Unpopular opinions go here

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Exactly. Which is why I prefer the randomness of WFRP and DCC RPG. Or better yet, freeform magic.

People always complained about the magic system in Mage: The Ascension -- and it did take a moment to get one's head around -- but I always found it liberating. I bet it wouldn't be too hard to map a similar effects-based system onto D&D.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I had almost forgotten that Enzyte Bob was a thing. How can I best express my appreciation for your reminder while remaining within the good graces of the moderators?

Stay seated, for one.

 

[MGibster]

Sure but some conventions are actual businesses whose profits are made primarily on volunteer labor -- including GMs but also general help. Providing things like comped badges and housing vouchers is a start, but even those are rare.

I'm in agreement with you there. I'm thinking there's a difference between a not-for-profit convention thrown by fans for fans and a for-profit convention thrown together by professionals. In the 90s, a lot of RPG companies had programs where you could get free material by running demos for them at game stores and conventions. I don't believe most of those programs exist these days and I wonder why. Is it becaus someone figured out the programs weren't effective? Or was someone afraid of establishing an employer/employee relationship?

 

[MGibster]

Stay seated, for one.

You're the only gnome I need in my life.

 

[CleverNickName]

D&D doesn't need dozens of bespoke races (or ancestries, or species, or whatever you call them at your table.)

The "Custom Lineage" rules in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything + the examples already printed in the PHB are all you will ever need to create any number of balanced, unique, and interesting characters for your campaign.

You want to play a siren? A half-medusa? How about an ooze? Half-dryad minotaur? Give me ten minutes and I'll have it ready to go. Go roll your stats and choose your background in the meantime.

 

[CreamCloud0]

D&D doesn't need dozens of bespoke races (or ancestries, or species, or whatever you call them at your table.)

The "Custom Lineage" rules in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything + the examples already printed in the PHB are all you will ever need to create any number of balanced, unique, and interesting characters for your campaign.

You want to play a siren? A half-medusa? How about an ooze? Half-dryad minotaur? Give me ten minutes and I'll have it ready to go. Go roll your stats and choose your background in the meantime.

while i don't disagree with what you're inherently saying i'd want a lineage creator that#s a lil bit more beefy and nuanced than the custom lineage we have right now, a good few more actual species traits than just pick between skill proficiency or darkvision and a feat, no breath or natural weapons? climb, swim or flyspeeds? elemental or status resistances? innate spellcasting? as well as power guidelines for what is ranked what.

 

[overgeeked]

People always complained about the magic system in Mage: The Ascension -- and it did take a moment to get one's head around -- but I always found it liberating. I bet it wouldn't be too hard to map a similar effects-based system onto D&D.

My favorite iteration of that style of magic is Changeling: The Dreaming 20th Anniversary. Especially the bunks. Freeform minor rituals of pure silliness and whimsy or utterly dark and depraved.

 

[CleverNickName]

while i don't disagree with what you're inherently saying i'd want a lineage creator that#s a lil bit more beefy and nuanced than the custom lineage we have right now, a good few more actual species traits than just pick between skill proficiency or darkvision and a feat, no breath or natural weapons? climb, swim or flyspeeds? elemental or status resistances? innate spellcasting? as well as power guidelines for what is ranked what.

Sounds good to me. A single, four-page pamphlet with some tables would be much better than an indefinite number of $35 splatbooks. Maybe I'll cook one up when I'm finished with my current writing project?

 

[overgeeked]

Sounds good to me. A single, four-page pamphlet with some tables would be much better than an indefinite number of $35 splatbooks. Maybe I'll cook one up when I'm finished with my current writing project?

There’s one that made a bit of a splash when it came out.

Ancestry & Culture: An Alternative to Race in 5e - Arcanist Press | Dungeon Masters Guild

Ancestry & Culture: An Alternative to Race in 5e - Character creation rules for 5e that replace race with ancestry, culture, and mixed heritage, for awesome new PCs Two Ti

www.dmsguild.com

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

D&D doesn't need dozens of bespoke races (or ancestries, or species, or whatever you call them at your table.)

The "Custom Lineage" rules in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything + the examples already printed in the PHB are all you will ever need to create any number of balanced, unique, and interesting characters for your campaign.

You want to play a siren? A half-medusa? How about an ooze? Half-dryad minotaur? Give me ten minutes and I'll have it ready to go. Go roll your stats and choose your background in the meantime.

A product listing more abilities to attach to that system would be ideal. I used Tasha's to build a half-ogre and was completely satisfied with the result.