D&D 5E Humans -- a proposal.

[Kobold Stew]

Nobody seems happy with humans in Next, and this has been so for quite some time now. Here is a proposal that integrates one of the major changes in the current test pack, which I think takes a big step forward, and introduces a greater degree of variation that the straight +1 across the board -- tell me what you think.

***
Human.
Human Expertise. You gain an expertise die with the ability of your choice, so that when you make an ability check using the chosen ability, you roll your expertise die and add the number rolled to the check. Your expertise die grows as you gain levels (level 1-5, 1d6; 6-11, 1d8; 12-17, 1d10; 18-20, 1d12). If you acquire an expertise die in the same ability from a class, you may choose another ability to which the expertise die applies. This benefit does not stack with Fields of Lore bonuses to Intelligence checks.
***

This would replace ability adjustments, and there would be no other proficiencies or extras. Humans would have the opportunity to be meaningfully above-average at one class of ability checks. Is it powerful? Yes. But it makes the human a viable choice for any class. Currently the expertise die mechanic applies to Monks (Dex or Wis), Rangers (Dex or Wis), and Rogues (Dex and (eventually for Thieves) Cha).* It's certainly powerful, but helps make humans unique in the world, without introducing any new mechanisms to the game. It would help explain apparently superhuman accomplishments in other fields of endeavour.

*All these classes use the same progression, even if Monks only acquire the ability at second level.

(I am anticipating that the Expertise mechanic is going to be part of other Rogue packages when they are introduced (and that at least one option will include Strength, for the thuggy Rogue), and that Bards when introduced will have the mechanic for Charisma.)

Alternatively:
There's no reason that "Expertise" couldn't also be a feat. In which case, one way to create humans would be simply to allow them a single feat choice. Since each feat is now a bundle of abilities, it would allow humans to specialize and individuate themselves more than other races, while still being (for the most part) balanced. (And yes, I know, feats are currently optional: in which case, the default choice would be Expertise.)

Thoughts?

 

[Li Shenron]

For me it's definitely better than the current +1 to all stats. It doesn't affect bare ability scores, thus humans won't be like now "better than humans". Expertise can also be easily interpreted as either natural talent, experience/training, or a mix of both.

I still prefer the other idea of granting humans one feat, but I also feel like expertise dice is what replaces skills right now in the Basic/Standard game, and might be worth roughly one feat. If this is true, then it will be perfect.

Only possible worry, is whether it is fair to have PCs with expertise dice to three or more abilities. I am fine with 1, but 2 already is a bit of a stretch. 3 would mean your PC benefits from expertice dice bonuses on half of all checks... it is getting too much for my tastes, so perhaps some limitations to 2 overall might be more fair.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Thanks!

So far, the only characters that would have three would be Human Rogues specializing in Thievery. I agree that it feels like a lot, but I also suspect that the Thievery Style we have is a placeholder for other specialties to come. It seems a bit odd that the sneaky rogue is also the charming rogue right now. I suspect that even with three, there would still be plenty of lightfoot halfling and wood elf thieves.

 

[Li Shenron]

The reason why I wouldn't want more than 2, is that IMXP about out-of-combat skills (or ability checks in this edition) it is best not to have multiple PCs good at each thing.

Or more extensively, better to have some "missing specialties" in the group rather than have "overlapping specialties". When you have multiple people with good bonuses rolling at the same things, it makes the challenges too easy and it causes players' attrition for stepping on each other's specialties. (OTOH when you have missing specialties, the players are just encouraged to solve those challenges with alternate means)

As an example, that Thief could alone cover all the party's needs for interaction (Cha checks) and exploration (Wis+Dex checks).

 

[Kinak]

I personally don't like expertise dice at all, but if we're going to have them, I think this fits humans well.

So far, though, my favorite solution is giving humans a stat bump at first level like classes get (+2 to one, +1 to two, or a feat if they're in your campaign). And maybe a bonus language to bring them in line with the other races that get common and a racial language.

Of course, that's not saying we couldn't have both like you suggested with the expertise feat.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[Szatany]

I don't think a bonus feat is ever happening, because feats are supposed to be optional.
How about a free level in any class, but without HP and attack bonus?

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

This is a reasonable direction to go. It's simple, versatile, and significant.

 

[Warbringer]

I like, but no growth. Flat d6 or d4, and if there is a class bonus for the same ability, the die grows one step.

 

[the Jester]

Not bad. My only adjustment would be to remove the "doesn't stack with fields of lore" clause.

 

[YRUSirius]

I always liked some kind of action point mechanic for humans, because it emulated their highly adaptable and opportunistic nature pretty well. 4E Essentials gave humans heroic surge, which they could use to add +4 to a missed attack, saving throw or attack.

A feature where a human could add advantage to any d20 roll once per short rest or maybe reroll any d20 once per short rest would please me too.

Or give the halfing race feature "lucky" to humans and call it "opportunistic".

-YRUSirius