PH3 Playtest Race: Wilden

[Dire Bare]

The Warforged article in Dragon isn't a Playtest, it's a full, official write-up. Or at least that's what is was meant to be, before WotC decided they just had to change it and put it in the EPG. But originally, it was official.

Yes and no. The article, "Playing Warforged" was not labeled as a "playtest" article, but that was the general intent. That article was so popular it basically convinced WotC to offer more playtests, basically created a recurring feature in the magazine. The warforged race was always planned for the Eberron Player's Guide coming out this summer, it was not a change due to the popularity of the article.

And either way, it's always been "official"!! Everything published in Dragon and Dungeon is official . . . but if it is labeled as a playtest, that just means it might change significantly between it's initial introduction and the later product it's scheduled to appear in.

 

[Rechan]

This already happened with the Gnome and Tiefling, and the Elf and Razorclaw Shifter. It was bound to happen sooner or later in any case: with six attributes there are only so many ways to choose two of them.

And yet oddly we are still missing some combos.

+2 Dex/Con
+2 Con/Int
+2 Wis/Cha (Yes, I'm aware that's two of the same defense; now count the +2 Str/Con and +2 Int/Dex races).

Personally I'd like another +2 Con/Cha race, just so Half-Elves aren't the only ones.

But these days, I'm leaning towards saying the hell with fixed racial stat bonuses.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

But these days, I'm leaning towards saying the hell with fixed racial stat bonuses.

I dunno, if I am to that extent. But I certainly don't see them as that important. I think Racial Features are a much more important aspect, I don't even look at the bonuses just the Features since that is what truly makes a race unique in a mechanical sense.

 

[Rani]

And yet oddly we are still missing some combos.

+2 Dex/Con
+2 Con/Int
+2 Wis/Cha (Yes, I'm aware that's two of the same defense; now count the +2 Str/Con and +2 Int/Dex races) <snip>

Isn't the Gnoll dex/con?

 

[pawsplay]

Cool, I called this one. Love the Killoren. Not so crazy about the name Wildren, but since I'm not a 4e player, my opinion on such matters is academic.

 

[Psikus]

I like it, but would have hoped for some racial feats (and maybe a paragon class or two) like they did with warforged. Without those it's not that much of a playtest.

My thoughts exactly. Currently players who are looking to play one of these are likely to swap from Dwarf to Wilden. Having 0 racial feats makes it a really bad idea for any character who has dwarven feats.

I also think that there should have been a few racial feats for the article to be an actual playtest. In case you're interested, I have made a few Wilden feats, which you can find on my blog.

Other than that, I liked the article. I'm not usually too keen on weird races, but I might end up playing one of these, eventually. After all, I can't think of a better fit for a primal class.

 

[fireinthedust]

I don't like them. I think they're overpowered in play: stealth around, then strike from shadows. Con-lock would be too good that way. Not a big fan of the powers, too easy to trigger.

Also I haaaaaate the look. This is too close to the goofy side of RPGs, like all the weird stuff that never gets used. I mean, can any of you imagine these guys walking into a TAVERN at first level, looking for an adventure?

"Hi, I'm one of the Natural World's antibodies against a realm none of you know about that would make you go insane if you even thought about it. Um, could I have an Ale? I'm looking to go adventuring and find some magical items (because the world that hatched me as an Antibody didn't give me any kind of natural defences to handle what it wants me to fight). Um, did I mention this is completely normal for you?"

Like, yeah I get that it might be interesting. But no, they're not plausible.

And where are the Modrons? The Bariaur? The Narnia animals with magic powers? (oddly, I think a Tiger in magic plate that lobs fireballs would be more in-place than this guy in a fantasy setting. I am comfortable with this).

 

[rounser]

"Hi, I'm one of the Natural World's antibodies against a realm none of you know about that would make you go insane if you even thought about it. Um, could I have an Ale? I'm looking to go adventuring and find some magical items (because the world that hatched me as an Antibody didn't give me any kind of natural defences to handle what it wants me to fight). Um, did I mention this is completely normal for you?"

Like, yeah I get that it might be interesting. But no, they're not plausible.

And ugly dragonpeople who breathe fire and can burn the tavern down, and teleporting elves who aren't even called elves who just shift from the bar to the table all day long are? And the robots and the ramheads are regulars...if it's a tavern, then either it's the Star Wars Cantina, or everywhere is now like Sigil.

D&D's implied setting is IMO not in a safe pair of hands, here. I'm surprised you didn't notice until just now.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

People always ask "Can you imagine this walking into a tavern looking for adventure?" as if it were a good thing to trot out that stupid, tired trope again and again and again and again and again for decades more.

Viva something non-traditional, for goodness' sake.

 

[rounser]

Viva something non-traditional, for goodness' sake.

If it were optional splat, sure. But it's as "core" as humans, and will be treated as such unless specifically banned. Therein lies the rub.