D&D 5E Should Humans get subraces in 5e?

[delericho]

Actually, I agree with you that it would be nice to have an "easy race" option, but not in those terms.

I'd actually be inclined to think that every race should have an 'easy' version and (if applicable) a harder version. This may well take the form of having a 'default' subrace for each race, or the harder version might be implemented via race-specific feats/powers/whatever.

But you're right - people should choose "Human" because they want to play a human character and "Elf" to be an elf, not because one is 'easy' and the other 'hard'.

 

[gweinel]

Absolutely yes. There are low fantasy campaigns (ex games of thrones style) that a differentiation of this type would add depth to the characters. I can see however that this would not be in ph, but i would really welcome it as a guide in a section of "how to create human variants" in the dmg.

 

[delericho]

but i would really welcome it as a guide in a section of "how to create human variants" in the dmg.

In general, I have no problem with any and all options being presented as options in the DMG. However, I don't want to see a "how to create human variants" section, specifically - I want a "how to create subraces" section.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Two points:

1. In The One Ring, races and cultures have been blended seamlessly and successfully: one can choose to be an elf or a dwarf or a Beorning and the choice is mechanically neutral -- each option opens up different choices that have been balanced against one another well. So it's certainly possible; it's just not what D&D has done in the past, and that is unlikely to change.

2. While I don't think there will be sub races for humans, I do think it makes sense to present half-elf and half-orc as human sub races; especially if (as in the last pack) they are "optional" races, that seems a straightforward classification for them (even if they will not have all the benefits of the "straight" human.)

 

[Obryn]

IMO, not without an actual setting to put such subraces into. If there's an actual setting, it can work okay, I think. If it's setting-neutral, I think it veers into the icky kind of quickly.

 

[Kobold Stew]

How is it more different than having them in the game but not having them as a human sub race? If anything, it suggests the "icky" is well and truly in the past. I'd have thought that was better.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The elves who have established a civilization around tracking and bows (and wearing green) vs. magic and lore (and wearing flowy robes) or the dwarves who have nations in/under the mountains vs. the ones who live on the hills or the farming halflings with hairy feet who live upriver from the fishing (or gypsy or whatever) halflings that wear shoes aren't different species...different genuses [geni?] maybe is arguable, but that's more for individual tables/DMs to decide.

So, I guess where I'm coming from/looking at it, if the non-humans are getting those [predominantly cultural] options...and we all know/have to accept they're not going to get deleted from the game...then why shouldn't humans get equivalent options?

I look at it from the opposite side. Do you really need those dwarf or halfling subraces? Do you really need all those elf subraces? That sounds like complexity for it's own sake, not doing something that's good for the game.

 

[steeldragons]

I look at it from the opposite side. Do you really need those dwarf or halfling subraces? Do you really need all those elf subraces? That sounds like complexity for it's own sake, not doing something that's good for the game.

I don't disagree. But it's a moot point. Folks will be all up in arms if they get Wood elves with no High elf variant or if the game says (which I don't believe it ever will again) halflings have hairy feet or the PC dwarf is a Hill dwarf,period. That design ship has sailed. They're going to be there.

 

[Li Shenron]

I look at it from the opposite side. Do you really need those dwarf or halfling subraces? Do you really need all those elf subraces? That sounds like complexity for it's own sake, not doing something that's good for the game.

I think the reason for Elves subraces is the long argument about magic & noble elves vs nature elves. In 4e they even split them into different races, but apparently it was too much.

Then perhaps Dwarves and Halflings got their 2 subraces as well mostly as a consequence.

 

[ppaladin123]

Well but then, D&D races are not races either. They are in fact species.

That can apparently breed with each other and produce viable non-sterile offspring...