D&D 5E What To Do With Racial ASIs?

[Vael]

I've been thinking about Dragonborn, specifically, the breath weapon. I don't think the save DC should be determined by any attribute, give it a flat DC that scales up with damage. Any race with a special attack, like a breath weapon, should probably have it be semi-stat independent. I'm not counting natural attacks like claws in this.

 

[EscherEnigma]

Which unfortuantely for small and medium creatures, they aren't a different matter.

Hah. Puny half-orc. Doesn't even have a carrying capacity advantage over a halfling. Just goes to show the inherent superiority of large races.

AKA: Shows me for shooting from the hip. I knew large (or at least, whatever-that-trait that goliaths and firbolgs have) mattered; I thought small mattered too.

 

[Worrgrendel]

This is why I think things like Powerful Build actually make a difference. There is a big difference (at least is some ways) between a STR 20 goliath and a STR 20 dragonborn.

For example, elves get "proficiency" in Perception? Seriously? Give them expertise or advantage or something even more meaningful.

The hard part would be coming up with enough unique stuff that doesn't step on other toes.

Exactly this!

Give Elves something like "Keen Senses". Gives them proficiency in Perception and they ignore range penalties on Perception checks or something like that.

Not stepping on other Races toes would be difficult but I think doable.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

I thought small mattered too.

It should. It is utterly bizarre that it doesn't.

 

[EscherEnigma]

The best the Dwarf can start with is 15. It takes three ASIs to reach 20. It is quite likely that the campaign is over by then or even if it isn't the elf has spent quite along time being more dexterous.

/headscratch

So we're not talking about the strongest orc being stronger then the strongest halfling, but the mediocre orc being stronger then the mediocre halfling?

Again, you can do that to NPCs without touching the PHB (in fact, the monster generation rules in the MM encourage you do to so). And the PHB doesn't deal with mediocrity.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Exactly this!

Give Elves something like "Keen Senses". Gives them proficiency in Perception and they ignore range penalties on Perception checks or something like that.

Not stepping on other Races toes would be difficult but I think doable.

Or make it so they don't have disadvantage on Perception checks in Dim light, or whatever.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

/headscratch

So we're not talking about the strongest orc being stronger then the strongest halfling, but the mediocre orc being stronger then the mediocre halfling?

Again, you can do that to NPCs without touching the PHB (in fact, the monster generation rules in the MM encourage you do to so). And the PHB doesn't deal with mediocrity.

This cannot be this hard! Where it actually matter is the PC group where the characters will be the same level. There the halfling cannot mach the orc except at very high level. So the player who chooses to play 'the strong orc' gets to be the strongest person in the party.

I mean sure, it would make sense if some stats were universally capped based on species, but the current system is better than nothing.

 

[Worrgrendel]

The best the Dwarf can start with is 15. It takes three ASIs to reach 20. It is quite likely that the campaign is over by then or even if it isn't the elf has spent quite along time being more dexterous.

Niche case but Dwarf DEX Fighter vs Elf Ranger:
Dwarf:
Level 1 = 15 DEX
Level 4 = 16 DEX (Feat with +1 ASI or +1 to 2 stats)
Level 6 = 18 DEX
Level 8 = 20 DEX

Elf:
Level 1 = 16 DEX (or 17 DEX)
Level 4 = 18 DEX (or 19 DEX)
Level 6 = 18 DEX (or 19 DEX) No change
Level 8 = 20 DEX

So the Elf was "more agile" for 5 levels and then they both capped DEX at level 8. Most campaigns I think go past level 6. AGAIN, extreme example but its there.

Sorry, but once the ability called strength is not a measure of how strong the character is, then we are at disassociated mechanics territory and I won't like it.

I understand and appreciate our different points of view. To me it would not affect my decision to play the game.

 

[EscherEnigma]

This cannot be this hard! Where it actually matter is the PC group where the characters will be the same level.

But that's a spotlight issue, not a rules issue.

Expecting the rules to police your spotlight boundary is always going to be messy.

For that matter, you're also saying that your narrative ("my PC is the strongest!") should automatically trump another player's narrative ("my PC is the strongest!"). Which is... well, it's bad table-manners to say the least. If it's really important to you that your character's narrative is unchallenged, then that's something you need to talk to your DM and other players about, not something to wave a rulebook at.

 

[Worrgrendel]

I mean sure, it would make sense if some stats were universally capped based on species, but the current system is better than nothing.

Sounds like 1E or 2E is the game for you then?