I think I have thought of a new character creation method that might smooth out a few imbalanced in terms of attributes. Tell me what you think.
First, all characters start off as human. Base speed 30, medium size, speaking common.
First, choose your attributes. You can roll, use the array or point buy like normal.
Next, choose your class. Your class determines which attributes get boosted.
Barbarian - +2 Constituion, +1 Strength
Bard - +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity
Cleric - +2 Wisdom, +1 Intelligence
Fighter - +2 Strength or Dexterity, +1 Constitution
Monk - +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom
Paladin - +2 Strength, +1 Charsima
Ranger - +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom
Rogue - +2 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence
Sorcerer - +2 Charisma, +1 Constitution
Warlock - +2 Charisma, +1 Wisdom
Wizard - +2 Intelligence, +1 Wisdom
If that is too strong, the first one can be lowered to +1.
Next, you choose a feat. HOWEVER, instead of a normal feat you can choose a feat that would make the character a different race. There are no half-races or subraces as these feats are meant to cover all subraces, if you want to be specific about that kind of thing then just use the background to express it. These are special feats that you can only take at level 1. You need to have attributes high enough to qualify for the feat (so you build your character's attributes to be a Dwarf, choosing Dwarf as a race does not alter your attributes).
If you take a normal feat instead of a racial feat (thus, you remain human) you also get one additional skill from your class's skill selection.
I made a lot of extra ones beyond the current official races. I can't guarantee that these are balanced (some may need one ability to be removed), some are a bit more restrictive than others but I tried to really open it up. For instance, I would have liked to give the Gith more freedom to choose their powers but there aren't psionics in the game yet except in playtest form.
I tried hitting all those that exist already or came up in the recent survey, but I decided not to tackle Large or Tiny PC races because... well... I don't feel qualified. I included Bugbear though.
Aasimar
Prerequisites: Level 1, Charisma 13 and Constitution 11 or Wisdom 11
* You have resistance to necrotic and radiant damage
* You have proficiency with Religion skill
* You have resistance against falling damage
* You know one cantrip from the Cleric spell list. At 3rd level you may choose a single 1st level spell from the Cleric spell list that you may cast once per long rest. At 5th level you may choose a single 2nd level spell from the Cleric spell list that you may cast once per long rest. You may choose either Charisma or Wisdom as your casting stat for these spells.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Celestial
Aaracokran
Prerequisites: Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Constitution 11 or Wisdom 11.
* Your base walking speed is 25.
* Your unarmed strike deal 1d4 damage.
* You can fly at a speed of 50 but only when wearing no armor or light armor.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Aracokran
Bugbear
Prerequisites: Level 1, Strength 13 and Constitution 11 or Dexterity 11.
* You have one additional hit point per level.
* Your size is considered large for the purposes of grappling checks.
* Savage Attacks (See PHB)
* You are proficient with the Stealth skill
* You can Speak, Read and Write Goblinish
Dragonborn
Prerequisites: Level 1, Strength 13 and Constitution 11 or Dexterity 11.
* Draconic Ancestry (See PHB)
* Breath Weapon (See PHB)
* Damage Resistance (See PHB)
* You can Speak, Read and Write Draconic
Dwarven
Prerequisites: Level 1, Constitution 13 and Strength 11 or Wisdom 11
* Your base walking speed is 25. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
* You have Dark Vision
* You gain 1 additional hit point per level
* You have saving throws against Poison and resistance to Poison damage.
* You are proficient with one-handed martial melee weapons.
* You are proficient with Lore (History)
* You are proficient with an Artisans Tools of your choice.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Dwarven
Elven
Prerequisites: Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Intelligence 11 or Wisdom 11 or Charisma 11.
* Your base walking speed is 30.
* You have Dark Vision
* You are considered a fey and have all the benefits and weaknesses of one.
* You do not need to sleep, but you must meditate for 4 hours a day.
* You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and magic cannot put you to sleep.
* You may choose any one Cantrip from any class spell list.
* You have proficiency in the Perception skill..
* You have proficiency with ranged and finesse martial weapons.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Elven
Gensin
Prerequisites: Level 1, Constitution 13, any other 2 attributes 11
* You can survive without air for up to one hour.
* You are resistant to one of the following damage types of your choice: acid, cold, fire, lightning or thunder
* You know one cantrip from the Sorcerer spell list. You may choose one 1st level spell from the Sorcerer that you may use once per a long rest.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Primordial
Gith
Prerequisites: Level 1, Wisdom 13 and Strength 11 or Dexterity 11.
* You have the Awakened Mind ability of the Warlock (See PHB)
* You have the Mage Hand cantrip. Starting at level 3 may use the Misty Step spell once per long rest. Starting at 5th level you may use the See Invisible spell once per long rest.
* You are proficient with the Insight skill.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Gith
Gnoll
Prerequisites: Level 1, Strength 13 and Constitution 11 or Dexterity 11.
* You have Dark Vision
* Yu may choose a single Favored Enemy (See PHB)
* When you reduce an enemy to 0 hit points with a melee attack you may make a bonus action to make an attack for 1d6 plus either Strength or Dexterity damage to another enemy within 5' of you. You may only do this once per short rest. The damage increases to 2d6 at 5th level, 3d6 at 11th level, 4d6 at 17th.
* You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Gnollish
Gnomish
Prerequisites: Level 1, Intelligence 13 and Constitution 11 or Wisdom 11
* You are small size
* Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
* You have Dark Vision
* Gnome Cunning (see PHB)
* Natural Illusionist (see PHB)
* Proficiency with one set of tools of your choice.
* You may communicate with one of the following: small animals or earth elementals.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Gnomish
Goblinic
Prerequisite Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Constitution 11 or Wisdom 11
* You are small size
* You have Dark Vision
* You can move through the square occupied by a creature a size larger than yours.
* You can attempt to hide when you are obscured by a creature at least one size larger than you.
* You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.
* You have proficiency with Vehicle (Land)
* You can Speak, Read and Write Goblinish
Golliath
Prerequisite Level 1, Strength 13 and Constitution 11 or Charisma 11
* You may reduce the damage of a single attack by 1d12 + Constitution modifier once per long rest.
* You are trained with the Athletics skill.
* You are considered large size for carrying capacity, lifting, pushing and dragging
* You are acclimated to cold environments.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Golliath
Halfling
Prerequisites: Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Constitution 11 or Charisma 11
* You are small size
* Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
* When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
* You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
* You can move through the square occupied by a creature a size larger than yours.
* You can attempt to hide when you are obscured by a creature at least one size larger than you.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Halfling
Hobgoblinic
Prerequisites: Level 1, Constitution 13 and Dexterity 11 or Charisma 11
* You have Dark Vision
* Relentless Endurance (See PHB)
* You have proficiency with ranged and finesse martial weapons.
* You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
* You have training in the Athletics skill
* You can Speak, Read and Write Goblinish
Kobold
Prerequisite Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Constitution 11 or Intelligence 11
* You are small size
* You have Dark Vision
* You can move through the square occupied by a creature a size larger than yours.
* You can attempt to hide when you are obscured by a creature at least one size larger than you.
* You have advantage on rolls to detect, make, arm and disarm traps.
* You have proficiency with one Artisans tools of your choice.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Draconic
Lizardfolk
Prerequisites: Level 1, Strength 13 and Dexterity 11 or Constitution 11
* Your armor class when wearing no armor is 12 + Dexterity bonus.
* You have a swim speed of 30.
* You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
* You are proficient with the Survival skill.
* You can Speak, Read and Write Draconic
Orcish
Prerequisites: Level 1, Strength 13 and Constitution 11 or Wisdom 11
* You have Dark Vision
* Menacing (See PHB)
* Relentless Endurance (See PHB)
* Savage Attacks (See PHB)
* You can Speak, Read and Write Orcish
Rakasta
Prerequisites: Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Constitution 11 or Charisma 11
* You have Dark Vision
* When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
* You add your proficiency bonus to your Initiative checks
* You are trained in the Acrobatics skill
* You can Speak, Read and Write Rakasta
Revenant
Prerequisites: Level 1, Dexterity 13 and Constitution 11 or Charisma 11
* You are considered undead and have all the weaknesses and benefits of this.
* You have Dark Vision
* You have Resistance to Necrotic damage.
* Relentless Endurance (See PHB)
* You know one Cantrip from the Necromancy school.
* You are trained with the Intimidate skill.
Tiefling
Prerequisites: Level 1, Charisma 13 and Dexterity 11 or Intelligence 11
* You have Dark Vision
* You have resistance to fire damage.
* You have proficiency with Arcana skill
* You know one cantrip from the Warlock spell list. At 3rd level you may choose a single 1st level spell from the Warlock spell list that you may cast once per long rest. At 5th level you may choose a single 2nd level spell from the Warlock spell list that you may cast once per long rest. You may choose either Charisma or Intelligence as your casting stat for these spells.
The Underdark: Races that have Dark Vision typically only have 60'. However, they often have subraces that extend their dark vision to 120', however they also gain the Sunlight Sensitivity disadvantage (See PHB). These underdark dwelling versions are almost always evil (or especially evil in the case of races that already lean towards evil.)
Interesting thought. I did like how one cersion of he playtest had class ability bonuses. Now, what do you get if you want to be human? A feat? The existing human gets a feat and a skill.
These racial packages are bigger than a single feat, so humans need to get something more. But I like it. Keep working on it. I do believe that class should be your first consideration in creating your character. Since having a high enough attack score is important if your game is going to be at all focused on combat (and if it isn't, then why are you using D&D?), then anything that avoids the chance of making a suboptimal character is fine with me.
What about high elves?
Xeviat-DM wrote:
Somehow I didn't see that you gave them any cantrip. I still think the unfocused vs focus isn't quite a fair balance. They're going to be focused for someone.
I must say I like this, 
Xeviat-DM wrote:
I would give Barbarians a +2 Con and +1 Str to differentiate them from the Fighter.
Seems like more work and less balance, honestly. And it limits the options in weird ways.
On a side note, you spelled Genasi wrong.
arnwolf666 wrote:
Hebitsuikaza wrote:
I like the idea. I was trying to figure out a way to make it so that there were fewer bad choices when picking a race for your class.
One of the things I like is that it would make changing races easier for pre-made characters. I hate to force someone into a race if running a quick game.
A thing I don't like about this is that it could still force players to put points in a stat they don't want/need if they want to play a certain race.
What I ended up doing for my character creation house rule was to let the players take a racial +1 from a stat they don't want and put it into a stat they do want. It may not give them the best ability scores for the class they want to play, but it does let them start with a 16 in their primary class stat if they are using the standard array.
MrHotter wrote:
Genasi. Not Genasai. Not Gensain. Genasi.
/frustrated by misspells.