My friend and I were discussing 4e's racial ability score bonuses yesterday, and we had two concerns. First, we missed somewhat the penalties that existed in earlier editions. Second, we thought that giving racial bonuses in two stats made it very sub-optimal to play classes that did not match at least one of the ability scores boosts. For example, it makes little sense to play a halfling fighter since neither dexterity nor charisma are useful to the class. Of course, one could play a halfling fighter, but such a decision is much more statistically painful than in 3e.
We came up with the following house rules to cover these concerns. I am interested in your thoughts about this house rule in general. I have not included dragonborn and tieflings because they are too new for me at this point. I have included my old friend the gnome. Anyone who wants to suggest parallel adjustments to dragonborn, tieflings, drow, etc. would be most welcome.
Dwarf: +2 to Constitution, +1 Wisdom, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Charisma)
Eladrin: +2 Intelligence, +1 Dexterity, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Constitution)
Elf: +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Constitution).
Half-Elf: +1 Intelligence or Dexterity or Charisma, +2 Ability Score (Cannot be Constitution or the one raised by the previous +1).
Halfling: +2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Strength)
Human: +2 to One Ability Score, +1 Other Ability Score.
Gnome: Allowed. +2 Charisma, +1 Constitution, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Strength)
Marnak
We came up with the following house rules to cover these concerns. I am interested in your thoughts about this house rule in general. I have not included dragonborn and tieflings because they are too new for me at this point. I have included my old friend the gnome. Anyone who wants to suggest parallel adjustments to dragonborn, tieflings, drow, etc. would be most welcome.
Dwarf: +2 to Constitution, +1 Wisdom, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Charisma)
Eladrin: +2 Intelligence, +1 Dexterity, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Constitution)
Elf: +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Constitution).
Half-Elf: +1 Intelligence or Dexterity or Charisma, +2 Ability Score (Cannot be Constitution or the one raised by the previous +1).
Halfling: +2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Strength)
Human: +2 to One Ability Score, +1 Other Ability Score.
Gnome: Allowed. +2 Charisma, +1 Constitution, +1 Other Ability Score (Cannot be Strength)
Marnak
