I have a standard half-elf Warlock (Hexblade) who is now at level 2 and is a PHB + XGtE compliant. I was looking over the options for other books and noticed that the half-elf racial variants seemed to be separate from the PHB + 1 arrangement. My basic question is can I maintain my PC, while making him a half-SEA elf variant, even though these rules were presented in SCAG?
If the race is in one of the allowed sources for the campaign - masters or historic - then you can just choose to be that race. There is no +1 for master's or historic.
However, the +1 rule does still exist for the current Season 10 Rime of the Frost Maiden. In this case though, the list of allowed races is specified separately and choosing one of the allowed races does not count against your +1.
So this means that you could use the SCAG for the race and it not count as your +1 for everything else correct?
Not exactly. If you're in Season 10, the allowed races are specifically called out and none of them are in SCAG (in fact, SCAG is not even an allowed source to use for anything in Season 10). If you're in the Historic or Masters campaigns, then PHB+1 is no longer a rule, as far as I know, and you're free to choose options willy-nilly from any source AL allows for the Forgotten Realms.
EDIT: Unless you're talking about Goliath. You can be a Goliath in Season 10, but you're technically using the printing that's in Rime of the Frostmaiden, rather than the one in SCAG.
EDIT2: Goliaths aren't even in SCAG -- my mistake.
The rules sources for the Masters campaign (Dreams of the Red Wizards) and the Historic Campaign are:
When advancing your character, you can use non-optional rules found in the PH and all the books listed below. If a rule has been reprinted in a newer resource, you must always use the latest printing. • Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes (Chapters 1 through 5, only) • Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide • Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything • Volo’s Guide to Monsters • Xanathar’s Guide to Everything You may also use the rules found in the following electronic publications: • Elemental Evil Player’s Companion • Locathah Rising • The Tortle Package Additionally, the following variant or optional rules are available: • Blessed of Corellon (ToF) • Customizing Your Origin (TCoE) • Half-Elf and Tiefling Variants (SCAG/ToF) • Variant Human Traits (PHB) • Option: Human Languages (SCAG)
However, the seasonal campaign for season 10 documentation is:
When creating and advancing your character, you can use any race option listed below. You can also use any of the class rules options for your character (including spells and feats), from the PH and one other product listed below. We refer to this campaign rule as "Player’s Handbook + 1". It is important to note that your choice of race is not restricted by PH + 1. Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Volo’s Guide to Monsters Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
In this case the allowed races are:
Choosing Your Race. All races in the PH are appropriate for this campaign. Additionally, you may also select a race or subrace from the list below as well. From Volo’s Guide to Monsters. Aasimar, Firbolg, Goliath*, Kenku, Kobold, Orc, and Tabaxi From Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. Deep Gnome, Duergar, Eladrin, Gith, Shadar-kai, and Tiefling subraces
.. and they do not count for your +1.
So you can use SCAG races in the Masters and Historic campaigns but not in the Seasonal campaign for season 10 Rime of the Frost Maiden (called Plague of Ancients).
I have a standard half-elf Warlock (Hexblade) who is now at level 2 and is a PHB + XGtE compliant. I was looking over the options for other books and noticed that the half-elf racial variants seemed to be separate from the PHB + 1 arrangement. My basic question is can I maintain my PC, while making him a half-SEA elf variant, even though these rules were presented in SCAG?
Thank you for your time,
IT
No, unfortunately. That would count as using SCAG as a +1.
I figured, but wanted to make sure. Thanks for your help!
IT
You can describe your half-elf as half-sea elf as long as you use the stats for the vanilla half-elf.
Is this still true with the new ruling on phb +1.
Carnival King
If the race is in one of the allowed sources for the campaign - masters or historic - then you can just choose to be that race. There is no +1 for master's or historic.
However, the +1 rule does still exist for the current Season 10 Rime of the Frost Maiden. In this case though, the list of allowed races is specified separately and choosing one of the allowed races does not count against your +1.
So this means that you could use the SCAG for the race and it not count as your +1 for everything else correct?
Carnival King
Not exactly. If you're in Season 10, the allowed races are specifically called out and none of them are in SCAG (in fact, SCAG is not even an allowed source to use for anything in Season 10). If you're in the Historic or Masters campaigns, then PHB+1 is no longer a rule, as far as I know, and you're free to choose options willy-nilly from any source AL allows for the Forgotten Realms.
EDIT: Unless you're talking about Goliath. You can be a Goliath in Season 10, but you're technically using the printing that's in Rime of the Frostmaiden, rather than the one in SCAG.
EDIT2: Goliaths aren't even in SCAG -- my mistake.
The rules sources for the Masters campaign (Dreams of the Red Wizards) and the Historic Campaign are:
When advancing your character, you can use non-optional rules found in the PH and all the books listed below. If a rule has been reprinted in a newer resource, you must always use the latest printing.
• Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes (Chapters 1 through 5, only)
• Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
• Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
• Volo’s Guide to Monsters
• Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
You may also use the rules found in the following electronic publications:
• Elemental Evil Player’s Companion
• Locathah Rising
• The Tortle Package
Additionally, the following variant or optional rules are available:
• Blessed of Corellon (ToF)
• Customizing Your Origin (TCoE)
• Half-Elf and Tiefling Variants (SCAG/ToF)
• Variant Human Traits (PHB)
• Option: Human Languages (SCAG)
However, the seasonal campaign for season 10 documentation is:
When creating and advancing your character, you can use any race option listed below. You can also use any of the class rules options for your character (including spells and feats), from the PH and one other product listed below. We refer to this campaign rule as "Player’s Handbook + 1". It is important to note that your choice of race is not restricted by PH + 1.
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Volo’s Guide to Monsters
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
In this case the allowed races are:
Choosing Your Race. All races in the PH are appropriate for this campaign. Additionally, you may also select a race or subrace from the list below as well.
From Volo’s Guide to Monsters. Aasimar, Firbolg, Goliath*, Kenku, Kobold, Orc, and Tabaxi
From Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. Deep Gnome, Duergar, Eladrin, Gith, Shadar-kai, and Tiefling subraces
.. and they do not count for your +1.
So you can use SCAG races in the Masters and Historic campaigns but not in the Seasonal campaign for season 10 Rime of the Frost Maiden (called Plague of Ancients).
Thank you for the clarification.
Carnival King