D&D 5E Race-Class Combinations

[Sword of Spirit]

You could raise or lower the multiclassing requirements based on races. Perhaps dwarves have the ability requirements reduced by 2 in preferred classes and increased by 2 in non-preferred ones.

Or you could even invoke (minor) ability requirements for single class characters.

Depending on how you specifically implement that, the net effects could be that it has little effect on most PCs, but enforces some campaign flavor for NPCs.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Just because some classes are usually associated with some races isn't reason enough to impose the kind of limitations we're talking about here, in my opinion. Quite the opposite, really. PCs are supposed to stand out, they are extraordinary individuals who face challenges that most people can't even imagine. If Dwarven Wizards are unheard of, you can bet that I want to play one (or a Half-Orc Bard, or an Elvish Barbarian, or a Gnome Fighter) because that would automatically lead to interesting stories and opportunities.

 

[Shiroiken]

Just because some classes are usually associated with some races isn't reason enough to impose the kind of limitations we're talking about here, in my opinion. Quite the opposite, really. PCs are supposed to stand out, they are extraordinary individuals who face challenges that most people can't even imagine. If Dwarven Wizards are unheard of, you can bet that I want to play one (or a Half-Orc Bard, or an Elvish Barbarian, or a Gnome Fighter) because that would automatically lead to interesting stories and opportunities.

This is one philosophy, but others (like myself) feel that PCs are part of the world, not the focus of it. PCs are not "precious snowflakes" that are more important normal people. They are only extraordinary because of the choices they've made (to become adventurers/heroes/whatever).

 

[Remathilis]

PCs are always special snowflakes. They can be whatever they want. However, most NPCs tend toward the traditional roles (you don't find NPC dwarf monks, for example).

That said, I haven't had any really weird combos in 14 years...

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

PCs are not "precious snowflakes" that are more important normal people. They are only extraordinary because of the choices they've made (to become adventurers/heroes/whatever).

... or to embrace an atypical career. That's just one more choice.

 

[Shiroiken]

... or to embrace an atypical career. That's just one more choice.

Yes, but those choices have social consequences. This isn't limited to race-class combinations either, as in my world adventurers as a whole are frowned upon as ner-do-wells and ruffians. People are traditionally very strict on keeping to social norms, and I show this in my world.