D&D 4E The 4e Mystery Race is going to be...

[Driddle]

I think the drow in the starter set is the strongest indicator of what the mystery race is going to be

Nah. Too obvious, too trendy, and too much elf.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think the drow in the starter set is the strongest indicator of what the mystery race is going to be, especially since it's been described as subterranean and controversial, with most of the controversy linked to a single setting.

...y'know, I was beginning to think that drow might be a bit too obvious, but...

No other race that I know of occupies that niche (subterranean, controversial because of a single setting) except for maybe gully dwarves or tinker gnomes.

Goblins aren't controversial much, let alone controversial because of a single setting.

*sigh* The PHB is going to be half elf, I think. Sad, but...

Quick, someone ask them what the role of the drow will be in 4e!

 

[Epic Meepo]

I have to agree with the growing consensus that it might be orcs. Orcs are "controversial because of a single campaign setting" because PC orcs in Eberron aren't that strange at all, whereas PC orcs in FR are kinda new. So in the two currently supported settings, orcs are only controversial in one.

I might have leaned towards hobgoblins, but I seem to recall that Kingdoms of Kalamar already did hobgoblins as a "civilized" race, so I can't see WotC also doing it.

On the other hand, I seem to recall gnolls being one of the main factions in the Chainmail revamp campaign setting that came out a while back, so maybe gnolls are going to sneak in under the radar. That would certainly make things more interesting.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I have to agree with the growing consensus that it might be orcs. Orcs are "controversial because of a single campaign setting" because PC orcs in Eberron aren't that strange at all, whereas PC orcs in FR are kinda new. So in the two currently supported settings, orcs are only controversial in one.

Which of those is controversial?

 

[Epic Meepo]

Which of those is controversial?

"Civilized" orcs in FR are potentially controversial, since they're a change from the way things used to work. (I see no controversy, but some Realms fans might.) "Civilized" orcs in Eberron are not controversial, since "civilized" orcs were written in as a feature of the world from the outset.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

I believe they will be Hobgoblins. Just seems to line up with other hints they've been dropping in the playtests.

That said, I'd be fine with Orcs as well. No more elf offshoots please, between half elf, wood elf, and eladrin, I think that's plenty for standard races.

 

[Remathilis]

I doubt its going to be hobgoblin, goblin, gnoll, etc.

When your looking at gnolls, you say "well, gnolls are kinda these savage, feral, pack kinda guys", well, what would a group of guys like that, how would they fight? What's interesting about those guys? and what can you do to really evoke that sense at the table that when you're fighting gnolls, it doesn't feel like your fighting orcs, it doesn't feel like your fighting goblins.

I think that puts a wound in the orc, goblin, and gnoll as PH races...

 

[WarlockLord]

I think it's drow.

1) Drow make good clerics, flavor-wise (at least, the females supposedly did. Nver mind the fact they sucked in 3e)

2) Again, know any other subterranean races everyone hates?

3) There are many elf fanboys. (I hate all elves, except drow and gray. Anything else...die)

4)Again, the drow in the starter set (what does it do? is it a mage, warrior, what?)

So long as they keep the drow as a good race for wizards, fine. If not...

Will the races end up being specialized toward a particular class, or will they all have different powers that synergize with various classes?

 

[Tuzenbach]

It's obviously Smurfs.

 

[Driddle]

What's the trendy race in World of Warcraft? THAT will be the new D&D core PHB race. Good marketing choice.