After building a new homebrew race, I have noticed a glaring problem (unless I'm missing something) with the Character Creation process as it relates to selecting a race.
Rather than selecting a race, and then seeing all of the subraces as a dropdown, I instead see all of the subraces at once. This creates three issues.
1. New players, unfamiliar with the available races and creating their first characters are immediately overwhelmed by how many options there are. I have one player who chose his race simply because it was purple, and he didn't want to take the time to look at every single race.
2. If I create a homebrew race with subraces, the actual race doesn't show. Only the subraces. The problem with this is that, unlike with official races, which the players can (but shouldn't have to) use the search bar to look up, my homebrew races, their flavor, and the general information about the race as a whole cannot be searched. The only way to view it is to select the race, then visit the parent race page. (Again, unless im missing a shorter way). A small side issue related to this is that players cant add my homebrew to their collection unless I publish it and they have a subscription.
3. I use content sharing. If the players want to look up the information on races (or anything, for that matter) not from the free content, and they don't own it, they cannot view the new race until they select a placeholder race and finish their character.
TLDR; Race selection is 1.) Overwhelming 2.) Makes Homebrew Races hard to learn about 3.) Causes extra work for content sharing players.
Solution: Have parent races the only options on the Race selection page, and after entering one, have the Subraces and Variant Races as collapsible sections within a second tier of selection process.
Have I missed something?
Ps. I have noticed a very similar issue with subclasses. Players should not have to select the subclass before reading what it is. I imagine this will become an issue when homebrew subclasses are introduced.
So what you imagine is more of a tree structure in the Race tab? Using Elf as an example it would look something like:
Unopened: + Elf
Opened: - Elf Dark Elf Eladrin High Elf Wood Elf
Something like that? One way to cut down on the number of options using the current system would be to use the existing source filter at the top. If you want simplicity, just use the PHB (or Basic Rules) races. If you just want to look at the DM's Homebrew races (I'm assuming that's a dropdown option; I haven't used them personally) then do that.
Regarding subclasses, I think the builder does a pretty good job right now of letting you select one and look at the benefits inline. If you want to choose something else you just change it and view the info for that option. The only thing I'm not crazy about here is when there are class features that refer to the class table, which is not available inline in the builder.
Opened: -Elf (Full racial description of Elves in general here) +Dark Elf +Eladrin +High Elf +Wood Elf +Homebrew Elf Subraces
Opened Opened: -Elf (Full racial description of Elves in general here) -Dark Elf (Full description of Dark Elves and their benefits +Other Subraces still in closed position, until opened. My homebrew Elf Subrace would also be openable.
Then the same treatment of my Homebrew Races and Subraces. I dont feel any of the info from the books should be left out, including roll tables and flavor texts.
I know I could use the source filter, but I don't think the amount of options itself is the issue. Most players, even brand new ones, could just look at the overall races, and easily be able to tell what they want to play. Then they can just look inside those specific races they like, all before making their selection. For instance, I knew my very first time that I either wanted a Dragonborn, an Elf, or a Dwarf, because those in general looked the coolest. Once I narrowed it to that, I looked at the Subrace options for each, and realized I loved the idea of playing a white-scaled dragonborn more than any elf or dwarf options. Homebrew is not a source option, though that would be a nice feature.
Technically, I'm hoping they will eventually allow me as the DM to select which races I want to be available, both official and homebrew. Perhaps Kenku dont exist in my world, but the other Volo's Guide races do. Then the players wouldn't even have to ask me. I'd just say "If (fill in official content here) shows up as an option, you can play it." This would especially be helpful if I created a Varient version of Aasimar, and official Aasimar dont fit my world. I could get rid of the latter option, and only allow the former to display in character creation. I think they are considering this route.
Subclasses isn't AS big an issue, but it would be better (I think) if players could open both the Wild Magic and the Storm Sorcerer options, and look at them at the same time to compare. Again, just using the +Wild Magic and +Storm Sorcerer format.
Finally, subclasses don't show up for players on character creation unless they are already the level required to access. Perhaps a player would prefer the Arcane Archer Subclass over the Monster Slayer, but they wouldn't know that until they hit lvl 3, and by then they've already selected their class and spent levels. The current setup requires players either select the class in general that they think is interesting (removing their ability to see all the diversity and flavor even among subclasses) or leave the character creation to view the subclasses (unless they unlock at lvl 1). I had one player who didn't realize the Fighter class had an Arcane Archer subclass until they'd already taken the Ranger.
You would create the race, then run a campaign. Have the players select “allow homebrew content” in their character builder on the first page, and then they should see it listed.
I think that there's a basic assumption that when going into the character builder, the user has at least an idea what they're planning to create.
It's pretty easy to use the RACES and CLASSES pages to do a bit of reading up on what the options are beforehand, or at the same time in a separate tab of the browser.
I'm not saying that the builder shouldn't change. I happen to agree with you that the races selection page is just too cluttered now and would definitely benefit from being able to work in a "tree like" manner, as you described.
As I understand it, more long term goals for campaign management will allow the DM to specify a LOT more details about what the campaign allows & disallows. I can already imagine the forum questions though, "I can't select Elf in character builder!" "Has your DM switched Elves off in your campaign?" ;)
Many of my new players have gone in with no idea of what was available. Their only experience with fantasy was Lord of the Rings, so they only knew they could choose Dwarf, Elf, Human, or Halfling. Everything else was a complete shock to them. But I suppose new players don’t make up a huge demographic of users.
I do hope that they allow you to choose individual races to take out, and not just sources.
Is there a fix in progress to get homebrew races to display their subraces like official content, or are we still stuck with multiple tabs for each subrace?
It appears as though the issue lies with selecting the race group. As of current creating a new race does not add a new race group allowing you to organize it properly.
It appears as though the issue lies with selecting the race group. As of current creating a new race does not add a new race group allowing you to organize it properly.
I think this is still true. And...it sucks.
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After building a new homebrew race, I have noticed a glaring problem (unless I'm missing something) with the Character Creation process as it relates to selecting a race.
Rather than selecting a race, and then seeing all of the subraces as a dropdown, I instead see all of the subraces at once. This creates three issues.
1. New players, unfamiliar with the available races and creating their first characters are immediately overwhelmed by how many options there are. I have one player who chose his race simply because it was purple, and he didn't want to take the time to look at every single race.
2. If I create a homebrew race with subraces, the actual race doesn't show. Only the subraces. The problem with this is that, unlike with official races, which the players can (but shouldn't have to) use the search bar to look up, my homebrew races, their flavor, and the general information about the race as a whole cannot be searched. The only way to view it is to select the race, then visit the parent race page. (Again, unless im missing a shorter way). A small side issue related to this is that players cant add my homebrew to their collection unless I publish it and they have a subscription.
3. I use content sharing. If the players want to look up the information on races (or anything, for that matter) not from the free content, and they don't own it, they cannot view the new race until they select a placeholder race and finish their character.
TLDR; Race selection is 1.) Overwhelming 2.) Makes Homebrew Races hard to learn about 3.) Causes extra work for content sharing players.
Solution: Have parent races the only options on the Race selection page, and after entering one, have the Subraces and Variant Races as collapsible sections within a second tier of selection process.
Have I missed something?
Ps. I have noticed a very similar issue with subclasses. Players should not have to select the subclass before reading what it is. I imagine this will become an issue when homebrew subclasses are introduced.
So what you imagine is more of a tree structure in the Race tab? Using Elf as an example it would look something like:
Unopened:
+ Elf
Opened:
- Elf
Dark Elf
Eladrin
High Elf
Wood Elf
Something like that? One way to cut down on the number of options using the current system would be to use the existing source filter at the top. If you want simplicity, just use the PHB (or Basic Rules) races. If you just want to look at the DM's Homebrew races (I'm assuming that's a dropdown option; I haven't used them personally) then do that.
Regarding subclasses, I think the builder does a pretty good job right now of letting you select one and look at the benefits inline. If you want to choose something else you just change it and view the info for that option. The only thing I'm not crazy about here is when there are class features that refer to the class table, which is not available inline in the builder.
Correct. I'd have:
Unopened:
+Elf
Opened:
-Elf
(Full racial description of Elves in general here)
+Dark Elf
+Eladrin
+High Elf
+Wood Elf
+Homebrew Elf Subraces
Opened Opened:
-Elf
(Full racial description of Elves in general here)
-Dark Elf
(Full description of Dark Elves and their benefits
+Other Subraces still in closed position, until opened. My homebrew Elf Subrace would also be openable.
Then the same treatment of my Homebrew Races and Subraces. I dont feel any of the info from the books should be left out, including roll tables and flavor texts.
I know I could use the source filter, but I don't think the amount of options itself is the issue. Most players, even brand new ones, could just look at the overall races, and easily be able to tell what they want to play. Then they can just look inside those specific races they like, all before making their selection. For instance, I knew my very first time that I either wanted a Dragonborn, an Elf, or a Dwarf, because those in general looked the coolest. Once I narrowed it to that, I looked at the Subrace options for each, and realized I loved the idea of playing a white-scaled dragonborn more than any elf or dwarf options. Homebrew is not a source option, though that would be a nice feature.
Technically, I'm hoping they will eventually allow me as the DM to select which races I want to be available, both official and homebrew. Perhaps Kenku dont exist in my world, but the other Volo's Guide races do. Then the players wouldn't even have to ask me. I'd just say "If (fill in official content here) shows up as an option, you can play it." This would especially be helpful if I created a Varient version of Aasimar, and official Aasimar dont fit my world. I could get rid of the latter option, and only allow the former to display in character creation. I think they are considering this route.
Subclasses isn't AS big an issue, but it would be better (I think) if players could open both the Wild Magic and the Storm Sorcerer options, and look at them at the same time to compare. Again, just using the +Wild Magic and +Storm Sorcerer format.
Finally, subclasses don't show up for players on character creation unless they are already the level required to access. Perhaps a player would prefer the Arcane Archer Subclass over the Monster Slayer, but they wouldn't know that until they hit lvl 3, and by then they've already selected their class and spent levels. The current setup requires players either select the class in general that they think is interesting (removing their ability to see all the diversity and flavor even among subclasses) or leave the character creation to view the subclasses (unless they unlock at lvl 1). I had one player who didn't realize the Fighter class had an Arcane Archer subclass until they'd already taken the Ranger.
How do you use the characterbuilder with a custom race like the pixie?
You would create the race, then run a campaign. Have the players select “allow homebrew content” in their character builder on the first page, and then they should see it listed.
I think that there's a basic assumption that when going into the character builder, the user has at least an idea what they're planning to create.
It's pretty easy to use the RACES and CLASSES pages to do a bit of reading up on what the options are beforehand, or at the same time in a separate tab of the browser.
I'm not saying that the builder shouldn't change. I happen to agree with you that the races selection page is just too cluttered now and would definitely benefit from being able to work in a "tree like" manner, as you described.
As I understand it, more long term goals for campaign management will allow the DM to specify a LOT more details about what the campaign allows & disallows. I can already imagine the forum questions though, "I can't select Elf in character builder!" "Has your DM switched Elves off in your campaign?" ;)
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Many of my new players have gone in with no idea of what was available. Their only experience with fantasy was Lord of the Rings, so they only knew they could choose Dwarf, Elf, Human, or Halfling. Everything else was a complete shock to them. But I suppose new players don’t make up a huge demographic of users.
I do hope that they allow you to choose individual races to take out, and not just sources.
Is there a fix in progress to get homebrew races to display their subraces like official content, or are we still stuck with multiple tabs for each subrace?
It appears as though the issue lies with selecting the race group. As of current creating a new race does not add a new race group allowing you to organize it properly.
I think this is still true. And...it sucks.