I think racial feats are a great thing for them to expand upon going forward. Feats are such a popular optional rule because it adds extra customization and personality to how you build a character, so having some options that only work for certain races (or even classes, honestly!) would go a long way in making some races more flavorful. They don't even have to be good or entirely useful (though it would be preferred lol), I just want some stuff that says "Hey your orcish blood runs strong, here's some minor damage boost!" or "hey your genasi heritage allows you to manipulate X element better, here's some cantrips!"
Why do we need racial feats, when normal feats do the exact same job, better?
I think racial feats are a great thing for them to expand upon going forward. Feats are such a popular optional rule because it adds extra customization and personality to how you build a character, so having some options that only work for certain races (or even classes, honestly!) would go a long way in making some races more flavorful. They don't even have to be good or entirely useful (though it would be preferred lol), I just want some stuff that says "Hey your orcish blood runs strong, here's some minor damage boost!" or "hey your genasi heritage allows you to manipulate X element better, here's some cantrips!"
Why do we need racial feats, when normal feats do the exact same job, better?
Because racial feats are limited to specific races, which makes them more unique and, to some, inherently more interesting. Like Revenant Blade from Eberron: Rising from the Last War. It's limited to elves, because in Eberron, Valenar Elves are the only ones that know how to teach the feat. That's interesting and can make for some cool characters.
Also, for those that want more Racial Feats for the Volo's/Elemental Evil races, I have used these in my games for awhile now.
there are alot of people that feel like part of what makes a race unique has been taken away (although I dont particularly agree with this point of view)
Yeah, me neither.
I like using feats to either lean in/lean away from those aspects of the race.
I just believe that racial feats are just racist feats. I don't know why a "racial" feat for a human can't be used on an elf.
I absolutely understand this re: racial ASI at character creation (and agree), but I don't get it for racial feats. There are going to be things halflings can do that goliaths can't and vice-versa. A racial feat you might give a triton for undersea exploration at immense depths is going to make no sense on a tabaxi.
The trick lies in finding racial feats that reflect those genetic differences instead of basing them around cultural norms or individual aptitudes. It can be done, it just takes thoughtful designers.
I just believe that racial feats are just racist feats. I don't know why a "racial" feat for a human can't be used on an elf.
I absolutely understand this re: racial ASI at character creation (and agree), but I don't get it for racial feats. There are going to be things halflings can do that goliaths can't and vice-versa. A racial feat you might give a triton for undersea exploration at immense depths is going to make no sense on a tabaxi.
The trick lies in finding racial feats that reflect those genetic differences instead of basing them around cultural norms or individual aptitudes. It can be done, it just takes thoughtful designers.
That is correct, but then why is that not on the original lineage? But I think I understand.
I just believe that racial feats are just racist feats. I don't know why a "racial" feat for a human can't be used on an elf.
I absolutely understand this re: racial ASI at character creation (and agree), but I don't get it for racial feats. There are going to be things halflings can do that goliaths can't and vice-versa. A racial feat you might give a triton for undersea exploration at immense depths is going to make no sense on a tabaxi.
The trick lies in finding racial feats that reflect those genetic differences instead of basing them around cultural norms or individual aptitudes. It can be done, it just takes thoughtful designers.
The racial ASIs were supposed to represent those genetic differences.
I just believe that racial feats are just racist feats. I don't know why a "racial" feat for a human can't be used on an elf.
I absolutely understand this re: racial ASI at character creation (and agree), but I don't get it for racial feats. There are going to be things halflings can do that goliaths can't and vice-versa. A racial feat you might give a triton for undersea exploration at immense depths is going to make no sense on a tabaxi.
The trick lies in finding racial feats that reflect those genetic differences instead of basing them around cultural norms or individual aptitudes. It can be done, it just takes thoughtful designers.
The racial ASIs were supposed to represent those genetic differences.
A +2 to Strength doesn't reflect the size of a race like Orcs or Goliaths nearly as well as something like Powerful Build does, where you have advantage even if you don't work out. A +2 matches people who've worked out a lot and practiced, such as a bodybuilder halfling or a gnome who's been working the docks their whole life. The ASI may have been intended to match that originally, but there are better, more fitting ways to do it, and I personally am pretty fond of Wizards' current rationale that the ASI your character gets at creation are reflective of that individual, not the entire species. The post-Tasha's explanation is that the character creation ASI are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding and you can move them to better realize your specific character.
I mean, I know what they used to be, but that doesn't change that the new version is more intuitive and better fits the overall conceit, as well as really open up viable builds most people would've never tried without it. Change can be good, and ASI are just too broad and apply to too many parts of the whole character to feel like a genetics thing than a character drive/experience/training thing. But I also recognize not everyone feels that way.
I just believe that racial feats are just racist feats. I don't know why a "racial" feat for a human can't be used on an elf.
I absolutely understand this re: racial ASI at character creation (and agree), but I don't get it for racial feats. There are going to be things halflings can do that goliaths can't and vice-versa. A racial feat you might give a triton for undersea exploration at immense depths is going to make no sense on a tabaxi.
The trick lies in finding racial feats that reflect those genetic differences instead of basing them around cultural norms or individual aptitudes. It can be done, it just takes thoughtful designers.
That is correct, but then why is that not on the original lineage? But I think I understand.
I don't think its unrealistic to think that there are things a halfling can do but goliaths can't genetically, but also further things they could learn to do that goliaths couldn't due to that genetic difference. I can breathe air and a fish can't, but I've never climbed a mountain because I've never tried, but a fish can't even try, y'know?
Yea, that's very fair in my opinion. Every Tiefling has an innate ability to perform some minor magical feats, but very few hone that ability to the point where they can manipulate the flames of the nine hells and form a protective shield. I do think that some of the ones that just give resistances are boring to be honest, though. Yea, +1 to con and a resistance to cold and acid is probably better than a flame shield when you cast a fire spell, but man, the latter definitely makes me feel like I'm on some Infernal shit.
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It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a Planescape-themed UA.
If WotC is going Spelljammer; maybe they’ll give Planescape some love.
Perhaps even update the plane-touched races…make it more like the Gothic Lineages.
That way you have dwarves who have a celestial bloodline…halfling a with a tiefling heritage…some Genasi re-works…
No. I doubt it. They're too similar. It would be like releasing Faerun and Greyhawk in the same year. Bet on Dark Sun instead. You'll get more money probably.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a Planescape-themed UA.
If WotC is going Spelljammer; maybe they’ll give Planescape some love.
Perhaps even update the plane-touched races…make it more like the Gothic Lineages.
That way you have dwarves who have a celestial bloodline…halfling a with a tiefling heritage…some Genasi re-works…
No. I doubt it. They're too similar. It would be like releasing Faerun and Greyhawk in the same year. Bet on Dark Sun instead. You'll get more money probably.
Dark Sun seems a bit nihilistic, psionic, and uh...cannibally for 5e.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a Planescape-themed UA.
If WotC is going Spelljammer; maybe they’ll give Planescape some love.
Perhaps even update the plane-touched races…make it more like the Gothic Lineages.
That way you have dwarves who have a celestial bloodline…halfling a with a tiefling heritage…some Genasi re-works…
No. I doubt it. They're too similar. It would be like releasing Faerun and Greyhawk in the same year. Bet on Dark Sun instead. You'll get more money probably.
Dark Sun seems a bit nihilistic, psionic, and uh...cannibally for 5e.
But we saw Thri Keen. And if you talk nihilistic, I'll say Ravenloft. If you talk psionic, I'll say Tasha's. If you say cannibals, I say they're retcon. I dislike Dark Sun, but I feel like it's coming to spite me.
The post-Tasha's explanation is that the character creation ASI are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding and you can move them to better realize your specific character.
I get that, but I disagree with it wholly. The extra 15 points of point buy (above the 12 that a Commoner must get) are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding. The Racial ASIs were there to represent genetics, the fact that those racial ASIs could be replicated through leveling up was meant to represent that hard work and focus can overcome genetic predisposition. If anything, Powerful Build is more indicative of the concept of inherent racism than a +2 Str ever was.
The post-Tasha's explanation is that the character creation ASI are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding and you can move them to better realize your specific character.
I get that, but I disagree with it wholly. The extra 15 points of point buy (above the 12 that a Commoner must get) are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding. The Racial ASIs were there to represent genetics, the fact that those racial ASIs could be replicated through leveling up was meant to represent that hard work and focus can overcome genetic predisposition. If anything, Powerful Build is more indicative of the concept of inherent racism than a +2 Str ever was.
I don't understand this. But it's okay. I don't need to. Your opinion is your own, and mine is mine.
I loved Dark Sun. And Ravenloft was too emo, Tasha’s was a travesty to Psionics, and if they retcon the cannibalism out of Dark Sun then they might as well not bother doing it at all. It’s supposed to be cannibalistic. Either let it be what it is supposed to be, or leave it dead, but don’t disgrace it with retcons, shitty Psionics, and staplegun rejects.
I loved Dark Sun. And Ravenloft was too emo, Tasha’s was a travesty to Psionics, and if they retcon the cannibalism out of Dark Sun then they might as well not bother doing it at all. It’s supposed to be cannibalistic. Either let it be what it is supposed to be, or leave it dead, but don’t disgrace it with retcons, shitty Psionics, and staplegun rejects.
Dark Sun and other older settings aren't my jam. Sure, I love deserts and psionics, but can we just have an archipelago setting with ice mountains and waka and puffins already?
I loved Dark Sun. And Ravenloft was too emo, Tasha’s was a travesty to Psionics, and if they retcon the cannibalism out of Dark Sun then they might as well not bother doing it at all. It’s supposed to be cannibalistic. Either let it be what it is supposed to be, or leave it dead, but don’t disgrace it with retcons, shitty Psionics, and staplegun rejects.
Thats my worry too...it will be "cleaned up" for 5e and lose the grim dark that made it different.
Slavery, cannibalism, and genocide are huge parts of the lore. While this could be an interesting setting for those who want such an experience it would be hard sell for the majority of the player base me thinks.
I loved Dark Sun. And Ravenloft was too emo, Tasha’s was a travesty to Psionics, and if they retcon the cannibalism out of Dark Sun then they might as well not bother doing it at all. It’s supposed to be cannibalistic. Either let it be what it is supposed to be, or leave it dead, but don’t disgrace it with retcons, shitty Psionics, and staplegun rejects.
Thats my worry too...it will be "cleaned up" for 5e and lose the grim dark that made it different.
Slavery, cannibalism, and genocide are huge parts of the lore. While this could be an interesting setting for those who want such an experience it would be hard sell for the majority of the player base me thinks.
Genocide and death and that is also a hard sell. It's a niche setting, but the Thri Keen indicate...
Why do we need racial feats, when normal feats do the exact same job, better?
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
Because racial feats are limited to specific races, which makes them more unique and, to some, inherently more interesting. Like Revenant Blade from Eberron: Rising from the Last War. It's limited to elves, because in Eberron, Valenar Elves are the only ones that know how to teach the feat. That's interesting and can make for some cool characters.
Also, for those that want more Racial Feats for the Volo's/Elemental Evil races, I have used these in my games for awhile now.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I just believe that racial feats are just racist feats. I don't know why a "racial" feat for a human can't be used on an elf.
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
I like using feats to either lean in/lean away from those aspects of the race.
I absolutely understand this re: racial ASI at character creation (and agree), but I don't get it for racial feats. There are going to be things halflings can do that goliaths can't and vice-versa. A racial feat you might give a triton for undersea exploration at immense depths is going to make no sense on a tabaxi.
The trick lies in finding racial feats that reflect those genetic differences instead of basing them around cultural norms or individual aptitudes. It can be done, it just takes thoughtful designers.
That is correct, but then why is that not on the original lineage? But I think I understand.
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
The racial ASIs were supposed to represent those genetic differences.
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A +2 to Strength doesn't reflect the size of a race like Orcs or Goliaths nearly as well as something like Powerful Build does, where you have advantage even if you don't work out. A +2 matches people who've worked out a lot and practiced, such as a bodybuilder halfling or a gnome who's been working the docks their whole life. The ASI may have been intended to match that originally, but there are better, more fitting ways to do it, and I personally am pretty fond of Wizards' current rationale that the ASI your character gets at creation are reflective of that individual, not the entire species. The post-Tasha's explanation is that the character creation ASI are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding and you can move them to better realize your specific character.
I mean, I know what they used to be, but that doesn't change that the new version is more intuitive and better fits the overall conceit, as well as really open up viable builds most people would've never tried without it. Change can be good, and ASI are just too broad and apply to too many parts of the whole character to feel like a genetics thing than a character drive/experience/training thing. But I also recognize not everyone feels that way.
I don't think its unrealistic to think that there are things a halfling can do but goliaths can't genetically, but also further things they could learn to do that goliaths couldn't due to that genetic difference. I can breathe air and a fish can't, but I've never climbed a mountain because I've never tried, but a fish can't even try, y'know?
Yea, that's very fair in my opinion. Every Tiefling has an innate ability to perform some minor magical feats, but very few hone that ability to the point where they can manipulate the flames of the nine hells and form a protective shield. I do think that some of the ones that just give resistances are boring to be honest, though. Yea, +1 to con and a resistance to cold and acid is probably better than a flame shield when you cast a fire spell, but man, the latter definitely makes me feel like I'm on some Infernal shit.
It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a Planescape-themed UA.
If WotC is going Spelljammer; maybe they’ll give Planescape some love.
Perhaps even update the plane-touched races…make it more like the Gothic Lineages.
That way you have dwarves who have a celestial bloodline…halfling a with a tiefling heritage…some Genasi re-works…
No. I doubt it. They're too similar. It would be like releasing Faerun and Greyhawk in the same year. Bet on Dark Sun instead. You'll get more money probably.
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
Dark Sun seems a bit nihilistic, psionic, and uh...cannibally for 5e.
But we saw Thri Keen. And if you talk nihilistic, I'll say Ravenloft. If you talk psionic, I'll say Tasha's. If you say cannibals, I say they're retcon. I dislike Dark Sun, but I feel like it's coming to spite me.
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
I get that, but I disagree with it wholly. The extra 15 points of point buy (above the 12 that a Commoner must get) are there to underline that all adventurers are inherently outstanding. The Racial ASIs were there to represent genetics, the fact that those racial ASIs could be replicated through leveling up was meant to represent that hard work and focus can overcome genetic predisposition. If anything, Powerful Build is more indicative of the concept of inherent racism than a +2 Str ever was.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
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I don't understand this. But it's okay. I don't need to. Your opinion is your own, and mine is mine.
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
I loved Dark Sun. And Ravenloft was too emo, Tasha’s was a travesty to Psionics, and if they retcon the cannibalism out of Dark Sun then they might as well not bother doing it at all. It’s supposed to be cannibalistic. Either let it be what it is supposed to be, or leave it dead, but don’t disgrace it with retcons, shitty Psionics, and staplegun rejects.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
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Dark Sun and other older settings aren't my jam. Sure, I love deserts and psionics, but can we just have an archipelago setting with ice mountains and waka and puffins already?
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
Thats my worry too...it will be "cleaned up" for 5e and lose the grim dark that made it different.
Slavery, cannibalism, and genocide are huge parts of the lore. While this could be an interesting setting for those who want such an experience it would be hard sell for the majority of the player base me thinks.
Genocide and death and that is also a hard sell. It's a niche setting, but the Thri Keen indicate...
Frequent Eladrin || They/Them, but accept all pronouns
Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!