D&D 5E Jeremy Crawford Discusses Details on Custom Origins

[Azzy]

Interestingly, he confirmed the details the new "custom lineages" option, which is pretty similar to the Variant Human:

• You get a +2 to place where you wish
• Choose between darkvision or one proficiency
• Pick a Feat

That sounds rather underwhelming. I was hoping for something a little more extensive.

 

[FarBeyondC]

Jeremy also hints at something that I think gets lost a lot, and that being how we perceive racial ability score adjustments. I.e., we see "Elves get +2 Dex" means that all elves, or elves in general, are more dexterous than anyone else. Instead, it actually means, "YOUR character who is an elf is more dexterous." When you change your perspective from "most races like X" to "my character gets this as an individual", it's much more easy to accept how a dwarf might be a wizard, or a halfling is extra strong. Because it's about your PC who is an exception, not a modifier to the average halfling, or elf, or dwarf.

If it's all about your character as an individual getting something (as opposed to your character getting something for being a general member of a particular group), what's the point of even noting that said character is a member of that group in the first place, mechanically speaking?

 

[Morrus]

If it's all about your character as an individual getting something (as opposed to your character getting something for being a general member of a particular group), what's the point of even noting that said character is a member of that group in the first place, mechanically speaking?

If +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to you, why are you playing a dwarf?

 

[Guest User]

If +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to you, why are you playing a dwarf?

The freedom, NAY, the responsibility, to give an awful rendition of a Scottish accent.

Now, my fellow players can put a +2 into Con..no matter their race..so they can stomach my atrocious verbal stylings.

 

[jgsugden]

The freedom, NAY, the responsibility, to give an awful rendition of a Scottish accent...

That is highly outdated talk, buddy.

A lot of people use awful renditions of Russian accents for dwarves these days, too.

 

[FarBeyondC]

If +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to you, why are you playing a dwarf?

I don't recall saying a +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to me.

I don't even remember saying a +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to me mechanically, which I almost consider a fair- if mistaken- interpretation of my words.

But to answer the question you asked, because having that +2 Con is important enough to and for the character in question that it trumps any and all other criteria for choosing a race.

 

[Weiley31]

If +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to you, why are you playing a dwarf?

Well Snow White IS my fave Disney movie.

 

[Azzy]

That is highly outdated talk, buddy.

A lot of people use awful renditions of Russian accents for dwarves these days, too.

Neverwinter Online switches freely between both for different characters.

 

[Undrave]

I think since he brought up the sage advice video he meant to trade them all for skills.

Edit: yeah I just texted him back he is asking if I think he could trade them all in for any 7 skills/Tools.

he is looking for alchemy tools tinkerer tools theives tools and some extra skills. I also mid understood thinking he was making 2 characters 1 a monk and 1 a wizard. But it looks like he wants to make a monk/wizard

Edit2: now he is also asking if I think the book would let him trade other weapon profs from wizard class for skills

Hmm... why not? He's getting Alchemist Kit and Tinkerer Tools, which are generally just for flavour, then Thieves' Tools which aren't bad for having the Monk take over the role normally taken by a party's Rogue. Then they get a few more skills... so what? The Monk is generally an underpowered grab-bag of abilities anyway, and doesn't get Expertise like the Bard or Rogue. With more skills in general they could still fit the party role of skill monkey by having breadth of skills rather than depth. Having more skills doesn't generally break the game.

And if he wants to be a Monk Wizard he'll probably sacrifice SOMETHING to get more INT (probably CON) and one of his extra skill will probably go to Arcana, a skill that's useful to have but with niche uses.

I think it just depends of the rest of the party composition and if he'll be stepping on any toes. Also, remind your Monk that just because he's proficient, doesn't mean he STARTS with those in his inventory.

I say go for it! It'll be an interesting character. He'll probably be the master of out of combat stuff.

I'm still on the fence on this. If we no longer have tropes then are you ever really playing against type? If every PC dwarf is a wizard (and they're one of the best options for it now) then my dwarven wizard suddenly doesn't stand out.

It's fine for those that want it, but I'll discuss with my group on the impact of the new rules before I use it for my home game.

I mean, those are optional rules. They're specifically there for 'out of the norm' characters. And don't obsess over what every other groups does, just take it one game at a time. How often do you start new campaign with new PCs anyway? You got time.

 

[Zaukrie]

If +2 Con is the only thing a dwarf is to you, why are you playing a dwarf?

To me, this raises the question.....are these all one race, that just look different? I mean, they can make babies together.....there are other mechanical differences, but there less and less....but then, we are talking about the PCs having different stats, the "typical" may have same stats.....