Remathilis
Legend
There it is. Let's toss that on the pile with races, alignment and classes for things D&D should get rid of.
The Ship of Theseus is doing frequent tours these days.
D&D 5E What To Do With Racial ASIs?
- Thread starter DND_Reborn
- Start date
There it is. Let's toss that on the pile with races, alignment and classes for things D&D should get rid of.
The Ship of Theseus is doing frequent tours these days.
Raith5
Adventurer
I dont like racial ASIs - they just dramatically narrow the types of archetypes. But I like racial feats, so Id like to see more racial feat choices for each race.
But I also dislike the ASI/feat tradeoff. I would like to see them unlinked and there be more feats both racial and normal - especially at lower levels.
But I also dislike the ASI/feat tradeoff. I would like to see them unlinked and there be more feats both racial and normal - especially at lower levels.
The entire reason they exist is to differentiate the various non-human races from one another. They're really bad at that.
If we're not using them for that purpose, just kill them.
If we're not using them for that purpose, just kill them.
pming
Legend
Hiya!
"Got another idea?" is my vote.
I'd make bonuses be only +1, and I'd also add a balancing penalty of -1 to another (e.g., Elf, High INT +1, CON -1; Elf, Wood CON +1, CHA -1; Dwarf, Hill WIS +1, DEX -1, etc, etc, etc). It would be a single stat bonus, single stat penalty for the majority of the races. For the really 'extreme' ones, maybe two (e.g., Goliath, STR +1, CON +1, DEX -1, INT -1). By limiting to a +1 maximum it keeps the almost irresistible desire of a player to keep rolling (or use lots of points) to get that "18" and bump it to the fabled "20". With a max of 19, it keeps that desire a bit more in check. The penalty of -1, however, hurts; it keeps you from starting with an 18. This would help to support the idea that a certain race is 'known for...' various crafts, classes, etc (re: Goliaths make great Fighters, but typically poor Thieves...etc).
I think the game lost a lot of 'racial distinction' between the various choices when they just dropped the penalties and only handed out bonuses. Felt like Opera yelling out "You get a car! You get a car! And you get a car!"...basically, like it's 'cheating' or something; getting a bonus with no other consideration.
Then again, I'm an Old School guy so...yeah.
^_^
Paul L. Ming
"Got another idea?" is my vote.
I'd make bonuses be only +1, and I'd also add a balancing penalty of -1 to another (e.g., Elf, High INT +1, CON -1; Elf, Wood CON +1, CHA -1; Dwarf, Hill WIS +1, DEX -1, etc, etc, etc). It would be a single stat bonus, single stat penalty for the majority of the races. For the really 'extreme' ones, maybe two (e.g., Goliath, STR +1, CON +1, DEX -1, INT -1). By limiting to a +1 maximum it keeps the almost irresistible desire of a player to keep rolling (or use lots of points) to get that "18" and bump it to the fabled "20". With a max of 19, it keeps that desire a bit more in check. The penalty of -1, however, hurts; it keeps you from starting with an 18. This would help to support the idea that a certain race is 'known for...' various crafts, classes, etc (re: Goliaths make great Fighters, but typically poor Thieves...etc).
I think the game lost a lot of 'racial distinction' between the various choices when they just dropped the penalties and only handed out bonuses. Felt like Opera yelling out "You get a car! You get a car! And you get a car!"...basically, like it's 'cheating' or something; getting a bonus with no other consideration.
Then again, I'm an Old School guy so...yeah.
^_^
Paul L. Ming
FrogReaver
The most respectful and polite poster ever
Pretty soon d&d won’t be d&d anymore.
Changed my vote to Just Get Rid of Them! and Got Another Idea!
Either go back to Race-as-Class, or at the very least give nonhuman PCs more substantial racial abilities that grow with the PC as they gain in levels.
Make those special racial abilities based on the old racial ASIs. Players will increase those abilities naturally.
Either go back to Race-as-Class, or at the very least give nonhuman PCs more substantial racial abilities that grow with the PC as they gain in levels.
Make those special racial abilities based on the old racial ASIs. Players will increase those abilities naturally.
WayOfTheFourElements
Hero
I voted other: Instead of changing races, make ever ability important to every class.
FireLance
Legend
I've played D&D for a pretty long time and I guess I'm rather traditional, so I would still like to have racial ability score modifiers.
However, I do see why some players might have a problem with them, either due to concerns over racism or pigeonholing races into specific classes.
So, what I'd like to see as an option during character creation is to either accept the standard ability score modifiers for the race or to get +1 (or whatever) to an ability score based on class and start with a racial feat, one that is good enough to make up for not putting +2 in the most important attribute for the class. So, an orc wizard might get +1 Intelligence and the Furious Spellcaster feat, which grants +2 to a spell attack against one target or increases the saving throw DC made by one target by 2 (recovers on a short or long rest).
However, I do see why some players might have a problem with them, either due to concerns over racism or pigeonholing races into specific classes.
So, what I'd like to see as an option during character creation is to either accept the standard ability score modifiers for the race or to get +1 (or whatever) to an ability score based on class and start with a racial feat, one that is good enough to make up for not putting +2 in the most important attribute for the class. So, an orc wizard might get +1 Intelligence and the Furious Spellcaster feat, which grants +2 to a spell attack against one target or increases the saving throw DC made by one target by 2 (recovers on a short or long rest).
Sadras
Legend
I see nothing wrong with having racial ASI's, personally I think characters start with too many point buy stats but that is easily ammended with a lesser point buy for a grittier game. I'd prefer, like some others suggested, an 18 cap with your racial bonuses allowing one to reacher higher.
I have no issue with having ability disparities between races in a roleplaying game where one can play an awakened tree, an orc or a satyr. Having a standard +2/+1 for every race is lame and hardly innovative. IME Limitations allow for interesting choices, whereas standardised benefits inspire unimaginative, window-dressing options.
I have no issue with having ability disparities between races in a roleplaying game where one can play an awakened tree, an orc or a satyr. Having a standard +2/+1 for every race is lame and hardly innovative. IME Limitations allow for interesting choices, whereas standardised benefits inspire unimaginative, window-dressing options.
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