D&D 5E Race/Class combinations that were cool but you avoided due to mechanics?

[Charlaquin]

A Stout Halflings is actually not bad for a Barbarian: Longsword held with both hands is a solid d10 still.

I’d be willing to stomach the smaller damage die if I didn’t also have to eat the lack of Strength bonus. The two together is just too much for me.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

*Any elven or half-elf I've ever played in any edition dies by 3rd level or before.

Ah, this is a bit like how any character I play, no matter how competent (even deadly martial artists!), loses in any fist-fights they get involved in.

 

[Gradine]

My last 3.X character was a melee-fighting Dwarf Transmuter whose signature spell was Enlarge Person. Any time I cast it I would replace my mini with a Hulk HeroClix. She was a blast to play

 

[Xeviat]

I'm playing an Aasimar Rogue/Paladin right now, building for Dex/Cha. Not having a Dex bonus from race made a 14 Dex optimal, and my multiclassing will delay my Dex growth. I'm feeling it a little, but it's the character I wanted to make (swashbuckling paladin).

Lots of others come to mind. Tiefling fighter is the first.

 

[Marandahir]

Wood Elf Wizards, Paladins, Warlocks.
Dark Elf Wizards, Clerics, Rangers.
High Elf Bards, Warlocks, Clerics, Druids, Sorcerers, Paladins.
Shadar-kai Elf Warlocks, Bards, Wizards, Clerics, Sorcerers, Paladins.
Eladrin Elf Wizards, Artificers, Clerics, Druids.

Goliath Clerics, Druids, Artificers, Wizards, Rangers, Monks.
Firbolg Bards, Warlocks, Wizards.
Dwarf Artificers, Paladins, Bards, Rogues, Wizards, Warlocks.

Aarakocra Bards, Paladins, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Artificers.
Dragonborn Druids, Clerics, Wizards, Artificers.
Orc Druids, Sorcerers, Clerics, Warlocks.
Minotaur Druids, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Artificers.
Centaur Bards.
Satyr Druids, Rangers.
Vedalken Bards.
Warforged Artificers, Wizards, Warlocks.

 

[Undrave]

I've chosen human when I preferred another race for RP reasons because of the feat the humans get.

I've also chosen a race that has darkvision over a race without darkvision, despite wanting the other race for RP reasons, because of the darkvision.

I will admit all my AL characters were humans specifically because I could get a free feat. Also, being the ONLY one without Darkvision in a party is a pain in the behind.

But I have to admit, half the reason I play any particular combination is because I find a cool mini that I want to paint and use.

They have those neat 'race+class' minis (forgot who makes them) at my local store but I NEVER saw a Dwarf Druid when I was playing one and it was frustrating...

Yep. Every time I want to play a kobold and see that massive penalty, I'm turned away.

Oh yeah, that stupid weakness to sunlight... In 4e, playing a kobold was FUN! But in 5e it's too much of a drag(on) to even bother.

 

[Undrave]

Warforged Artificers, Wizards, Warlocks.

In 4e I played a Warforged Star Pact Warlock who had been partially built out of a meteor! Back then, Warlocks could use CON to cast their spells and it worked perfectly. He was crazy and heard things in his head...

 

[FrogReaver]

If you think "types" are defined by optimal combinations of mechanics, it will always be possible to play against type by picking a sub-optimal combination, whether the mechanics are labeled "race" or "lineage traits" or something else.

If you think "types" are defined by the traditions of fantasy literature, it will always be possible to play against type by picking a combination that's less common in the literature.

Either way, it will always be possible to play against type.

...but it won’t be possible to play against current types. So I don’t really feel that’s a valid counterpoint so long as it’s the current types i want to keep being able to play against.

so you are right in a way but not in the full context of the initial point.

 

[GlassJaw]

I also wish there were other options to choose from than the mountain dwarf armor proficiencies. It's a decent ability but useless on half the classes.

 

[Oofta]

...
They have those neat 'race+class' minis (forgot who makes them) at my local store but I NEVER saw a Dwarf Druid when I was playing one and it was frustrating...
...

Great. Now I need to order this mini if nothing else, just for the badger.