Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ZaxFahrenheit200 Feb 23, 2015 12:30:47	Hello all,   On again off again DM here, finally starting 5e up.  SUPER excited about this edition, though like many, I'm perplexed by standard vs. variant human.  Ok, 4 less +1s, but that feat more than makes up for it.   My view on humans is that, in any given class guide, humans should usually be a "dark blue" choice.  Occasionally sky blue, occassionally black, but most often dark blue.  So I came up with this house rule:   Default human: RAW + three skill proficiencies (if the half-elf gets two skill proficiencies, it is unlikely to have gotten them from the elf side.  Humans are supposed to reflect versatility, so what better way than this?)   Variant human: RAW, except that feat is restricted as follows: player may not select the "skilled" feat, or any feat that includes gaining +1 to an ability score.   For simplicity's sake, the default human in my campaign is the "urban/town/village" human, while the variant is the "hamlet/rural/nomadic" human.   So, here's what I'd like people's thoughts on: 1. Does this suddenly make default human OP, or better enough so that it would hit the "dark blue," while the variant human drops down to "dark blue" on a more regular basis?" 2. Would it get the job done of balancing the two out?   (Reason for edits: fixed a number mistake and a grammar error).
#2 Coredump00 Feb 23, 2015 13:45:32	I don't think either change makes much difference.   More skills is nice, but not really what you base a build on in most cases.  Same with the Skilled or +1 feats.....   not seeing a lot of those at 1st level (except maybe Heavy Armor Master)
#3 Illithidbix Feb 23, 2015 17:17:23	I vaguely think the problem is more that the racial benefit of normal humans varies massively based upon which ability score generation you're using.   The standard (15,14,13,12,10,8) array doesn't benefit it much, point buy can do if you pick well, and random rolling... does if you roll lots of odd numbers and doesn't if you roll lots of even numbers.   The variant human is actually alot more similar to the rest of the races with bonus to two ability scores and a then some chunky bonuses (Feat and skill)   The value of those potential +1 to four stats is very debatable and depends upon the campaign and if all characters are regually forced to use all their ability scores, or if just the specialists need to use them. Most theorycrafting is done with certain specified goals in mind, often focused around damage output and so doesn't really value it.
#4 ZaxFahrenheit200 Feb 23, 2015 17:51:19	Illithidbix wrote:
(Reply to #4) FrogReaver	They would see more use with 3 different plus 2 stats.   ZaxFahrenheit200 wrote: