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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chaosmancer" data-source="post: 7255389" data-attributes="member: 6801228">Reading through all this, I have a few thoughts. To begin with, I think I am fine with the way things currently stand in 5e. The +2/+1 dynamic does encourage certain easier paths, but it is still easy enough to break away from those lines either for other abilities (I loved playing a Gnome Cleric for my insane mental saves) or for story reasons. We're at a good balancing point, IMO.I definitely do not want to go further into Race X must be the best at Class Y. I remember the discussion where someone wanted to change High Elves to make them even better wizards, because High Elves are supposed to be the best wizards. I don't agree with that position, that is a bridge too far for me and I think is a worrisome potential trend that would lead us back closer to "Elf the Class" ect. However, I would not be entirely against going the opposite direction, moving some of the stat bonuses to backgrounds and classes. I find the idea that becoming a Fighter or a Wizard entails enough hard work and study that your body or mind is trained in response. That your background gives you enough experience and work that again, it changes you physically. However, on top of not thinking this is necessary, I would find two major problems with it. 1) It simply shifts the problem from Race to Background. If all Criminals get a bonus to dexterity, you'll see a lot more rangers and monks who used to be criminals, because dex is a very important stat for them. Or, it could shift the burden onto classes. There are multiple ways to build each class, focusing on different stat arrangements. Some aren't optimal, but they are currently still viable, this could change if the class begins directing the arrangement. 2) There is too much opinion and interpretation. Let us take Criminal, dex bonus because you constantly ran from the Law. Why not a wisdom bonus because you were constantly the look out and became keener of eye? Or an Intelligence Bonus because you were a criminal mastermind with complicated plots who sat in his room forging documents and counting gold instead of being out in the streets? Strength bonus for being the Thug who broke people's knees and kicked in doors? Charisma bonus for being a Grifter? You could make the argument for a lot of different routes, each one potentially valid, and the same thing, to a smaller degree, could be done with classes. Should a fighter get Dex, Strength or Con? All three could be argued. I definitely agree with the desire to have each race and each class be more distinctive. Why do Dwarven Clerics pray in Temples instead of Forges? What does it mean that all Elves know how to use the Sword and the Bow? Would a Goliath Wizard act and practice the same as a Human Wizard? Is a Firbolg Druid really doing the same things as a Dragonborn Druid? But to get these all to a place where I would completely happy with all of them would require a complete rewrite of everything, and that is far too much effort for a game when I could just write a novel series instead.</blockquote>

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