Humans as a generic race

[Xethreau]

Generic, I think, has two distinct features. One feature is that 'generic' can mean usable in most situations; the other is that it can mean 'bland.' In 4e, the designers tried to make humans just as applicable to any world, but less bland. They added more flavor which fits (besides what already was in Races of Destiny, humans are now the makers of many great empires, which all have fallen, and are noted for their 'corruption,' the tendency to stray from their path.)

As far as mechanics go, humans are noted for being a good choice for any class. I anticipate they will have a +2 to one mental score and one physical score. I also imagine either some power that allows them to recover from wounds quicker, or the ability to select an extra class power or bonus feat here and there.

That would make humans more generally useful, but less bland, don't you think?

 

[Plane Sailing]

I don't imagine that humans will have ANY stat bonus. They might still get the extra feat (and an extra skill/trained skill/whatever) and they will probably get one or two abilities which give them additional resilience.

Probably not an extra second wind as that has been given to dwarves.

Might be something to recover a per encounter ability instantly 1/day, might be a higher healing rate

 

[Insight]

Remember that one of the design theories stated in R&C is that the former LA+1 races will now be possible as PCs without a level adjustment because of the "goodies" being given to 4E base races. Theoretically then, you have to imagine that, especially based on what Elves are given, Humans have to get something good, especially if you assume that Humans do not get a stat bonus at all.

So if Humans do not get a stat bonus, they'd have to get something really good. REALLY good. And balanced along the lines of what we know Elves get. It's interesting to see what they come up with.

 

[WyzardWhately]

Well, in return for a total of +4 to your abilities, humans special things would have to be pretty solidly awesome. I mean, lots of awesome.

 

[szilard]

I've never really liked the human extra skill points. Humans are more skilled than elves and dwarves (who are much older than they are)? Really?

No.

I expect humans in 4e will be balanced with other races largely by giving them more action point things.

-Stuart

 

[PeterWeller]

It's still too early to say that all races will get +2 to two stats. I think it's probable, but we don't know for sure. We're also pretty in the dark over how exactly characters will gain skills and feats, so we really don't have much to go on when talking about how they'll balance humans against the other races.

 

[pawsplay]

Maybe humans will just get five bonus feats or something.

 

[Greg K]

Personally, I wish the designers would have removed the non-biological aspects of the races and introduced environmental/cultural skill packages (similar to HARP and Rolemaster Adolecense) and occupations (like d20 Modern). For example, someone growing up in a mountain culture of herders might have climb and balance and class skills, Endurance, and a weapon (maybe sling) as a feat for being from the mountains and they might get handle animal, knowledge (geography or nature) and a cultural weapon plus maybe survival as additional bonus class skills for being herders. Someone growing up among religious desert dwellling nomadic herders might have survival, knowledge (geography or religion) and a heat tolerance package for growing up in the desert and both ride and handle animal for being nomadic horseman hreders.

This way, the DM could quickly mix and match races and environment/cultural packages to create cultures for their world and quickly handle those unique character backgrounds for a nonhuman growing up among humans and vice versa.

 

[Mercule]

Generic, I think, has two distinct features. One feature is that 'generic' can mean usable in most situations; the other is that it can mean 'bland.'

I don't think that humans should even be considered "generic". Humans are our frame of reference in D&D because every single RPG player is... human. So, the baseline statistical framework of the game describes humans. Any other racial modifications are in comparison to humans -- by their very nature the mods describe how the races differ from humans.

A better way to describe human stats is "normative". They are the rule against which everything else is measured.

That said, I still don't have any issue with a couple of stat bonuses, bonus feats, etc. for PCs. The PCs aren't "normal" humans, anyway. They're heroic humans and will have higher stats, accordingly. I hope the flavor text for the other races reflect that average members of the other races aren't statistically better than average humans. Elves may still tend to be a bit less hardy than humans, on average, but the adventurous sort reflect the heroes and, as such, do not have any stat penalties unless the player spreads his stat points (or rolls) accordingly.

 

[Stogoe]

I'm pretty sure that humans will get a free weapon proficiency. R&C had a couple paragraphs about all humans knowing how defend themselves and their homes with a weapon. Other than that, I don't know. Probably an extra Second Wind, but that's also supposed to be a dwarven thing...