PhoenixPhyre
2016-08-17, 09:39 AM
The hat of the human race is supposed to be its variability and adaptability. The PHB human is...lacking in this regard. Their only racial feature is that they get 6 +1 ability score increases, instead of 4 (+2/+2) or 3 (+2/+1). Of all the humans I've played with, I know of only one that is not a variant.
I understand why the variant human is not the featured option--feats are optional and without feats variant human isn't very good. That doesn't make regular humans any better.
For a world/campaign setting I'm building, I'm considering the following setup for humanity.
Human racial traits
Variant human does not exist. As the most diverse race, all humans start with a pool of 6 points that can be distributed in the following ways:
One point can raise an ability score by one point. No ability score can be raised more than twice at character creation and no more than two ability scores can be raised twice. Thus, +2, +2, +1, +1 is valid, but +3, +2, +1 is not valid nor is +2, +2, +2.
One point can be spent to gain proficiency in a skill.
Two points can be spent to gain expertise (apply double your proficiency) in a skill. No more than one skill can gain expertise this way.
Two points can be spent to select a feat. You gain all benefits of the feat as normal. No more than one feat can be selected this way.
Two points can be spent to select one of the racial features of another race from the following list (no more than one racial feature can be chosen):
Dwarven Resilience (advantage on poison saves, resistance to poison damage)
Dwarven Toughness (+1 HP/level)
Armor proficiency from any race
Weapon proficiency from any race
Darkvision
Fey Ancestry (Sleep spell immunity, advantage on saving throws vs charm effects)
Savage Attacks (Add an extra damage dice on crit)
Comments & Explanation
I wanted to make humans the least coherent and most flexible race. No two humans need to be alike. The costs were judged roughly by looking at what variant human gets in return for only having 2 +1 ability score bonuses.
I'd like some feedback from the collective wisdom of my fellow playgrounders: specifically,
Is this too complicated?
Are you more (or less!) likely to play a human with these changes?
Is it noticeably out of line with the power level of the other PHB races?
Are there other racial features that could be "stolen" without destroying balance?
Other comments/quibbles/feedback is appreciated.
I understand why the variant human is not the featured option--feats are optional and without feats variant human isn't very good. That doesn't make regular humans any better.
For a world/campaign setting I'm building, I'm considering the following setup for humanity.
Human racial traits
Variant human does not exist. As the most diverse race, all humans start with a pool of 6 points that can be distributed in the following ways:
One point can raise an ability score by one point. No ability score can be raised more than twice at character creation and no more than two ability scores can be raised twice. Thus, +2, +2, +1, +1 is valid, but +3, +2, +1 is not valid nor is +2, +2, +2.
One point can be spent to gain proficiency in a skill.
Two points can be spent to gain expertise (apply double your proficiency) in a skill. No more than one skill can gain expertise this way.
Two points can be spent to select a feat. You gain all benefits of the feat as normal. No more than one feat can be selected this way.
Two points can be spent to select one of the racial features of another race from the following list (no more than one racial feature can be chosen):
Dwarven Resilience (advantage on poison saves, resistance to poison damage)
Dwarven Toughness (+1 HP/level)
Armor proficiency from any race
Weapon proficiency from any race
Darkvision
Fey Ancestry (Sleep spell immunity, advantage on saving throws vs charm effects)
Savage Attacks (Add an extra damage dice on crit)
Comments & Explanation
I wanted to make humans the least coherent and most flexible race. No two humans need to be alike. The costs were judged roughly by looking at what variant human gets in return for only having 2 +1 ability score bonuses.
I'd like some feedback from the collective wisdom of my fellow playgrounders: specifically,
Is this too complicated?
Are you more (or less!) likely to play a human with these changes?
Is it noticeably out of line with the power level of the other PHB races?
Are there other racial features that could be "stolen" without destroying balance?
Other comments/quibbles/feedback is appreciated.