D&D General [+] More Robust 'Fantasy Race' Mechanics for D&D-alikes / Redeeming 'Race as Class' for Modern D&D [+]

[Micah Sweet]

If classes are going to grant abilities just about every level, then I think race should do something similar as well. I'd advocate for 1st/3rd/5th/7th/9th (or 1st/5th/9th) abilities myself. And preferably not "+1 to X stat".

1E and 2E didn't really need this sort of thing as there were no decision points during leveling, and other than spellcasters very few classes gained new abilities at level up - beyond better THAC0, hp & saves.

One of the things I've done with races in my 5E Frankenstein is:

Dwarves: If you choose a class/subclass that doesn't cast spells, you get Magic Resistance
Halflings: If you choose to take a -1 to Strength, you get a free Dex-based skill proficiency and PB advantage on Dex skill checks per day.
Elves: A feat that allows you to use Trance to change one skill Proficiency during a long rest.

And so on.

Level Up has packages of abilities for heritage. Two are chosen at first level, and the third comes in at tenth ("paragon" level). Each package provides options, so you can tailor your PC.

 

[TwoSix]

If classes are going to grant abilities just about every level, then I think race should do something similar as well. I'd advocate for 1st/3rd/5th/7th/9th (or 1st/5th/9th) abilities myself. And preferably not "+1 to X stat".

1E and 2E didn't really need this sort of thing as there were no decision points during leveling, and other than spellcasters very few classes gained new abilities at level up - beyond better THAC0, hp & saves.

One of the things I've done with races in my 5E Frankenstein is:

Dwarves: If you choose a class/subclass that doesn't cast spells, you get Magic Resistance
Halflings: If you choose to take a -1 to Strength, you get a free Dex-based skill proficiency and PB advantage on Dex skill checks per day.
Elves: A feat that allows you to use Trance to change one skill Proficiency during a long rest.

And so on.

One idea I've toyed with over the years is for a system where every character makes two major selections; their race, which grants them an ability at every odd level, and class, which gives them an ability at every even level.

Some ancestries have strong, locked in abilities that really synergize with very specific class abilities, such that not taking that class would be a major detriment. Other races have abilities that are more versatile. And a human's special racial ability is that they can multiclass, selecting a second class's abilities in their racial slots.