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

[DND_Reborn]

Describing ASI’s as an abstraction does though.

16 str halfing vs 16 str Goliath

Halfing is exceptionally strong due to training and background and despite his race. Goliath is strong due to race, class and background.

Same score, different explanations.

That isn't what I am talking about. I am talking about potential.

I don't think many people would have an issue with a halfling having STR 16, it is STR 20 halfling some people take issue with (due I hope more due to size, carry capacity, etc. than the actual +5 modifier).

 

[FrogReaver]

No! That is exactly what I don't want to do. But yeah, I guess you managed to to find the core of the disagreement...

Why though? Why insist on making all possible characters during character creation when by removing some you increase game balance?

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Why though? Why insist on making all possible characters during character creation when by removing some you increase game balance?

Because I care about verisimilitude more than the balance. To me the game rules exist to simulate fictional characters, not other way around.

 

[FrogReaver]

Because I care about verisimilitude more than the balance. To me the game rules exist to simulate fictional characters, not other way around.

... It’s character creation. So whatever the thing you are complaining about isn’t verisimilitude.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

... It’s character creation. So whatever the thing you are complaining about isn’t verisimilitude.

Of course it is. It makes sense for goliaths to be stronger than halflings. If the rules do not support that, then verisimilitude is harmed.

 

[FrogReaver]

Of course it is. It makes sense for goliaths to be stronger than halflings. If the rules do not support that, then verisimilitude is harmed.

We are taking about playable characters, not all goliaths in the game. It’s not verisimilitude that’s the issue.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

We are taking about playable characters, not all goliaths in the game. It’s not verisimilitude that’s the issue.

I don't understand. Why would playable characters be arbitrarily limited?

 

[FrogReaver]

I don't understand. Why would playable characters be arbitrarily limited?

Why can’t you playa a dragon?

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Why can’t you playa a dragon?

Not the same thing. You are bizarrely choosing to limit character to subsection of each race, with parameters being different for every race. You allow exceptionally strong halflings but not exceptionally strong goliaths. That's just nonsense.

 

[FrogReaver]

Not the same thing. You are bizarrely choosing to limit character to subsection of each race, with parameters being different for every race. You allow exceptionally strong halflings but not exceptionally strong goliaths. That's just nonsense.

It is the same. Why are dragons arbitrarily excluded from being a playable race?

Answer: because being a dragon would be too imbalanced.

The same reason I suggested excluding certain goliaths from our list of playable characters.