The racial stats in traditional RPGs are even a bigger balance problem as you get much less additional stat points as you level up or stat bonuses with items.
But guess what ? A lot of roleplayers play to roleplay and don't need to have the ultimate build to be effective and to have fun !
I don't think Larian has to address the racial stats, I actually think it gives more to each race to think about and you'll be able to mod it out (they support modding so you have entire freedom).
And for the GM, (haven't tried it so can't be sure) but I would be surprised if the GM can't adjust players stats on the fly. If that's not the case, that could be a good addition.
If you have no stats bonuses what will you have ?
Only active racials ? So basically every class will want to be elf because of the +10% damage for 3 turns and the instant one free ap (good for everyone not only damage dealers).
And that's the point of the racials bonuses on top of the rest. Not all racial active spells have to be perfectly balanced if the race has something else to offer that encourage a specific "career path".
And removing the racial stat bonuses will remove the appeal of many races.
- Why would you want more than one Human ? You already have one that buffs the entire group.
But with 5% starting crit chance you may consider a Crit mage build or Warrior build.
- Why would I play a Lizard ? I don't like their fire breath I never use it.
But the +2 int makes it more interesting than the elf active for a caster since you have +10% damage all the time and 4% more magic armor.
- Why would I play a Dwarf ? Petrification has such a low range and I already have enough CC from my regular class spells.
But with +2 strength, again the passive makes it better for Warrior since you have the +10% damage permanently instead of for 3 turns (and + 4% Armor).
Not having additional stats bonuses will make the race choice much more one dimensional and boring.
They can't simply remove the racial stats bonuses without re-balancing all racial actives.
And saying: "I can't be optimal with every race.", ... it's the essence of being optimal, you restrict your own choices to get the best out of everything.
You can't be optimal without restricting your choices.
However, if every time I open the stat page of my hypothetical Elvish swordsman and I get to see 2 wasted points, I'm going to get annoyed. It doesn't matter that those 2 points aren't a big deal, it just matters that I have to see them all the time and that they are a clear sign of waste.
Wow "remove the racial it HURTS MY EYES!".
I can just imagine guys at Larian studio in the meeting room:
"We have to remove the racial, it may effect a certain type of players and they get annoyed when they see their stats.
- Well add a feature that hides stats from the inventory."
And I am not even mentioning all stats have secondary effect other than damage. Your swordsman won't necessarily be against having 2% more dodge from finesse.
What about a frontline warrior based on avoiding blows instead of taking them. Pretty elvish no ?
You can dual wield and have more dodge even with Strength weapons.
That's all the point of game too, try new things, have fun, explore, ... and don't look too much at your stats. Gotta take care of those eyes.
