Elves are a better wizard than orcs because they have a free cantrip (and something more IIRC), not because they have a better chance to hit with their spells. The former is an interesting feature that define elves as innate magicians
Actually having a better chance to hit with spells DOES in fact make you a better mage. Yes, the inherent cantrip does make the elves innately magical. I don't have a problem with that. Why does it have to be an either or between that cantrip and the ASI? It doesn't, in fact this is a typical case of more = better. It further consolidates the high elf as the arcane caster race and that's their hallmark.
Originally Posted by Sansang2
the second one does nothing but creating a miserable experience for the orc's player
Speak for yourself, I don't have a miserable experience with my suboptimal orc mage. Also, not only is this an assertion of a universalised falsehood, but it also omits the other half of the truth, namely that it's an awesome experience for the high elf wizard.
Originally Posted by Sansang2
On the other hand, you can force every single existing player, people you never met and will never talk to, to play with the stats you decided, because it's the only right way to play.
NOBODY on this entire earth is forcing you to play an orc mage. Not a single person. Nowhere. Ever. But orcs should have +2 STR and +1 CON anyway, and they should have -2 on INT, but they don't and that's still not enough for you even though you can basically be a totally normal mage now without any drawbacks. Not to mention the fact that the game very well might include rolling for stats so you may very well start with a 17 INT as an orc. But I suppose when that happens your problem will be that elves can start with a 19. Maybe you should just play an elf instead.
Originally Posted by Sansang2
Freedom and constrictions are not the same thing.
You have the freedom to choose your own role. Roles are defined by limitations and restrictions. If you want to be everything at the same time maybe you should play a shapeshifter.
Originally Posted by Sansang2
That's not true.
Yes it is true. If the only restricting factor in playing against type is "culture" then it's not really a challange, just pick your stats and your class on lvl-up and there you go.
Originally Posted by Sansang2
A +1 in bounded accuracy is the difference between night and day.
Given that 20 is the maximum of any attribute, this point is null and void, because you can still reach it, it will just take longer. And it's okay to have characters who are better and worse at doing the same thing.
