How about a survey on the 3E halfling?

[Winterthorn]

I keep on coming across remarks by ppl on how they prefer the "old" halfling over the "new" halfling. I also wonder about the age of those who've expressed an opinion, and whether there's a correlation to some degree.

I am a late 30's gamer and I am not really satisfied with the 3E version of the halfling--especially their overall appearance and cultural background.

Additional question for discussion: if we revert to the "old" halfling, as LOTR reminds us, would the 3E stats require alteration?

-W.

 

[Kilmore]

I run a homebrew world. While I in no way wish to deny Tolkien's influence on the game I enjoy, I got big plans for my world. Seeing that the original D&D halfling was a transplanted HobbitTM , actually being called a hobbit back in the 70's, I have always felt a little more originality was in order. For years I didn't have halfings in my world, though I have realized that "little people" appear in more fantasy than just Tolkien. I never connected with gnomes (I won't get dragged into that thread!) and I'm not real fond of kender. A guy I knew in the Navy played them way too well.

Anyways, the modern halflings are more easily adaptable to my own ideas now. And there's two in my party now.

 

[Wicht]

Seeing that the original D&D halfling was a transplanted HobbitTM , actually being called a hobbit back in the 70's, I have always felt a little more originality was in order.

I have mentioned this before, but it has been a while. As far as I can tell, Tolkien invented the term halfling. He did not however invent the word hobbit. Thus I find it ironic for people to think that the use of the word halfling over the use of the word hobbit makes them less dependant on Tolkien.

 

[The_Gneech]

I have never seen a point to halflings as a race unless you want hobbits in your campaign, in which case, there you have them!

I actually preferred how they were openly called hobbits in Tunnels and Trolls -- I mean really, who are we fooling here?

The attempt to recast halflings as "really short gypsies" is just silly. If you want gypsies, just put in gypsies. Why make them be almost-but-not-quite-entirely-hobbit gypsies?

-The Gneech ("And put the hairy feet back on.")

 

[Number47]

I like the old Tolkien-style hobbit. I even use the term hobbit for my game. I like them especially because you can have them as a very numerous race that has a big presence in every country, but it doesn't equate to political power because they are home-bodies. I actually provide two species of hobbit for my game, urban hobbits and rural hobbits. I suppose the urban hobbits would have a bit more feel of the 3E halfling. The body type, however, is complete hobbit. Those 3E halflings are so thin! Their mothers aren't feeding them right.

 

[Wicht]

("And put the hairy feet back on.")

Hear, hear!!!

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i'm over 30 and don't have a preference (so no vote)

i liked the old version hobbits simply because anyone who had read Tolkien or seen the animated Hobbit and LotR had a context for their character (unlike gnomes...)

when i first saw that 3e had made the halflings more kender-like, i really wasn't happy (can't stand kender). but i got over it since the kenderness of the new halfling is superficial (leaner look, +1 saves 'cause they're lucky and bonus vs fear - but no top knots or hoopaks )

 

[ForceUser]

I'm 29, and I prefer the 3E-style halfling. Why?

Because they're just cool.

They're little badasses now. I dig that.

This is a halfling I can get behind.

 

[mirzabah]

I much prefer the old halflings. The new ones are just too bloody pooncy for words

 

[Mr Fidgit]

mirzabah - how about some help for the Australian lingo-impaired?

what's a pooncy?