D&D (2024) Just drop the backgrounds.

[CreamCloud0]

The new edition could always come up with a Culture element instead. Background is what you did before you went out to become an Adventurer. Culture is just as important as race and background.

Yeah the idea of having four parts to character creation appeals personally,
Species: inherent biological traits (elven trance, tiefling fire resistance, halfling’s nimble)
Culture: learned societal traits (languages, dwarven armour training, Gnome’s tinker)
Background: skills from what you did before you became an adventurer (extra proficiencies, specific traits(folk hero’s rustic hospitality, noble’s position of privilege)
Class: class (rogue, cleric, warlock, ect...)

 

[Corinnguard]

Yeah the idea of having four parts to character creation appeals personally,
Species: inherent biological traits (elven trance, tiefling fire resistance, halfling’s nimble)
Culture: learned societal traits (languages, dwarven armour training, H-Orc’s savage attacks)
Background: skills from what you did before you became an adventurer (extra proficiencies, specific traits(folk hero’s rustic hospitality, noble’s position of privilege)
Class: class (rogue, cleric, warlock, ect...)

Character creation in Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition is composed of Heritage (who your parents are), Culture (the society you grew up in), Background (who you before you became an adventurer) and Destiny (your goal as an adventurer). And with regards to the first two, you can be a member of one heritage, but grow up in a completely different culture (and gain the benefits of being raised in that other culture).

Why is culture not considered relevant in D&D?

 

[gorice]

Again, we play level 0 with just our background, no class.

That's a really cool idea. Do you choose stats first, or generate them when you pick a class?

 

[CreamCloud0]

Why is culture not considered relevant in D&D?

I don’t think it was considered irrelevant only that it was considered part and parcel of your species, ‘you are an X, you were raised in a society of other X’s’

 

[Corinnguard]

I don’t think it was considered irrelevant only that it was considered part and parcel of your species, ‘you are an X, you were raised in a society of other X’s’

True, but what if you wanted X to be raised in a society of Y's?

 

[CreamCloud0]

That's a really cool idea. Do you choose stats first, or generate them when you pick a class?

Logically you would pick stats first right? Even commoners who don’t have a class still have stats.

 

[CreamCloud0]

True, but what if you wanted X to be raised in a society of Y's?

Then you just had to deal with having your biological species societal traits, or build your character to accommodate, or ask your GM to homebrew/swap out some of your features.

But just because DnD doesn’t offer flexibility of culture doesn’t mean culture isn’t factored as a feature.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I tend to not use passive checks that much. Not sure if I should use them more. Letting everyone just pick 2 bonus skills means that everyone picks the 'god' skill for one and shoehorn a reason that it fits. "Turnip farmers need to have good Perception to spot blight on the plants and see if rabbits are eating the crops."

I think, decoupling makes perecption a normal skill.
If stealth vs awareness defense is standard, you don't risk missing out an entire turn, just because you don't have skilled perception.

On a different note: the current rules also allow everyone to chose any skill they like, as backgrounds are already optional.

 

[Corinnguard]

Then you just had to deal with having your biological species societal traits, or build your character to accommodate, or ask your GM to homebrew/swap out some of your features.

But just because DnD doesn’t offer flexibility of culture doesn’t mean culture isn’t factored as a feature.

True. In Advanced 5th Edition otoh, you get some crunch for being a member of a particular culture. The crunch takes on the form of additional proficiencies in skills, languages, tools and weapons. You might also get a spell-like ability. For instance, Dragonborn can be a part of the Dragonbound Culture and gain expertise to Charisma skill checks when dealing with dragons, a cantrip from either the Wizard's or Cleric's spell lists and a Progenitor's Boon (which depends on what kind of dragon your progenitor happens to be- Chromatic, Essence, Gem and Metallic). Chromatic Dragonborn with this background get a limited form of Cause Fear. Essence Dragonborn, who have something of a druidic bent get the Druidcraft cantrip and get an expertise die not just with dragons, but with woodland creatures as well. Gem Dragonborn get three cantrips so that they can be better spies. And Metallic Dragonborn get a skill proficiency in a Knowledge skill and a expertise die in that skill.

There are some non-heritage specific cultures in A5e too such as Cosmopolitan and Imperial.

 

[Gorck]

Quick note, Class comes before Race selection in OneD&D now.

It's funny you say this, because whenever I create a character, I know I should build it chronologically: first choose a Race because that's who I was born as, then choose a Background because that's how I grew up, and finally choose a Class because that's what I do now. But, inevitably, I always wind up choosing my Class first.

I once read a tip about improving your Role Playing that recommended the chronological method.