D&D (2024) No Dwarf, Halfling, and Orc suborgins, lineages, and legacies

[Micah Sweet]

It means something in the context of fantasy gaming, and fantasy literature in general. There's dozens of examples of D&D derived elves that already exist in the fantasy space. D&D can leverage that concept without having to explicitly define it mechanically, and only present the distinctions from the assumed norm.

I don't believe they can leverage it without mechanical definition, not to my tastes.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I am broad strokes simulationist. I don't want any sort of exact or detailed simulation, but I ultimately want the mechanics to represent the fictional reality even somewhat consistent manner. Also if we have defined rule package splats like species and classes, I want their mechanics actually tell us something about the fictional reality. I also want things that are different in fiction to be different mechanically. Ideally I would want things to be roughly balanced, so I don't really want halfling barbarians to be terrible, but I would want instead of super strong halfling there to be a dex based barbarian build for them that relied more on their nimbleness (I think this would fit the elves too.) But for me balance is a secondary consideration, and I am willing to make some sacrifices on it for verisimilitude.

I'm a bit more hard core than that, but generally speaking I feel the same way. My version of 5e definitely follows that design philosophy.

 

[Remathilis]

Nope. Multiple ways to play elves is fine, but they still need something that makes them an elf as opposed to something else, and I would prefer that thing not be primary what they look like.

That depends. If elf is a class, there is only one way to rock. If elf is limited to fighter, mage, thief and ranger, you have four (three of which are different takes on archer/Dex warrior). If you have access to any class but your pushed by your racial features to be a Dex warrior or mage, you have a lot of false choices. If elf adds some abilities but allows you to be good as any class you have maximum choice.

 

[jmartkdr2]

That is absurd number of species. Some combination and streamlining is needed. But indeed a big book with rules and lore for several species seems like a good idea.

Races of Stone and Races of the Wild were three species each, and even introduced Goliaths.

 

[jmartkdr2]

That is absurd number of species. Some combination and streamlining is needed. But indeed a big book with rules and lore for several species seems like a good idea.

Races of Stone and Races of the Wild were three species each, and even introduced Goliaths.

 

[Scott Christian]

Guard

Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: [rollable]+3;{'diceNotation':'1d20+3','rollType':'to hit','rollAction':'Spear'}[/rollable] to hit, ...

www.dndbeyond.com

STR 13
DEX 12
CON 12
INT 10
WIS 11
CHA 10

How does one stat block represent the general population?
Look in the back of the MM.
Noble = 14 wisdom, 16 charisma
Spy = 15 dex, 14 wisdom, 16 charisma
Priest = 16 wisdom
Knight = 16 strength, 14 con, 15 charisma
etc...

You are confusing ability scores with racial and class abilities. In those terms they are extraordinary. A PC fighter is like Bruce Lee learning martial arts. There are others that are just as fast and strong and built, but for some reason he is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone - especially those who have studied the same amount of time.

 

[Scott Christian]

because the math depends on higher stats to work which is part of the problem.

It doesn't rely on that at all. There are many random NPCs and regular folk that have ability scores in the 14-18 range. A lot.

 

[Scribe]

Bounded Accuracy and the 5e math in relation to a +/- 1?

Still folks? Still?

 

[Micah Sweet]

How does one stat block represent the general population?
Look in the back of the MM.
Noble = 14 wisdom, 16 charisma
Spy = 15 dex, 14 wisdom, 16 charisma
Priest = 16 wisdom
Knight = 16 strength, 14 con, 15 charisma
etc...

You are confusing ability scores with racial and class abilities. In those terms they are extraordinary. A PC fighter is like Bruce Lee learning martial arts. There are others that are just as fast and strong and built, but for some reason he is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone - especially those who have studied the same amount of time.

I don't recall seeing anything in the book stating that PCs are "just better" than other members of their heritage.

 

[Minigiant]

How does one stat block represent the general population?
Look in the back of the MM.
Noble = 14 wisdom, 16 charisma
Spy = 15 dex, 14 wisdom, 16 charisma
Priest = 16 wisdom
Knight = 16 strength, 14 con, 15 charisma
etc...

You are confusing ability scores with racial and class abilities. In those terms they are extraordinary. A PC fighter is like Bruce Lee learning martial arts. There are others that are just as fast and strong and built, but for some reason he is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone - especially those who have studied the same amount of time.

Nobles and Knights are literally the Elite.
Commoners, guards, and tribal warriors are normal people.
The DMG gives you the racial adjustments for humaniod NPCs. Even with racial ASI, the guards and commoners are far below the scores for PCs.

3e had a concept of arrays

The Elite array was for PCs and NPCs who had PC class levels.
Then Nonelite array was for nonPC ranked NPCs who had NPC class levels. It was 2 +1s and 2 -1s for flavor.
Then "All 10s and 11s" for normal monsters.

So in 3e it was assumed your PC was better than common members of your race.

Even in 0e, 1e, and 2e, it was assumed that your main PCs were the ones who rolled well. If you rolled bad, your PC died.