Just some clarification on the "summary" part of the original post. This isn't "my" specific summary but a gist of about 100 threads made from others (myself included however) regarding D&D.
I accept that many of these exceptions could be subject to difficulty setting or official mods like what Larian did in DOS2. The HP bloat is reference to the artificially high hit points most creatures and races have been given, especially goblins. Goblins are a pain because they swarm you in much higher numbers BUT they have really low HP like 4-8 unless you get a boss. You can realistically kill 5 goblins with a lv 3 magic missile but there maybe 20 of them. I can understand the HP bloat to prevent overly long turns and I personally don't care. I don't even want spells to be artificially scaled to do more damage as some have hinted at because this will just cause further balance issues.
I think players don't understand how advantages are so powerful in D&D and should be something you will spend resources on to get, not only some vertical movement you can easily set up before even combat starts.
That's why I think height shouldn't be an advantage. It's too powerful, a +1 or +2 flat bonus on a single roll would be much better and less impactful.
This I do care about and the solution of a +1+2 seems like a good solution. Advantage is REALLY powerful and is a feature of many class feats. These height and backstab advantages are representitive of level 16+ characters in D&D with absolutely no downsides. I can accept "a bonus" from being 6 inches higher than someone but being slightly higher up doesn't give a double whammy advantage - you disadvantage - them + accuracy + backstab for all classes including spellcasters. This single mechanic throws the 5e rule book out the window regardling class benefits.
Just like the jump disengage + action. If you disengage an enemy you don't get to attack afterwards, that is why melee classes get close for AOO to stop archers/spellcasters. Classes like rogue get the ability to disengage as a bonus action as part of their kit, as every class can do this currently the rogue is pointless. I missed this from the list as this is a big deal.
The trap (12) was me being cheeky. Traps aren't a big thing in 5e but were in previous editions, I just want the ability to trap doors while progressing though a dungeon to prevent sneakies ganking you from behind. Also placing traps around camp os you don't get ambushed while sleeping that you collect in the morning. Just little things that add to "realism". Realism being an immersion thing, D&D is a game of the imagination.
