What do you think of altering the human racial ability score bonus?

[Tobold]

I am thinking of starting a new 4th edition campaign in a world in which humans are the predominant race. But me and my players consider the human racial bonuses somewhat weak compared to the other races. That is especially true with regard to ability scores, as other races get two +2 ability score bonuses, and humans only get one. True, a human can choose where to add the bonus to. But if you choose your race wisely you can usually get the full benefit of the two +2 bonuses for your class.

So I was wondering whether as a house rule for that particular campaign it would be okay to give humans two +2 ability score bonuses. Both of their choice, but you can't choose the same one twice. Do you think that would be overpowered? Alternatives I could think of would be one +2 and one +1 bonus, or one +2 bonus of their choice plus a +2 bonus on a defined ability score, e.g. constitution or strength, with an explanation that humans are more hardy on that world.

The goal would be a group of players where at least half are human, making the group less conspicious in cities dominated by humans.

What do you think?

 

[GSHamster]

Well, if you want Str/Con bonuses, and you choose a race which has Str/Con bonuses, you are essentially picking your chosen stats indirectly through the mechanism of picking a race.

So in that light, 2 choices for humans is not overpowered. It's essentially the same as picking the optimum race, minus the extra racial baggage.

 

[Lindeloef]

You know, in 4e you can easily re-fluff stuff. If they want to play something that needs Str/Dex, select Half-Orc and say its a Human.

 

[thalmin]

You could borrow from the playtest, where the humans don't get an extra feat or skill, but instead get a +1 to every stat.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I don't see much point. Humans actually get some pretty good bonuses already. All of my 4e PCs so far have been humans.

You get +1 to all NADs (this is already giving you some of the benefits of a second stat boost), can take Heroic Effort (or an extra at-will) and have some really good feats (Action Surge is one I'm a huge fan of).

 

[the Jester]

If you're going to give out two +2s, may I suggest "+2 to highest and lowest stats" as a good way to go?

 

[Siberys]

I just ditch the racial tie altogether. All PCs in my games get +2 to two different stats of their choice in place of racial modifiers.

 

[Manbearcat]

Just an opinion here (albeit one founded in 60 levels + of play) but humans as is barely straddle the line between great and too good. + 1 (basically) untyped bonus to Fort, Ref, Will? Extra Skill? Extra Feat? Heroic Effort or 3rd at-will? Just that package alone (forgetting about their solid racial feats/powers and the ability to play any archetype with the floating + 2) is amazingly good. The humans in my games have been every bit as good as the demihumans (and possibly then some).

I wouldn't think for a second about giving them an extra + 2. They don't need it at all. The only race that I think may be better than them in play is half-elf (and that has nothing to do with their ability score bonuses). The two races contribute so much to both combat and multiple types of noncombat conflict resolution merely on the strength of their own racial packages (with half-elf edging them out in the latter due to how much absurd utility Knack For Success bears out).

 

[Neonchameleon]

If you're using the Heroic Effort rather than Extra At Will human then humans are right up there with dwarves in terms of power.

They also dominate as a species with the single +2 because it means that every single human as +2 in their prime stat.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I just ditch the racial tie altogether. All PCs in my games get +2 to two different stats of their choice in place of racial modifiers.

Ditto. I play the Complete 4th Edition, where everyone simply gets +2 to two, and humans lack the usual NAD bonuses. I don't see any more human PCs than in RAW 4e games, and nobody's ever commented on humans being OP.