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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 8119877" data-attributes="member: 6801845">Do you really want an honest answer?  I mean, I've given it multiple times ... but sure.The reasons I personally have an issue with this change even though, no it's not the end of the world, it doesn't destroy, break, spindle or mutilate D&D*.Mountain dwarves had a niche.  They were were known as durable fighters.  They had an archetype, something that fit the general cultural expectation of dwarves.  This was reinforced by the fluff text but also because a preponderance of players used them for fighters.  The small "disadvantage" of having "only" a 15 in anything other than strength or con was effective in reinforcing that archetype.Having an easy to grasp identity, having clear archetypes is, I think, good for the game.  It's part of what makes D&D what it is.  When people new to the game join, most PC mountain dwarves will fit a preconceived notion of what a dwarf is.Now?  I wouldn't be surprised to see more mountain dwarf arcane casters than fighters because of the ability to wear armor (despite one very specific arcane caster build being able to get a 15).  In addition the penalty was so minor that mountain dwarf wizard worked just fine in actual play.  That let people play against expectations and stereotypes, something I enjoy now and then.I think the game loses more than it gains.  You could always build a PC that started with a 16 in their primary ability score.  Now?  We lose common archetypes, race become even more just a choice of what gives you the highest ability score.   Race becomes ever more meaningless. I think races work better if there's something to make them unique and special.  It's not bad that we'll see more mountain dwarves and half-elves at the table.  IMHO it's a loss to the game that being a mountain dwarf or half elf has been stripped of some of the last things that gave them a unique identity.Last but not least it seems odd that they made a change this fundamental without surveys and UA feedback.  I'd have less of a problem with it if they had added something, anything, to counterbalance this and reinforce things that make the different races distinct.  *Is that enough qualifications for you?</blockquote>

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