Been considering building an Aquatic Half-Elf Barbarian with a Pirate background but finding it difficult to find any 5e references to the Aquatic Half-Elves and their logistics. Anybody know where to find this info? Maybe Swordcoast Adventurers Guide or somewhere else? From what I gather so far, online and from 3.5e info, is that I lose the proficiency in "2 Skills of your Choice" option that you typically gain with the Half-Elf Race and it seems to be replaced with the "Keen Senses" Elf trait that reads to be essentially a proficiency in the Perception skill. The Pirate background already forces the perception skill proficiency onto my character. So not only do I lose 2 skill proficiencies, but I don't seem to get anything in return for it. Anyone come across this issue before (or anything similar)? Any advice on how to remedy this situation besides the usual "pick a different race/class/background" feedback?
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide talks a little about sea elves and contains the variant rules for Half-Elves that lets them trade Skill Versatility for Keen Senses or a trait related to their parentage. A half-elf of sea elf descent, can gain a swimming speed of 30 feet. Taking Keen Senses is pointless; this was a mistake on the author's part.
Also keep in mind that the background rules allow you to take another proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) if you already gained the proficiency listed in the background from another source (e.g. your race), or even pick any two skill proficiencies if you want.
Awesome! Thank you SO much for the clarity. Great information to have. I agree that taking Keen Senses is pointless and was wondering if they had thought that one through. When you say "take another proficiency of the same kind" are you referring to another ability-based kind? Ex. Trade 'Perception (WIS)' for another Wisdom based skill like 'Animal Handling (WIS)'?
When you say "take another proficiency of the same kind" are you referring to another ability-based kind? Ex. Trade 'Perception (WIS)' for another Wisdom based skill like 'Animal Handling (WIS)'?
I'm referring to trading a skill proficiency for another skill proficiency, as opposed to a tool proficiency. Here's the text from the backgrounds rules:
Proficiencies
Each background gives a character proficiency in two skills. Skills are described in the Using Ability Scores section.
In addition, most backgrounds give a character proficiency with one or more tools. Tools and tool proficiencies are detailed in the Equipment section.
If a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, he or she can choose a different proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) instead.
Emphasis mine. And here's the bit about picking any skills you want:
Customizing a Background
You might want to tweak some of the features of a background so it better fits your character or the campaign setting. To customize a background, you can replace one feature with any other one, choose any two skills, and choose a total of two tool proficiencies or languages from the sample backgrounds. You can either use the equipment package from your background or spend coin on gear as described in the Equipment section. (If you spend coin, you can’t also take the equipment package suggested for your class.) Finally, choose two personality traits, one ideal, one bond, and one flaw. If you can’t find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one.
Thanks again for the clarity. Glad to hear I have the option to customize my character (within reason) so the skills, tools and background have a better chance of making sense. This was a great help!
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Been considering building an Aquatic Half-Elf Barbarian with a Pirate background but finding it difficult to find any 5e references to the Aquatic Half-Elves and their logistics. Anybody know where to find this info? Maybe Swordcoast Adventurers Guide or somewhere else? From what I gather so far, online and from 3.5e info, is that I lose the proficiency in "2 Skills of your Choice" option that you typically gain with the Half-Elf Race and it seems to be replaced with the "Keen Senses" Elf trait that reads to be essentially a proficiency in the Perception skill. The Pirate background already forces the perception skill proficiency onto my character. So not only do I lose 2 skill proficiencies, but I don't seem to get anything in return for it. Anyone come across this issue before (or anything similar)? Any advice on how to remedy this situation besides the usual "pick a different race/class/background" feedback?
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide talks a little about sea elves and contains the variant rules for Half-Elves that lets them trade Skill Versatility for Keen Senses or a trait related to their parentage. A half-elf of sea elf descent, can gain a swimming speed of 30 feet. Taking Keen Senses is pointless; this was a mistake on the author's part.
Also keep in mind that the background rules allow you to take another proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) if you already gained the proficiency listed in the background from another source (e.g. your race), or even pick any two skill proficiencies if you want.
Awesome! Thank you SO much for the clarity. Great information to have. I agree that taking Keen Senses is pointless and was wondering if they had thought that one through. When you say "take another proficiency of the same kind" are you referring to another ability-based kind? Ex. Trade 'Perception (WIS)' for another Wisdom based skill like 'Animal Handling (WIS)'?
Emphasis mine. And here's the bit about picking any skills you want:
Thanks again for the clarity. Glad to hear I have the option to customize my character (within reason) so the skills, tools and background have a better chance of making sense. This was a great help!