Variants replace some traits of the base race with new ones. On the other hand, a subrace adds traits to the base race.
From a game perspective, a race which is supposed to have subraces can't be played without said subraces. Variants are often (but not necessarily) seen as optional.
DDB homebrew feature for race respects this distinction.
Realistically, every race/variant race combo could be rewritten as a a race with two sub-races. I suspect that the difference is that a variant is a sub-race which was written later, for a race that was originally written without sub-races.
Realistically, every race/variant race combo could be rewritten as a a race with two sub-races. I suspect that the difference is that a variant is a sub-race which was written later, for a race that was originally written without sub-races.
Also probably true!
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Playtesting Fugare Draconis, an epic tale of adventure, loss, and redemption
I spent a whole day looking for an answer to these, and after that long research, I think nothing in classic board neither on dndbeyond mechanics, just on story or on how you want to define it.
I think it is used to create Race Groups, for example the Elf group which are: high elf, wood elf, dark elf... but there is not a only "Elf" race, you need to choose one of them. You can use it like that and you put a variant if it is actually the same thing, but just with something added, like a blue fire Genasi, or a Ruby Earth Genasi. That's a way of using it, but i think that, where you draw the line to say what is just a variation or a subrace, is subjective.
What is the practical difference between sub-race and variant both in game terms and dndbeyond terms?
Game terms I can't see how it matters.
Dndbeyond terms, really not sure.
Playtesting Fugare Draconis, an epic tale of adventure, loss, and redemption
Variants replace some traits of the base race with new ones. On the other hand, a subrace adds traits to the base race.
From a game perspective, a race which is supposed to have subraces can't be played without said subraces. Variants are often (but not necessarily) seen as optional.
DDB homebrew feature for race respects this distinction.
Thank you, that helps.
Playtesting Fugare Draconis, an epic tale of adventure, loss, and redemption
Realistically, every race/variant race combo could be rewritten as a a race with two sub-races. I suspect that the difference is that a variant is a sub-race which was written later, for a race that was originally written without sub-races.
Playtesting Fugare Draconis, an epic tale of adventure, loss, and redemption
So, an Illithid race would be a race, and an Ulitharid would be a variant, because mind flayers came out first?
This is not a mimic.
Sam_Hains Mimic Book of Mimics PDF: Download Link Here
Not “came out first” but written as a PC race first. But since neither are PC races it doesn’t really matter.
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I spent a whole day looking for an answer to these, and after that long research, I think nothing in classic board neither on dndbeyond mechanics, just on story or on how you want to define it.
I think it is used to create Race Groups, for example the Elf group which are: high elf, wood elf, dark elf... but there is not a only "Elf" race, you need to choose one of them. You can use it like that and you put a variant if it is actually the same thing, but just with something added, like a blue fire Genasi, or a Ruby Earth Genasi. That's a way of using it, but i think that, where you draw the line to say what is just a variation or a subrace, is subjective.
So when I’m using a sub race, cause I’m making an elf (high elf) do I get the both of the bonuses from high elf and regular elf?