D&D 5E When I think ____, I think ____. : Simplifying 5e Races

[Sunseeker]

A player just getting started should play a dwarf, elf, halfling or human. It doesn't seem sensible to me to try to make things simpler but at the same time including every possible option.

The options only matter if we start getting into mechanical options. And in those cases, Elves, Dwarves and Halflings are all more complicated than Dragonborn, Half-Orcs and Tieflings.

New players should play the race they find most engaging that is available within the campaign. The race that they find most interesting and engaging is the race that is going to keep them interested in their character and engaged in the game, and is more likely to get them to role-play the elements of that race they find most interesting.

Suggesting people play the core 4 to "keep it simple" when more likely than not they aren't even looking at the stats yet, is really saying "play the core 4 because they're plain." and playing a race because it is the most whitebread has never been a way to keep people interested in any game.

@OP: I've never heard of 5E being difficult to get into for new players. When I ran the game, everyone picked it up pretty quick.

 

[Wulffolk]

Suggesting people play the core 4 to "keep it simple" when more likely than not they aren't even looking at the stats yet, is really saying "play the core 4 because they're plain." and playing a race because it is the most whitebread has never been a way to keep people interested in any game.

@OP: I've never heard of 5E being difficult to get into for new players. When I ran the game, everyone picked it up pretty quick.

On one hand you get it, on the other hand you completely missed the point.

As you stated, 5e's rules are simple enough to grasp for the majority of people, even those without experience in RPGs. So, the mechanical difference between the races has nothing to do with the preference for new players to focus on the "Core 4" races.

There are several reasons that the "Core 4" are the best starting point for most people. First they are by far the most familiar races, and thus even somebody walking off the street is likely to have at least a basic idea of what those races are like. The closer a race is to Human the easier it is to empathize with the character that you are creating, and the more likely you are to be engaged in the RP. Also, learning the game by playing one of the "Core 4" races helps to build a solid foundation of understanding the background of most settings.

I could go into further detail, but I expect that you would have your own reasons to justify holding an opposing view, and that is fine. Not only do I believe that the core races make for a better entry point into the game, but also that they remain the most interesting choices even after decades of creating characters. I never cared for the whole Star Wars cantina feel that some groups gravitate towards.

 

[Sunseeker]

On one hand you get it, on the other hand you completely missed the point.

As you stated, 5e's rules are simple enough to grasp for the majority of people, even those without experience in RPGs. So, the mechanical difference between the races has nothing to do with the preference for new players to focus on the "Core 4" races.

There are several reasons that the "Core 4" are the best starting point for most people. First they are by far the most familiar races, and thus even somebody walking off the street is likely to have at least a basic idea of what those races are like. The closer a race is to Human the easier it is to empathize with the character that you are creating, and the more likely you are to be engaged in the RP. Also, learning the game by playing one of the "Core 4" races helps to build a solid foundation of understanding the background of most settings.

I could go into further detail, but I expect that you would have your own reasons to justify holding an opposing view, and that is fine. Not only do I believe that the core races make for a better entry point into the game, but also that they remain the most interesting choices even after decades of creating characters. I never cared for the whole Star Wars cantina feel that some groups gravitate towards.

That's nice, I guess. But as you said, you completely missed my point.

I'm not suggesting one race is superior to another, as you seem to be arguing.

I'm suggesting the races that a player finds interesting are the races that player should be playing. That's it. I don't think X race or Y race gets a person better into the game, or that X race or Y race is more relatable. I'm saying people should play what they find interesting. If that's a human paladin, great. If that's a tiefling swashbuckler, great.

 

[Charlaquin]

To actually use the OP’s format...

When I think of dwarves, I think of stout, mountain-dwelling folk and enduring artifice.
When I think of elves, I think of mystical fey creatures and woodland enclaves.
When I think of halflings, I think of simple, provincial folk and fortuitous adventures.
When I think of (fantasy) humans, I think of adaptability and ubiquity.

When I think of dragonborn, I think of proud warriors and powerful bloodlines.
When I think of gnomes, I think of smaller dwarves and a bit of elf mixed in (incidentally, I’m not a big fan of gnomes. They lack an identity of their own in my opinion).
When I think of half-elves, I think of dubious love affairs and cultural divisions.
When I think of half-orcs, I think of old enemies and racial predjudices.
When I think of tieflings, I think of infernal dealings and inherited curses.

 

[CubicsRube]

Also, I don't like ability score increases for races. I would prefer the use of interesting traits that help highlight the flavor of the race.

For example, instead of an Elf getting a boring +2 to Dexterity, I would prefer them to gain advantage on Acrobatics, Stealth and Persuasion checks to reflect their grace and beauty. Instead of a Half-Orc getting q+2 Strength, they would get advantage on Athletic tests and increase the size of their damage dice by one increment. The Dwarf could get something like Durable instead of +2 Constitution. I think options like this are for more interesting and flavorful than plain old stat bonuses.

Totally agree with that.

Traits are much more interesting. Half orcs with relentless, halflings with lucky, elves with proficiency in acrobatics, that kind of thing.

I would dump racial ability increases entirely. A halfling can still be a 20 str barbarian. All it does is delay it by a few levels.