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

[Guest 6801328]

Then that’s the source of disagreement. You see racial ability score increases as “half of the rules of races” and their removal as “making them samey and bland.” I see racial ability score increases as the least interesting thing about races, providing nothing but a flavorless boost to some boring numbers. Removing them would have close to zero impact on my perception of the uniqueness of the races. In fact, it might actually make them feel more unique because the least interesting thing about them would not longer be the most significant mechanical consideration.

As usual, @Charlaquin says what I’m thinking better than I do.

 

[Charlaquin]

These sort of kludges are not good game desisgn. There are six ability scores and their sole functions and reason for their existence is measure a creature's capabilities on those axis. Introducing parallel mechanics to measure same things differently will disassociate the ability scores and create confusing rule clutter.

You see kludges, I see wats to represent the same narrative that actually have a meaningful impact on gameplay instead of just changing boring numbers. If that means “dissociating” the ability scores, I say dissociate them away (especially because they’re already only barely associated as-is).

 

[Crimson Longinus]

But the flavor it provides is a bad flavor. It tastes like biological essentialism. I don’t like the way that tastes.

Different fantasy species indeed are biologically different in a way different human ethinicities are not. This is clearly the case whether the rules reflect it or not. Goliaths are about eight feet tall, halfling are three. Dragonborn are fire breathing lizards, aarakocra are birds with feathers. These are not just human ethnicities.

 

[FrogReaver]

But the flavor it provides is a bad flavor. It tastes like biological essentialism. I don’t like the way that tastes.


On that front I am with you.

Any racial differences involve biological essentialism. That’s why one common refrain is that your position is going to lead to removing races altogether. The only way to remove biological essentialism is to remove all racial distinctions other than appearance.

 

[Micah Sweet]

But the flavor it provides is a bad flavor. It tastes like biological essentialism. I don’t like the way that tastes.


To me, that sounds dangerously close to saying that people who do like that flavor are a problem. I'd like to stick to the rules and what we'd like to change as much as possible.

 

[Guest 6801328]

I think this thread has about run it’s course. It has been useful to me in understanding why some people like racial ASIs.

Hasta.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

You see kludges, I see wats to represent the same narrative that actually have a meaningful impact on gameplay instead of just changing boring numbers. If that means “dissociating” the ability scores, I say dissociate them away (especially because they’re already only barely associated as-is).

Well, I don't want them to be disassociated. And considering that disassociated mechanics was one of the biggest complaints about 4th, I doubt I'm alone in this. If ability scores no longer represent what it says on the tin, then it is time to remove than and just give everyone 'basic score' instead. But I don't want that either.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Any racial differences involve biological essentialism. That’s why one common refrain is that your position is going to lead to removing races altogether. The only way to remove biological essentialism is to remove all racial distinctions other than appearance.

Yep.

I don't understand why people are relucant to have racial differences based on biology, etc. Animals IRL are strong, faster, more "hardy" or whatever than humans. Aliens in fiction are commonly portrayed as superior to humans in one aspect or another. But in D&D, the idea that an orc should not be as smart or a halfling not as strong rubs some people the wrong way? Sorry, I just don't get that.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I think this thread has about run it’s course. It has been useful to me in understanding why some people like racial ASIs.

Hasta.

Cool. Glad you participated and see ya in the next thread!

 

[Micah Sweet]

There are some great ideas in this thread, and a lot of creativity, but a lot of it sounds like it's for a different game.