Aarakocra physiology change - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Aarakocra physiology change

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
AndrewJO
Aug 28, 2015 1:23:15 I'm considering making an aarakocra character, so I've been doing some research to figure out how they'd act, how they live, etcetera. All the sources I've read say that they have hands on their wings, but in the elemental evil player's companion the description and picture show that they have arms separate from their wings. Is this a change from previous editions, or are there different types of aarakocra?
#2
Danny_Montanny
Aug 28, 2015 5:12:48
They're shown with arms separate from wings in the Monster Manual as well. Its probably just an aesthetic change because I don't think mechanically it makes a difference. They were able to use their wing hands just fine.

#3
Shojiteru
Aug 28, 2015 9:48:31 While flying, using a separate pair of arms would better. You can't hold so,ething like a bow or sword or even a box while flying unless you mastered how to hold those things with your talons,
#4
Ath-kethin
Aug 28, 2015 14:21:03
In older editions, aaracockra had their hands at the midpoint of their wings. This prevented them from using their hands effectively while flying, which was a decent way to balance out the fact that they could fly. Though in 2nd Edition, they had some tools they could manipulate with their feet, such as special bows.

For some reason 5th Edition gives them an extra set of appendages (arms separate from wings), making them much more dangerous and useful in flight. Idon't know why, really, unless it's part of the continuous progression of all creatures into the "human dudes in rubber suits who are good at anything" progression (see the evolution of the Thri-Kreen for another example of this trend).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 AndrewJO Aug 28, 2015 1:23:15	I'm considering making an aarakocra character, so I've been doing some research to figure out how they'd act, how they live, etcetera. All the sources I've read say that they have hands on their wings, but in the elemental evil player's companion the description and picture show that they have arms separate from their wings. Is this a change from previous editions, or are there different types of aarakocra?
#2 Danny_Montanny Aug 28, 2015 5:12:48	They're shown with arms separate from wings in the Monster Manual as well. Its probably just an aesthetic change because I don't think mechanically it makes a difference. They were able to use their wing hands just fine.
#3 Shojiteru Aug 28, 2015 9:48:31	While flying, using a separate pair of arms would better. You can't hold so,ething like a bow or sword or even a box while flying unless you mastered how to hold those things with your talons,
#4 Ath-kethin Aug 28, 2015 14:21:03	In older editions, aaracockra had their hands at the midpoint of their wings. This prevented them from using their hands effectively while flying, which was a decent way to balance out the fact that they could fly. Though in 2nd Edition, they had some tools they could manipulate with their feet, such as special bows. For some reason 5th Edition gives them an extra set of appendages (arms separate from wings), making them much more dangerous and useful in flight. Idon't know why, really, unless it's part of the continuous progression of all creatures into the "human dudes in rubber suits who are good at anything" progression (see the evolution of the Thri-Kreen for another example of this trend).