I know some people might find this idea dumb, but is there a way to make Halflings more interesting for players? I feel like many people don't want to play Halflings because they don't offer too much besides Lucky and Brave, where as Gnomes get magical stuff and Dwarves are Dwarves.They just feel weaker/not as interesting RP wise, in my opinion. Is there a way to change that while staying in lore?
It is impossible to get all players interested in all races. If you or your players aren't into halflings despite their being absolutely awesome and one of the best races in the game, there is nothing wrong - no problem to fix - halflings just aren't your/their thing.
It is impossible to get all players interested in all races. If you or your players aren't into halflings despite their being absolutely awesome and one of the best races in the game, there is nothing wrong - no problem to fix - halflings just aren't your/their thing.
I currently have a concept for a Halfling Rogue based on the idea of growing up on the mean streets of a mostly Human city. He hates the word "Halfling" because, to him, it's a slur. An insult. It implies that he's somehow "less" than the "normal sized" folks.
So, minor Napolean complex but more a willingness to justify stealing and burglary by saying they deserve it for how they've treated him and his people. I mean, it's not his fault that the Bigjobs put their keyholes and pockets at eye level, is it?
See? There's all sorts of hooks for making Halflings interesting, just like any other race.
I know some people might find this idea dumb, but is there a way to make Halflings more interesting for players? I feel like many people don't want to play Halflings because they don't offer too much besides Lucky and Brave, where as Gnomes get magical stuff and Dwarves are Dwarves.They just feel weaker/not as interesting RP wise, in my opinion. Is there a way to change that while staying in lore?
Opinion's can't be wrong, you say "Dwarves are Dwarves" implying I assume that you really like them, and obviously you don't like halflings. Let's give my (hypothetical) opinion now
The idea of a dwarf is terrible to play, they are short, stout, and gruff, while doing nothing but mining and drinking. They are super greedy, and disturb the depths of the world in searching for more and more wealth, caring not how they affect the rest of the world. They are selfish and hold grudges forever.
In contrast Halflings are great, they are jovial, love peace and food, just want a warm place to call home. They live simple lives, and are simple folk who don't bother those who don't bother them. They sympathize with others, and hapilly share what they have, even if what they have is not much at all. I'd much rather be a happy folk who is easily pleased and helps out others, than one who just wants the most treasure and isn't welcoming to outsiders.
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Different players have different tastes, that's all. RP is what you make it, I see plenty of opportunity for great RP Halflings.
Also, you don't have to fit in the "trope" of the character. Take what you think makes a dwarf interesting and apply those characteristics to a halfling who never quite fit in. There's nothing that says you can't be a gruff, unfriendly halfling. Every culture/community has outliers
It's from the old D&D Basic set, but the Five Shires gazetteer really adds a lot of depth and background for Halflings.
I love the GAZ series. <3
I look into it, thanks! And I didn't mean anything negative, sometimes I feel Halflings go underappreciated, but it's probably just the group I'm with now.
Their racials are pretty much the best you can get IMO. I don't like to play them myself mostly due to the stereotypes silly, short, food focused etc. but it's hard to argue with their bonuses. You can really make any of the races fit any sort of trope you are going for though. Want a super charismatic social butterfly half-orc, do it! Makes for some really fun combinations when you go against type.
Make all races interesting!! This is up the players working with their DM. It's up to you to make your character interesting. Add some personality background to the characters backstory.
A Character is not defined by their race but who, the player, make them to be. Bilbo was just a basic hobbit when a bunch of Dwarves and a strange wizard decided to stop by. What made this character want to leave home and seek a world of adventure? Write it in to your character and give them motivation and flaws and all good things that make a character memorable regardless of race. What's their story?
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JT "You will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."
This makes perfect sense for a halfling, they're known for blending in to whoever they are around and adapt quickly to culture and whatnot. Halflings are wonderful because they can fit into almost any 'trope' you want. dwarf trope? stout halfling. Elf trope? lightfoot halfling.
I absolutely love Halflings, but I also find them 'boring' - they're designed to be happy and peaceful, which are wonderful traits in a person, but maybe too wonderful? Like, their race description lacks any sort of flaw to base conflict around, and conflict is what tends to make characters interesting.
Some ideas for conflicts stemming from Halfling nature (at least as described in 5e):
Innocent - a Halfling from one of the isolated communities goes out to see the world, only to experience hardship and violence for the very first time.
Lack of identity - a Halfling who has relied on "avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense" their whole life.
Repressed - Halfling societies "[look] to family elders to guide them," and use family dynamics to "preserve their traditional ways." A Halfling coming from a particularly conservative family/community that shuns them for one reason or another.
Always on the move - a Halfling from a nomadic community who makes friends everywhere, but can never keep them, as they're constantly traveling.
What are some other ideas?
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I know some people might find this idea dumb, but is there a way to make Halflings more interesting for players? I feel like many people don't want to play Halflings because they don't offer too much besides Lucky and Brave, where as Gnomes get magical stuff and Dwarves are Dwarves.They just feel weaker/not as interesting RP wise, in my opinion. Is there a way to change that while staying in lore?
It is impossible to get all players interested in all races. If you or your players aren't into halflings despite their being absolutely awesome and one of the best races in the game, there is nothing wrong - no problem to fix - halflings just aren't your/their thing.
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D&D Beyond FoundersHalflings are best, this is true.
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If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
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As an example:
I currently have a concept for a Halfling Rogue based on the idea of growing up on the mean streets of a mostly Human city. He hates the word "Halfling" because, to him, it's a slur. An insult. It implies that he's somehow "less" than the "normal sized" folks.
So, minor Napolean complex but more a willingness to justify stealing and burglary by saying they deserve it for how they've treated him and his people. I mean, it's not his fault that the Bigjobs put their keyholes and pockets at eye level, is it?
See? There's all sorts of hooks for making Halflings interesting, just like any other race.
CUBE
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D&D Beyond FoundersIt's from the old D&D Basic set, but the Five Shires gazetteer really adds a lot of depth and background for Halflings.
I love the GAZ series. <3
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
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InsidersI, personally, love halflings! As J. R. R. Tolkien said - "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Also, you don't have to fit in the "trope" of the character. Take what you think makes a dwarf interesting and apply those characteristics to a halfling who never quite fit in. There's nothing that says you can't be a gruff, unfriendly halfling. Every culture/community has outliers
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
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Their racials are pretty much the best you can get IMO. I don't like to play them myself mostly due to the stereotypes silly, short, food focused etc. but it's hard to argue with their bonuses. You can really make any of the races fit any sort of trope you are going for though. Want a super charismatic social butterfly half-orc, do it! Makes for some really fun combinations when you go against type.
We do bones, motherf***ker!
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
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Okay, have fun with them.
I love them in Dragonlance, and Eberron, where they aren't just intentionally boring short humans, but the core fluff makes me fall asleep.
We do bones, motherf***ker!
Make all races interesting!! This is up the players working with their DM. It's up to you to make your character interesting. Add some personality background to the characters backstory.
A Character is not defined by their race but who, the player, make them to be. Bilbo was just a basic hobbit when a bunch of Dwarves and a strange wizard decided to stop by. What made this character want to leave home and seek a world of adventure? Write it in to your character and give them motivation and flaws and all good things that make a character memorable regardless of race. What's their story?
JT " You will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."
While that is good advice, it doesn't have any impact whatsoever on whether a given race is boring.
We do bones, motherf***ker!
This makes perfect sense for a halfling, they're known for blending in to whoever they are around and adapt quickly to culture and whatnot. Halflings are wonderful because they can fit into almost any 'trope' you want. dwarf trope? stout halfling. Elf trope? lightfoot halfling.
I love halflings, but I know not everyone does. I also don't like gnomes, sorry not sorry.
I absolutely love Halflings, but I also find them 'boring' - they're designed to be happy and peaceful, which are wonderful traits in a person, but maybe too wonderful? Like, their race description lacks any sort of flaw to base conflict around, and conflict is what tends to make characters interesting.
Some ideas for conflicts stemming from Halfling nature (at least as described in 5e):
What are some other ideas?