebrew campaign I have left out half-elves on the justification that elves and humans are too different, like dwarves. Half-orcs are possible, but orcs and humans hate each other so much that none survive much past childbirth in human lands and it is a rare thing and not for PCs in orc lands.

I don't have a trouble with the possibility of breeding itself, but I do dislike when it becomes common. I esèecially hate it when DMs start slapping templates around just to make the foe tougher - a half-something creature IMC will probably be the only one of its kind on the planet unless the base race is extremely common, and it will definitely have a backstory detailing what happened.

 

[idum]

I think that half-elves are rightly balanced if you consider the +2 dex -2 cos. In a balanced way to distribuite stat points, -2 cos is an hard penalty. When you roll at every level dices for hit points, and when you must contabilize a -1 hp (and remember, -1 is wis saving throw), you don't feel it so well.

This means that elves have problems to play a fighter, due limitation of dex bonus for good armors and shields, and have a problems to play a magic-based pg, due penalty of hit points that are few enough even without that.
An elf can be a rogue, but in this case, halfling is best choice for this class, 'cause strenght is the 5th interesting stat.

When you consider the bonus/malus of an half-elf consider this: half-elves have 1 HP/level more than elves, against only (!) a +1 is some abilities that for all classes than rogues are gold.

My 2 pennies

 

[Cedric]

Sorry..but I can't help but see Half-Elves as a bad version of watered down humans verses watered down elves.

People may argue that is what they are supposed to be. But I'd rather see them gain their own identity and flavor.

Cedric

 

[Carnifex]

I don't have a trouble with the possibility of breeding itself, but I do dislike when it becomes common. I esèecially hate it when DMs start slapping templates around just to make the foe tougher - a half-something creature IMC will probably be the only one of its kind on the planet unless the base race is extremely common, and it will definitely have a backstory detailing what happened.

Eh... well in my campaign world there are alchemist-scientists who experiment in crude bio-genetics and the Manipulator bio-thaumaturges who blend genetics with magic... so half-breed type things tend to be a bit more common