I am relatively new to 5e and this "issue" came up with a friend during last nights character creation session. He states that since the DM is using the optional feat rules for our campaign that humans are stuck to feats throughout the campaign, that they cannot take the +1 to all ability scores at character creation and then later take feats at 4th, 8th, etc. later on based on their class. I and the DM obviously disagree. His point being that it is a campaign wide option the DM is electing to implement and thus eliminates the ability of a human to take the six +1's to their stats. This seems totally ridiculous but looking for others input on this. I read it as optional based on the character, not the campaign. Here is the rule in its entirety...
"VARIANT HUMAN TRAITS If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from chapter 5, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human's Ability Score Increase trait. Ability Score Increase. Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1. Skills. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice. Feat. You gain one feat of your choice."
To me, it only replaces the HUMAN traits at the point the character is created. The player can then chose either the feats or ASI provided by class at the appropriate levels and the fact that I am playing a human should not limit me to only feats instead of the option to chose between the 2.
Thoughts? How do you play this? Is there an official FAQ?
The DM has already stated his ruling agreeing with mine but in case we were out in left field, I would love some other input. Thanks.
You are correct. If the player chooses to play a Human Variant they get +1 to two different abilities scores plus one feat when creating the character. When they get an ASI they have the option to either take the +1 to two abilities scores or plus 2 to one, or take a feat. Note, any race can choose between a feat or the ability score increase when they receive an ASI from their class.
Even when you allow feats, players have the choice between regular human and human variant as well when they create their character. In my mind, human variant is the better choice, but you have the option to play a regular human and get the +1 to all stats.
Yes, the variant Human allows a character to take the all human traits, except for the Ability Score Increase, which is replaced with the Ability Score Increase (+1 on only two abilities), Skill and Feat. It has no effect on the class features.
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I am relatively new to 5e and this "issue" came up with a friend during last nights character creation session. He states that since the DM is using the optional feat rules for our campaign that humans are stuck to feats throughout the campaign, that they cannot take the +1 to all ability scores at character creation and then later take feats at 4th, 8th, etc. later on based on their class. I and the DM obviously disagree. His point being that it is a campaign wide option the DM is electing to implement and thus eliminates the ability of a human to take the six +1's to their stats. This seems totally ridiculous but looking for others input on this. I read it as optional based on the character, not the campaign. Here is the rule in its entirety...
"VARIANT HUMAN TRAITS
If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from chapter 5, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human's Ability Score Increase trait.
Ability Score Increase. Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.
Skills. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
Feat. You gain one feat of your choice."
To me, it only replaces the HUMAN traits at the point the character is created. The player can then chose either the feats or ASI provided by class at the appropriate levels and the fact that I am playing a human should not limit me to only feats instead of the option to chose between the 2.
Thoughts? How do you play this? Is there an official FAQ?
The DM has already stated his ruling agreeing with mine but in case we were out in left field, I would love some other input. Thanks.
You are correct. If the player chooses to play a Human Variant they get +1 to two different abilities scores plus one feat when creating the character. When they get an ASI they have the option to either take the +1 to two abilities scores or plus 2 to one, or take a feat. Note, any race can choose between a feat or the ability score increase when they receive an ASI from their class.
Even when you allow feats, players have the choice between regular human and human variant as well when they create their character. In my mind, human variant is the better choice, but you have the option to play a regular human and get the +1 to all stats.
Yes, the variant Human allows a character to take the all human traits, except for the Ability Score Increase, which is replaced with the Ability Score Increase (+1 on only two abilities), Skill and Feat. It has no effect on the class features.