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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arial Black" data-source="post: 8198346" data-attributes="member: 6799649">I think this is the crux of the matter!For me, and I believe those on my side of this debate, the game mechanics of 'Race' in D&D really do apply to every member of that race, and not just to that one halfling/orc/whatever that happens to be a PC in the metagame.In this understanding, ALL of that race's game mechanics really do represent something about the concept of that race. Yes, even racial ability score modifiers.They tell us if, compared to humans, they are stronger or wiser or more dextrous as a whole.Even humans, with their floating bonuses, represent that the thing that sets humans apart is not their strength or their intelligence, but their adaptability.Making all racial modifiers floating means that they do not describe the race at all. This means that floating bonuses being compulsory for every race are not fit for purpose.But for you and your side of the debate, those race game mechanics don't apply to anyone except the six or so PCs in the whole world!This does not compute.Are PC elves the only elves in the world that can see in the dark?Are PC halflings the only halflings in the world that are Lucky? Or Brave? Or have Halfling Nimbleness? Or are....Small?Do you think that PC halflings are the only halflings in the world that are more dextrous on average than humans? Represented by +2 Dex?If they are, then what are NPC halflings, orcs or dragonborn like? We have no idea, because those Race mechanics are ONLY for PCs, right?But if those mechanics DO represent the race as a whole, then +2 Str is....wrong!For us, a PC halfling with higher Strength than the average orc is fine, because it doesn't mess with how ALL orcs and ALL halflings are modelled in game mechanics.That's why I'm okay with a houserule that says players can swap a racial +2 for a feat at character creation. It allows a 16 Str halfling (at 1st level using point buy) by choosing the right half feat, because it leaves the racial bonuses for the race as a whole, and therefore the concept of each race, intact!</blockquote>

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