sevenbastard
Legend
B/X didn't have ability score modifiers for races as they were classes. You could play a halfling with 18 str if you rolled it (or lowered your wisdom or intelligence to boost it).
Halflings in B/X were strong ranged fighters +1 to hit on all missile weapons. More importantly because Dex was a prime request they could raise it by lowering Int or Wis so you could pump up your Dex to get even better to hit bonus.
Halfling weirdly become the default archer of B/X a stereotype not seen in other versions of D&D. Because the short bow does the same damage as a long bow in the game and elves have no special rules with bows, the halfling is great for that role.
They also make good scouts because they are hard to spot in the wilderness. If anything they are a Ranger.
